There still remains some confusion over the timings and period of play of which the Balon d’Or is decided.
Officially, it is the calendar year of which the vote is cast. Perhaps unofficially, the balloters consider the football calendar season stretching back into the latter half of the year before.
Technicalities. With Lionel Messi, it really doesn’t matter.
Indeed, the little Argentine has been performing on or around the same unbelievable plain for over two full years now - yet shows no signs of slowing down.
Since the beginning of the 2008 season, Messi has played 124 club games for Barcelona, scoring 110 goals. In the process he has picked up two la Liga titles, two Spanish Supercopa’s, a Copa del Rey, a European cup, a European Super Cup, a World Club Cup, European Player of the Year, World player of the Year, two la Liga Player of the Year’s, a European Golden Shoe, a Champions League Player of the Year, two Champions League top scorer awards, Fifpro World Player of the Year and countless other peripheral honours.
Since the beginning of the 2009 season Messi has 72 goals in 73 games. In 2010 alone the ‘Atomic Flea’ has played 50 games and scored 55 goals, including five hat-tricks. According to official 2010/11 la Liga and Champions League statistics, as well as goals, in both competitions Messi has made eleven assists, meaning he’s either scored or set-up 32 goals in just seventeen games. That means he’s good for virtually two goals a game, and invariably he is.
The figures speak for themselves, but what makes Messi all the more extraordinary is the sheer volume of statistics stacked in his favour still doesn’t do justice to what he brings onto a football pitch.
The goals he scores and the damage and destruction he inflicts on the opposition is unparalleled. Everybody knows he’s going onto that left foot yet there a few individuals or collectives that stop him.
Take his last two club games for instance. The weekend past, Barca faced a tricky trip to Osasuna, made all the more difficult by the Spanish air traffic control strikes and thus a last-gasp train and coach dash which got them to the game late.
Midway through the first half, a typically delicate Barca passing movement is going nowhere fast until Messi picks up the ball centrally about 30 yards out. No clear or present danger until the number ten darts goalwards flanked by three defenders who retreat in fear. With a sixth sense of a team-mates run and geometric precision in the timing and weight of the slide-rule ball, Messi slides a pass through the back-line for Pedro to run onto and finish. A goal out of nothing. A goal simply out of Messi. Again.
Then, just after the hour with the game balanced at 1-0, he sprints the length of the Osasuna half on his own, outstripping a trailing pursuer to finish, before another solo run ends in a despairing defender felling the little wizard for a penalty which he gets up and converts. 3-0 Barca, three goals all largely down to Messi – so frequently common.
However, the other, less credited but more selfless side of this supremely gifted player was apparent six days before at the Camp Nou, and the visit of Real Madrid.
Barca produced one of the great footballing displays of modern time in dismantling their bitter foes, and whilst Messi eventually had a hand in two goals with another pair of brilliant through balls to David Villa, it was his all round input to a fine team performance which highlights just what a complete package this player actually is.
For 45 minutes Barcelona kept the ball impeccably, with a style and sophistication that had the watching world football public in awe. Xavi was the orchestrator as la Blaugrana teased and tormented Mourinho’s men with their own unique brand of total football.
Yet Messi was perfectly happy towing the party line to play keep ball. When the ball came his way he’d pass it on, touch it off, move it elsewhere to keep the Barca flow going. His touch, technique and awareness the hallmarks of a la Masia graduate.
Rarely did he take an extra touch, embark on an unnecessary run or ruin the rest of the side’s momentum with anything too ambitious. The best player in the world was intelligent and humble enough to merge into a support role which enabled the whole cast to deliver a regal show.
As last year’s winner of the Balon d’Or, Messi combined similar personal feats with the ultimate team honour of the Champions League. This year that was snaffled away by Jose Mourinho and co at Inter, with Argentina’s erratic showing in the World Cup denying Messi the chance to replicate what his team-mates Xavi and Andres Iniesta did with the more rounded and complete team unit of Spain.
As an individual, competing for an individual award, nobody has done as much as Lionel Messi across 2010. His goals ratio is phenomenal, his contribution is priceless, his presence alone is frightening. Messi is the best player on the planet, and this should be reflected in him retaining the Balon d’Or.
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Thursday, 25 November 2010
El Clasico: Guardiola v Mourinho
As the saying goes in Catalonia – ‘Real buy, Barca breed’ and certainly that sentiment extends to the coaches of these respective dynasties.
A native Catalan - Josep Guardiola has been fed and schooled Blaugrana. After a distinguished playing career at the Camp Nou he began his coaching path with the Barcelona ‘B’ team which provides an important conveyor between the clubs famed La Masia youth set-up and the first eleven.
Guardiola radiates everything that is Barcelona. ‘Mes que un club’ is the motto, competing, playing and winning with a style and grace is the ethos. The former Spanish international is the ideal figurehead - a picture of calm and decency, phlegmatic in victory, honourable in defeat. He exudes the etiquette of the club and embraces the manner in which they are famed.
Not only is he a paragon of these virtues, but he has proved himself as a highly astute and successful manager, guiding Barca to the league, cup and Champions League treble in his first season in management, followed by another La Liga, Spanish Super Cup, European Super Cup and FIFA World Club Cup in his second. Already he is one of Barca’s most successful coaches of all time, having won 103 of 142 games in charge and his sides average close to three goals per game under his stewardship.
If Guardiola is the Mr Miyagi of La Liga, then sat in the opposite dugout is definitely Sensei John Kreese.
No stranger to controversy, confrontation and the dark arts is Jose Mourinho – or,
‘El Traductor’ as he is unaffectionately known by the Barca fans following a spell as Bobby Robson’s translator in the mid 90’s. Eternally the pantomime villain to everyone barring his own flock, he has already, typically, ruffled more than his fair share of feathers since arriving from Internazionale.
However, most importantly he has ruffled a few in his own camp. Previously, the Real Coach’s job was something of a poisoned chalice with interference from the top brass proving detrimental and destructive to previous incumbents.
So far Mourinho appears to have banished such meddling and has firmly established himself as the ‘Special Uno’ at the Bernabeu. Fourteen wins from eighteen games has helped, as does sitting a point clear of Barca at the tables summit.
After a slow start to the season - nine goals in their first seven games - Mourinho’s magic spell has suddenly clicked in with Los Blanco’s winning ten of the last twelve games in all competitions, rifling home 40 goals and remaining unbeaten in the process.
The trip to their arch rivals will undoubtedly be Mourinho’s sternest test so far. In four visits there as coach of Chelsea and Inter he has lost three, although he redeemed himself by completely outfoxing Guardiola over two legs in last season’s Champions League semi.
An interesting paradox of the coach’s two styles will be how each deals with the others star man. Mourinho will be reticent to give much freedom to Lionel Messi, who has already notched 23 goals in just 18 games so far this campaign. In those Champions League semi’s, Messi was chaperoned around the field by a duopoly of Inter stoppers and the tactically astute Mourinho will surely revert to such pragmatism for El Clasico.
What, if anything, Guardiola decides to do with Cristiano Ronaldo could decide the outcome of the game. Through sheer force of belief and confidence in his own men the Barca boss has rarely implicitly divvied out instructions to eliminate the threat of individuals – but left to his own devices as the spearhead of Real’s rapid breaks, the Portuguese forward could prove too much for Barca’s brittle back line to deal with.
The dual between Guardiola and Mourinho, good versus perceived evil, bred versus bought is just one of the intriguing sub-plots which make El Clasico arguably the most anticipated and exciting games of football to be found anywhere on the planet.
So, throw your beach towel over the sofa, apply the factor 40 and fill the fridge with San Miguel.
Roll on Lunes.
A native Catalan - Josep Guardiola has been fed and schooled Blaugrana. After a distinguished playing career at the Camp Nou he began his coaching path with the Barcelona ‘B’ team which provides an important conveyor between the clubs famed La Masia youth set-up and the first eleven.
Guardiola radiates everything that is Barcelona. ‘Mes que un club’ is the motto, competing, playing and winning with a style and grace is the ethos. The former Spanish international is the ideal figurehead - a picture of calm and decency, phlegmatic in victory, honourable in defeat. He exudes the etiquette of the club and embraces the manner in which they are famed.
Not only is he a paragon of these virtues, but he has proved himself as a highly astute and successful manager, guiding Barca to the league, cup and Champions League treble in his first season in management, followed by another La Liga, Spanish Super Cup, European Super Cup and FIFA World Club Cup in his second. Already he is one of Barca’s most successful coaches of all time, having won 103 of 142 games in charge and his sides average close to three goals per game under his stewardship.
If Guardiola is the Mr Miyagi of La Liga, then sat in the opposite dugout is definitely Sensei John Kreese.
No stranger to controversy, confrontation and the dark arts is Jose Mourinho – or,
‘El Traductor’ as he is unaffectionately known by the Barca fans following a spell as Bobby Robson’s translator in the mid 90’s. Eternally the pantomime villain to everyone barring his own flock, he has already, typically, ruffled more than his fair share of feathers since arriving from Internazionale.
However, most importantly he has ruffled a few in his own camp. Previously, the Real Coach’s job was something of a poisoned chalice with interference from the top brass proving detrimental and destructive to previous incumbents.
So far Mourinho appears to have banished such meddling and has firmly established himself as the ‘Special Uno’ at the Bernabeu. Fourteen wins from eighteen games has helped, as does sitting a point clear of Barca at the tables summit.
After a slow start to the season - nine goals in their first seven games - Mourinho’s magic spell has suddenly clicked in with Los Blanco’s winning ten of the last twelve games in all competitions, rifling home 40 goals and remaining unbeaten in the process.
The trip to their arch rivals will undoubtedly be Mourinho’s sternest test so far. In four visits there as coach of Chelsea and Inter he has lost three, although he redeemed himself by completely outfoxing Guardiola over two legs in last season’s Champions League semi.
An interesting paradox of the coach’s two styles will be how each deals with the others star man. Mourinho will be reticent to give much freedom to Lionel Messi, who has already notched 23 goals in just 18 games so far this campaign. In those Champions League semi’s, Messi was chaperoned around the field by a duopoly of Inter stoppers and the tactically astute Mourinho will surely revert to such pragmatism for El Clasico.
What, if anything, Guardiola decides to do with Cristiano Ronaldo could decide the outcome of the game. Through sheer force of belief and confidence in his own men the Barca boss has rarely implicitly divvied out instructions to eliminate the threat of individuals – but left to his own devices as the spearhead of Real’s rapid breaks, the Portuguese forward could prove too much for Barca’s brittle back line to deal with.
The dual between Guardiola and Mourinho, good versus perceived evil, bred versus bought is just one of the intriguing sub-plots which make El Clasico arguably the most anticipated and exciting games of football to be found anywhere on the planet.
So, throw your beach towel over the sofa, apply the factor 40 and fill the fridge with San Miguel.
Roll on Lunes.
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
Five classic 'El Clasico's'
Barcelona 1-5 Real Madrid, January 27th 1963
Real Madrid have recorded plenty of bigger wins over their arch rivals - an 11-1, an 8-2 and a couple of 5-0’s – but few demonstrated the early dominance they held over their Catalan cousins quite like this.
This was the era of the legendary, immortal Los Blanco’s side. Five consecutive European Cup’s from 1956-60. The names roll of the tongue; Santamaria, Zarraga, Gento, Kopa and of course Puskas and Di Stefano were all present for another humiliation of Barca.
Real arrived at the Camp Nou marching towards the middle one of five consecutive titles, with Barca way off the scene. The ‘Galloping Major’ grabbed a hat-trick and Di Stefano and Gento one apiece.
The most frightening aspect about this display was that Puskas was 35 and Di Stefano 36 – ancient by the longevity of the times. Unfortunately no footage can be found of this game so comfort yourselves with the serenity of those two in their pomp, seen here scoring seven goals between them in the epic 1960 European Cup final at Hampden Park
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKJA8Kq_fxU
Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid, January 8th 1994
The absolute zenith of Johan Cruyff’s dream team.
Cruyff, a scholar of Rinus Michel’s total football had long engrained this philosophy into the Barca eco-system, and during the early 90’s it paid beautiful dividends.
Barca were back then the equivalent of what they are now. A purist’s utopian dream of how football should be played. The ball - rarely leaving the dancefloor - was moved swiftly and effortlessly between comfortable, accomplished and attack minded players.
La Blaugrana were romping towards a fourth consecutive La Liga and Real were powerless to stop them.
Michael Laudrup was like an apparition, gliding across the vast Camp Nou baize in his regal manner, providing the perfect foil for Romario to demonstrate his frightening penalty box prowess.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzuF3oTh-vc
Barcelona 0-2 Real Madrid, UEFA Champions League Semi-Final, 2002
Dubbed the ‘Match of the Century’, the 2002 UEFA Champions League semi-final 1st leg took on much more significance being the first time the pair had faced each other in Europe’s re-jigged elite competition.
The rivals had met in the semi’s of the 1960 competition to much less fanfare, and being the era of the Galactico and global audiences, this clash received the full treatment.
Domestically it was an annus horribilis for the duo with Real finishing third and Barca fourth - so with the title long gone it all came down to who could claim the Champions League crown.
The whole of Spain stopped and all the old cliché’s about nationality and history were rolled out. "Catalonia is not Spain" read one banner draped down from one of the giant sloping stands, whilst the Barcelona newspaper ‘Sport’ went with a front page image of Javier Saviola lancing Fernando Hierro with a spear.
Beyond all that the game was wrought with tension and histrionics until Zindine Zidane broke away and deftly chipped home. The brilliant Frenchmen was then outdone by a shaggy haired scouser as Steve Mcmanaman silenced and emptied the Camp Nou with a sumptuous dink just before the whistle.
Zidane would then further inspire Los Blanco’s to beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 in the final at Hampden Park to lift a record-breaking ninth European Cup.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiJTRSO2sDg
Barcelona 3-0 Real Madrid, November 20th 2004
After a sticky start under Frank Rijkaard, Barca had come on strong during the first half of 2004 as the side began to gel. Deco and Samuel Eto’o were added pre-season as the Dutchman fine tuned the side that would later be crowned European champions in 2006.
Meanwhile, Real were in recline and went through four coaches in six months as the Galácticos began to gather rust. Roberto Carlos, Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo had all hit the dirty thirty, and David Beckham’s debut season had seen Madrid slip to a disappointing fourth culminating in the dismissal of Carlos Queiroz.
This performance though was all about Ronaldinho is his prime. The jewel in this Barca crown, the 2005 World and European Player of the Year was unstoppable. Quick, lean and hungry he displayed his full repertoire of tricks, flicks and showboat specials as he tore Michel Salgado a new orifice, setting two goals up and scoring the third.
This comprehensive victory signalled a seismic shift of power in Spain. Barca went onto win the league as Real’s superstars sulked.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHkpLW5gAsw&feature=related
Barcelona 3-3 Real Madrid, March 10th, 2007
As William Shakespeare once said…Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them. And then there’s Lionel Messi.
With both sides fighting for the title like two bandits over a sombrero, this meeting in March 2007 was seen by many as a potential title-decider.
After going behind three times, the Catalans roared back each time through the mercurial Messi – still aged just 19. After Real defender Sergio Ramos headed Los Blanco’s into a 3-2 lead with minutes left, Madrid looked set for a famous win over their mortal enemies.
However, in the dying seconds Messi picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box, slalomed past a regiment of flailing limbs and lashed home past Iker Casillas to rescue a point and send a 100,000 Catalans into delirium.
This was the moment when Lionel Messi bookmarked himself as the best player on the planet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbAfbTqbzVU&feature=related
Real Madrid have recorded plenty of bigger wins over their arch rivals - an 11-1, an 8-2 and a couple of 5-0’s – but few demonstrated the early dominance they held over their Catalan cousins quite like this.
This was the era of the legendary, immortal Los Blanco’s side. Five consecutive European Cup’s from 1956-60. The names roll of the tongue; Santamaria, Zarraga, Gento, Kopa and of course Puskas and Di Stefano were all present for another humiliation of Barca.
Real arrived at the Camp Nou marching towards the middle one of five consecutive titles, with Barca way off the scene. The ‘Galloping Major’ grabbed a hat-trick and Di Stefano and Gento one apiece.
The most frightening aspect about this display was that Puskas was 35 and Di Stefano 36 – ancient by the longevity of the times. Unfortunately no footage can be found of this game so comfort yourselves with the serenity of those two in their pomp, seen here scoring seven goals between them in the epic 1960 European Cup final at Hampden Park
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKJA8Kq_fxU
Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid, January 8th 1994
The absolute zenith of Johan Cruyff’s dream team.
Cruyff, a scholar of Rinus Michel’s total football had long engrained this philosophy into the Barca eco-system, and during the early 90’s it paid beautiful dividends.
Barca were back then the equivalent of what they are now. A purist’s utopian dream of how football should be played. The ball - rarely leaving the dancefloor - was moved swiftly and effortlessly between comfortable, accomplished and attack minded players.
La Blaugrana were romping towards a fourth consecutive La Liga and Real were powerless to stop them.
Michael Laudrup was like an apparition, gliding across the vast Camp Nou baize in his regal manner, providing the perfect foil for Romario to demonstrate his frightening penalty box prowess.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzuF3oTh-vc
Barcelona 0-2 Real Madrid, UEFA Champions League Semi-Final, 2002
Dubbed the ‘Match of the Century’, the 2002 UEFA Champions League semi-final 1st leg took on much more significance being the first time the pair had faced each other in Europe’s re-jigged elite competition.
The rivals had met in the semi’s of the 1960 competition to much less fanfare, and being the era of the Galactico and global audiences, this clash received the full treatment.
Domestically it was an annus horribilis for the duo with Real finishing third and Barca fourth - so with the title long gone it all came down to who could claim the Champions League crown.
The whole of Spain stopped and all the old cliché’s about nationality and history were rolled out. "Catalonia is not Spain" read one banner draped down from one of the giant sloping stands, whilst the Barcelona newspaper ‘Sport’ went with a front page image of Javier Saviola lancing Fernando Hierro with a spear.
Beyond all that the game was wrought with tension and histrionics until Zindine Zidane broke away and deftly chipped home. The brilliant Frenchmen was then outdone by a shaggy haired scouser as Steve Mcmanaman silenced and emptied the Camp Nou with a sumptuous dink just before the whistle.
Zidane would then further inspire Los Blanco’s to beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 in the final at Hampden Park to lift a record-breaking ninth European Cup.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiJTRSO2sDg
Barcelona 3-0 Real Madrid, November 20th 2004
After a sticky start under Frank Rijkaard, Barca had come on strong during the first half of 2004 as the side began to gel. Deco and Samuel Eto’o were added pre-season as the Dutchman fine tuned the side that would later be crowned European champions in 2006.
Meanwhile, Real were in recline and went through four coaches in six months as the Galácticos began to gather rust. Roberto Carlos, Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo had all hit the dirty thirty, and David Beckham’s debut season had seen Madrid slip to a disappointing fourth culminating in the dismissal of Carlos Queiroz.
This performance though was all about Ronaldinho is his prime. The jewel in this Barca crown, the 2005 World and European Player of the Year was unstoppable. Quick, lean and hungry he displayed his full repertoire of tricks, flicks and showboat specials as he tore Michel Salgado a new orifice, setting two goals up and scoring the third.
This comprehensive victory signalled a seismic shift of power in Spain. Barca went onto win the league as Real’s superstars sulked.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHkpLW5gAsw&feature=related
Barcelona 3-3 Real Madrid, March 10th, 2007
As William Shakespeare once said…Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them. And then there’s Lionel Messi.
With both sides fighting for the title like two bandits over a sombrero, this meeting in March 2007 was seen by many as a potential title-decider.
After going behind three times, the Catalans roared back each time through the mercurial Messi – still aged just 19. After Real defender Sergio Ramos headed Los Blanco’s into a 3-2 lead with minutes left, Madrid looked set for a famous win over their mortal enemies.
However, in the dying seconds Messi picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box, slalomed past a regiment of flailing limbs and lashed home past Iker Casillas to rescue a point and send a 100,000 Catalans into delirium.
This was the moment when Lionel Messi bookmarked himself as the best player on the planet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbAfbTqbzVU&feature=related
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
‘Roon-atov’ can kickstart the campaign.
Sir Alex Ferguson has opted to rest his first choice central defensive partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic for tonight’s Champions League clash with Rangers.
Chris Smalling – who has started three of the four European games so far - and Jonny Evans are expected to deputise after not featuring since the Carling Cup win over Wolves in October.
Darren Fletcher is also rested from a return north of the border, whilst Gary Neville and Darron Gibson also miss the cut. Wayne Rooney will start the game as he continues his comeback from an ankle injury and Dimitar Berbatov has returned to the squad after being left out of the weekend defeat of Wigan Athletic.
The trip to Ibrox is the first of five games in three competitions over just thirteen days as United do battle on three fronts before crunch games against Arsenal and Chelsea open up the hectic Christmas period.
The Reds currently sit top of Group C - three points ahead of Valencia who host whipping boys Bursaspor at the Mestalla. Ferguson’s men would need to lose in Glasgow and at home to Valencia in the final game to lose grip on top spot and theoretically an easier draw ahead of the last sixteen knock-out’s in February.
The Gers provided obdurate resistance in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford in September, but the likelihood is that they will have to be more offensive this time around as they go in search of the win they need to stand much chance of progressing from the group.
Whilst the game is far from a must-win for United, they travel to Scotland still striving for the level of performance which has eluded them so far this season. The concept of the Reds playing below par but winning has eclipsed a plethora of ordinary showings, and although winning when playing poorly is an art perfected by champions – Ferguson will be keen to see his side find greater coherence.
Privy to that will be the formation of an effective strike combination. With Rooney off colour at the start of the season, Berbatov took up the goals mantle but the Bulgarian hasn’t notched since his hat-trick against Liverpool in September. Javier Hernandez has remained United’s most consistent forward threat so far but with age and inexperience against him, an enthusiastic support role from the bench would be Ferguson’s preference with Rooney and Berbatov finally developing into the partnership they were paired to provide.
Despite being at the club for two full seasons, Berbatov has not actually enjoyed a sustained spell alongside Rooney to forge an understanding. The majority of his first year saw United adopt a quasi 4-3-3 to accommodate the roving Cristiano Ronaldo, with Rooney chosen as the spearhead for much of Berbatov’s second campaign.
This time around Ferguson has reverted back to his previously trusted 4-4-2 which makes a two-pronged strike duo compatible. On paper, the two are ideally suited as either can play furthest forward or just off the other - potentially making an intriguing and inspiring tandem.
However, paper ends up in the bin and it is on-field where the two-some need to click. The timing of their matrimony isn’t the best with Rooney still finding his feet with Berbatov seemingly having lost his. Match minutes would be the logical counselling for the couple to work on their individual and collective differences, and if they can find common ground, it could and should lead to happier times ahead for Manchester United.
Chris Smalling – who has started three of the four European games so far - and Jonny Evans are expected to deputise after not featuring since the Carling Cup win over Wolves in October.
Darren Fletcher is also rested from a return north of the border, whilst Gary Neville and Darron Gibson also miss the cut. Wayne Rooney will start the game as he continues his comeback from an ankle injury and Dimitar Berbatov has returned to the squad after being left out of the weekend defeat of Wigan Athletic.
The trip to Ibrox is the first of five games in three competitions over just thirteen days as United do battle on three fronts before crunch games against Arsenal and Chelsea open up the hectic Christmas period.
The Reds currently sit top of Group C - three points ahead of Valencia who host whipping boys Bursaspor at the Mestalla. Ferguson’s men would need to lose in Glasgow and at home to Valencia in the final game to lose grip on top spot and theoretically an easier draw ahead of the last sixteen knock-out’s in February.
The Gers provided obdurate resistance in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford in September, but the likelihood is that they will have to be more offensive this time around as they go in search of the win they need to stand much chance of progressing from the group.
Whilst the game is far from a must-win for United, they travel to Scotland still striving for the level of performance which has eluded them so far this season. The concept of the Reds playing below par but winning has eclipsed a plethora of ordinary showings, and although winning when playing poorly is an art perfected by champions – Ferguson will be keen to see his side find greater coherence.
Privy to that will be the formation of an effective strike combination. With Rooney off colour at the start of the season, Berbatov took up the goals mantle but the Bulgarian hasn’t notched since his hat-trick against Liverpool in September. Javier Hernandez has remained United’s most consistent forward threat so far but with age and inexperience against him, an enthusiastic support role from the bench would be Ferguson’s preference with Rooney and Berbatov finally developing into the partnership they were paired to provide.
Despite being at the club for two full seasons, Berbatov has not actually enjoyed a sustained spell alongside Rooney to forge an understanding. The majority of his first year saw United adopt a quasi 4-3-3 to accommodate the roving Cristiano Ronaldo, with Rooney chosen as the spearhead for much of Berbatov’s second campaign.
This time around Ferguson has reverted back to his previously trusted 4-4-2 which makes a two-pronged strike duo compatible. On paper, the two are ideally suited as either can play furthest forward or just off the other - potentially making an intriguing and inspiring tandem.
However, paper ends up in the bin and it is on-field where the two-some need to click. The timing of their matrimony isn’t the best with Rooney still finding his feet with Berbatov seemingly having lost his. Match minutes would be the logical counselling for the couple to work on their individual and collective differences, and if they can find common ground, it could and should lead to happier times ahead for Manchester United.
Top of the 'crisis' charts this week....Chelsea
Somewhere deep in the Premier League rule book, there must be a lesser known clause that at any one point during a campaign, at least one side must be deemed to be ‘in crisis.’
Less than a week ago it was Manchester City. A couple of scoreless draws and the end was nigh. Unconfirmed confidant’s and faceless sources were at the mercy of the press pack, telling all and sundry that the City camp was far from a happy place. Tales of dressing room discontent and misgivings about the manager were rife, with Roberto Mancini apparently ‘under pressure’, ‘fearing the axe’ and ‘on the brink’ of something or another.
One win later and they are now out of crisis having been safely usurped by Chelsea. Three defeats in four either side of the sudden dismissal of Ray Wilkins, last night led to a host of completely unfounded rumours that Carlo Ancelotti had tendered his resignation to the club.
Of course, during Monday’s press conference ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League tie with MSK Zilina, Ancelotti chose to implicitly deny all rumours that he was contemplating ending his 18 month stay in west London, "These rumours are totally untrue. I don't know why they came out.”
The Italian also clarified reports that he’d contacted the League Managers Association for advice on his position, "They called me [on Sunday night] when I was at home, quiet, to find out what was happening.”
So, with talk of resignations put to bed, let us reflect on the rest of the ‘crisis’ which is currently engulfing Stamford Bridge.
Of course, recent form is a cause for concern. The three defeats during November have only been appeased by a narrow victory over Fulham, with the previously free-scoring Blues restricted to just one goal over this period. The slump in points and performances have been offset against a number of injuries which have exposed the limitations of the squad at Ancelotti’s disposal, yet the champions still find themselves top with their main competitors all in far from flawless pursuit.
The anaemic display against Sunderland would have worried many in the Chelsea camp yet returning empty handed from Birmingham was not all doom and gloom. Before and after Lee Bowyer’s well taken but poorly defended goal, Chelsea were the dominant force in terms of possession and chances and a combination of Ben Foster, the woodwork and Chelsea’s own fallacies in front of goal meant Ancelotti’s men contrived to lose a game they should have won.
That in itself maybe a sign that things are not fully operative, yet Ancelotti claimed post-match that if Chelsea play like that all season they will win the league. Aside from having to put the ball in the net, Ancelotti appeared calm about another defeat, and has opportunity to remedy these in the upcoming games against Slovakian whipping boys Zilina and the inconsistent Newcastle.
The melting pot has been further added to and stirred with the timing of these defeats coinciding with Wilkins departure as Ancelotti’s right hand man. Indeed Ancelotti confessed it was ‘not his decision’ to axe Wilkins – the man who Ancelotti went to lengths to praise following the Blues historic league and cup double last season.
Michael Emenalo has been promoted from behind the scenes as Wilkins replacement, apparently without Ancelotti’s full blessing which led to the 51-year-old former Milan boss saying that he enjoyed much less control of his club compared with counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson.
Interference from the boardroom has been rife since Roman Abramovich took control, with José Mourinho citing Abramovich and his various informants’ involvement as a contributing factor to his demise at the Bridge. However, barring Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, the chances of a Premier League manager having complete control over the whole structure of a club is largely a bygone concept in an era of directors of football, worldwide scouting networks and complex youth development projects.
Certainly, the concept of ceding to the top is not an uncommon practice for Ancelotti who had years of dealing with Silvio Berlusconi at the San Siro. Indeed, it is highly unlikely that he has any less control now than he did the day he walked through the revolving managerial door at Chelsea.
Prior to Ancelotti’s arrival from Italy, Chelsea had already agreed the transfers of long term targets Daniel Sturridge and Abramovich’s Russian compatriot Yuri Zhirkov. Little mention of this lack of control was mentioned as the Blues plundered over 100 league goals on their way to regaining the Premier League title, and even less was said about the economically motivated departures of Juliano Belletti, Joe Cole, Deco and Michael Ballack this summer as Chelsea serenely began their defence by strolling to victory in the first five games.
There is no doubt that there are on-field issues for Chelsea at the moment beset by injuries to pivotal players, yet suggestions that off-field problems are rife are wide of the mark. The timing of the spate of defeats is merely coincidental than circumstantial and claims of a crisis are about as premature as they were the week before with Manchester City.
Still top of the table and with Alex and John Terry due back, Frank Lampard returning soon, Michael Essien completing his suspension and Didier Drogba regaining strength following a bout of malaria, it could be argued that the worst is behind them as Chelsea look forward to the remainder of the season.
Less than a week ago it was Manchester City. A couple of scoreless draws and the end was nigh. Unconfirmed confidant’s and faceless sources were at the mercy of the press pack, telling all and sundry that the City camp was far from a happy place. Tales of dressing room discontent and misgivings about the manager were rife, with Roberto Mancini apparently ‘under pressure’, ‘fearing the axe’ and ‘on the brink’ of something or another.
One win later and they are now out of crisis having been safely usurped by Chelsea. Three defeats in four either side of the sudden dismissal of Ray Wilkins, last night led to a host of completely unfounded rumours that Carlo Ancelotti had tendered his resignation to the club.
Of course, during Monday’s press conference ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League tie with MSK Zilina, Ancelotti chose to implicitly deny all rumours that he was contemplating ending his 18 month stay in west London, "These rumours are totally untrue. I don't know why they came out.”
The Italian also clarified reports that he’d contacted the League Managers Association for advice on his position, "They called me [on Sunday night] when I was at home, quiet, to find out what was happening.”
So, with talk of resignations put to bed, let us reflect on the rest of the ‘crisis’ which is currently engulfing Stamford Bridge.
Of course, recent form is a cause for concern. The three defeats during November have only been appeased by a narrow victory over Fulham, with the previously free-scoring Blues restricted to just one goal over this period. The slump in points and performances have been offset against a number of injuries which have exposed the limitations of the squad at Ancelotti’s disposal, yet the champions still find themselves top with their main competitors all in far from flawless pursuit.
The anaemic display against Sunderland would have worried many in the Chelsea camp yet returning empty handed from Birmingham was not all doom and gloom. Before and after Lee Bowyer’s well taken but poorly defended goal, Chelsea were the dominant force in terms of possession and chances and a combination of Ben Foster, the woodwork and Chelsea’s own fallacies in front of goal meant Ancelotti’s men contrived to lose a game they should have won.
That in itself maybe a sign that things are not fully operative, yet Ancelotti claimed post-match that if Chelsea play like that all season they will win the league. Aside from having to put the ball in the net, Ancelotti appeared calm about another defeat, and has opportunity to remedy these in the upcoming games against Slovakian whipping boys Zilina and the inconsistent Newcastle.
The melting pot has been further added to and stirred with the timing of these defeats coinciding with Wilkins departure as Ancelotti’s right hand man. Indeed Ancelotti confessed it was ‘not his decision’ to axe Wilkins – the man who Ancelotti went to lengths to praise following the Blues historic league and cup double last season.
Michael Emenalo has been promoted from behind the scenes as Wilkins replacement, apparently without Ancelotti’s full blessing which led to the 51-year-old former Milan boss saying that he enjoyed much less control of his club compared with counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson.
Interference from the boardroom has been rife since Roman Abramovich took control, with José Mourinho citing Abramovich and his various informants’ involvement as a contributing factor to his demise at the Bridge. However, barring Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, the chances of a Premier League manager having complete control over the whole structure of a club is largely a bygone concept in an era of directors of football, worldwide scouting networks and complex youth development projects.
Certainly, the concept of ceding to the top is not an uncommon practice for Ancelotti who had years of dealing with Silvio Berlusconi at the San Siro. Indeed, it is highly unlikely that he has any less control now than he did the day he walked through the revolving managerial door at Chelsea.
Prior to Ancelotti’s arrival from Italy, Chelsea had already agreed the transfers of long term targets Daniel Sturridge and Abramovich’s Russian compatriot Yuri Zhirkov. Little mention of this lack of control was mentioned as the Blues plundered over 100 league goals on their way to regaining the Premier League title, and even less was said about the economically motivated departures of Juliano Belletti, Joe Cole, Deco and Michael Ballack this summer as Chelsea serenely began their defence by strolling to victory in the first five games.
There is no doubt that there are on-field issues for Chelsea at the moment beset by injuries to pivotal players, yet suggestions that off-field problems are rife are wide of the mark. The timing of the spate of defeats is merely coincidental than circumstantial and claims of a crisis are about as premature as they were the week before with Manchester City.
Still top of the table and with Alex and John Terry due back, Frank Lampard returning soon, Michael Essien completing his suspension and Didier Drogba regaining strength following a bout of malaria, it could be argued that the worst is behind them as Chelsea look forward to the remainder of the season.
Mixed reception for returning Rooney
Wayne Rooney made his much anticipated return to the Manchester United fold yesterday, coming on as a 56th minute substitute against Wigan.
It was Rooney’s first appearance for the Reds since his much publicised contract episode, which saw the striker hand in a transfer request, question the clubs ambition, and then retract both once a lucrative new deal was granted by the United hierarchy.
The England striker came in for fierce criticism from the United support with a diatribe of anti-scouse songs ringing out from the Stretford End choir in the immediate aftermath of Rooney’s request to leave Old Trafford. That vehemence has tapered with Rooney committing his future to the club and being sidelined with an ankle injury which has seen him miss the last eight games. However, when last season’s Footballer of the Year entered the fray alongside Paul Scholes, there was a mixed reaction from another capacity crowd, whom then opted to hail the arrival of Scholes in a noticeable slant on the returning Rooney.
His 34 minute cameo was fairly undistinguished against a Latics side reduced to nine men shortly after the double substitution; and barring a header which looped over the bar and a shot easily gathered by Ali Al-Habsi – Rooney generally eased himself back into the swing of things with the minimum of fuss.
Sir Alex Ferguson has already confirmed Rooney will start the midweek Champions League game against Rangers in an attempt to regain form and fitness to kick start a season which has not got going after the highs of his 34 goals last campaign.
A solitary penalty against West Ham is the sum total of Rooney’s goalscoring efforts so far, with the 25-year-old looking a pale imitation of his rampaging best which terrorised the Premier League as little as six months back. The dip has been beset against contractual wranglings, personal problems and ongoing injury concerns which have limited his appearances and effectiveness so far.
With those issues largely shelved Ferguson will hope to manipulate his talisman back to the peak of his game, and although United now find themselves joint top of the table, they have done so independently of Rooney, or through being anywhere near their best.
Once again during large parts of the ultimately comfortable 2-0 victory over Wigan, United were way short of any sort of fluency or urgency and were indeed lucky to go into the interval one goal up. Wigan were the more impressive of the two sides during the first 45 minutes – dispelling any home threat with ease and breaking dangerously to create the better of the chances. Patrice Evra’s header on the stroke of the break and the quickfire sending’s off of Antolin Alcaraz and Hugo Rodallega rendered Wigan’s early promise redundant as a Javier Hernandez header put the lid on matters.
A goal for the returning Rooney didn’t come but evidently won’t be far off. The frosty reception offered to their number ten was a timely reminder that the Old Trafford faithful didn’t take too kindly to Rooney’s conduct, although to a man you can be sure they’re glad they had the opportunity to direct frustrations with him still in a Red Devils jersey.
As demonstrated during the contract saga, the relationship between Rooney and United is reciprocal. He needs them, they need him. Rooney’s return to action came on the weekend that the Reds achieved parity with Chelsea at the summit of the league, and with Rooney restored to full working order and with a clear mind and conscience, now is the time for him to start repaying some of the faith and fortune granted by the club.
It was Rooney’s first appearance for the Reds since his much publicised contract episode, which saw the striker hand in a transfer request, question the clubs ambition, and then retract both once a lucrative new deal was granted by the United hierarchy.
The England striker came in for fierce criticism from the United support with a diatribe of anti-scouse songs ringing out from the Stretford End choir in the immediate aftermath of Rooney’s request to leave Old Trafford. That vehemence has tapered with Rooney committing his future to the club and being sidelined with an ankle injury which has seen him miss the last eight games. However, when last season’s Footballer of the Year entered the fray alongside Paul Scholes, there was a mixed reaction from another capacity crowd, whom then opted to hail the arrival of Scholes in a noticeable slant on the returning Rooney.
His 34 minute cameo was fairly undistinguished against a Latics side reduced to nine men shortly after the double substitution; and barring a header which looped over the bar and a shot easily gathered by Ali Al-Habsi – Rooney generally eased himself back into the swing of things with the minimum of fuss.
Sir Alex Ferguson has already confirmed Rooney will start the midweek Champions League game against Rangers in an attempt to regain form and fitness to kick start a season which has not got going after the highs of his 34 goals last campaign.
A solitary penalty against West Ham is the sum total of Rooney’s goalscoring efforts so far, with the 25-year-old looking a pale imitation of his rampaging best which terrorised the Premier League as little as six months back. The dip has been beset against contractual wranglings, personal problems and ongoing injury concerns which have limited his appearances and effectiveness so far.
With those issues largely shelved Ferguson will hope to manipulate his talisman back to the peak of his game, and although United now find themselves joint top of the table, they have done so independently of Rooney, or through being anywhere near their best.
Once again during large parts of the ultimately comfortable 2-0 victory over Wigan, United were way short of any sort of fluency or urgency and were indeed lucky to go into the interval one goal up. Wigan were the more impressive of the two sides during the first 45 minutes – dispelling any home threat with ease and breaking dangerously to create the better of the chances. Patrice Evra’s header on the stroke of the break and the quickfire sending’s off of Antolin Alcaraz and Hugo Rodallega rendered Wigan’s early promise redundant as a Javier Hernandez header put the lid on matters.
A goal for the returning Rooney didn’t come but evidently won’t be far off. The frosty reception offered to their number ten was a timely reminder that the Old Trafford faithful didn’t take too kindly to Rooney’s conduct, although to a man you can be sure they’re glad they had the opportunity to direct frustrations with him still in a Red Devils jersey.
As demonstrated during the contract saga, the relationship between Rooney and United is reciprocal. He needs them, they need him. Rooney’s return to action came on the weekend that the Reds achieved parity with Chelsea at the summit of the league, and with Rooney restored to full working order and with a clear mind and conscience, now is the time for him to start repaying some of the faith and fortune granted by the club.
Monday, 15 November 2010
Manchester United Club Focus - Reds run rumbles on
Like a candle in the wind Manchester United are flickering dangerously close, but the flame continues to burn.
With ten minutes remaining at Villa Park, Sir Alex Ferguson and his side were on the verge of losing even further ground on leaders Chelsea. After the insipid draw at City in midweek, a response was needed at their home from home. A response came – eventually.
Once upon a time a week was a long time in football. The uncertain nature of this season’s Premier League means that a period of little over 24 hours can change the scenery dramatically. Going into the weekend four points off Chelsea, that gap could have been extended to critical proportions for the Reds before the stirring late rally and the Blues capitulation to Sunderland. From the embers of arguably their worst performance of the season, United’s unbeaten record staggers on and the deficit at the summit has been trimmed.
That though, will still not wholly warm the cockles of Ferguson as his players depart for another international break. “I could have taken any 10 players off the field because we didn't perform well. We came back well but it was too late and we shouldn't have been in that position” conceded the Scot, reflecting on a point rescued but two more dropped. The inquisitions will continue despite the healthier outlook in terms of numerics, with United again looking far from their inimitable best of recent seasons.
It has been fifteen years since United last lost at Villa Park but rarely has that record looked so under threat. “You never win anything with kids” opined Alan Hansen as he chewed over the Villains mauling of the fresh faced Neville, Scholes, Butt and Beckham back in 1995, but it was Villa’s kids who almost stole the show here, with youngsters Barry Bannan and Jonathon Hogg – with a mere six league appearances between them – highlighting United’s lack of energy and drive in the centre of the park with a bristling display.
Not for the first time this season the list of inadequacies ran deep and familiar. Defensive ineptitude, lethargy in midfield and a lack of attacking spark all contributing to another below par team display. Individually and collectively it was more of the worrying same. The fighting qualities to recover from two down and thus remain unbeaten must be acknowledged, but of principle concern is the fact United continue to deliver such performances and find themselves in such dilemmas. The return of Wayne Rooney can’t come soon enough, but in no way will he be the quick fix remedy to United’s numerous issues.
The rest of the top four have all chalked up three defeats apiece and it is those shortfalls which mean the Reds are still in the title mix, rather than of any great achievement on their own part. It is very difficult to defuse the notion that this is the weakest Premier League in recent memory. Between 2003 and 2005 Arsenal and Chelsea won the league losing one game between them, already this season the current top four have been toppled nine times. Credit where it’s due to the rest, but the top teams will need to be refreshingly honest in their own appraisals if they want results at Villa Park, Eastlands and Stamford Bridge to move back further away from being the norm.
With ten minutes remaining at Villa Park, Sir Alex Ferguson and his side were on the verge of losing even further ground on leaders Chelsea. After the insipid draw at City in midweek, a response was needed at their home from home. A response came – eventually.
Once upon a time a week was a long time in football. The uncertain nature of this season’s Premier League means that a period of little over 24 hours can change the scenery dramatically. Going into the weekend four points off Chelsea, that gap could have been extended to critical proportions for the Reds before the stirring late rally and the Blues capitulation to Sunderland. From the embers of arguably their worst performance of the season, United’s unbeaten record staggers on and the deficit at the summit has been trimmed.
That though, will still not wholly warm the cockles of Ferguson as his players depart for another international break. “I could have taken any 10 players off the field because we didn't perform well. We came back well but it was too late and we shouldn't have been in that position” conceded the Scot, reflecting on a point rescued but two more dropped. The inquisitions will continue despite the healthier outlook in terms of numerics, with United again looking far from their inimitable best of recent seasons.
It has been fifteen years since United last lost at Villa Park but rarely has that record looked so under threat. “You never win anything with kids” opined Alan Hansen as he chewed over the Villains mauling of the fresh faced Neville, Scholes, Butt and Beckham back in 1995, but it was Villa’s kids who almost stole the show here, with youngsters Barry Bannan and Jonathon Hogg – with a mere six league appearances between them – highlighting United’s lack of energy and drive in the centre of the park with a bristling display.
Not for the first time this season the list of inadequacies ran deep and familiar. Defensive ineptitude, lethargy in midfield and a lack of attacking spark all contributing to another below par team display. Individually and collectively it was more of the worrying same. The fighting qualities to recover from two down and thus remain unbeaten must be acknowledged, but of principle concern is the fact United continue to deliver such performances and find themselves in such dilemmas. The return of Wayne Rooney can’t come soon enough, but in no way will he be the quick fix remedy to United’s numerous issues.
The rest of the top four have all chalked up three defeats apiece and it is those shortfalls which mean the Reds are still in the title mix, rather than of any great achievement on their own part. It is very difficult to defuse the notion that this is the weakest Premier League in recent memory. Between 2003 and 2005 Arsenal and Chelsea won the league losing one game between them, already this season the current top four have been toppled nine times. Credit where it’s due to the rest, but the top teams will need to be refreshingly honest in their own appraisals if they want results at Villa Park, Eastlands and Stamford Bridge to move back further away from being the norm.
Friday, 12 November 2010
‘Olly overlooking the real issue.
Ian Holloway has threatened to resign as manager of Blackpool should the Football Association apply any sanctions for him fielding a much changed team against Aston Villa, but John Baines believes the FA have to investigate.
Damned if they do, damned if they don’t. The FA at least have an obligation to look into why Ian Holloway decided to make ten changes for his line-up at Villa Park to the one that drew against Everton at the weekend. It is only correct and ethical for them to do so to ensure clarity and fairness throughout the league. It is their rules all clubs abide by, and by which Blackpool have technically broken.
The law in question is rule E20, which equates that clubs must play a full-strength team in all top-flight matches. That Premier League rule book is a cross between a code of conduct and a utopian dream, with many of its connotations along the lines of fair play and equality. The rule is virtually redundant, ambivalent to police, and subject to punitive punishment yet it is one that still needs to be monitored.
Of recent examples, Mick McCarthy was given a £25,000 suspended sentence for fielding a ‘weakened’ line-up against Manchester United at Old Trafford last season. Yet games of more significance have been left to pass. Due to a Champions League final a few days later, Sir Alex Ferguson sent out a scratch side to face Hull City on the final day of the 2009 season. The Tigers were involved in a relegation battle with Newcastle, and Ferguson’s line up could have directly resulted in the Toon’s relegation. As it was, United’s second string beat Hull anyway and with Newcastle losing at Aston Villa, the United line-up proved academic. Even so, and in retrospect, the FA decided not to act.
Similar instances between Liverpool and Fulham and Manchester United and West Ham have all directly or indirectly lead to relegation for other teams, but still no punishments have been meted. It is a rule which is regularly flaunted and which is subjective dependent on the teams involved and the circumstance of games, yet the FA as the watchdog of the league need to monitor the process of our games.
Across the continent there have been examples of foul play in some of Europe’s top leagues. Serie A’s governing body was widely condemned for its passive existence during the calciopoli scandal involving referees, as was the German FA during a similar refereeing scandal. With the popularity and reach of gambling into our game, there are widespread, but unconfirmed, rumours of match fixing across many of the leagues both here and abroad. The FA must be seen to be operating as the watchdog, judge and jury of the domestic game.
Previously Holloway has entertained with his off-the cuff-buffoonish remarks, but he has become increasingly volatile and provocative with his condemnations. In the past few weeks he’s spoken out about the power agents have in the game, and criticised the Bosman ruling – a service which has had great dividends for Holloway and his club. Now, at the mere hint of FA intervention, the 47-year-old is off again.
When first pressed on the issue, Holloway exploded in typically outlandish rhetoric, “I'm not having anyone tell me who I can play. My chairman doesn't do it so why should the Premier League? Who the hell are they to tell me if my players are good enough or not before they've even had a chance to play?”
Once again, Holloway is completely missing the point; overlooking the fact the FA should at least ask him to explain his team selection. Hypothetically, if Blackpool get sucked into the relegation battle, and a Manchester United-Hull type scenario occurred, what would his stance be then?
True, the ruling is redundant and the FA should not and cannot enforce teams to pick their best sides. The introduction of the 25 man squads has essentially allowed clubs to name a pool of 25 ‘first-team’ players, and thus are entitled to pick whom they want. But nevertheless, the FA are only doing their job in ensuring the integrity of the previously untarnished Premier league.
In fairness to Holloway, his words came in the aftermath of his side’s last minute loss to Aston Villa – a performance in itself which makes a mockery of the ruling and subsequent probe – but his once refreshing rants are in danger of become too predictable and stale.
Holloway has been a welcome addition to the league thanks to his unique personality and spirited approach with a Blackpool team built on a pittance. He has many admirers and sympathisers but must be careful not to alienate himself and reduce his neutral followers by sounding off about every controversial issue he can get a word in about.
You’re loveable for a reason ‘Olly. Please keep it that way.
Damned if they do, damned if they don’t. The FA at least have an obligation to look into why Ian Holloway decided to make ten changes for his line-up at Villa Park to the one that drew against Everton at the weekend. It is only correct and ethical for them to do so to ensure clarity and fairness throughout the league. It is their rules all clubs abide by, and by which Blackpool have technically broken.
The law in question is rule E20, which equates that clubs must play a full-strength team in all top-flight matches. That Premier League rule book is a cross between a code of conduct and a utopian dream, with many of its connotations along the lines of fair play and equality. The rule is virtually redundant, ambivalent to police, and subject to punitive punishment yet it is one that still needs to be monitored.
Of recent examples, Mick McCarthy was given a £25,000 suspended sentence for fielding a ‘weakened’ line-up against Manchester United at Old Trafford last season. Yet games of more significance have been left to pass. Due to a Champions League final a few days later, Sir Alex Ferguson sent out a scratch side to face Hull City on the final day of the 2009 season. The Tigers were involved in a relegation battle with Newcastle, and Ferguson’s line up could have directly resulted in the Toon’s relegation. As it was, United’s second string beat Hull anyway and with Newcastle losing at Aston Villa, the United line-up proved academic. Even so, and in retrospect, the FA decided not to act.
Similar instances between Liverpool and Fulham and Manchester United and West Ham have all directly or indirectly lead to relegation for other teams, but still no punishments have been meted. It is a rule which is regularly flaunted and which is subjective dependent on the teams involved and the circumstance of games, yet the FA as the watchdog of the league need to monitor the process of our games.
Across the continent there have been examples of foul play in some of Europe’s top leagues. Serie A’s governing body was widely condemned for its passive existence during the calciopoli scandal involving referees, as was the German FA during a similar refereeing scandal. With the popularity and reach of gambling into our game, there are widespread, but unconfirmed, rumours of match fixing across many of the leagues both here and abroad. The FA must be seen to be operating as the watchdog, judge and jury of the domestic game.
Previously Holloway has entertained with his off-the cuff-buffoonish remarks, but he has become increasingly volatile and provocative with his condemnations. In the past few weeks he’s spoken out about the power agents have in the game, and criticised the Bosman ruling – a service which has had great dividends for Holloway and his club. Now, at the mere hint of FA intervention, the 47-year-old is off again.
When first pressed on the issue, Holloway exploded in typically outlandish rhetoric, “I'm not having anyone tell me who I can play. My chairman doesn't do it so why should the Premier League? Who the hell are they to tell me if my players are good enough or not before they've even had a chance to play?”
Once again, Holloway is completely missing the point; overlooking the fact the FA should at least ask him to explain his team selection. Hypothetically, if Blackpool get sucked into the relegation battle, and a Manchester United-Hull type scenario occurred, what would his stance be then?
True, the ruling is redundant and the FA should not and cannot enforce teams to pick their best sides. The introduction of the 25 man squads has essentially allowed clubs to name a pool of 25 ‘first-team’ players, and thus are entitled to pick whom they want. But nevertheless, the FA are only doing their job in ensuring the integrity of the previously untarnished Premier league.
In fairness to Holloway, his words came in the aftermath of his side’s last minute loss to Aston Villa – a performance in itself which makes a mockery of the ruling and subsequent probe – but his once refreshing rants are in danger of become too predictable and stale.
Holloway has been a welcome addition to the league thanks to his unique personality and spirited approach with a Blackpool team built on a pittance. He has many admirers and sympathisers but must be careful not to alienate himself and reduce his neutral followers by sounding off about every controversial issue he can get a word in about.
You’re loveable for a reason ‘Olly. Please keep it that way.
Thursday, 11 November 2010
Manchester United Club Focus – Cautious City highlight lack of Reds killer touch
Manchester City have taken the majority of criticism for the derby debacle, yet that has only served to deflect the attention away from United’s own failings.
Sir Alex Ferguson and Edwin van der Sar joined the ranks of reds and many neutrals in condemning City’s over cautious approach to the game, yet in the past United have embraced and often revelled when handed the ball and the initiative. Lest we also forget that the weekend saw them reel in Chelsea’s lead to two points, and going off the presumption the Londoners would see off neighbours Fulham, were the Reds not also entitled to do more than they did to secure the points to?
Over the years United have been presented with countless challenges to break down the mass of defensive reinforcements aimed at stopping the machine. Indeed, it has become the status quo in many leagues and competitions for the ‘lesser’ sides to retreat and invite the perceived ‘better’ side to have a go. Picking through the bones of whether City perceived themselves as the lesser team or whether they were right to be so defensive is another matter. The issue is that the situation presented to United was nothing new, of worry would be the way their attack proved so ineffective.
It only adds to the notion that this Red production does not possess the attacking spark and penetration of previous models. So often this term - and on numerous occasions during last – have Ferguson’s men laboured and struggled to break down defences, and subsequently savage on the carcass as was so prevalent during the rampaging days of Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez, or Van Nistelrooy, Giggs and Beckham, or Yorke, Cole, Sheringham and Solskjaer. The list goes on.
The tactic of battening down the hatchet was one which had been rendered virtually redundant of late after its effectiveness was countered and conquered in previous seasons. When United pushed hard and cranked up the tempo, inevitably a goal came from somewhere. The pressure was increased sufficiently so the dam bust its banks and flooded. There was always a goal.
The futility of the method had limited effect last year when Chelsea rammed home 68 goals at Stamford Bridge and this season the adventurous antics of Blackpool and West Brom meant the ‘catenaccio’ approach was referenced along with the pass-back. However, it still seems an effective tool to counter United. But given its failings, why are United circa 2009 now slinging mud at the castle walls?
Of course, struggling to break down an expensively assembled Manchester City with a host of expensive defence and midfield talent is one thing, but doing the same at home to Bursaspor and Glasgow Rangers is another. Against Sunderland away, the visitors barely created a chance of note, and after surrendering a two goal lead to West Brom at Old Trafford, United couldn’t muster an equaliser in roughly half an hour’s play. Even when there have been goals, they’ve not been things of beauty. Take the win over Spurs for example. Nemanja Vidic headed home a set-piece after a first half when virtually nothing was created. The second goal came courtesy of Heurelho Gomes. It is hardly the free flowing, fluent football that Ferguson has trademarked since his arrival at Old Trafford.
A fit and firing Wayne Rooney should have an impact, especially if he can finally forge a partnership with Dimitar Berbatov. Again, the Berbatov quandary is a strange one. He was far away the most impressive offensive show at Eastland’s last night, swanning around with a grace and elegance that was an anomaly amongst the sweat and gristle. His touch was mercurial, his footwork as delicate as anything to be seen in the league yet the sum total was, and still is too often – nothing. No goals since September over a period when goals have been needed.
Overall it’s just another indictment of what’s been an on-off season so far for Manchester United. If it’s not one thing it’s another. All the cogs turn the wheel and as yet all the cogs have yet to turn at once. As usual, Sir Alex will try to reassure that it will all come good after Christmas. Why was he never a politician?
Sir Alex Ferguson and Edwin van der Sar joined the ranks of reds and many neutrals in condemning City’s over cautious approach to the game, yet in the past United have embraced and often revelled when handed the ball and the initiative. Lest we also forget that the weekend saw them reel in Chelsea’s lead to two points, and going off the presumption the Londoners would see off neighbours Fulham, were the Reds not also entitled to do more than they did to secure the points to?
Over the years United have been presented with countless challenges to break down the mass of defensive reinforcements aimed at stopping the machine. Indeed, it has become the status quo in many leagues and competitions for the ‘lesser’ sides to retreat and invite the perceived ‘better’ side to have a go. Picking through the bones of whether City perceived themselves as the lesser team or whether they were right to be so defensive is another matter. The issue is that the situation presented to United was nothing new, of worry would be the way their attack proved so ineffective.
It only adds to the notion that this Red production does not possess the attacking spark and penetration of previous models. So often this term - and on numerous occasions during last – have Ferguson’s men laboured and struggled to break down defences, and subsequently savage on the carcass as was so prevalent during the rampaging days of Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez, or Van Nistelrooy, Giggs and Beckham, or Yorke, Cole, Sheringham and Solskjaer. The list goes on.
The tactic of battening down the hatchet was one which had been rendered virtually redundant of late after its effectiveness was countered and conquered in previous seasons. When United pushed hard and cranked up the tempo, inevitably a goal came from somewhere. The pressure was increased sufficiently so the dam bust its banks and flooded. There was always a goal.
The futility of the method had limited effect last year when Chelsea rammed home 68 goals at Stamford Bridge and this season the adventurous antics of Blackpool and West Brom meant the ‘catenaccio’ approach was referenced along with the pass-back. However, it still seems an effective tool to counter United. But given its failings, why are United circa 2009 now slinging mud at the castle walls?
Of course, struggling to break down an expensively assembled Manchester City with a host of expensive defence and midfield talent is one thing, but doing the same at home to Bursaspor and Glasgow Rangers is another. Against Sunderland away, the visitors barely created a chance of note, and after surrendering a two goal lead to West Brom at Old Trafford, United couldn’t muster an equaliser in roughly half an hour’s play. Even when there have been goals, they’ve not been things of beauty. Take the win over Spurs for example. Nemanja Vidic headed home a set-piece after a first half when virtually nothing was created. The second goal came courtesy of Heurelho Gomes. It is hardly the free flowing, fluent football that Ferguson has trademarked since his arrival at Old Trafford.
A fit and firing Wayne Rooney should have an impact, especially if he can finally forge a partnership with Dimitar Berbatov. Again, the Berbatov quandary is a strange one. He was far away the most impressive offensive show at Eastland’s last night, swanning around with a grace and elegance that was an anomaly amongst the sweat and gristle. His touch was mercurial, his footwork as delicate as anything to be seen in the league yet the sum total was, and still is too often – nothing. No goals since September over a period when goals have been needed.
Overall it’s just another indictment of what’s been an on-off season so far for Manchester United. If it’s not one thing it’s another. All the cogs turn the wheel and as yet all the cogs have yet to turn at once. As usual, Sir Alex will try to reassure that it will all come good after Christmas. Why was he never a politician?
Mancini holding back the blues
Both sides must take their share of the blame for the dour derby, but John Baines believes the caution instilled by Roberto Mancini is giving Manchester City an inferiority complex.
Few teams have won much by putting the roof on before the walls are built. Even Arsene Wenger’s eulogised ball players had to morph from the ‘98 title built on the backbone of the George Graham’s granite back five plus the midfield maulers of Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit. So, it’s perhaps understandable that Roberto Mancini is conscious of setting the foundations of this Mancunian Palatial abode.
Another more recent comparison would be Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, who through the recruitment of Petr Cech, Ricardo Carvalho, Paulo Ferreira and Michael Essien provided the necessary defensive steel on which to base a title assault. The emphasis on building a strong, organised and obdurate backline is not the problem, more the defensive outlook and mentality of the team.
For all the lavish outlays on grandiose forwards, Mancini also has a penchant for pragmatic midfielders. The modus operandi of three essentially defensive minded midfield men lying way off a lone striker has its obvious tactical flaws, but so too mental ones. By sending out such conservative sides, is Mancini taking away some of the bravado that great sides need?
It was a recurring theme last season too. Mancini made the Citizens less porous than under Mark Hughes, through a blend of defensive organisation and attacking limitations. Recall the final few games, with City jostling for a much sought Champions League place there were elements of defeatism which ultimately meant defeat.
The corresponding derby was a similar affair to last night but was eventually claimed by a late Paul Scholes winner. City were once again prohibited in their adventure, hoping to contain and conceal rather than impose. Latterly they were off to the Emirates against a beleaguered Arsenal with nothing left to play for. Again, it was a consolidation job and City left with a point and little else. The culmination was the effective fourth place play-off with Tottenham, where once again, at home, City ceded ground and possession against a side deemed roughly their equals. For all the intentions and intensity of the club hierarchy to improve, Mancini has been fairly passive at seizing the initiative.
The party line from the top is that City want to be the best. Money and ambition know no bounds yet that rhetoric is immediately rescinded at its most viewable point – the team. There are many components you need to be a successful side. The right players are of course fundamental and City are blessed in stock. Tactical flexibility is needed which doesn’t necessarily render Mancini’s defensive outlook entirely a problem. At times, all of Messrs Ferguson, Wenger and Mourinho – amongst others - have retreated under circumstance, and would embrace doing so in order to get points. But perhaps most crucially, the correct mentality is needed; the vision, the outlook, the arrogance and belief that you can and will achieve your aims. By playing in such a moribund style, is Mancini failing himself, his players, his team and his club as they crusade?
On the face of it, there are few reasons why City cannot be genuine title contenders. Their player pool, either as a first eleven or a squad is arguably as strong as anything in the league and they have the required components to chop and change and compete across all competitions all season. They could easily attain a reputation and a fear factor that should be envied, they command respect due to the quality and achievements of personnel, and have a nucleus of players whom, although not achieved at the club, have the experience and expertise of challenging and winning major honours. So why the defeatism?
Perhaps most gauling of all for the Eastland’s faithful is that you cannot identify one truly outstanding side in the league. One they need to be feared of. All have their own flaws and inadequacies, yet City choose to surrender where lesser teams would be prepared to venture. It’s a sad trait, and one on Armistice Day that is tantamount to cowardice.
Few teams have won much by putting the roof on before the walls are built. Even Arsene Wenger’s eulogised ball players had to morph from the ‘98 title built on the backbone of the George Graham’s granite back five plus the midfield maulers of Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit. So, it’s perhaps understandable that Roberto Mancini is conscious of setting the foundations of this Mancunian Palatial abode.
Another more recent comparison would be Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, who through the recruitment of Petr Cech, Ricardo Carvalho, Paulo Ferreira and Michael Essien provided the necessary defensive steel on which to base a title assault. The emphasis on building a strong, organised and obdurate backline is not the problem, more the defensive outlook and mentality of the team.
For all the lavish outlays on grandiose forwards, Mancini also has a penchant for pragmatic midfielders. The modus operandi of three essentially defensive minded midfield men lying way off a lone striker has its obvious tactical flaws, but so too mental ones. By sending out such conservative sides, is Mancini taking away some of the bravado that great sides need?
It was a recurring theme last season too. Mancini made the Citizens less porous than under Mark Hughes, through a blend of defensive organisation and attacking limitations. Recall the final few games, with City jostling for a much sought Champions League place there were elements of defeatism which ultimately meant defeat.
The corresponding derby was a similar affair to last night but was eventually claimed by a late Paul Scholes winner. City were once again prohibited in their adventure, hoping to contain and conceal rather than impose. Latterly they were off to the Emirates against a beleaguered Arsenal with nothing left to play for. Again, it was a consolidation job and City left with a point and little else. The culmination was the effective fourth place play-off with Tottenham, where once again, at home, City ceded ground and possession against a side deemed roughly their equals. For all the intentions and intensity of the club hierarchy to improve, Mancini has been fairly passive at seizing the initiative.
The party line from the top is that City want to be the best. Money and ambition know no bounds yet that rhetoric is immediately rescinded at its most viewable point – the team. There are many components you need to be a successful side. The right players are of course fundamental and City are blessed in stock. Tactical flexibility is needed which doesn’t necessarily render Mancini’s defensive outlook entirely a problem. At times, all of Messrs Ferguson, Wenger and Mourinho – amongst others - have retreated under circumstance, and would embrace doing so in order to get points. But perhaps most crucially, the correct mentality is needed; the vision, the outlook, the arrogance and belief that you can and will achieve your aims. By playing in such a moribund style, is Mancini failing himself, his players, his team and his club as they crusade?
On the face of it, there are few reasons why City cannot be genuine title contenders. Their player pool, either as a first eleven or a squad is arguably as strong as anything in the league and they have the required components to chop and change and compete across all competitions all season. They could easily attain a reputation and a fear factor that should be envied, they command respect due to the quality and achievements of personnel, and have a nucleus of players whom, although not achieved at the club, have the experience and expertise of challenging and winning major honours. So why the defeatism?
Perhaps most gauling of all for the Eastland’s faithful is that you cannot identify one truly outstanding side in the league. One they need to be feared of. All have their own flaws and inadequacies, yet City choose to surrender where lesser teams would be prepared to venture. It’s a sad trait, and one on Armistice Day that is tantamount to cowardice.
Club Focus - Manchester United - Timing not on United's side as virus rifles through squad ahead of derby clash
It could be construed as karma. Sir Alex Ferguson has had his fare share of good fortune during his time at Manchester United, but so far this season the fickle finger of fate appears to be conspiring against the Scot.
True, it was only a few days ago that Park Ji Sung snatched the points from Wolves with a late and frankly undeserved winner, but no sooner had United reigned Chelsea’s lead into a couple of points, than a virus rifles through the training complex striking down a number of their already injury shorn squad.
Ferguson reckons he is now, ‘counting heads’ although how much of his increasingly hyperbolic injury updates end up being true is a different matter. For tomorrow’s derby trip to Eastland’s, the Reds could be without any number from Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic, Paul Scholes, Owen Hargreaves, Antonio Valencia, Ryan Giggs, Nani, Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov.
The number and quality of player missing tomorrow will be a critical handicap as United gear up for arguably their biggest game of the season so far. For most fans and certainly the manager, clashes with Liverpool whet the appetite further, but there is a concerted desire to keep their foot on the heads of the ‘noisy neighbours’. The title may have been relinquished, but the Red Army slept well knowing they accounted for three last gasp wins over the Blue half last term, thus effectively ending City’s Champions League chase and prolonging their five decade silverware drought. There are no plans to relinquish the status of the city’s first team.
Of more significant importance though is the notion that a defeat at City will let Chelsea slip from their grasp once again. Another insipid away performance from the Londoners at Anfield has only heightened criticisms they have an identity crisis once they leave the comforts of Stamford Bridge. Their last four away fixtures have resulted in just four points, two goals and plenty of question marks. It is far from the bone crushing form on their own patch and has removed the air of invincibility that has surrounded Carlo Ancelotti’s men since the latter end of last season when they moved through the gears to claim the double.
Whilst their main competitors have also stumbled, the concept was that Chelsea had to lose the title, rather than anyone winning it from them, and although United are yet to get close to their own peak levels, it will be reassuring that Chelsea do appear to be more susceptible to dropping points than at first glance. All of this though only makes the apparent injury crisis more gauling due to its unfortunate timing, and if the nature of woes are as bad as Ferguson is apocalysing, it will be a tough ask to claim the full spoils against their closest enemies.
It has been creditable that United have bumbled through games of late given the talent which has been sidelined, and it is also a mitigating factor that they have been burdened so far by being unable to consistently field what is approaching their strongest first X1. With the Rooney issue and injuries perforating the season so far, it will be a matter of riding the storm into calmer waters, but with a perilous dash into neighbouring territories immediately on the horizon, United will hope not to suffer from any more travel sickness with Chelsea also wading against the current.
True, it was only a few days ago that Park Ji Sung snatched the points from Wolves with a late and frankly undeserved winner, but no sooner had United reigned Chelsea’s lead into a couple of points, than a virus rifles through the training complex striking down a number of their already injury shorn squad.
Ferguson reckons he is now, ‘counting heads’ although how much of his increasingly hyperbolic injury updates end up being true is a different matter. For tomorrow’s derby trip to Eastland’s, the Reds could be without any number from Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic, Paul Scholes, Owen Hargreaves, Antonio Valencia, Ryan Giggs, Nani, Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov.
The number and quality of player missing tomorrow will be a critical handicap as United gear up for arguably their biggest game of the season so far. For most fans and certainly the manager, clashes with Liverpool whet the appetite further, but there is a concerted desire to keep their foot on the heads of the ‘noisy neighbours’. The title may have been relinquished, but the Red Army slept well knowing they accounted for three last gasp wins over the Blue half last term, thus effectively ending City’s Champions League chase and prolonging their five decade silverware drought. There are no plans to relinquish the status of the city’s first team.
Of more significant importance though is the notion that a defeat at City will let Chelsea slip from their grasp once again. Another insipid away performance from the Londoners at Anfield has only heightened criticisms they have an identity crisis once they leave the comforts of Stamford Bridge. Their last four away fixtures have resulted in just four points, two goals and plenty of question marks. It is far from the bone crushing form on their own patch and has removed the air of invincibility that has surrounded Carlo Ancelotti’s men since the latter end of last season when they moved through the gears to claim the double.
Whilst their main competitors have also stumbled, the concept was that Chelsea had to lose the title, rather than anyone winning it from them, and although United are yet to get close to their own peak levels, it will be reassuring that Chelsea do appear to be more susceptible to dropping points than at first glance. All of this though only makes the apparent injury crisis more gauling due to its unfortunate timing, and if the nature of woes are as bad as Ferguson is apocalysing, it will be a tough ask to claim the full spoils against their closest enemies.
It has been creditable that United have bumbled through games of late given the talent which has been sidelined, and it is also a mitigating factor that they have been burdened so far by being unable to consistently field what is approaching their strongest first X1. With the Rooney issue and injuries perforating the season so far, it will be a matter of riding the storm into calmer waters, but with a perilous dash into neighbouring territories immediately on the horizon, United will hope not to suffer from any more travel sickness with Chelsea also wading against the current.
Friday, 5 November 2010
Liverpool revival to be tested by the champions
It’s been onwards and upwards for Liverpool in the last few weeks. Hicks and Gillett have been ousted and the team have climbed out of the relegation zone, but John Baines believes the acid test of where Liverpool stand at the moment comes with the visit of the champions.
The reverse fixture last term was indicative of the Reds season as a whole. Wilting outside the Champions League places, they were torn between not losing their final home game of the campaign, and giving a helping hand to arch rivals Manchester United in their quest for a 19th league title. The solemn trudge around a sparsely populated Anfield following the final whistle was as big an anti-climax as Liverpool’s futile assault to finally end their own title drought.
Any aspirations that that was as bad as it would get were quickly shattered in the opening few weeks of the new term, and before Sunday’s clash with Chelsea, Liverpool look enviously up twelve places and thirteen points above the side they finished ahead of the season before last. As much as Chelsea have flourished under Carlo Ancelotti’s stewardship, Liverpool’s demise has been brutal, and somewhat self inflicted.
The shame of occupying the relegation spots have rescinded in the last fortnight and there have been glimpses of a resurgence in the hard fought back to back league wins over Blackburn and Bolton, and the Europa League comeback against Napoli. However, those victories have been achieved with more perspiration than inspiration, with a sterner examination coming up against the Londoners.
Although recent victories have eased the noose around Roy Hodgson’s neck, there is a sense the Kop is still less than enamoured with the former Fulham boss and they style of football he has put on offer so far. His hand has been weakened by the form and fitness of Fernando Torres, but in fairness to El Niño - just as much as his own lethargy – the paucity of service in his direction has meant he has too often found himself ploughing a lone, fruitless furrow up front.In addition to Torres’ woes, former Blue Joe Cole has been struck by a bout of new boy-itis, and has looked well short of his best. With a dearth of attacking options, it doesn’t help when two of your main attacking aces have rarely been the trump cards.
It is noticeable the oft used ‘big four’ term has been ditched for the past twelve months – a testament to Tottenham and Manchester City’s growth – but also to Liverpool’s recession. The proximity of the middle and upper echelons of the table show Liverpool to be just five points off fourth place, yet nothing about them so far resonates that they belong in that quadrant. Chelsea will now provide a good barometer of where Liverpool stand.
Performances of late have been of grit rather than guile, yet Ancelotti’s men will not be flustered by sweat and toil. Liverpool need to combine vigour with verve if they are to unsettle and ultimately undo Chelsea’s swagger. Plenty of sides can hustle - as Blackburn showed last week by chasing Chelsea down – but it is the clinical cutting edge and quality on the ball that ultimately cost Rovers dear. It is a facet which has been missing from Liverpool this season, and one which earmarks the have’s from the have not’s.
Come Sunday evening, we will see exactly what Liverpool have.
The reverse fixture last term was indicative of the Reds season as a whole. Wilting outside the Champions League places, they were torn between not losing their final home game of the campaign, and giving a helping hand to arch rivals Manchester United in their quest for a 19th league title. The solemn trudge around a sparsely populated Anfield following the final whistle was as big an anti-climax as Liverpool’s futile assault to finally end their own title drought.
Any aspirations that that was as bad as it would get were quickly shattered in the opening few weeks of the new term, and before Sunday’s clash with Chelsea, Liverpool look enviously up twelve places and thirteen points above the side they finished ahead of the season before last. As much as Chelsea have flourished under Carlo Ancelotti’s stewardship, Liverpool’s demise has been brutal, and somewhat self inflicted.
The shame of occupying the relegation spots have rescinded in the last fortnight and there have been glimpses of a resurgence in the hard fought back to back league wins over Blackburn and Bolton, and the Europa League comeback against Napoli. However, those victories have been achieved with more perspiration than inspiration, with a sterner examination coming up against the Londoners.
Although recent victories have eased the noose around Roy Hodgson’s neck, there is a sense the Kop is still less than enamoured with the former Fulham boss and they style of football he has put on offer so far. His hand has been weakened by the form and fitness of Fernando Torres, but in fairness to El Niño - just as much as his own lethargy – the paucity of service in his direction has meant he has too often found himself ploughing a lone, fruitless furrow up front.In addition to Torres’ woes, former Blue Joe Cole has been struck by a bout of new boy-itis, and has looked well short of his best. With a dearth of attacking options, it doesn’t help when two of your main attacking aces have rarely been the trump cards.
It is noticeable the oft used ‘big four’ term has been ditched for the past twelve months – a testament to Tottenham and Manchester City’s growth – but also to Liverpool’s recession. The proximity of the middle and upper echelons of the table show Liverpool to be just five points off fourth place, yet nothing about them so far resonates that they belong in that quadrant. Chelsea will now provide a good barometer of where Liverpool stand.
Performances of late have been of grit rather than guile, yet Ancelotti’s men will not be flustered by sweat and toil. Liverpool need to combine vigour with verve if they are to unsettle and ultimately undo Chelsea’s swagger. Plenty of sides can hustle - as Blackburn showed last week by chasing Chelsea down – but it is the clinical cutting edge and quality on the ball that ultimately cost Rovers dear. It is a facet which has been missing from Liverpool this season, and one which earmarks the have’s from the have not’s.
Come Sunday evening, we will see exactly what Liverpool have.
Will the real Manchester United please stand up
On the face of things it hasn’t been a bad start to the season for Manchester United. In all competitions they are unbeaten in sixteen competitive games, winning eleven of those. The stats add up, but does everything else?
Far and wide it’s been perceived as a bit of a mixed bag for United who lie five points adrift of league leaders Chelsea. Unbeaten they may be, but unshaken they are not. Partially due to that five point gap has been a worrying precedent to drop points from winning positions – a sacrilege for any side harbouring title ambitions. The nature of those too are of greater concern. Everton for example, Fulham too equalised in stoppage time, West Brom fought back from two down at old Trafford, as did Liverpool who eventually succumbed. Twelve goals conceded as opposed to Chelsea’s three. Nine games gone and in and in almost half of those they will retrospect with regret.
Since the beginning of the campaign there have been few occasions which you could signify as Manchester United at their peak. Too often they have surrendered leads, too often they have underwhelmed. Ironically the Everton draw was arguably United’s best performance yet they contrived to let a late two goal lead slip. That in itself is a microcosm of what has been an indifferent beginning to the campaign.
Of course, the Wayne Rooney issue has hindered things. Last term Rooney was United’s outstanding player an arguably masked a few of the shortfalls which have surfaced this season. A combination of Rooney off-song and then injured has served to highlight the lack of spark United possess. Dimitar Berbatov has impressed early doors but hasn’t scored of late, whilst Nani continually offers United’s most appealing threat. Aside from that, it has all been too predictable. Whichever combination occupies midfield have been laboured and lacking energy, a problem which manifests itself at both ends of the pitch, with the conceding of goals and lethargy up-front both due to the paucity in midfield.
On top of this there’s been the ongoing consternation about the Glazer regime which culminated in a 3000 strong protest march against the ownership ahead of Saturday’s tussle with Spurs. The publication of the latest financial figures at the start of October revealed record turnover and operating profits, yet also showed a gargantuan loss of over £80m. Sir Alex Ferguson has constantly reiterated he has money at his disposal, but the lack of investment in playing reinforcements has been notable, and it took a Ferguson master class and reassurances from the Glazers to convince Rooney that United are still, and will continue to be the force they have been.
Overall there are many question marks about United this season, and perhaps a testament to their sustainability is that they now stand where they are - just adrift of the leaders and serenely progressing through Europe. How things advance from here depends whether the red glass is half empty or half full. The pessimists view is that United are entrenched in a decline set about by an ageing team, a squad shorn of the class it has previously boasted, and all against the backdrop of crippling debts that are proving more than restrictive to the quality of United’s player pool. The more positive view is that they simply have been off the boil during the first quarter of the season, and with Rooney returning, a young and talented squad improving as they go, and still with the imperious Sir Alex ruddering the ship, United are ominously poised in the slipstream ready to make a move.
Quite what is the truth is difficult to fathom. The side’s performances leave a lot to be desired but haven’t we seen this before? And of course, Ferguson’s smoke and mirrors tricks means it’s impossible to grasp what’s going on behind the scenes. Manchester United are in a fascinating juxtaposition at the moment, which way of the divide things go could shape them for the foreseeable future.
Far and wide it’s been perceived as a bit of a mixed bag for United who lie five points adrift of league leaders Chelsea. Unbeaten they may be, but unshaken they are not. Partially due to that five point gap has been a worrying precedent to drop points from winning positions – a sacrilege for any side harbouring title ambitions. The nature of those too are of greater concern. Everton for example, Fulham too equalised in stoppage time, West Brom fought back from two down at old Trafford, as did Liverpool who eventually succumbed. Twelve goals conceded as opposed to Chelsea’s three. Nine games gone and in and in almost half of those they will retrospect with regret.
Since the beginning of the campaign there have been few occasions which you could signify as Manchester United at their peak. Too often they have surrendered leads, too often they have underwhelmed. Ironically the Everton draw was arguably United’s best performance yet they contrived to let a late two goal lead slip. That in itself is a microcosm of what has been an indifferent beginning to the campaign.
Of course, the Wayne Rooney issue has hindered things. Last term Rooney was United’s outstanding player an arguably masked a few of the shortfalls which have surfaced this season. A combination of Rooney off-song and then injured has served to highlight the lack of spark United possess. Dimitar Berbatov has impressed early doors but hasn’t scored of late, whilst Nani continually offers United’s most appealing threat. Aside from that, it has all been too predictable. Whichever combination occupies midfield have been laboured and lacking energy, a problem which manifests itself at both ends of the pitch, with the conceding of goals and lethargy up-front both due to the paucity in midfield.
On top of this there’s been the ongoing consternation about the Glazer regime which culminated in a 3000 strong protest march against the ownership ahead of Saturday’s tussle with Spurs. The publication of the latest financial figures at the start of October revealed record turnover and operating profits, yet also showed a gargantuan loss of over £80m. Sir Alex Ferguson has constantly reiterated he has money at his disposal, but the lack of investment in playing reinforcements has been notable, and it took a Ferguson master class and reassurances from the Glazers to convince Rooney that United are still, and will continue to be the force they have been.
Overall there are many question marks about United this season, and perhaps a testament to their sustainability is that they now stand where they are - just adrift of the leaders and serenely progressing through Europe. How things advance from here depends whether the red glass is half empty or half full. The pessimists view is that United are entrenched in a decline set about by an ageing team, a squad shorn of the class it has previously boasted, and all against the backdrop of crippling debts that are proving more than restrictive to the quality of United’s player pool. The more positive view is that they simply have been off the boil during the first quarter of the season, and with Rooney returning, a young and talented squad improving as they go, and still with the imperious Sir Alex ruddering the ship, United are ominously poised in the slipstream ready to make a move.
Quite what is the truth is difficult to fathom. The side’s performances leave a lot to be desired but haven’t we seen this before? And of course, Ferguson’s smoke and mirrors tricks means it’s impossible to grasp what’s going on behind the scenes. Manchester United are in a fascinating juxtaposition at the moment, which way of the divide things go could shape them for the foreseeable future.
Monday, 1 November 2010
Platini right to dismiss refereeing technology
Another weekend goes by and once again the fallout is dominated by a refereeing decision. John Baines asks, do we really want football officiated without error?
Was it a goal? Certainly nobody seemed to know the exact ruling, perhaps because there isn’t an exact ruling. Inevitably the opposing players, managers and fans parted to either side of the ethical line whilst stood conferring somewhere between a rock and a hard place was the referee and his assistant. Goal. One side incensed, one elated.
Of course, Tom Huddleston’s was-it-wasn’t-it offside goal for Tottenham Hotspur against Fulham just two weekends ago is just one of the many hotly debated goals that command airtime. Just this week for example, Spurs ironically got the rough end of the knuckle when Mark Clattenburg allowed Nani’s goal to stand after Heurelho Gomes’s brain freeze. Harry Redknapp may now be hauled up before the FA for christening the decision ‘scandalous’ and ‘farcical’, but aren’t you a couple of points better off Harry?
Sandwiching the two perceived injustices – of which Redknapp chose to criticise just one – was UEFA President Michel Platini’s insistence that UEFA are not seeking to turn to technology in order to aid referees. He talked down the introduction of goal-line cameras and video refereeing referral systems, as they would lead to ‘playstation football’. Quite what he meant by reference to the name of a key and lucrative Champions League sponsor isn’t that clear, although we get the picture. The UEFA and FIFA stance is that they are quite happy to have the game officiated by humans, which will invariably lead to human error. I for one, completely agree with them.
If you take a look at the options available to implement, none would comprehensively, completely eradicate any mistakes in the game anyway. The most vociferous calls are for the implementation of cameras on the line to indicate when a ball has crossed. The argument here is that a goal should or should not be allowed if it has or has not been legitimately scored. That’s a fair claim, but what happens when somebody scores from a blatantly offside position. What is the difference here? Essentially, the linesman is making decisions based on ‘lines’, whether literal or hypothetical, the man with the flag is looking across seventy yards of turf unaided, and must make a judgement in a split second. If the Blues have a goal disallowed because the camera’s showed the ball didn’t cross the line, why should the Reds goal be allowed to stand when the striker was three yards offside? Would this circumstance make our game any fairer than it is currently?
Bowing to ‘only’ introducing goal-line cameras would be the thin end of the wedge, and without doubt would eventually lead to further interferences elsewhere. It only takes one major incident to spark and ignite the many cinders of smaller claims which gather each and every week and before long, we would be refereed by some Pontius Pilate overlord sat like a Bond-villain in front of a wall of screens. Not exactly jumpers for goalposts.
Again, this scenario is far from foolproof. Take the Nani goal on Saturday, who was right and wrong there? Harry Redknapp certainly thought the officials got it wrong, but would our man looking at the ‘wall of justice’ have done any different? If he had, we still would have been talking about the incident now because Sir Alex Ferguson would have been booking himself an appointment with the FA instead.
Many decisions are far from clear cut which is why the idea of policing our game through the introduction of cameras and technology is a futile idea. Far too many of the disputed decisions are just that, disputed. The main protagonists are the ones directly involved. There are victims and perpetrators and never can anybody be fully appeased. We cannot wholly eradicate error from our officiating, and if even the most sophisticated schemes will still lead to dispute, controversy and more Andy Gray, why change and devalue our sport in the first place?
To think that today’s football is any more important than any previous days is arrogant and egotistical. We do not need complete and utter fairness in our system, it has never been that way yet that has never diminished, only fuelled the appeal of football as a sport. If somebody wins a game through good fortune, so be it. The record books show the winners, but it does not tell the whole picture of the piece of the unfortunate finalists or hard done by favourites undone by a dodgy goal in the semi’s. Behind every winner there are losers and those losses can be unfair. But isn’t life? Is that why we relate so well to fate and fortune?
Swings and roundabouts and rubs of the green. Doesn’t it just make football better?
Was it a goal? Certainly nobody seemed to know the exact ruling, perhaps because there isn’t an exact ruling. Inevitably the opposing players, managers and fans parted to either side of the ethical line whilst stood conferring somewhere between a rock and a hard place was the referee and his assistant. Goal. One side incensed, one elated.
Of course, Tom Huddleston’s was-it-wasn’t-it offside goal for Tottenham Hotspur against Fulham just two weekends ago is just one of the many hotly debated goals that command airtime. Just this week for example, Spurs ironically got the rough end of the knuckle when Mark Clattenburg allowed Nani’s goal to stand after Heurelho Gomes’s brain freeze. Harry Redknapp may now be hauled up before the FA for christening the decision ‘scandalous’ and ‘farcical’, but aren’t you a couple of points better off Harry?
Sandwiching the two perceived injustices – of which Redknapp chose to criticise just one – was UEFA President Michel Platini’s insistence that UEFA are not seeking to turn to technology in order to aid referees. He talked down the introduction of goal-line cameras and video refereeing referral systems, as they would lead to ‘playstation football’. Quite what he meant by reference to the name of a key and lucrative Champions League sponsor isn’t that clear, although we get the picture. The UEFA and FIFA stance is that they are quite happy to have the game officiated by humans, which will invariably lead to human error. I for one, completely agree with them.
If you take a look at the options available to implement, none would comprehensively, completely eradicate any mistakes in the game anyway. The most vociferous calls are for the implementation of cameras on the line to indicate when a ball has crossed. The argument here is that a goal should or should not be allowed if it has or has not been legitimately scored. That’s a fair claim, but what happens when somebody scores from a blatantly offside position. What is the difference here? Essentially, the linesman is making decisions based on ‘lines’, whether literal or hypothetical, the man with the flag is looking across seventy yards of turf unaided, and must make a judgement in a split second. If the Blues have a goal disallowed because the camera’s showed the ball didn’t cross the line, why should the Reds goal be allowed to stand when the striker was three yards offside? Would this circumstance make our game any fairer than it is currently?
Bowing to ‘only’ introducing goal-line cameras would be the thin end of the wedge, and without doubt would eventually lead to further interferences elsewhere. It only takes one major incident to spark and ignite the many cinders of smaller claims which gather each and every week and before long, we would be refereed by some Pontius Pilate overlord sat like a Bond-villain in front of a wall of screens. Not exactly jumpers for goalposts.
Again, this scenario is far from foolproof. Take the Nani goal on Saturday, who was right and wrong there? Harry Redknapp certainly thought the officials got it wrong, but would our man looking at the ‘wall of justice’ have done any different? If he had, we still would have been talking about the incident now because Sir Alex Ferguson would have been booking himself an appointment with the FA instead.
Many decisions are far from clear cut which is why the idea of policing our game through the introduction of cameras and technology is a futile idea. Far too many of the disputed decisions are just that, disputed. The main protagonists are the ones directly involved. There are victims and perpetrators and never can anybody be fully appeased. We cannot wholly eradicate error from our officiating, and if even the most sophisticated schemes will still lead to dispute, controversy and more Andy Gray, why change and devalue our sport in the first place?
To think that today’s football is any more important than any previous days is arrogant and egotistical. We do not need complete and utter fairness in our system, it has never been that way yet that has never diminished, only fuelled the appeal of football as a sport. If somebody wins a game through good fortune, so be it. The record books show the winners, but it does not tell the whole picture of the piece of the unfortunate finalists or hard done by favourites undone by a dodgy goal in the semi’s. Behind every winner there are losers and those losses can be unfair. But isn’t life? Is that why we relate so well to fate and fortune?
Swings and roundabouts and rubs of the green. Doesn’t it just make football better?
Thursday, 28 October 2010
Manchester United Club Focus – Glazer march gathering momentum
There’s never a dull moment at Old Trafford, but after a relatively harmonious few days in which Wayne Rooney has re-committed himself to the club - followed by a couple of morale boosting late wins – the soap opera continues on Saturday with the anti-Glazer protest before the clash with Tottenham.
The dissatisfaction with the American ownership has ran deep since day one, and has increasingly grown with every ticket price hike and interest payment since Avi, Joel and Bryan slipped past the police barricades and into the confines of the Boardroom to purchase the club back in May 2005.
Whilst there has always been dissenting noises towards the Glazer family and their methods of business, the volume has been turned up since the start of the year, and will reach a carnivorous crescendo by Saturday evening. Estimations are varying wildly, but depending what and where you read, there could be anywhere up to 50,000 Reds on the move.
At 4pm the proposed anti-Glazer march will depart from the Tollgate Pub – about a mile from the stadium – and wind its way down Sir Matt Busby Way and onto the cheap red plastic seats which now cost on average almost 50% more than they did prior to the Glazers arriving. These will be the same cheap red plastic seats which were some prominent against Wolves on Wednesday night, when United recorded their second lowest attendance since the turn of the century with a turnout of 46,083.
It’s amazing to think that Manchester United’s second lowest crowd of the century, is still more than champions Chelsea pull in on a weekly basis, yet the fact that the Reds are currently playing second fiddle to the Londoners only fuels the dissatisfaction towards the regime.
Although the Rooney saga was eventually brought to a satisfactory conclusion, his comments regarding the club lacking ambition and being unable to sign the world’s top players were brought out on the back of his dialogue with the clubs top brass. The fact Rooney expressed his opinions publicly added further ire towards the Glazers, and did little to quell the much held theory that the crippling debts are having a detrimental effect on field, and will continue to do so as long as vast sums of Manchester United Football Club money finds its way into American investment banks.
Although a protest of this magnitude has been some time in coming - given that Liverpool appeared to have three a week – it was essentially launched on the back of the release of the club’s annual financial figures at the start of the month, which revealed United made a net loss of over £80m despite posting a record turnover. Virtually all of these losses were directly linked to the debt accrued during the takeover, and showed just how much money was being taken out of the club coffers.
The books show United are over £500m in debt, and pay approximately £40m a year back in interest repayments. To put this into context, since the Glazers took over, United’s annual net transfer spend is under £2m. That’s twenty times less on transfers than debts. The average price of a season ticket has risen from £487 prior to takeover, to £722 this season. A price differential worked across 55,000 season ticket holders at almost £13m a year. That’s another £11m a year from the fans pockets which seemingly doesn’t go towards transfers.
Green and gold? The Glazers are lucky they’re not black and blue.
The dissatisfaction with the American ownership has ran deep since day one, and has increasingly grown with every ticket price hike and interest payment since Avi, Joel and Bryan slipped past the police barricades and into the confines of the Boardroom to purchase the club back in May 2005.
Whilst there has always been dissenting noises towards the Glazer family and their methods of business, the volume has been turned up since the start of the year, and will reach a carnivorous crescendo by Saturday evening. Estimations are varying wildly, but depending what and where you read, there could be anywhere up to 50,000 Reds on the move.
At 4pm the proposed anti-Glazer march will depart from the Tollgate Pub – about a mile from the stadium – and wind its way down Sir Matt Busby Way and onto the cheap red plastic seats which now cost on average almost 50% more than they did prior to the Glazers arriving. These will be the same cheap red plastic seats which were some prominent against Wolves on Wednesday night, when United recorded their second lowest attendance since the turn of the century with a turnout of 46,083.
It’s amazing to think that Manchester United’s second lowest crowd of the century, is still more than champions Chelsea pull in on a weekly basis, yet the fact that the Reds are currently playing second fiddle to the Londoners only fuels the dissatisfaction towards the regime.
Although the Rooney saga was eventually brought to a satisfactory conclusion, his comments regarding the club lacking ambition and being unable to sign the world’s top players were brought out on the back of his dialogue with the clubs top brass. The fact Rooney expressed his opinions publicly added further ire towards the Glazers, and did little to quell the much held theory that the crippling debts are having a detrimental effect on field, and will continue to do so as long as vast sums of Manchester United Football Club money finds its way into American investment banks.
Although a protest of this magnitude has been some time in coming - given that Liverpool appeared to have three a week – it was essentially launched on the back of the release of the club’s annual financial figures at the start of the month, which revealed United made a net loss of over £80m despite posting a record turnover. Virtually all of these losses were directly linked to the debt accrued during the takeover, and showed just how much money was being taken out of the club coffers.
The books show United are over £500m in debt, and pay approximately £40m a year back in interest repayments. To put this into context, since the Glazers took over, United’s annual net transfer spend is under £2m. That’s twenty times less on transfers than debts. The average price of a season ticket has risen from £487 prior to takeover, to £722 this season. A price differential worked across 55,000 season ticket holders at almost £13m a year. That’s another £11m a year from the fans pockets which seemingly doesn’t go towards transfers.
Green and gold? The Glazers are lucky they’re not black and blue.
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Manchester United Club Focus - Media masterclass from Ferguson
Having since tied down his errant striker to a long term contract and negotiated three points from a tricky assignment to Stoke City, it seems remarkable that just a week ago Sir Alex Ferguson was tasked with sorting out a potentially generation defining moment for the club.
Last Tuesday the press-pack scented blood as Ferguson arrived to field questions about the rumours Wayne Rooney wanted away from Old Trafford. After arriving stage left from behind a red curtain, the Scot delivered an exemplary performance of meticulous calculation and propaganda to get completely his own way. Preparing for the serenity of a League Cup tie against Wolves tonight, reinforces the adage that a week is a long time in football, especially at Manchester United.
Disagreements with his main men are nothing new for the Scot, who has overseen the departures of a number of the Stretford End’s favourite sons, however, this time it was different, and for perhaps the first time during Ferguson’s tenure, it appeared the timing and nature of the transfer was out of his control.
What made the Rooney situation unique was his public declaration that he believed United could no longer attract the world’s best players, and therefore match his own ambitions. The carefully manicured statement produced on behalf of Rooney was a damning indictment of the current status of Manchester United, and raised further questions of the Glazer's ownership, but also the integrity of Ferguson himself, who has constantly belittled stories he has no money to spend. As well as trying to change the mindset of a player who had his mind set, Ferguson had to combine this with once again ridiculing suggestions United are entering a period of deep recession, and painting a picture to both player and punters that all is well aboard the good ship Manchester United.
Had Ferguson got this wrong and Rooney had left, it would have been a critical severance for a club who have been a constant amongst Europe’s absolute elite. After having two of their star turns prized away in the last few seasons, with an ageing squad and lingering doubts over the financial capacity to rebuild it, the lure of Manchester United so irresistible in the past would start to look very resistible to the world’s top players Rooney was preaching about. The departure of the England striker could very easily have sparked a disastrous decline for the Reds.
Quite how Ferguson ended up managing it with such little fuss is a testament to the power and control he overwhelmingly exudes over the whole of one of footballs biggest institutions. However, the manner in which their manager selflessly acted on behalf of the whole club, served as an ominous reminder to the Red Army as to what happens when he does decide to call it a day? Despite the abilities of Messrs Rooney and Ronaldo - or anyone else that’s used the exit doors before Ferguson – they have been replaceable, indirectly or directly, but the same cannot be said for when the omnipotent one needs replacing himself.
When considering potential suitors, there isn’t many that spring to mind that could have achieved what Ferguson did last week. Sparking from one incident, he was wise and weathered enough to hold the prying media off at arm’s length, rebuff Rooney’s suggestions there were problems with the clubs ambition, shift the entire animosity of the supporters from off the club and onto the player, before thrashing out complex contract negotiations in a day, and then exonerating his player from all blame by implying his agent was at fault for the whole affair in the first place. Genius.
Not needing to replace Rooney was a masterstroke; replacing Ferguson will require a miracle.
Last Tuesday the press-pack scented blood as Ferguson arrived to field questions about the rumours Wayne Rooney wanted away from Old Trafford. After arriving stage left from behind a red curtain, the Scot delivered an exemplary performance of meticulous calculation and propaganda to get completely his own way. Preparing for the serenity of a League Cup tie against Wolves tonight, reinforces the adage that a week is a long time in football, especially at Manchester United.
Disagreements with his main men are nothing new for the Scot, who has overseen the departures of a number of the Stretford End’s favourite sons, however, this time it was different, and for perhaps the first time during Ferguson’s tenure, it appeared the timing and nature of the transfer was out of his control.
What made the Rooney situation unique was his public declaration that he believed United could no longer attract the world’s best players, and therefore match his own ambitions. The carefully manicured statement produced on behalf of Rooney was a damning indictment of the current status of Manchester United, and raised further questions of the Glazer's ownership, but also the integrity of Ferguson himself, who has constantly belittled stories he has no money to spend. As well as trying to change the mindset of a player who had his mind set, Ferguson had to combine this with once again ridiculing suggestions United are entering a period of deep recession, and painting a picture to both player and punters that all is well aboard the good ship Manchester United.
Had Ferguson got this wrong and Rooney had left, it would have been a critical severance for a club who have been a constant amongst Europe’s absolute elite. After having two of their star turns prized away in the last few seasons, with an ageing squad and lingering doubts over the financial capacity to rebuild it, the lure of Manchester United so irresistible in the past would start to look very resistible to the world’s top players Rooney was preaching about. The departure of the England striker could very easily have sparked a disastrous decline for the Reds.
Quite how Ferguson ended up managing it with such little fuss is a testament to the power and control he overwhelmingly exudes over the whole of one of footballs biggest institutions. However, the manner in which their manager selflessly acted on behalf of the whole club, served as an ominous reminder to the Red Army as to what happens when he does decide to call it a day? Despite the abilities of Messrs Rooney and Ronaldo - or anyone else that’s used the exit doors before Ferguson – they have been replaceable, indirectly or directly, but the same cannot be said for when the omnipotent one needs replacing himself.
When considering potential suitors, there isn’t many that spring to mind that could have achieved what Ferguson did last week. Sparking from one incident, he was wise and weathered enough to hold the prying media off at arm’s length, rebuff Rooney’s suggestions there were problems with the clubs ambition, shift the entire animosity of the supporters from off the club and onto the player, before thrashing out complex contract negotiations in a day, and then exonerating his player from all blame by implying his agent was at fault for the whole affair in the first place. Genius.
Not needing to replace Rooney was a masterstroke; replacing Ferguson will require a miracle.
Votes don't add up for Ballon d'Or
The shortlist for the FIFA Ballon d’Or has been announced, with some interesting inclusions and omissions. John Baines has a look.
Back in July Sepp Blatter triumphantly declared, ‘a new chapter in football’ was born. Fear not, the eccentric Swiss was not rolling out super-sized goalposts, triangular pitches or a robotic referees, instead, he was merely adding hyperbole to the amalgamation of what was essentially the same award anyway.
France Football’s Ballon d’Or - European Footballer of the Year - and the FIFA World Player of the Year have been merged to become the imaginatively titled FIFA Ballon d’Or. Since 2005, the two honours have always gone to the same player, so with a noble ditching of one glitzy shindig per annum, Blatter and Co have decided once and for all to have a sole award for the player deemed the world’s best for that calendar year.
The separate voting process of the two has also been combined, meaning that International coaches and captains as well as a gathering of the world’s journalists all have a say who now gets the prize. But even with just one gong on offer, and a more simplistic voting system, the shortlist still throws up some curious anomalies.
The official remit is that the nominees are the best players from the year beginning January 1st, always questionable given that all of the 23 man shortlist participate in a league system running from the autumn to spring. The balloting began following the World Cup, meaning the qualification period essentially covers only about half of the year. It’s still a muddled mess, and that shows with some of the names making the cut.
Much has been made of the lack of names from our shores on the list. There are no English players joining the likes of Xavi, Lionel Messi and Wesley Sneijder, and only Didier Drogba and Cesc Fabregas represent the Premier League. 2010 was not a vintage year for English clubs or the national side, and this seems to have tarnished our votes, rather than any significant decline in the individual levels of performance.
To highlight the indifference, Wayne Rooney doesn’t get a mention whereas Miroslav Klose does. From the turn of the year to the end of March, Rooney was unstoppable and had it not been for an untimely injury against Bayern Munich, could have led Manchester United onto a fourth successive Premier League title and a third consecutive Champions League final. Instead, he’s been overlooked in favour of Bayern’s beanpole striker Klose, who, barring four goals at the World Cup has had a bit of an annus horribilis domestically, scoring just six goals in 38 games for the Bavarians and only once en route to the Champions League final. Poor fare compared to Rooney’s 34 strikes in 44 appearances.
Rooney may have not done himself many favours by flunking in South Africa and being off the boil at the start of this season, but Klose has yet to get off the mark in the Bundesliga so far, and appears to have made the draft on the back of a handful of decent showings which were exposed to a wider media glare.
The same could be said of compatriots Mesut Ozil, who shone for the ‘Mannschaft’ but had little clamour before it, and Thomas Muller who enjoyed a decent season with Bayern, but surely gets the nod for winning the Golden Boot – an achievement not to be discounted, but is not reward for annual endeavours over a sustained period of time.
Clearly getting less than a goal every other game in the Ligue 1 is a strong enough testament to justify Asamoah Gyan’s admission, and Dani Alves, apart from earning another La Liga title with Barca, was by his own admission playing below par and was even left out of Pep Guardiola’s team for a spell.
Reflecting on our own omissions, Carlos Tevez must reflect whether he could have done much more than score 29 goals in 42 games in his debut season for a new club, and there can be few midfielders who matched Frank lampard’s 27 goals and a league and cup double. Lampard’s Chelsea team-mates Ashley Cole and Florent Malouda have been widely recognised as peerless in their positions over the past twelve months, whilst Gareth Bale has excelled to the point he terrorised the European champions on their own patch last week.
Just ask Nick Clegg, you can pick up those oh so important extra votes when it’s deemed fashionable to vote a certain way, which unfortunately means the Premier league is so last season.
Back in July Sepp Blatter triumphantly declared, ‘a new chapter in football’ was born. Fear not, the eccentric Swiss was not rolling out super-sized goalposts, triangular pitches or a robotic referees, instead, he was merely adding hyperbole to the amalgamation of what was essentially the same award anyway.
France Football’s Ballon d’Or - European Footballer of the Year - and the FIFA World Player of the Year have been merged to become the imaginatively titled FIFA Ballon d’Or. Since 2005, the two honours have always gone to the same player, so with a noble ditching of one glitzy shindig per annum, Blatter and Co have decided once and for all to have a sole award for the player deemed the world’s best for that calendar year.
The separate voting process of the two has also been combined, meaning that International coaches and captains as well as a gathering of the world’s journalists all have a say who now gets the prize. But even with just one gong on offer, and a more simplistic voting system, the shortlist still throws up some curious anomalies.
The official remit is that the nominees are the best players from the year beginning January 1st, always questionable given that all of the 23 man shortlist participate in a league system running from the autumn to spring. The balloting began following the World Cup, meaning the qualification period essentially covers only about half of the year. It’s still a muddled mess, and that shows with some of the names making the cut.
Much has been made of the lack of names from our shores on the list. There are no English players joining the likes of Xavi, Lionel Messi and Wesley Sneijder, and only Didier Drogba and Cesc Fabregas represent the Premier League. 2010 was not a vintage year for English clubs or the national side, and this seems to have tarnished our votes, rather than any significant decline in the individual levels of performance.
To highlight the indifference, Wayne Rooney doesn’t get a mention whereas Miroslav Klose does. From the turn of the year to the end of March, Rooney was unstoppable and had it not been for an untimely injury against Bayern Munich, could have led Manchester United onto a fourth successive Premier League title and a third consecutive Champions League final. Instead, he’s been overlooked in favour of Bayern’s beanpole striker Klose, who, barring four goals at the World Cup has had a bit of an annus horribilis domestically, scoring just six goals in 38 games for the Bavarians and only once en route to the Champions League final. Poor fare compared to Rooney’s 34 strikes in 44 appearances.
Rooney may have not done himself many favours by flunking in South Africa and being off the boil at the start of this season, but Klose has yet to get off the mark in the Bundesliga so far, and appears to have made the draft on the back of a handful of decent showings which were exposed to a wider media glare.
The same could be said of compatriots Mesut Ozil, who shone for the ‘Mannschaft’ but had little clamour before it, and Thomas Muller who enjoyed a decent season with Bayern, but surely gets the nod for winning the Golden Boot – an achievement not to be discounted, but is not reward for annual endeavours over a sustained period of time.
Clearly getting less than a goal every other game in the Ligue 1 is a strong enough testament to justify Asamoah Gyan’s admission, and Dani Alves, apart from earning another La Liga title with Barca, was by his own admission playing below par and was even left out of Pep Guardiola’s team for a spell.
Reflecting on our own omissions, Carlos Tevez must reflect whether he could have done much more than score 29 goals in 42 games in his debut season for a new club, and there can be few midfielders who matched Frank lampard’s 27 goals and a league and cup double. Lampard’s Chelsea team-mates Ashley Cole and Florent Malouda have been widely recognised as peerless in their positions over the past twelve months, whilst Gareth Bale has excelled to the point he terrorised the European champions on their own patch last week.
Just ask Nick Clegg, you can pick up those oh so important extra votes when it’s deemed fashionable to vote a certain way, which unfortunately means the Premier league is so last season.
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
My Greatest X1 of all-time
To mark the 50th and 70th birthdays of Maradona and Pele, The Guardian are running a ‘Your greatest football X1’.
Never a right or a wrong answer and always open to opinion and conjecture, I am choosing my ‘Greatest X1 of all time’.
As this is ‘your’ greatest X1 of all time, I am choosing from the players I have seen close up, on a regular basis, whom I can judge for myself. So I am only choosing from the players I have seen in my 20odd years of watching the beautiful game, and who I believe are the best players I have ever seen.
I have tried to formulise this somewhat and have stuck them in the modern 4-3-3 formation, roughly compromising of a back four, three central-ish midfielders and three forwards. Again, feel free to alter the formation should you so wish. Here goes…
Goalkeeper - Gianluigi Buffon
Buffon has collected over 100 Azzurri caps and surely must be one of the most decorated keepers ever to play the game. He has two Serie A titles, a Uefa Cup and a World Cup to his name as well as a mountain of individual awards including Serie A Keeper of the Year seven times, Uefa Goalkeeper of the Season three times and in 2006, came second in the European Player of the Year awards, becoming one of only five keepers to be named for the honour in over fifty years of its existence.
A supreme athlete, standing 6ft 3” Buffon resonates that presence which reassures defences and intimidates forwards in equal measure, and is one of the best shot stoppers the game has ever seen. Easily the best keeper of the past decade.
Right-Back – Cafu
Along with his mate Roberto Carlos, the two Brazilians were the pioneers of the modern day flying full-back, combining defensive duties with an enthusiasm to bomb forward to act as an auxiliary winger, creating and scoring as many goals as he kept out.
The Brazilians have long had a tradition of attacking full-backs, but many of these were often culpable defensively. Cafu was not, and when in the opposition third he had the natural ability to beat a man, and cross and shoot as accurately as an attacker.
Cafu was a relative latecomer to the European scene arriving in Zaragoza aged 24 and it was only when he moved to Italy, first with Roma and then Milan, did he gain the recognition he deserved. Two Serie A’s and a European Cup later, Cafu was still marauding down the Rossoneri right flank aged 37. He also has won two World Cups and is Brazils most capped player turning out 142 times.
Left-Back – Andreas Brehme
The complete defender, and a key component of the clinical West German side of the 80’s, Brehme was a regular feature for the ‘Mannschaft’ and appeared in three World Cup finals, missing out in ’82 and ’86, finally getting it right at Italia ’90 where he scored the winning penalty in the final against Argentina.
Hard as nails, and with typical German efficiency, Brehme was resolute at the back and gave nothing away, but it was as an attacking force that Brehme stood out. Genuinely two footed, he took free kicks and corners with his left foot but preferred shooting and taking penalties with his right. At all of his clubs he was a regular goalscorer, both from dead balls and open play, and consistently offered an attacking outlet going forward. Such was Brehme’s potency going forward that during the second round match of Italia 90 against the Netherlands, the Dutch winger Johnny Van't Schip's principal job was to mark him out of the game. The tactic had little effect with Brehme curling home the decisive goal.
Centre-Back – Marcel Desailly
Quick, strong and an excellent reader of the game, Desailly was a colossal figure at the heart of any defence he played, whether that be for Marseille, Milan, Chelsea or France.
After originally starting as a midfielder, Desailly possessed excellent footballing qualities which accompanied him in his defensive role, often starting attacks by bursting out of defence or spraying passes forward. Ghanaian born and French raised, Desailly’s finest hour was during the ’98 World Cup. Forming a formidable pairing with Laurent Blanc, he was imperious throughout the whole tournament as les blues conceded only two goals all tournament on their way to becoming world champions.
Like any true great, Desailly has the silverware to prove it, and as well as the World Cup, he won the European Championships in 2000, two Champions League titles, two Serie A’s and an FA Cup
Centre-Back – Alessandro Nesta
At the peak of his powers there have been fewer better natural defenders than Nesta. After bursting into the talented Lazio side of the mid 90’s, Nesta’s maturity way beyond his years meant he was given the honour of captaining the side aged just 21, and was the figurehead of Sergio Cragnotti’s purpose built side which won the Italian Championship in 2000. He added a second Serie A crown with Milan in 2004, as well as the Champions League in 2007, and the World Cup with Italy in 2006.
Nesta followed in a long line of Italian defenders who were brilliant readers of the game. He appeared almost psychic at times, proactively snuffing out danger before it had happened, but possessing the speed and intuition to react to situations if they had.
A sign of Nesta’s brilliance is that amongst a collection of the best defenders in the world, where defending is considered an art form, he won Serie A Defender of the Year four consecutive times from 2000-2003.
Centre midfield – Lothar Matthaus
There have been few footballers that have as much to their game as Lothar Matthaus. It was said that Matthaus could play anywhere, and invariably he did. Primarily a central midfielder, Matthaus had the lot and was the driving force behind the teams he played. The original all-action, box-to-box midfielder, the German was a regular goalscorer, but was far from an attacking midfielder. He defended and screened his backline but was in no means a defensive midfielder, he could pass, prompt and above all, was a leader of men. Skippering near enough every team he ever played in, including the West German side who won Italia 90.
Matthaus still holds the record for most appearances in the World Cup finals – 25 – spread across five tournaments. In a glittering club career, Matthaus won seven Bundesliga’s, three Uefa Cups and seven domestic cups. He also added the 1980 European Championships to the World Cup he won with Germany, and individually picked the 1990 Ball d’Or and the 1991 World player of the Year.
Centre Midfield – Zinedine Zidane
With the build of a middleweight and the delicacy of a fairy, Zidane was poetry in motion with a poise, grace and balance that few can match, all allied with the subtlest of touches, and the sharpest of football brains, his performances should have been played to classical music scores instead of banal commentary.
Few players had the appreciation and understanding of Zidane to find a pocket of space. He caressed the ball, stroked it like a renaissance painter would do to his canvas, and made the game seem simple, and the world a happier place.
Supremely gifted, Zidane had a flawless technique, the most skilled of feet, peripheral vision and a devastating array of passes. Zidane was not a goalscorer, the secret of his supremeness was that he made the game simpler for everyone else by being simply brilliant. He had some much time to operate, he created time elsewhere, and was simply brilliant, not necessarily unstoppable, but just brilliant.
Only he and Ronaldo have won the FIFA World Player of the Year three times.
Central Midfield – Michael Laudrup
One of the most underrated players of all time. Both Romario and Raul say he was the best they ever played with, Johann Cruyff said, “When Michael plays like a dream no one in the world comes anywhere near his level.” And the most glittering appraisal came from a journeyman Italian defender called Roberto Galia, “I have played against Maradona, Platini and Baggio. But the player I saw do the most indescribable things was Michael Laudrup.”
Laudrup was pure class, one of the most elegant footballers of all time.
A playmaker, he had the lot, pace, amazing dribbling skills, he conducted and created and scored, but the one trait that set him apart from his peers was his ability to play a killer pass. If certain players are blessed with a football brain, then Laudrup must have possessed artificial intelligence, such was the precision, weight and timing of some of his through balls.
Laudrup won three la Liga titles with Barcelona’s ‘Dream Team’ of the early 90’s and in his final season he was instrumental in Barca’s 5-0 hammering of Real Madrid. That summer he transferred to Real, who reclaimed la Liga meaning Laudrup won four titles on the bounce. He was also instrumental in Real’s 5-0 hammering of Barca that season…
Forward – Diego Maradona
In many people’s eyes, the greatest of all time. Certainly few players have won a World Cup single handedly as el Diego did in 1986, and even fewer have gone onto lift a mediocre mid-table side like Napoli onto two Serie A titles and a Uefa Cup.
In his pomp, he was unstoppable. An individual talent that has rarely, if ever, been equaled. Widely daubed as the ‘goal of the century’, Maradona’s effort against England in ’86 epitomised his abilities; that burst of speed, the way he jinked and rode past tackles, brushing away intruders with his short stocky frame, the whole moment happens in just a few short seconds, it must have seemed like a blur as he’s scampering towards goal, bodies trailing, limbs approaching as he progresses, yet in his oft-derided mind he has a vision, premonition like of what to do. It is a vision few players could even imagine, let alone replicate.
A testament of how good Maradona was is that he repeated a once in a lifetime goal a couple of days later in the semi-final against Belgium, slaloming past a handful of harrowed Belgian defenders before lashing the ball home on that beautiful left peg.
Forward – Lionel Messi
Yes, yes he’s only 23 and agreed he’s not done it at a World Cup. But there is something scary about the way Lionel Messi performs on the club scene for Barcelona at the moment, appearing heads and shoulders above anything else in the world.
Since the start of the 2008 season, Messi has played 113 times for Barca, scoring a quite preposterous 93 times. It is a strike rate that ranks with some of the most lethal goal poachers of all time, yet this is only part of the story. That doesn’t begin to tell the story of how many goals he sets up, or the general havoc he wreaks every time he gets the ball.
It’s not only the amount of goals, it’s the quality of them. Time and again, he scores goals only he could score. There aren’t many tap-ins and nearly every goal comes in apparent comical fashion as Messi, cartoon like, zips in from that right touchline, ball glued to his left foot as he ducks and weaves past those unfortunate enough to have to tackle him, before nonchalantly shaping one into the corner or dinking it over the keeper. There haven’t been many players in any era completely unrivalled as the best of that time, but Messi certainly is now.
Forward – Ronaldo
The phenomenal thing about ‘il fenomeno’ is that he was one of the finest goalscorers of all-time, despite rarely being fully fit. 44 goals in 44 games for Cruzeiro, 54 goals in 57 for PSV, 47 in 49 for Barca. These figures are ridiculous. Even in the notoriously stingy Serie A he got 49 goals in 68 league games for Inter before injury curtailed surely what would have been his making as unarguably the finest striker of the modern era, if not all time.
Onto Real Madrid, and we continue, 177 games, 104 goals, he’s got 62 goals in 97 caps for the national team and even got a goal every other game with Milan when he was well past it. He is the World Cups highest goalscorer of all time with another 15 in 19, won the tournament twice, and has too many individual accolades to list. The records speak for themselves.
You dread to think what would have happened if he hadn’t had his knee reconstructed three times, and to see highlights of his goals and performances for Barcelona and Inter prior to injury were scary. He was so fast and powerful, with a ruthless and direct hunger for goals which made him so difficult to stop. A true great, and a true tragedy he was never in prime condition for longer so we could have seen just how good Ronaldo would have been.
Never a right or a wrong answer and always open to opinion and conjecture, I am choosing my ‘Greatest X1 of all time’.
As this is ‘your’ greatest X1 of all time, I am choosing from the players I have seen close up, on a regular basis, whom I can judge for myself. So I am only choosing from the players I have seen in my 20odd years of watching the beautiful game, and who I believe are the best players I have ever seen.
I have tried to formulise this somewhat and have stuck them in the modern 4-3-3 formation, roughly compromising of a back four, three central-ish midfielders and three forwards. Again, feel free to alter the formation should you so wish. Here goes…
Goalkeeper - Gianluigi Buffon
Buffon has collected over 100 Azzurri caps and surely must be one of the most decorated keepers ever to play the game. He has two Serie A titles, a Uefa Cup and a World Cup to his name as well as a mountain of individual awards including Serie A Keeper of the Year seven times, Uefa Goalkeeper of the Season three times and in 2006, came second in the European Player of the Year awards, becoming one of only five keepers to be named for the honour in over fifty years of its existence.
A supreme athlete, standing 6ft 3” Buffon resonates that presence which reassures defences and intimidates forwards in equal measure, and is one of the best shot stoppers the game has ever seen. Easily the best keeper of the past decade.
Right-Back – Cafu
Along with his mate Roberto Carlos, the two Brazilians were the pioneers of the modern day flying full-back, combining defensive duties with an enthusiasm to bomb forward to act as an auxiliary winger, creating and scoring as many goals as he kept out.
The Brazilians have long had a tradition of attacking full-backs, but many of these were often culpable defensively. Cafu was not, and when in the opposition third he had the natural ability to beat a man, and cross and shoot as accurately as an attacker.
Cafu was a relative latecomer to the European scene arriving in Zaragoza aged 24 and it was only when he moved to Italy, first with Roma and then Milan, did he gain the recognition he deserved. Two Serie A’s and a European Cup later, Cafu was still marauding down the Rossoneri right flank aged 37. He also has won two World Cups and is Brazils most capped player turning out 142 times.
Left-Back – Andreas Brehme
The complete defender, and a key component of the clinical West German side of the 80’s, Brehme was a regular feature for the ‘Mannschaft’ and appeared in three World Cup finals, missing out in ’82 and ’86, finally getting it right at Italia ’90 where he scored the winning penalty in the final against Argentina.
Hard as nails, and with typical German efficiency, Brehme was resolute at the back and gave nothing away, but it was as an attacking force that Brehme stood out. Genuinely two footed, he took free kicks and corners with his left foot but preferred shooting and taking penalties with his right. At all of his clubs he was a regular goalscorer, both from dead balls and open play, and consistently offered an attacking outlet going forward. Such was Brehme’s potency going forward that during the second round match of Italia 90 against the Netherlands, the Dutch winger Johnny Van't Schip's principal job was to mark him out of the game. The tactic had little effect with Brehme curling home the decisive goal.
Centre-Back – Marcel Desailly
Quick, strong and an excellent reader of the game, Desailly was a colossal figure at the heart of any defence he played, whether that be for Marseille, Milan, Chelsea or France.
After originally starting as a midfielder, Desailly possessed excellent footballing qualities which accompanied him in his defensive role, often starting attacks by bursting out of defence or spraying passes forward. Ghanaian born and French raised, Desailly’s finest hour was during the ’98 World Cup. Forming a formidable pairing with Laurent Blanc, he was imperious throughout the whole tournament as les blues conceded only two goals all tournament on their way to becoming world champions.
Like any true great, Desailly has the silverware to prove it, and as well as the World Cup, he won the European Championships in 2000, two Champions League titles, two Serie A’s and an FA Cup
Centre-Back – Alessandro Nesta
At the peak of his powers there have been fewer better natural defenders than Nesta. After bursting into the talented Lazio side of the mid 90’s, Nesta’s maturity way beyond his years meant he was given the honour of captaining the side aged just 21, and was the figurehead of Sergio Cragnotti’s purpose built side which won the Italian Championship in 2000. He added a second Serie A crown with Milan in 2004, as well as the Champions League in 2007, and the World Cup with Italy in 2006.
Nesta followed in a long line of Italian defenders who were brilliant readers of the game. He appeared almost psychic at times, proactively snuffing out danger before it had happened, but possessing the speed and intuition to react to situations if they had.
A sign of Nesta’s brilliance is that amongst a collection of the best defenders in the world, where defending is considered an art form, he won Serie A Defender of the Year four consecutive times from 2000-2003.
Centre midfield – Lothar Matthaus
There have been few footballers that have as much to their game as Lothar Matthaus. It was said that Matthaus could play anywhere, and invariably he did. Primarily a central midfielder, Matthaus had the lot and was the driving force behind the teams he played. The original all-action, box-to-box midfielder, the German was a regular goalscorer, but was far from an attacking midfielder. He defended and screened his backline but was in no means a defensive midfielder, he could pass, prompt and above all, was a leader of men. Skippering near enough every team he ever played in, including the West German side who won Italia 90.
Matthaus still holds the record for most appearances in the World Cup finals – 25 – spread across five tournaments. In a glittering club career, Matthaus won seven Bundesliga’s, three Uefa Cups and seven domestic cups. He also added the 1980 European Championships to the World Cup he won with Germany, and individually picked the 1990 Ball d’Or and the 1991 World player of the Year.
Centre Midfield – Zinedine Zidane
With the build of a middleweight and the delicacy of a fairy, Zidane was poetry in motion with a poise, grace and balance that few can match, all allied with the subtlest of touches, and the sharpest of football brains, his performances should have been played to classical music scores instead of banal commentary.
Few players had the appreciation and understanding of Zidane to find a pocket of space. He caressed the ball, stroked it like a renaissance painter would do to his canvas, and made the game seem simple, and the world a happier place.
Supremely gifted, Zidane had a flawless technique, the most skilled of feet, peripheral vision and a devastating array of passes. Zidane was not a goalscorer, the secret of his supremeness was that he made the game simpler for everyone else by being simply brilliant. He had some much time to operate, he created time elsewhere, and was simply brilliant, not necessarily unstoppable, but just brilliant.
Only he and Ronaldo have won the FIFA World Player of the Year three times.
Central Midfield – Michael Laudrup
One of the most underrated players of all time. Both Romario and Raul say he was the best they ever played with, Johann Cruyff said, “When Michael plays like a dream no one in the world comes anywhere near his level.” And the most glittering appraisal came from a journeyman Italian defender called Roberto Galia, “I have played against Maradona, Platini and Baggio. But the player I saw do the most indescribable things was Michael Laudrup.”
Laudrup was pure class, one of the most elegant footballers of all time.
A playmaker, he had the lot, pace, amazing dribbling skills, he conducted and created and scored, but the one trait that set him apart from his peers was his ability to play a killer pass. If certain players are blessed with a football brain, then Laudrup must have possessed artificial intelligence, such was the precision, weight and timing of some of his through balls.
Laudrup won three la Liga titles with Barcelona’s ‘Dream Team’ of the early 90’s and in his final season he was instrumental in Barca’s 5-0 hammering of Real Madrid. That summer he transferred to Real, who reclaimed la Liga meaning Laudrup won four titles on the bounce. He was also instrumental in Real’s 5-0 hammering of Barca that season…
Forward – Diego Maradona
In many people’s eyes, the greatest of all time. Certainly few players have won a World Cup single handedly as el Diego did in 1986, and even fewer have gone onto lift a mediocre mid-table side like Napoli onto two Serie A titles and a Uefa Cup.
In his pomp, he was unstoppable. An individual talent that has rarely, if ever, been equaled. Widely daubed as the ‘goal of the century’, Maradona’s effort against England in ’86 epitomised his abilities; that burst of speed, the way he jinked and rode past tackles, brushing away intruders with his short stocky frame, the whole moment happens in just a few short seconds, it must have seemed like a blur as he’s scampering towards goal, bodies trailing, limbs approaching as he progresses, yet in his oft-derided mind he has a vision, premonition like of what to do. It is a vision few players could even imagine, let alone replicate.
A testament of how good Maradona was is that he repeated a once in a lifetime goal a couple of days later in the semi-final against Belgium, slaloming past a handful of harrowed Belgian defenders before lashing the ball home on that beautiful left peg.
Forward – Lionel Messi
Yes, yes he’s only 23 and agreed he’s not done it at a World Cup. But there is something scary about the way Lionel Messi performs on the club scene for Barcelona at the moment, appearing heads and shoulders above anything else in the world.
Since the start of the 2008 season, Messi has played 113 times for Barca, scoring a quite preposterous 93 times. It is a strike rate that ranks with some of the most lethal goal poachers of all time, yet this is only part of the story. That doesn’t begin to tell the story of how many goals he sets up, or the general havoc he wreaks every time he gets the ball.
It’s not only the amount of goals, it’s the quality of them. Time and again, he scores goals only he could score. There aren’t many tap-ins and nearly every goal comes in apparent comical fashion as Messi, cartoon like, zips in from that right touchline, ball glued to his left foot as he ducks and weaves past those unfortunate enough to have to tackle him, before nonchalantly shaping one into the corner or dinking it over the keeper. There haven’t been many players in any era completely unrivalled as the best of that time, but Messi certainly is now.
Forward – Ronaldo
The phenomenal thing about ‘il fenomeno’ is that he was one of the finest goalscorers of all-time, despite rarely being fully fit. 44 goals in 44 games for Cruzeiro, 54 goals in 57 for PSV, 47 in 49 for Barca. These figures are ridiculous. Even in the notoriously stingy Serie A he got 49 goals in 68 league games for Inter before injury curtailed surely what would have been his making as unarguably the finest striker of the modern era, if not all time.
Onto Real Madrid, and we continue, 177 games, 104 goals, he’s got 62 goals in 97 caps for the national team and even got a goal every other game with Milan when he was well past it. He is the World Cups highest goalscorer of all time with another 15 in 19, won the tournament twice, and has too many individual accolades to list. The records speak for themselves.
You dread to think what would have happened if he hadn’t had his knee reconstructed three times, and to see highlights of his goals and performances for Barcelona and Inter prior to injury were scary. He was so fast and powerful, with a ruthless and direct hunger for goals which made him so difficult to stop. A true great, and a true tragedy he was never in prime condition for longer so we could have seen just how good Ronaldo would have been.
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Manchester United Club Focus - Rooney 'adamant' he wants to leave
So it has now been confirmed. The amount the press knew and the credibility and collective knowhow said as much, but once Sir Alex Ferguson goes on record saying that Wayne Rooney wants to leave, then he wants to leave.
In his pre-match press conference ahead of the now slightly inconsequential Bursaspor encounter, Ferguson revealed that Rooney’s first inhibitions about staying at Old Trafford were raised during the summer, when initial talks about extending his contract past 2012 hit an impasse.
Although the lid has been relatively kept on the breakdown until recently, the situation is now in the public domain and given Ferguson’s statement that his striker is ‘adamant’ he wants to leave, there seems only one conclusion to the scenario.
What has yet to be fully clarified is what has changed Rooney’s stance since last season when a transfer away from United seemed a very distant proposition. Ferguson went to great lengths to lay the blame squarely on the shoulders of Rooney and his advisors, by saying, “Only months before he was saying he was at the greatest club in the world. I asked to have a meeting with the boy. He reiterated what his agent said, that he wanted to go.”
It appears the issues behind Rooney’s desire to leave run deeper than the financial complexities of a new contract. Although it is commonplace for the various parties to play hardball over contract negotiations, Rooney’s team would have taken a more tactile approach to proceedings had it been his genuine intention to stay. The grim prospect facing Reds fans now is that their best player wants to leave, and it looks like he will be leaving.
The conundrum Sir Alex Ferguson and the club board will have to decide is when they let their man go. There will be no shortage of suitors for the current Premier League Player of the Year, yet unlike previously when United have sold key players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham, this transfer will be hard to conclude on their terms.
The balancing act Ferguson and Gill must get right is between selling for the right price, whilst doing the best for team issues. Come the summer Rooney will only have 12 months left to run on his current contract, and commanding anywhere like his full transfer value would be difficult. The fee could potentially be larger in January, but invariably the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona would prefer a summer transfer where United could instigate a bidding war, but with Manchester City lurking, the timing may be irrelevant.
From a playing perspective, Rooney’s contribution to the United cause this season has been minimal - a penalty against West Ham his solitary strike of the campaign. Apart from the goals, the 24-year-old’s performances have been substandard, and on current form would barely be missed.
The lack of an on form and focused Rooney is one factor to the Reds sluggish start to the season, and given the inevitable media scope against the backdrop of knowing the player wants to leave, the players performances and therefore those of the team are hardly likely to improve. Ferguson has also been reticent in the past to shoulder the burden of players causing problems, and Rooney’s continued involvement with the first team squad could have detrimental effects upon the rest. It is therefore highly unlikely, unless Ferguson can reverse Rooney’s decision, that the famous United number 10 shirt will adorn Rooney’s name into 2011.
What makes the whole affair even more unpalatable for the Red Army is that in pole position to acquire the England striker would be their nearest but not very dearest neighbours. Given the credence of the press reports thus far, comments attributed to Rooney suggesting he is open to a move to the blue half of Manchester should not be taken lightly. City do not want for cash or ambition, and would be in a position to launch a bid at any time, something Barcelona, Real Madrid and Chelsea may not.
An intriguing subplot to this news is how the Glazers respond. A hefty pay increase and reassurances about future investment in the team could appease Rooney’s woes. However, on the back on the recent announcement of net losses of over £80m in the last year, the margins between selling their star player, and shelling out on a bumper contract and world class reinforcements would be impossible to bridge.
It is something that will not go unspoken when United fans congregate for an anti-Glazer march ahead of their next home league fixture with Tottenham on October 30.
In his pre-match press conference ahead of the now slightly inconsequential Bursaspor encounter, Ferguson revealed that Rooney’s first inhibitions about staying at Old Trafford were raised during the summer, when initial talks about extending his contract past 2012 hit an impasse.
Although the lid has been relatively kept on the breakdown until recently, the situation is now in the public domain and given Ferguson’s statement that his striker is ‘adamant’ he wants to leave, there seems only one conclusion to the scenario.
What has yet to be fully clarified is what has changed Rooney’s stance since last season when a transfer away from United seemed a very distant proposition. Ferguson went to great lengths to lay the blame squarely on the shoulders of Rooney and his advisors, by saying, “Only months before he was saying he was at the greatest club in the world. I asked to have a meeting with the boy. He reiterated what his agent said, that he wanted to go.”
It appears the issues behind Rooney’s desire to leave run deeper than the financial complexities of a new contract. Although it is commonplace for the various parties to play hardball over contract negotiations, Rooney’s team would have taken a more tactile approach to proceedings had it been his genuine intention to stay. The grim prospect facing Reds fans now is that their best player wants to leave, and it looks like he will be leaving.
The conundrum Sir Alex Ferguson and the club board will have to decide is when they let their man go. There will be no shortage of suitors for the current Premier League Player of the Year, yet unlike previously when United have sold key players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham, this transfer will be hard to conclude on their terms.
The balancing act Ferguson and Gill must get right is between selling for the right price, whilst doing the best for team issues. Come the summer Rooney will only have 12 months left to run on his current contract, and commanding anywhere like his full transfer value would be difficult. The fee could potentially be larger in January, but invariably the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona would prefer a summer transfer where United could instigate a bidding war, but with Manchester City lurking, the timing may be irrelevant.
From a playing perspective, Rooney’s contribution to the United cause this season has been minimal - a penalty against West Ham his solitary strike of the campaign. Apart from the goals, the 24-year-old’s performances have been substandard, and on current form would barely be missed.
The lack of an on form and focused Rooney is one factor to the Reds sluggish start to the season, and given the inevitable media scope against the backdrop of knowing the player wants to leave, the players performances and therefore those of the team are hardly likely to improve. Ferguson has also been reticent in the past to shoulder the burden of players causing problems, and Rooney’s continued involvement with the first team squad could have detrimental effects upon the rest. It is therefore highly unlikely, unless Ferguson can reverse Rooney’s decision, that the famous United number 10 shirt will adorn Rooney’s name into 2011.
What makes the whole affair even more unpalatable for the Red Army is that in pole position to acquire the England striker would be their nearest but not very dearest neighbours. Given the credence of the press reports thus far, comments attributed to Rooney suggesting he is open to a move to the blue half of Manchester should not be taken lightly. City do not want for cash or ambition, and would be in a position to launch a bid at any time, something Barcelona, Real Madrid and Chelsea may not.
An intriguing subplot to this news is how the Glazers respond. A hefty pay increase and reassurances about future investment in the team could appease Rooney’s woes. However, on the back on the recent announcement of net losses of over £80m in the last year, the margins between selling their star player, and shelling out on a bumper contract and world class reinforcements would be impossible to bridge.
It is something that will not go unspoken when United fans congregate for an anti-Glazer march ahead of their next home league fixture with Tottenham on October 30.
Rooney ruined by the press
The constant haranguing of our top stars could spark mass migration from the Premier League. John Baines believes the tabloid press could send the English game to the gutter.
Just six months ago Wayne Rooney was spearheading Manchester United’s assault on a fourth consecutive Premier League title and a third consecutive Champions League final appearance. To all intents and purposes, he seemed to be the next Old Trafford ‘lifer’, with his status assured as the Reds premiere player.
Whilst he may have fancied catching sunburn on the continent at some point, that seemed more likely to be a swansong, rather than the pinnacle of his career, and certainly a transfer away from United would have been inconceivable during the summer. Yet somehow the situation has evolved, only in the matter of a couple of weeks, to the point that his future with the club is now in serious doubt. So what’s gone on?
Those who claim to be in the know, know too much. Thanks to more leaks than the SS Poseidon, we are being updated through the press via unnamed ‘sources’ close to Rooney that he is unsatisfied with life with the Red Devils, and underwhelmed with the clubs transfer and recruitment policy.
However, those inside the halls of Old Trafford would have been aware of United’s financial position and aims going forward, and that includes the Rooney camp. After all, even after the departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, the Reds hardly broke the bank to replace them. The clubs financial position provides a ready made excuse for Rooney to depart, but it is obvious the real reason for his despondency is his falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson.
The media handling of his perceived ankle injury highlighted the rift with the boss, but the seeds were sewn by the tabloid allegations about Rooney’s private life, with Ferguson less than enamoured with Rooney’s apparent rendezvous with two Manchester escort girls.
Never a scenario to strengthen the relationship between manager and employee, it appears these tabloid tales have been the catalyst in the breakdown of the previous indelible bond between Ferguson and Rooney, to the detriment of the club.
Rooney’s form has dipped and although Ferguson tried to mask it as an ankle injury, the reasons for that were fairly transparent. At the helm of the issue is Rooney’s indiscretions, and the repercussions are now stemming far and wider than the players home life.
Whilst not trying to excuse Rooney’s ‘alleged’ indiscretions, one has to wonder who benefits from the ‘kiss and tell’ expose which is becoming a regular feature of our ‘news’.
Indeed, Rooney is not in the boat on his own, over the past year or so we’ve had John Terry, Peter Crouch, David Beckham (again), Ashley Cole, Jermain Defoe – in fact members of the England squad are in the minority if there hasn’t been some sort of lurid sexual tale told or sold about them. But to what effect?
The problem herein lies with the tabloid press’s exploitation of a vague commandment loosely laid out by the Press Complaints Commission’s (PCC) editorial code of practice, which gives them the right to print ‘in the public interest’. Now, this is an ongoing conundrum, and one which there are few professional or legal guidelines to restrain, and one which is mercilessly flaunted by the press for essentially self gain. After all, what interests the public, is not necessarily in the public interest.
The defence put forward by the press, is that if anybody contradicts an image they purvey to the public, for example, that of a happy family man with a wife and child, they deserve to have that image corrected. In essence it is a fair call, but whom stands to gain from these tales? Really, the only winners are the newspaper publishers who see sales go up, and the implicated girl or girls who get a decent pay-off for the spread – pardon the pun.
What’s more, because of the profitability of such stories, the issue never ends with the initial expose. Referring back to the Rooney story, do we really need ‘The Shame of Wayne: Day Six: ‘I’m a fool, take me back, Col’? As carried in the Mirror almost a week after the story break? Do we really need a Sun reporter stood outside the family home, with updates such as 12.33pm: Coleen arrives at the house. 2.12pm: He arrives home from training. And, following on from the whole debacle, the Sun (surprise suprise) even followed Mrs Rooney and her younger disabled sister to their annual pilgrimage to Lourdes. Is this really in the public interest? Where does it rank in importance alongside the Hutton inquiry and the MP’s expenses scandal?
As long as the newspapers are allowed to print these stories, and at present there seems little in the way to stop them apart from morality, they will continue to do so. Not because they are in the public interest, but because they interest the public, and an interested public means profit. There are few that gain and plenty that lose from such sensationalism and sleaze, and unfortunately our footballers are constantly in the crosshairs of editors and journalists because of their x-factor and marketability.
One such story has turned cracks into fault lines, and we may now be waving off the most talented English player this country has seen for decades. Others may decide to follow suit, and there misdemeanours aside, who could blame them? The issue here is not about defending wrongdoing, it is about not persecuting for profit. We do not want to drive away our top players, we should want our best players over here, playing, and making the Premier League the best in the world.
That is in the public interest, and will interest the public.
Just six months ago Wayne Rooney was spearheading Manchester United’s assault on a fourth consecutive Premier League title and a third consecutive Champions League final appearance. To all intents and purposes, he seemed to be the next Old Trafford ‘lifer’, with his status assured as the Reds premiere player.
Whilst he may have fancied catching sunburn on the continent at some point, that seemed more likely to be a swansong, rather than the pinnacle of his career, and certainly a transfer away from United would have been inconceivable during the summer. Yet somehow the situation has evolved, only in the matter of a couple of weeks, to the point that his future with the club is now in serious doubt. So what’s gone on?
Those who claim to be in the know, know too much. Thanks to more leaks than the SS Poseidon, we are being updated through the press via unnamed ‘sources’ close to Rooney that he is unsatisfied with life with the Red Devils, and underwhelmed with the clubs transfer and recruitment policy.
However, those inside the halls of Old Trafford would have been aware of United’s financial position and aims going forward, and that includes the Rooney camp. After all, even after the departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, the Reds hardly broke the bank to replace them. The clubs financial position provides a ready made excuse for Rooney to depart, but it is obvious the real reason for his despondency is his falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson.
The media handling of his perceived ankle injury highlighted the rift with the boss, but the seeds were sewn by the tabloid allegations about Rooney’s private life, with Ferguson less than enamoured with Rooney’s apparent rendezvous with two Manchester escort girls.
Never a scenario to strengthen the relationship between manager and employee, it appears these tabloid tales have been the catalyst in the breakdown of the previous indelible bond between Ferguson and Rooney, to the detriment of the club.
Rooney’s form has dipped and although Ferguson tried to mask it as an ankle injury, the reasons for that were fairly transparent. At the helm of the issue is Rooney’s indiscretions, and the repercussions are now stemming far and wider than the players home life.
Whilst not trying to excuse Rooney’s ‘alleged’ indiscretions, one has to wonder who benefits from the ‘kiss and tell’ expose which is becoming a regular feature of our ‘news’.
Indeed, Rooney is not in the boat on his own, over the past year or so we’ve had John Terry, Peter Crouch, David Beckham (again), Ashley Cole, Jermain Defoe – in fact members of the England squad are in the minority if there hasn’t been some sort of lurid sexual tale told or sold about them. But to what effect?
The problem herein lies with the tabloid press’s exploitation of a vague commandment loosely laid out by the Press Complaints Commission’s (PCC) editorial code of practice, which gives them the right to print ‘in the public interest’. Now, this is an ongoing conundrum, and one which there are few professional or legal guidelines to restrain, and one which is mercilessly flaunted by the press for essentially self gain. After all, what interests the public, is not necessarily in the public interest.
The defence put forward by the press, is that if anybody contradicts an image they purvey to the public, for example, that of a happy family man with a wife and child, they deserve to have that image corrected. In essence it is a fair call, but whom stands to gain from these tales? Really, the only winners are the newspaper publishers who see sales go up, and the implicated girl or girls who get a decent pay-off for the spread – pardon the pun.
What’s more, because of the profitability of such stories, the issue never ends with the initial expose. Referring back to the Rooney story, do we really need ‘The Shame of Wayne: Day Six: ‘I’m a fool, take me back, Col’? As carried in the Mirror almost a week after the story break? Do we really need a Sun reporter stood outside the family home, with updates such as 12.33pm: Coleen arrives at the house. 2.12pm: He arrives home from training. And, following on from the whole debacle, the Sun (surprise suprise) even followed Mrs Rooney and her younger disabled sister to their annual pilgrimage to Lourdes. Is this really in the public interest? Where does it rank in importance alongside the Hutton inquiry and the MP’s expenses scandal?
As long as the newspapers are allowed to print these stories, and at present there seems little in the way to stop them apart from morality, they will continue to do so. Not because they are in the public interest, but because they interest the public, and an interested public means profit. There are few that gain and plenty that lose from such sensationalism and sleaze, and unfortunately our footballers are constantly in the crosshairs of editors and journalists because of their x-factor and marketability.
One such story has turned cracks into fault lines, and we may now be waving off the most talented English player this country has seen for decades. Others may decide to follow suit, and there misdemeanours aside, who could blame them? The issue here is not about defending wrongdoing, it is about not persecuting for profit. We do not want to drive away our top players, we should want our best players over here, playing, and making the Premier League the best in the world.
That is in the public interest, and will interest the public.
Monday, 18 October 2010
A Different League Player of the Weekend - Charlie Adam
Charles, Charlie and Carlos. Three variations of the same name, three performances worthy of mention after another intriguing weekend of Premier League football.
It was Charles ‘Insomnia’ – or N’Zogbia to give him his respected title – who almost caused many a sleepless night on Tyneside, and whilst it was Carlos Tevez’s double that kept Ian Holloway staring at the bedroom ceiling, A Different League’s Player of the Weekend goes to Charlie Adam, who deserves a good nights kip after an outstanding display for Blackpool against Manchester City.
Billed as the paupers versus the princes, this was arguably the Premier League’s biggest financial mismatch since its inception. Blackpool - built on barely a budget – gave City’s billionaire’s the run around for the majority of yesterdays tussle, with Scottish midfielder Adam delivering a regal performance which shone above any of his more lucrative counterparts.
The Seasider’s top flight adventure is gaining admiration and admirers with every passing week. Last time out they humbled Liverpool at Anfield, and there would have been few arguments had they added Mancini’s millionaire’s to their list of scalps.
From the off Blackpool were faster and more furtive to the ball, but unlike many promoted sides, Holloway’s ragamuffin gathering have expressed a willingness to adorn and appreciate the ball, moving it about with a confidence and conviction which belittles their pre-season status as the league’s whipping boys.
Paramount to this ethos is former Rangers man Adam, who is the lynchpin of the side, and the catalyst for others to play. Decked out in their tangerine strip, there is almost a 1970’s Dutch chic about the way Blackpool play, and the way Adam in particular goes about his business.
All dropped shoulders, shimmies and feints, combined with a deft touch, a visual and varied range of passing, and blessed with a left foot that could sculpt statues, Adam is a throwback to the golden age of the game where finesse overrode fitness as the fundamental of a footballer’s arsenal.
“Get me an athlete and I’ll give you a footballer”, was how Ian Holloway gave credit to Arsene Wenger’s knack of producing precocious young talents. If that was the case, nobody would have delivered Adam to the Frenchman’s door. Scarlet cheeked, wheezing and spluttering through the last rights of Sunday’s unfortunate reverse - shirt untucked, socks withering down his ample calves - Adam had previously dictated virtually the entire game at his pace, on his terms.
Whether he was dropping short to deliver raking cross-field balls, making intricate incisions through a crowded infield or instilling panic with his invention in the final third, it was a glorious exhibition of midfield craft. City’s marathon men may have hustled Chelsea into submission, but were at a loss how to combat the intuitions of a skilled ball-player who used brains rather than brawn to dominate the game.
Throughout the match Adam bossed proceedings, and in the second half his deliciously weighted clip into the channel should have resulted in DJ Campbell putting the tangerines one up after Luke Varney latched onto Adam’s pass. Moments later Gary Taylor-Fletcher was flagged offside after more Adam geometrics dissected the City backline, and after going behind against the run of play, the Scotland international arched a free-kick narrowly passed the post with Joe Hart scrambling, before sending over another wicked set-piece delivery for Marlon Harewood to glance home.
If Adam had the benefit of a Tevez up-front, the points and the plaudits would surely have been his. So too would the post-match bubbly, and one could imagine the player sat in the communal bath, swigging away from the bottle, 70’s style. So nearly Champagne Charlie.
It was Charles ‘Insomnia’ – or N’Zogbia to give him his respected title – who almost caused many a sleepless night on Tyneside, and whilst it was Carlos Tevez’s double that kept Ian Holloway staring at the bedroom ceiling, A Different League’s Player of the Weekend goes to Charlie Adam, who deserves a good nights kip after an outstanding display for Blackpool against Manchester City.
Billed as the paupers versus the princes, this was arguably the Premier League’s biggest financial mismatch since its inception. Blackpool - built on barely a budget – gave City’s billionaire’s the run around for the majority of yesterdays tussle, with Scottish midfielder Adam delivering a regal performance which shone above any of his more lucrative counterparts.
The Seasider’s top flight adventure is gaining admiration and admirers with every passing week. Last time out they humbled Liverpool at Anfield, and there would have been few arguments had they added Mancini’s millionaire’s to their list of scalps.
From the off Blackpool were faster and more furtive to the ball, but unlike many promoted sides, Holloway’s ragamuffin gathering have expressed a willingness to adorn and appreciate the ball, moving it about with a confidence and conviction which belittles their pre-season status as the league’s whipping boys.
Paramount to this ethos is former Rangers man Adam, who is the lynchpin of the side, and the catalyst for others to play. Decked out in their tangerine strip, there is almost a 1970’s Dutch chic about the way Blackpool play, and the way Adam in particular goes about his business.
All dropped shoulders, shimmies and feints, combined with a deft touch, a visual and varied range of passing, and blessed with a left foot that could sculpt statues, Adam is a throwback to the golden age of the game where finesse overrode fitness as the fundamental of a footballer’s arsenal.
“Get me an athlete and I’ll give you a footballer”, was how Ian Holloway gave credit to Arsene Wenger’s knack of producing precocious young talents. If that was the case, nobody would have delivered Adam to the Frenchman’s door. Scarlet cheeked, wheezing and spluttering through the last rights of Sunday’s unfortunate reverse - shirt untucked, socks withering down his ample calves - Adam had previously dictated virtually the entire game at his pace, on his terms.
Whether he was dropping short to deliver raking cross-field balls, making intricate incisions through a crowded infield or instilling panic with his invention in the final third, it was a glorious exhibition of midfield craft. City’s marathon men may have hustled Chelsea into submission, but were at a loss how to combat the intuitions of a skilled ball-player who used brains rather than brawn to dominate the game.
Throughout the match Adam bossed proceedings, and in the second half his deliciously weighted clip into the channel should have resulted in DJ Campbell putting the tangerines one up after Luke Varney latched onto Adam’s pass. Moments later Gary Taylor-Fletcher was flagged offside after more Adam geometrics dissected the City backline, and after going behind against the run of play, the Scotland international arched a free-kick narrowly passed the post with Joe Hart scrambling, before sending over another wicked set-piece delivery for Marlon Harewood to glance home.
If Adam had the benefit of a Tevez up-front, the points and the plaudits would surely have been his. So too would the post-match bubbly, and one could imagine the player sat in the communal bath, swigging away from the bottle, 70’s style. So nearly Champagne Charlie.
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
Too much football in the English game? Nonsense.
Many suggestions were put forward as to England's dismal failure at the World Cup, including the old chestnut about our players playing too much football. John Baines puts that theory to the test.
After watching England labour through their tussle with the mighty Macedonia, you could have been forgiven if you’d drawn back the curtains to check if the light was dimming on a fine summer’s eve. Afraid not. We're in October, and despite the appearance that this game came at the end of a long and toiling season, most of last nights line-up have only played a handful of games since the resumption of play.
The too much football argument is one borne out of little science or substance, but usually comes up when we are trying to explain away another substandard showing at a major international tournament. So, let’s try to put some facts and figures to this theory, and see if it stands up.
Now, this is a fast and loose look at things so the statistics are fairly rugged. These figures are based on the number of games each individual player took part in, not necessarily started or come off the bench, and I’m certainly not working out the individual minutes, distance ran or anything like that. The appearances relate to all club outings, including domestic cup and European competitions.
So, let’s take the Three Lionesses starting X1 from the Germany drubbing and have a look at the amount of games that the outfield players actually played. Only Frank Lampard played 50 games or more. Glen Johnson, Ashley Cole and Matthew Upson - three of the back four that were routinely outstripped by the Germans - played less than 40. In midfield, Steven Gerrard and James Milner played 49 times for their clubs that season, with Gareth Barry turning out 43 times. Up front, Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe played 44 and 43 times respectively. The sum total of that then is that between them they played 428 matches, at an average of just short of 43 each.
If you compare that with the Joachim Low’s side - who looked far fitter, fresher and sharper than their old foes - the figures are remarkably similar. In fact, exactly the same. Unbelievably, the German outfield ten also clocked up 428 matches.
What’s more, compare this with the 'Team of the Tournament', objective in anyone's book, but good for the sake of a debate like this. Maicon, Philip Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Wesley Sneijder and Diego Forlan all ended up playing in that seasons European finals, something none of the English side did, yet still found the legs to stand out amongst a gathering of the worlds best players. Four of the players played over 50 games, none under 40, and collectively racked up 473 games, at an average of nearly four games per man extra than Capello’s men did.
Too much football? There is a perverse counter argument that they aren't playing enough. We'll have to start looking for some more excuses.
After watching England labour through their tussle with the mighty Macedonia, you could have been forgiven if you’d drawn back the curtains to check if the light was dimming on a fine summer’s eve. Afraid not. We're in October, and despite the appearance that this game came at the end of a long and toiling season, most of last nights line-up have only played a handful of games since the resumption of play.
The too much football argument is one borne out of little science or substance, but usually comes up when we are trying to explain away another substandard showing at a major international tournament. So, let’s try to put some facts and figures to this theory, and see if it stands up.
Now, this is a fast and loose look at things so the statistics are fairly rugged. These figures are based on the number of games each individual player took part in, not necessarily started or come off the bench, and I’m certainly not working out the individual minutes, distance ran or anything like that. The appearances relate to all club outings, including domestic cup and European competitions.
So, let’s take the Three Lionesses starting X1 from the Germany drubbing and have a look at the amount of games that the outfield players actually played. Only Frank Lampard played 50 games or more. Glen Johnson, Ashley Cole and Matthew Upson - three of the back four that were routinely outstripped by the Germans - played less than 40. In midfield, Steven Gerrard and James Milner played 49 times for their clubs that season, with Gareth Barry turning out 43 times. Up front, Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe played 44 and 43 times respectively. The sum total of that then is that between them they played 428 matches, at an average of just short of 43 each.
If you compare that with the Joachim Low’s side - who looked far fitter, fresher and sharper than their old foes - the figures are remarkably similar. In fact, exactly the same. Unbelievably, the German outfield ten also clocked up 428 matches.
What’s more, compare this with the 'Team of the Tournament', objective in anyone's book, but good for the sake of a debate like this. Maicon, Philip Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Wesley Sneijder and Diego Forlan all ended up playing in that seasons European finals, something none of the English side did, yet still found the legs to stand out amongst a gathering of the worlds best players. Four of the players played over 50 games, none under 40, and collectively racked up 473 games, at an average of nearly four games per man extra than Capello’s men did.
Too much football? There is a perverse counter argument that they aren't playing enough. We'll have to start looking for some more excuses.
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