Man Utd vs Barca
Key players:
It is always tempting to say Messi and Ronaldo. But given the attacking talents booting up for this one, someone needs to halt the shooot out.
Barca - Victor Valdes will have to be at his shot stopping best, as well as having to contend with the aerial threat of Ferdinand and Vidic. much to prove after being ommitted from Spain's provisional Euro 2008 squad.
Man U - Rio Ferdinand. With Vidic a doubt, Ferdinand is set for another strict examination.
In fine form in recent months, the central defender will be severely scrutinised by the menacing Messi and Henry(?) drifting in off their flanks and into central areas. Will be looking to restore growing reputation and England captaincy credentials after the fiasco and the Bridge.
The chalk board:
Finally the contest the neutrals have been asking for. United, concious that the Catalans can score at anytime, will be looking for a two goal cushion and go for the heart of fragile Barca defence. Barca will be similarly intent on showcasing their attacking triumvirate.
The question is will Ferguson plump for Fletcher? The midfielder would added a new competitive dimension if the idea is to press Barca play makers into submission - a risky strategy which could open up space for the nimble feet of Xavi, Iniesta and Deco to exploit. Scholes and Carrick are not adept to that game anyway.
Ferguson will probably let Barca have the ball to a degree, demand that Carrick and Scholes/Anderson control the ball better than their opponents, and back Ronaldo and Rooney on be decisive.
The 11:
Van der Sar
Zambrotta Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Xavi Toure Scholes
Messi Ronaldo
Rooney
Prediction:
Man U 2-1 Barca
Tuesday, 29 April 2008
Monday, 28 April 2008
Wing and a prayer
Jonah Lomu, David Campese, Jason Robinson and Bryan Habana - some are set appart. But when half of their oval ball incarnation is spent being left out to graze on the wide expanses, how do you tell the true class of a winger?
The Heineken Cup semi-finals this weekend, largely played out in the enabling sunshine, served up a gorge of lacerating running lines and enterprising pace. The wingers, whether from New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa or Tottenham, naturally blazed the trail. Ojo, Ratuvou, Tagicakibau, Howlett and Medard, they were on fine form and revelled on the hardened tracks of late Spring - this is the time of year for the wide boys take centre stage. It is also the time of the year when the silverware is engraved.
Other positions - in the backs at least - are easier to judge, or rather easier to expose.
The full back is peppered with high balls and battered by on rushing back row forwards, the
centres are charged with the defensive lead and attacking penetration, and the half backs
are charged with conducting an entire team. Cracks are more obvious in these areas, and
easier to gouge out.
But the winger, especially on a muddy winter's field, can be as obvious as the balll boy.
And catching and ferrying kicks in touch, they can be as useful. The prerequisites are simpler
for the winger - run like a .
finisher.banahan
The Heineken Cup semi-finals this weekend, largely played out in the enabling sunshine, served up a gorge of lacerating running lines and enterprising pace. The wingers, whether from New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa or Tottenham, naturally blazed the trail. Ojo, Ratuvou, Tagicakibau, Howlett and Medard, they were on fine form and revelled on the hardened tracks of late Spring - this is the time of year for the wide boys take centre stage. It is also the time of the year when the silverware is engraved.
Other positions - in the backs at least - are easier to judge, or rather easier to expose.
The full back is peppered with high balls and battered by on rushing back row forwards, the
centres are charged with the defensive lead and attacking penetration, and the half backs
are charged with conducting an entire team. Cracks are more obvious in these areas, and
easier to gouge out.
But the winger, especially on a muddy winter's field, can be as obvious as the balll boy.
And catching and ferrying kicks in touch, they can be as useful. The prerequisites are simpler
for the winger - run like a .
finisher.banahan
Friday, 25 April 2008
GAME OF THE WEEKEND: Chelsea vs Man U
With sky cameras in tow, both teams vying for league ascendancy and the European dream there is only one game of the weekend - Everton vs Aston Villa. But we will focus on Chelsea vs Man U.
Key players:
Chelsea - Drogba - It's time the found some of his ferocious form if Chelsea are going to get anything from the season beyond another new manager.
Man Utd - Rooney - Again a poor showing in midweek, albeit out of position, but should be restored to a more prominent role in United's attack.
The fridge magnets:
At Stamford Bridge Chelsea will do what comes naturally - get physical. Man Utd are tough enough up front and at the back, but in midfield there is still a vulnerability about Carrick, Scholes and Anderson. The more the likes of Essien, Ballack and Obi can intimidate and dictate the centre ground and push United further back, the shorter and more accurate the balls into Drogba can be. And the more support the lone striker will get from deep and out wide. Chelsea need it tight and compact and tough.
Perversely this could also aid United. They will aim to play on the break and utilise the pace and trickery of Ronaldo and Rooney, via express Scholes delivery, to get at the increasingly immobile Terry.
Top scorers:
Man U - Ronaldo 28
Chelsea - Lampard 10
Last meeting:
9/23/07 Man U 2 Chelsea 0
Result:
Chelsea 1-1 Man U
Dream 11:
Cech
Essien Ferdinand Vidic Cole
Lampard Hargreaves Scholes
Ronaldo Rooney
Drogba
Key players:
Chelsea - Drogba - It's time the found some of his ferocious form if Chelsea are going to get anything from the season beyond another new manager.
Man Utd - Rooney - Again a poor showing in midweek, albeit out of position, but should be restored to a more prominent role in United's attack.
The fridge magnets:
At Stamford Bridge Chelsea will do what comes naturally - get physical. Man Utd are tough enough up front and at the back, but in midfield there is still a vulnerability about Carrick, Scholes and Anderson. The more the likes of Essien, Ballack and Obi can intimidate and dictate the centre ground and push United further back, the shorter and more accurate the balls into Drogba can be. And the more support the lone striker will get from deep and out wide. Chelsea need it tight and compact and tough.
Perversely this could also aid United. They will aim to play on the break and utilise the pace and trickery of Ronaldo and Rooney, via express Scholes delivery, to get at the increasingly immobile Terry.
Top scorers:
Man U - Ronaldo 28
Chelsea - Lampard 10
Last meeting:
9/23/07 Man U 2 Chelsea 0
Result:
Chelsea 1-1 Man U
Dream 11:
Cech
Essien Ferdinand Vidic Cole
Lampard Hargreaves Scholes
Ronaldo Rooney
Drogba
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
Barcelona vs Man Utd
BATTLE ROYALE:
The press say Messi and Ronaldo - but often in these situations more earthly players claim their moment. Midfield is cruicial -Deco vs Hargreaves.
THE FORGOTTEN ONE:
Ronaldinho, Henry, Deco - Take your pick from Barca's illustrious stars. All epitomise the cliche about class and form but will any of them play and have the chance to prove it. Watch out for HENRY!
THE LIABILITY:
Man Utd - Wesley!
Barca - Marquez!
THE FRIGE MAGNETS:
Barca at the Camp Nou - it matters not how off colour they are, they will attempt to monopolise possession with their measure passing game. United will be quite happy hunting for the break - with Ronaldo at the apex of the attack as he was against Roma in the quarters.
Lionel Messi coming inside, off the right touch line will be looking to expose Patrice Evra's left foot dependency and lunging tendacies. So Fergie is likely to station the Rooney on the left for United but he is unlikely to get a nose bleed from spending most of the match tracking back. A tactical tight affair before they cut loose at Old Trafford.
THE GAFFERS:
Fergie - His one European Cup is perversely becoming a burden - it reaffirms that in 14 years of dominance in England, Europe has not fallen to the will of Ferguson.
Riijard - The end is nigh for the Dutchman at Barca. His inability to enforce discipline on Deco, Ronaldinho and Marquez is undermining the glittering array of talent in his squad.
The press say Messi and Ronaldo - but often in these situations more earthly players claim their moment. Midfield is cruicial -Deco vs Hargreaves.
THE FORGOTTEN ONE:
Ronaldinho, Henry, Deco - Take your pick from Barca's illustrious stars. All epitomise the cliche about class and form but will any of them play and have the chance to prove it. Watch out for HENRY!
THE LIABILITY:
Man Utd - Wesley!
Barca - Marquez!
THE FRIGE MAGNETS:
Barca at the Camp Nou - it matters not how off colour they are, they will attempt to monopolise possession with their measure passing game. United will be quite happy hunting for the break - with Ronaldo at the apex of the attack as he was against Roma in the quarters.
Lionel Messi coming inside, off the right touch line will be looking to expose Patrice Evra's left foot dependency and lunging tendacies. So Fergie is likely to station the Rooney on the left for United but he is unlikely to get a nose bleed from spending most of the match tracking back. A tactical tight affair before they cut loose at Old Trafford.
THE GAFFERS:
Fergie - His one European Cup is perversely becoming a burden - it reaffirms that in 14 years of dominance in England, Europe has not fallen to the will of Ferguson.
Riijard - The end is nigh for the Dutchman at Barca. His inability to enforce discipline on Deco, Ronaldinho and Marquez is undermining the glittering array of talent in his squad.
Monday, 21 April 2008
Chelsea vs Liverpool: the runners and riders
Battle Royale: Torres vs Terry
Form suggest a torrid night for Terry. Torres has been making a mockery of 'no nonesnse' English defending since the matador flashed onto the scene - he is surely the top striker in the league at the moment. Terry has endured a mediocre season after his enforced split from the special one and injuries have hampered the healing process, and the England defender will be vulnerable to the pace and electricity of the Spanish forward. Torres to score at Anfield.
Returning heroes: Gerrard and Lampard
Both midfielders are available to play. These two, whether it be for club or country, continue to shadow each others careers with a menacing and it seems to be Gerrard that ultimately set himself appart - especially in Europe. But with Ballack an injury doubt, the added responsibility could push Lampard to extraodinary performance. Could, but probably won't.
Just chalk dust:
Rafa Benitez is shrewdest of chess players on these occassions and his maturing goatie portrays a Mr Miyagi level of wisdom, while Avram Grant has been deemed tactically illiterate after his Carling Cup faux pas. But the management egos which turned Mourinho vs Benitez matches into footballing cyanide will be removed. As ever the players decide these ones.
Will Chelsea Kop it?
Nothing rouses the Scousers than a European adventure - even if the opponents are as far away as London. Grant will be glad to have the first leg at Anfield which should temper the influence of the scary singing fans.
Half way score:
Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1 - an ominous away goal for Grant and his legion of protestors.
Form suggest a torrid night for Terry. Torres has been making a mockery of 'no nonesnse' English defending since the matador flashed onto the scene - he is surely the top striker in the league at the moment. Terry has endured a mediocre season after his enforced split from the special one and injuries have hampered the healing process, and the England defender will be vulnerable to the pace and electricity of the Spanish forward. Torres to score at Anfield.
Returning heroes: Gerrard and Lampard
Both midfielders are available to play. These two, whether it be for club or country, continue to shadow each others careers with a menacing and it seems to be Gerrard that ultimately set himself appart - especially in Europe. But with Ballack an injury doubt, the added responsibility could push Lampard to extraodinary performance. Could, but probably won't.
Just chalk dust:
Rafa Benitez is shrewdest of chess players on these occassions and his maturing goatie portrays a Mr Miyagi level of wisdom, while Avram Grant has been deemed tactically illiterate after his Carling Cup faux pas. But the management egos which turned Mourinho vs Benitez matches into footballing cyanide will be removed. As ever the players decide these ones.
Will Chelsea Kop it?
Nothing rouses the Scousers than a European adventure - even if the opponents are as far away as London. Grant will be glad to have the first leg at Anfield which should temper the influence of the scary singing fans.
Half way score:
Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1 - an ominous away goal for Grant and his legion of protestors.
Sunday, 13 April 2008
Flame burns brighter after relay.
The Olympics demeaned’, ‘London damaged’ and ‘China unrepentant’, the fall out from Sunday’s flame-bearing procession has been wide spread. But all has failed to reach the point. The torch relay was a triumph.
Sure the mysterious men in blue were eerily thuggish in appearance and deed, but the flame was not tarnished by the protests nor was it shown up to be without meaning. The event proved a potent instrument to publicise the plight of Tibetans and persecuted Chinese, as well as promoting the Olympics and endowing a new resonance to the ideals first endorsed by its founder Baron Pierre De Coubitan. The protests attacked not the athletes, not the Olympics, not the officials but its host nation. It was a legitimate statement that China has fallen short of its obligations as an Olympic city. That it must do better.
Those who believe the Olympic creed that politics and sport can retain a separation are deluded. The torch relay, from Athens to the city of the forthcoming Olympics, was conceived by the Nazis. Sport is too important, to too many people, to be insulated in a benign sphere away from the real world. The significance that the Olympics attain ensures it will, forever be affected by issues that draw the deepest emotions (more than mere politicking).
A boycott though would be an empty exercise and harmful to all involved.
Sure the mysterious men in blue were eerily thuggish in appearance and deed, but the flame was not tarnished by the protests nor was it shown up to be without meaning. The event proved a potent instrument to publicise the plight of Tibetans and persecuted Chinese, as well as promoting the Olympics and endowing a new resonance to the ideals first endorsed by its founder Baron Pierre De Coubitan. The protests attacked not the athletes, not the Olympics, not the officials but its host nation. It was a legitimate statement that China has fallen short of its obligations as an Olympic city. That it must do better.
Those who believe the Olympic creed that politics and sport can retain a separation are deluded. The torch relay, from Athens to the city of the forthcoming Olympics, was conceived by the Nazis. Sport is too important, to too many people, to be insulated in a benign sphere away from the real world. The significance that the Olympics attain ensures it will, forever be affected by issues that draw the deepest emotions (more than mere politicking).
A boycott though would be an empty exercise and harmful to all involved.
Tuesday, 1 April 2008
Roll up to see the Dwain the rugby playing freak!
The circus that has become Dwain Chambers’s career stopped at Castleford this week. It is unlikely to be there long, about a month. Whether the next tour date is at the High Court to fight for his Olympic life or another small town on the road to obscurity, a statement is expected soon.
Sure a man with a golden tooth and biceps belonging to Charles Bronson - even post designer steroid days - can draw the crowds but can the freak play rugby. My suspicion is not a cat’s chance in doggie heaven. He has the physical attributes – the pace and the power – but what of the technical and mental sides to the game. Rugby union and league players have struggled to convert to the corresponding code and more often than not – with a few sparkling exceptions - slunk back to their own and reverted to type. But foremost, these are rugby players with the skills and aptitude forged on pitches, training grounds and living rooms for many years, and yet they have failed to mutate into their alter egos.
So what hope for Chambers? Will he learn even the basics satisfactorily – to time a pass, to read a play, to tackle the reflection that runs at him? And the hit–loving hard men of league will take much pleasure in dispatching this light footed speedster into the advertising boards and out the other side. No, Chambers is destined to spend most of his time skating on thick mud in golden spikes, ranking bruises in the local A&E waiting room by size and colour, and searching for diamond earrings - or a golden tooth - in the furrowed pitches of the North. There are certainly more glamorous ways for world silver medallist to find redemption.
But if by some fluke of occurrence Chambers does achieve the press release aim and his time in rugby league lasts longer than the perfunctory media flirtation, then he will have earned the respect and acceptance he so urgently craves. But the odds suggest the freak show is just starting out.
Sure a man with a golden tooth and biceps belonging to Charles Bronson - even post designer steroid days - can draw the crowds but can the freak play rugby. My suspicion is not a cat’s chance in doggie heaven. He has the physical attributes – the pace and the power – but what of the technical and mental sides to the game. Rugby union and league players have struggled to convert to the corresponding code and more often than not – with a few sparkling exceptions - slunk back to their own and reverted to type. But foremost, these are rugby players with the skills and aptitude forged on pitches, training grounds and living rooms for many years, and yet they have failed to mutate into their alter egos.
So what hope for Chambers? Will he learn even the basics satisfactorily – to time a pass, to read a play, to tackle the reflection that runs at him? And the hit–loving hard men of league will take much pleasure in dispatching this light footed speedster into the advertising boards and out the other side. No, Chambers is destined to spend most of his time skating on thick mud in golden spikes, ranking bruises in the local A&E waiting room by size and colour, and searching for diamond earrings - or a golden tooth - in the furrowed pitches of the North. There are certainly more glamorous ways for world silver medallist to find redemption.
But if by some fluke of occurrence Chambers does achieve the press release aim and his time in rugby league lasts longer than the perfunctory media flirtation, then he will have earned the respect and acceptance he so urgently craves. But the odds suggest the freak show is just starting out.
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