Thrifty chairmen, incompetant managers, blind referees, passionateless players and even sensationalist newspapers are all open to cynicism and ridicule. No one escapes condemnation and retribution in the great blame game of professional football; It is all against all. Except of course the ever loyal, ever insightful and ever correct fans.
Football stands across the land, every Saturday afternoon, remain sancturies from responsibility, beyond error and rebuke. No one dares challenge the voliatile beast. Seldom, if ever, and only in code do chairmen, managers and players turn on their own supporters and are anything less than civil and dutiful to their oppressor. "The fans were quiet", is as far as it goes.
The media, also, refuse to mutiny against their master and lunge for the hand that feeds; reporting for the fans, with their angers vented and their sensibilities protected. Their existence, or profession at least, depends on it. Living in fear but living none the least.
Though it is not the price of a season ticket, the purchase of a Sunday morning paper or the banner demanding a manager to "leave now of forever be abused", but the ominous booing of 40,000, the confeiti filled field full of ripped season tickets, the headlines selling thousands of copies. It is assasination by numbers. That is where the power is drawn.
Thursday, 31 May 2007
Thursday, 17 May 2007
BENITEZ KING OF CUPS, FERGUSON TOP OF LEAGUES
As Sir Alex Ferguson reclines, with champagne fresh from Manchester United's Premiership triumph, in relief of a legacy continued, he will have a few thoughts and regets as Liverpool prepare for the European Cup final. Once Fergie's holy grail the European Cup though has lost some of its elusive glint. No longer is the Champions League of more prestige than the League Championship, but another season of ultimate failure in Europe, as Rafael Benitez once again advances his European claims will doubtless leave Ferguson with some envy. Wondering how the Liverpool manager continues to crack the enigma of Europe. Benitez himself will be longing for the secret that has led to the Manchester United manager's prolonged domestic dominance.
Both have succeeded; both have failed. The two managers have chosen contrasting paths, enacted differing means and strategies with their diverging footballing philoisophies, in the pursuit of trophies and inevitably coming to differing conclusions yet possibly similar fortune. United domestic bliss, Liverpool European adventure and possibly come Wednesday, conquering English league footballl has always been an assault of attacking intensity compared to the tactical trench warfare of European especially Italian counterparts. As the pace of the world game has clogged up the Premiership has retained its abrasive and impetuous character. Now as much as ever. Emphasis has shifted to the necessity of the vistory; win or loose, there is no draw. Only when away from home, against a title rival, is the goalless stalemate a creditably outcome. This fits sweetly with Ferguson's liberating tactical approach and the free attacking spirits of Ronaldo, Rooney and Giggs, and consequently Manchester United, revel in such hunting licenses and positive aims outlooks. As it has been with most of Ferguson's United teams. During the season they scored an abundant goals, all the more impressive given Ruud Van Nistelrooy's summer departure. The key has been attacking fluidity sending runners from all angles and depths, with a midfield laiden with creativity and passing composure instead of attritional destruction, and of course the unrivalled form of ChristianoRonaldo. A style, an approach, however, that has perennially fallen short in Europe´s final reckoning.
Liverpool similarly exalt many British footballing traits. A spine of simple defensive efficency from Jamie Carragher, through the all areas energy and drive of Steven Gerrard and to the uncontrollable height of Peter Crouch. In physicality and directness few will find Liverpool wanting. But Benitez has managed to smuggle something extra to British shores; the tactical sophistication and suffocating patience that was so evident in the overachieving Valencia side of 2001-4?. Liverpool have conceded just in games theis season. Never over commiting resources only to be left short, utilising players of strength and practicality (hence the continued deployment of Riise on the left flank and Gerrard on the right) and operating within a framework that resounds solidity. Above all a mental dexterity to never capitulate under the weight of attacking excess. A endowed contrast to manchester united and arsenal over recent years. In essence the art of not getting beaten. The crucial element in Europe´s premier knock out competition: box smart and reach the bell. If the opposition are still standing there is there the rematch or a win on points or penalties on offer. Liverpool´s budgeoning spot kick expertise and the centrality of spot kick stopping king Pepe Reina are no coincidence.
However, what one man instills as defensive solidity, another rejects as attacking rigidity. There in lies the Benitez - Ferguson conundrum. In the league it matters not which days you loose but how often you win. In Europe it matters not how many games you win but which days you loose.
In comparison to United´s league goals Liverpool scored only. Not enough to consistently take maximum points, nor blitz opponents and generate a fear in others that induces a timidness and often deference to their percieved swaggering authority exposing their inferiority complex, which Ferguson, was and by all evidence still is, the master of. Whether American dollars can provide a striker of sufficient goals to challenge the league leaders is questionable; United have done without. Rather it has been a question of approach.
Both managers could worse over the summer than steal something of their rivals. The question is can either adapt their teams styles to reverse their roles and achieve success in unfamiliar spheres. Will Liverpool finally find the attackers and goal scoring instinct to win enough games to challenge the table toppers; can Man United develop that tactical sophistication and defensive granite against Europe's finest?
Both have succeeded; both have failed. The two managers have chosen contrasting paths, enacted differing means and strategies with their diverging footballing philoisophies, in the pursuit of trophies and inevitably coming to differing conclusions yet possibly similar fortune. United domestic bliss, Liverpool European adventure and possibly come Wednesday, conquering English league footballl has always been an assault of attacking intensity compared to the tactical trench warfare of European especially Italian counterparts. As the pace of the world game has clogged up the Premiership has retained its abrasive and impetuous character. Now as much as ever. Emphasis has shifted to the necessity of the vistory; win or loose, there is no draw. Only when away from home, against a title rival, is the goalless stalemate a creditably outcome. This fits sweetly with Ferguson's liberating tactical approach and the free attacking spirits of Ronaldo, Rooney and Giggs, and consequently Manchester United, revel in such hunting licenses and positive aims outlooks. As it has been with most of Ferguson's United teams. During the season they scored an abundant goals, all the more impressive given Ruud Van Nistelrooy's summer departure. The key has been attacking fluidity sending runners from all angles and depths, with a midfield laiden with creativity and passing composure instead of attritional destruction, and of course the unrivalled form of ChristianoRonaldo. A style, an approach, however, that has perennially fallen short in Europe´s final reckoning.
Liverpool similarly exalt many British footballing traits. A spine of simple defensive efficency from Jamie Carragher, through the all areas energy and drive of Steven Gerrard and to the uncontrollable height of Peter Crouch. In physicality and directness few will find Liverpool wanting. But Benitez has managed to smuggle something extra to British shores; the tactical sophistication and suffocating patience that was so evident in the overachieving Valencia side of 2001-4?. Liverpool have conceded just in games theis season. Never over commiting resources only to be left short, utilising players of strength and practicality (hence the continued deployment of Riise on the left flank and Gerrard on the right) and operating within a framework that resounds solidity. Above all a mental dexterity to never capitulate under the weight of attacking excess. A endowed contrast to manchester united and arsenal over recent years. In essence the art of not getting beaten. The crucial element in Europe´s premier knock out competition: box smart and reach the bell. If the opposition are still standing there is there the rematch or a win on points or penalties on offer. Liverpool´s budgeoning spot kick expertise and the centrality of spot kick stopping king Pepe Reina are no coincidence.
However, what one man instills as defensive solidity, another rejects as attacking rigidity. There in lies the Benitez - Ferguson conundrum. In the league it matters not which days you loose but how often you win. In Europe it matters not how many games you win but which days you loose.
In comparison to United´s league goals Liverpool scored only. Not enough to consistently take maximum points, nor blitz opponents and generate a fear in others that induces a timidness and often deference to their percieved swaggering authority exposing their inferiority complex, which Ferguson, was and by all evidence still is, the master of. Whether American dollars can provide a striker of sufficient goals to challenge the league leaders is questionable; United have done without. Rather it has been a question of approach.
Both managers could worse over the summer than steal something of their rivals. The question is can either adapt their teams styles to reverse their roles and achieve success in unfamiliar spheres. Will Liverpool finally find the attackers and goal scoring instinct to win enough games to challenge the table toppers; can Man United develop that tactical sophistication and defensive granite against Europe's finest?
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