The Sports Hacker

Can Chelsea's troubles be traced back to Mourinho's reign?

2010-03-24T10:28:00.000-07:00

During the seasons ending 2006 and 2007 When they were celebrating Premier League titles and FA and League Cups in 2006 and 2007, Chelsea fans must have wondered if it could get any better. The short answer would have no.

Chelsea have continued to challenge for titles but, more often than not, they have fallen short and never threatened to be the force they were at the height of Jose Mourinho’s reign. Their continual presence in the top two or three of the league is a testament to the consistency and leadership of senior players such as Jon Terry and Frank Lampard. But in terms of personnel and approach, they have made little progress. While their rivals have evolved, Chelsea have remained plagued, and ultimately shackled, by the same enduring tactical and selection dilemmas.

It may sound like heresy to say, but can these be traced back to the end of Mourinho’s reign?

What defined Chelsea at their peak was a core defensive strength allied with an attack of both clout and stealth, equally adept at striking on the counter or driving through the heart of opponents. The 4-3-3 formation Mourinho adopted was central to this. The Chelsea manager utilised the pace, width and goalscoring potential of Arjen Robben and Damien Duff on the flanks along with the rock-solid centre of Petr Cech, Terry, Claude Makelele and Didier Drogba.

But towards the end of his hugely successful reign, Mourinho made some subtle changes, which curtailed much of their momentum. The sales of Duff in 2006 and Robben – despite a poor season – in 2007 were huge blows to the team. Their replacements, such as Florent Malouda, were inferior ball players and did not offer the same dribbling option and goalscoring threat.

The introduction of Michael Ballack into midfield was another step towards a forceful, functional and direct unit to the detriment of its speed, subtlety and mobility. And at the start of the 2007/08 season, a month before his departure, Mourinho increasingly adopted a 4-4-2 or 4-1-2-1-2 set up with Claudio Pizarro, Andrei Shevchenko or even Salomon Kalou playing up front alongside Drogba. Chelsea were quickly becoming more predictable, narrow in vision and direct in approach.

And their strategy has altered little since. Felipe Scolari attempted to introduce greater movement and tempo to the team but his early success was short-lived. The acquisition of Nicolas Anelka injected much needed pace to their attack and, playing alone up front, he thrived on the counter attack away from home. But the ploy imploded at Stamford Bridge and Drogba returned to bolster the attack. The inevitable lack of width from playing two up front yet still cramming central midfield continues to haunt them.

In post-mortems of significant defeats the same themes emerge with a lack of width (leading to congested central areas and few threatening crosses), dribbling options to create openings, mobility in midfield, movement and tempo in attack making them all too often all too predictable. Which is why Mourinho read them so successfully on his return to Stamford Bridge in the Champions League. He knew the same weaknesses and deficiencies remained.

The Chelsea ‘project’ had lost its momentum before Mourinho’s departure. Obviously it would be false to blame an absent man for their current travails (no doubt he would have found answers had he stayed). But the fact they continue to fight the same problems that were evident at the end of his reign, demonstrates the lack of progress Chelsea have made over the last few years. For this Abramovich, with his sudden cap on spending, and a succession of managers, who have failed to stamp their authority and ideas on the side (with the brief exception of Guus Hiddink) must bare most responsibility.

How England can beat France in Paris?

2010-03-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

The odds are firmly against England on Saturday but, with so much at stake for the French, there is hope for Martin Johnson’s team.

1. Target France’s half-backs

Scrum-half Morgan Parra and fly half Francois Trinh-duc have shown great composure and quality in the championship so far. But at times they have creaked – most notably in the second half against Wales – and in an atmosphere of frenzied expectation England will look to pressurise the young French pair.

For this reason Lewis Moody’s recall was a must. He, along with Danny Care, has the pace and the energy to confront the duo and disrupt the supply to France’s bullocking back row and destructive centres. With no recognised fly-half on the bench, France are relying on Trinh-duc to marshal them home, and if England can disrupt them, they could spoil the party.

2. Kick and chase

France have by far the best counter-attacking unit in Europe. An intuitive back three and an athletic back row make for a devastating combination, and they will rip England apart if the visitors’ kick and chase is of insufficient quality.

Toby Flood must succeed where Jonny Wilkinson has failed by kicking from the hand with purpose and accuracy, and the chase must be aggressive and organised, transferring pressure onto the opponents. If they do this effectively, players such as Clement Poitrenaud can go from asset to liability in an instant.

3. Stealing set-piece possession

The might of the French tight five has been a feature of the championships, and although England are unlikely to gain much ground at the scrum, they will be more optimistic at line-out time.

Imanol Harinordoquy is a supreme line-out operator, but Ireland had some joy in pilfering French possession and Simon Shaw will have to be at his aggressive best at the front of the line, while Steve Borthwick could yet have the final word after so much criticism.

4. Brutal but bright defence

There will be plenty of hard and direct running from the French, and England will have to make some big hits, but they’ll also need to defend cleverly. France used the spectre of Yannick Jauzion and David Marty against Italy to create massive chasms in the Italian defence, which was then exploited by wingers Julien Malzieu and Marc Andreu to devastating effect. With Mike Tindall at outside centre, England will be more confident of contending with France’s midfield threat and have some useful experience to marshal the defence.

France will also be anxious to test the competence of Northampton pair Ben Foden and Chris Ashton under the high ball and with the ball behind them, and they’ll need support when the inevitable barrage of high balls begins. If they can hold their own, they might just be able to stifle the French attacking threat.

5. Expose chinks in French armour

Identifying weaknesses in France’s defence is an unenviable task, but Italy’s two tries last Sunday prove that it is not impregnable. England will struggle to find a fluid, off-loading game overnight – despite the inclusion of Flood who is superior to Wilkinson in this facet of the game – and so they may be left relying on individual brilliance to break the line.

France have a massive back row but they are not always the nimblest. Care, who will be confident of confronting scrum half Parra physically, could use his quick feet to good effect around the rucks and mauls if England can tie-in the French back row by committing numbers to the breakdown. The hot-stepping from Riki Flutey and the injection of pure pace from Foden and Ashton against the potentially cumbersome Jauzion and Mathieu Bastareaud, could also be among England’s most potent weapons, and if England run with pace at the French defence, they might just get some joy.

Could public humiliation have a terminal affect on John Terry and England?

2010-03-02T06:40:00.001-08:00

The initial explanation was distraction. But what if its more? Could John Terry’s decline in form be down to an erosion of confidence and authority that defines his game? Could the humiliating experience have a terminal affect on Terry’s game and England’s chances at the World Cup?

Like a wounded animal backed into a corner, Terry’s initial reaction was to bare his teeth. When much anticipated rumours of his private life were brought to the public's attention over a month ago, Terry strode out on to the pitch with cock-sure defiance. He thundered home the winning goal against Burnley and celebrated in booming silence. His authority, seemingly, untainted.

But since then the Chelsea skipper has endured a long and vicious public flogging. Stripped of the England captaincy in 12 minutes, chased across the world as he tried to save his marriage, shunned by Wayne Bridge in the ‘fake-shake’ at Stamford Bridge and derided for his antics by agitator-in-chief Craig Bellamy. That’s not to mention the on-going trial by tabloid and radio phone-in.

There is no doubt his form has subsided drastically - even if you take into account the extra scrutiny with which he has been watched. From Everton to Inter Milan and Manchester City, he has looked more awkward with every game. But what if it is not just short-term distraction that is wrecking his form? The pitch should be the best place to find focus from outside issues and the ideal setting to lance any demons. What if the humiliation is eroding the self-certainty that underpins and defines his game?

On the pitch Terry is a leader and robust defender. His authority as a leader relies on the respect of his teammates and deference of his opponents. His influence as a player relies on the self-certainty of his decision-making and forcefulness of his tackling. A crisis of confidence could undermine, not only his form, but also his game.

Parallels can be drawn with another sporting star whose reputation has fallen to earth and landed firmly in the gutter. Tiger Woods’ country-club confession and public apology, after his private life became very public, left the question of his return to golf unanswered. But it also prompted the question of whether he will be the same golfer when he is back. Woods has pledged to reform his ways. This includes behaving more like a gentleman on the course and less like a ruthless title-obsessed champion.

Will this change in demeanour and attitude erode the very elements that made him such a champion? Will he induce the same fear in opponents? Will he sink the same nerve-shredding putts with such conviction? Will he wear red on the final day? For now no-one knows.

And no-one knows how Terry will react in the long-term. With Rio Ferdinand struggling for fitness and form, England can ill-afford a timid Terry haunted by self-doubt. Terry’s leadership and authority remain integral to England’s chances in South Africa, even without the armband. Without his forceful tackling and decisive heading, the defender can appear a laden-foot, dare we say liability, of a centre-half.

Terry, and England, must resolve this concern before it becomes a crisis. For this reason, is it is time for England fans to distinguish themselves from the rest of the gossip-led nation by showing their support to the players and team?

England need strong leadership ahead of Six Nations

2010-02-05T01:20:00.000-08:00

When the suits of the RFU summoned Martin Johnson - the alpha male of English rugby - to restore national pride in the spring of 2008, two questions stood out. Firstly, could captain marvel turn coaching mastermind? And secondly, what would an England team under Johnson look like?

Would he sculpt the side in his own image - a snarling bruiser that revels in a forward battle - or would he unleash a new generation of young attacking talents?

The answer to the second question informs much about the first. England’s lack of success owes much to their lack of identity and direction.

They have neither bullied teams into submission with their mighty pack – dominating at set-piece and collision time – nor have they run their opponents ragged with high-tempo gain-line rugby. The ideal of course is a balance of both, but England have displayed neither.

The suspicion remains that while they do not have the players for one, and do not have the coaches for the other.

The management’s preference is clear. Psychologists say that when under intense pressure people revert to type and reveal their true self. And after the early days – literally lasting days – flirting with a more ambition gameplan, England have swiftly retreated into pragmatism.

But they no longer have the ogres of Johnson’s era (as New Zealand famously moaned) to throttle teams and then rip through their heart. The captain is a case in point. Steve Borthwick tries with all his might to lead the charge by carrying slow ball, but he is too lightweight to make the hard yards in the international arena.

In the absence of Andrew Sheridan and Matt Stevens, and the aging of Phil Vickery, the front row is hardly formidable. And not even Jonny Wilkinson is exempt. England have been reliant on their kicking game and yet Wilkinson is not the longest kicker from hand, and on the his autumn form not the most accurate either. Johnson can’t even find a satisfactory battering ram in the centres to fulfil their 12-man game plan.

The coaches could argue they have been warded off a more ambitious approach by confusion at the breakdown, which many say inhibits high-tempo rugby. This, though, is short sighted. There are other options beyond the kicking game.

The basics of running into space, off-loading, aggressive rucking and quick release should be England’s attacking framework. This would utilise the strengths of England’s best players: the itching scrum-half (Danny Care), the gain-line operators (Danny Cipriani, Shane Geraghty, Ricki Flutey and Toby Flood), the agile off-loaders (Simon Shaw, Lee Mears), the speedsters (Ugo Monye and Delon Armitage) and the super fit support runners (Lewis Moody and Tom Croft).

England’s inability to harness these players is the most damning aspect of Johnson’s tenure thus far.

Much of it comes down to trust. Johnson, an inexperienced coach, has surrounded himself with those he trusts and ostracised those he doesn’t. More than that, the way England have been playing suggests a climate of fear hangs low over Twickenham HQ and weighs heavy on its celebrated subjects.

Few would have accused Johnson the player of lacking courage, direction or identity but these attributes have been blatantly absent during his time as coach. And he must rediscover those qualities during the coming Six Nations campaign if England are to find success under his leadership once again.

Six Nations Preview: England

2010-02-05T01:19:00.000-08:00

ENGLAND

Last season: 3rd
Prediction: 3rd

Strengths:

England’s lineout was one of the few positives from the autumn series. Despite being much maligned for his bambi-like impressions in midfield, Borthwick is a strong lineout organiser and operator. With Tom Croft injured and Johnson refusing to promote Nick Kennedy, the England captain will be central to England’s supply line.

Jonny Wilkinson is once again certain to start at number. His accuracy in front of goal will be a massive advantage for Martin Johnson’s men. If England stick to their game plan from the autumn and tries remain scarce, his points from the boot will be vital. In such circumstances it could be argued that his selection ahead of his rivals Danny Cipriani and Shane Geraghty is legitimate if unexciting.

The return of Riki Flutey from injury cannot be underestimated. The Brive inside centre was England’s best player last season despite only playing half a season. His combination of physical aggression, hot-stepping, handling skills and vision makes him a true inside centre – capable of cutting the lines as well as unleashing those outside.

Weaknesses:

Wales coach Warren Gatland has already prodded the beast by suggesting his side would target England’s tight-five at Twickenham. With Andrew Sheridan and Phil Vickery out injured England’s front row will be under huge pressure against a potentially all-British Lion front row.

During the autumn internationals England endured heavy criticism for their turgid style and inability to attack with any pace or intensity - which resulted in just one try in three matches. Creativity and incision in the backs remain problems. The forwards seldom served up quick ball and when they did the backs refused to exploit the chances in front of them. Martin Johnson confessed that the coaches had had too much influence on how England implemented their game plan. This has led to rumours of decaying confidence and a climate of fear pervading the squad. The coaches must learn to trust the players.

The distance and accuracy of England’s kicking has been poor recently but the return of Delon Armitage at full back should bolster their punting game.

Coach’s perspective: Martin Johnson
“This is the best squad we have had in my time being in charge and it will only get stronger,” Johnson said. “We have a good leadership group and it’s the strength of any side that you have three, four or five guys who could be captain. It will be just as tight this year. Anyone who predicts who will win the title is a brave guy.”

Key player: Jonny Wilkinson
Much hype surrounded the Toulon fly half’s return to the international fray last autumn, but after a stuttering series Wilkinson has it all to prove once again. The 2003 World Cup winner was criticised for failing to get the backline firing by dropping too deep when England were in possession and refusing to diverge from the game plan when the opportunities to attack arose. The quality of Wilkinson’s kicking and his mind-set in attack will dictate how England perform in the Six Nations.

One to watch: Mathew Tait
After years of utility back status, Tait will be considered at outside centre this season. If he can displace Dan Hipkiss in the starting XV and Flutey and Wilkinson can attack on the gain line, Tait’s searing pace will add an extra dimension to the attack. His performances for Sale this season have been steady more than spectacular

Stadium: Twickenham, London
A mighty arena and grand setting, but Twickenham has been stripped of its ‘fortress’ pre-fix in recent seasons. The ominous booing of despairng fans has come to replace the booming tones of ‘Swing Low Sweet Charriot’.

Fixtures:
Sat 6 Feb v Wales, Twickenham Stadium, London
Sun 14 Feb v Italy, Stadio Flaminio, Rome
Sat 27 Feb v Ireland, Twickenham Stadium, London
Sat 13 Mar v Scotland, Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Sat 20 Mar v France, Stade de France, Paris

Six Nations Preview: France

2010-02-03T01:18:00.000-08:00

FRANCE

Last season: 3rd
Prediction: 1st

Strengths:

The French will go into this year’s Six Nations with momentum generated by a flourishing club game. Four French sides have reached the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup, with all of them looking capable of reaching the final. It should ensure their players join up for national duty high on confidence and optimism.

Their backline exudes power with Mathieu Bastareaud reinstated to the midfield alongside the influential Yannick Jauzion while Vincent Clerc should help ensure their finishing is clinical.

France also have enviable options in the back-row with supreme lineout forward and powerhouse Imanol Harinordoquy back from injury to fight Idrissa Ouedraogo, Julien Bonnaire and Alexandre Lapandry for the blindside flanker role. They possess the forwards to steal the hard yards around the ruck as well as the devastating surges and supporting runs. Their set-piece should be reliable as well as destructive.

They will also carry vast experience into the Championship.

Weaknesses:

Inconsistency continues to blight France’s international side. Their high point of 2009 came in Dunedin when they claimed a first win in 15 years over New Zealand on home turf - just their fourth overall. But it was top and tailed with anti-climactic Six Nations campaign and an average autumn series that ended in a humbling loss to the vengeful All Blacks.

Consistent outcomes require consistent inputs such as selection, tactics and mind set. True to reputation there are changes to Marc Lievremont’s squad for the Championships. And Lievremont’s selection could infer much about their potential tactics. The free spirits of Cedric Heymans, Maxime Medard and Frederic Michalak are out and the physicality of Bastareaud, Aurelien Rougerie and Julien Malzieu return. Could the French be set for a swing towards former coach Bernard Laporte’s pragmatism after Lievremont’s liberating beginnings? May be not entirely.

Most of all France’s attitude - and discipline - will be under the microscope. They celebrated victory over Wales in Paris last season as if it were the Championship decider, and then failed to turn up to Twickenham for the final match against England.

With two of their three opening games away from Paris, their bid could hinge on their trip to Cardiff in the third game.

Coach’s perspective:
“Cliches aside, we really have to start the tournament well in Scotland,” Lievremont told AFP. “At the start of every Six Nations the deck of cards is reshuffled and it creates a dynamic. Added to the duty of having to win the tournament, I really want our team — and it has the means to do so — to play an interesting, attacking type of rugby.”

Key player: Thierry Dusautoir
The Toulouse flanker is one of the finest back-rowers in Europe rugby with a work rate to eclipse any and incredible strength in the tackle. But his leadership could be the most tellingly as he attempts to galvanise a team of talented individuals. He, along with fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc, will be crucial.

One to watch: Mathieu Bastareaud
The beast of a centre is back. The 21-year-old sensation has not featured for France since fabricating an assault story in New Zealand in the summer. He will bring ball-wrecking momentum to the French midfield.

Stadium: Stade de France
The atmosphere may not be as scolding for visiting teams as the Parc des Princes once was, but its futuristic design and capacity of almost 80,000 makes for a dramatic setting.

Fixtures:
Sun 7 v Scotland, Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Sat 13 v Ireland, Stade de France, Paris
Fri 26 v Wales, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Sun 14 v Italy, Stade de France, Paris
Sat 20 v England, Stade de France, Paris

Six Nations Preview: Scotland

2010-02-01T01:17:00.000-08:00

SCOTLAND

Last season: 5th
This season: 5th

Strengths:
Scotland’s defensive game has improved hugely over the past six months. During the autumn internationals they conceded two tries in three games – famously beating Australia with a remarkable rearguard action (and a little help from the wayward boot of Matt Giteau). Defence coach Graham Steadman has encouraged a great work ethic and pride within the players.

That work-rate is no more obvious than in their aggressive back-row, which regularly puts in huge tackle counts each game, and they will again be central to Scotland’s prospects. They will be expecting much from John Barclay, who this time last year was being tipped for an important role with the British and Irish Lions in South Africa.

Chris Paterson is among the best goal-kickers in the world and, if he can find a way into the starting XV, Scotland will be ready to punish any infringements from the opposition. Phil Godman and Dan Parks, though, are able deputies.

Weaknesses:
Scotland may have conceded just two tries during November, but then they only scored two as well. They have struggled for a long time to find the creativity and strike runners in the backs to make inroads into opposition defences. With Godman standing at number 10, they have been more willing to keep the ball in hand and play an expansive game in recent months.

But this has yet to reap real dividends. In their last outing against Argentina they failed to take their opportunities and lost 9-6. Their lack of clinical finishing remains their biggest problem going into the Six Nations Championship. With an inform Parks back in the squad; Andy Robinson may opt to restore the experienced fly-half in control and leadership.

Coach’s perspective: Andy Robinson
“We have belief amongst the squad. We fear nobody but it is about having a huge start against France and having a Murrayfield crowd that are ready to support the team and get behind them,” he told www.scottishrugby.org. “It is vital that we have a full house. I have no doubt that the squad are ready to perform.”

Key player: Chris Cusiter
The scrum-half will continue to skipper the side in the absence of Mike Blair, who is set to miss the opening two fixtures. Robinson has stated his side need to improve their leadership and much responsibility will fall on Cusiter, particularly in the absence of back-rowers Jason White and Ali Hogg and a potential scrap for the number 10 jersey between Godman and Parks. Cusiter is sharp and strong, but lacks the playing making potential of Blair at the base of the ruck and maul.

One to watch: Alex Grove
The Worcester centre had a strong introduction to international rugby in the autumn. Scotland have auditioned a number of centres to varying success over the past few years with Max Evans, Ben Cairns, Nick De Luca and Simon Webster all holding the shirt at some stage. With the direct Graeme Morrison firmly installed at inside centre, Grove will be looking to establish himself at outside centre ahead of Evans.

Stadium: Murrayfield
All too often the Murrayfield stands are sparsely packed. But with home matches against France on the opening weekend and a penultimate test against England, Murrayfield should be full and fizzing with emotion.

Fixtures:
Sun 7 v France, Murrayfield
Sat 13 v Wales, Millennium Stadium
Sat 27 v Italy, Stadio Flaminio
Sat 13 v England, Murrayfield
Sat 20 v Ireland, Croke Park

Six Nations Preview: Wales

2010-01-31T01:14:00.000-08:00

WALES

Last season: 4th

Strengths:
Wales will be buoyed by the return of some key players with Lee Byrne, Adam Jones and Stephen Jones all set to time it right just for the start of the Championships. Byrne’s comeback should add fresh impetuous to their attacking game with his raids from full-back, as well as security under the high and a huge kick return should teams insist on a kicking duel.

The Welsh will be just as delighted to see prop Adam Jones back in action. Their scrum more than creaked against Australia in November but his return to the front row alongside Gethin Jenkins and Matthew Rees should ensure a stable platform. And if they can find a way of bring them into the game, Shane Williams and Leigh Halfpenny are two of the best finishers in the Championships.

If they can correct some of their defensive alignment issues from the autumn, they have a solid centre and will be tough to crack. Stephen Jones is about as reliable as they come from the tee and Leigh Halfpenny’s mighty boot means opponents’ transgressions in their own half will be punished.

Weaknesses:
Wales have lost momentum over the past year. Their attacking game was shown up to be pedestrian and predictable during the autumn internationals, scoring just four tries in four matches, and their confidence has eroded accordingly. They have become over-reliant on the physicality of Jamie Roberts and Andy Powell, and teams worked them out (as England did last year with Joe Worsley forming a midfield wall). Their carrying game in the forwards has also lost dynamism. Greater variety will be required.

With Mike Phillips and Dwayne Peel injured, scrum half is a major worry for Warren Gatland. Wales have a lack of depth which is not restricted to the number nine shirt. This, though, will be a crucial position requiring decisive leadership if Wales are to rekindle their dynamic off-loading game that so suits the likes of Martyn Williams, Gethin Jenkins and Shane Williams.

Coaches perspective: Warren Gatland - "Our first match at Twickenham could set the tone for the Championship for both sides, we will both be desperate to win that first up match. We then come to the Millennium Stadium for two home matches and the support we have there will make a huge difference to us."

Key player: Lee Byrne
The Ospreys full-back was dearly missed during the Autumn internationals but he has returned from injury and should bring an extra dimension to their attacking game. A potent strike runner, Byrne has the ability to burst into the line and break through the opposition defence with his searing pace and instinctive angles.

One to watch: Gareth Cooper
Wales have a number of youngsters, such as Tom Evans, Jonathan Davies, Sam Warburton and Dan Biggar, who could challenge the senior players. But Scarlets scrum half Gareth Cooper could be the most important. In the absence of Dwayne Peel and Mike Phillips, Cooper is favourite to take the number nine spot. Wales will be relying on the 23-year-old, aided by Scarlets team-mate Stephen Jones, to dictate the tempo of their game which will be crucial to their hopes.

Stadium: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
The proximity of the crowd to the pitch creates an intense setting. And though not as intimidating as the other stadiums, the rousing singing of the Welsh fans make for an awesome atmosphere and an impassioned Welsh team. Three fixtures at home, including against France, will be a distinct advantage.

Fixtures:
Sat 6 v England, Twickenham Stadium, London
Sat 13 v Scotland, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Fri 26 v France, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Sat 13 v Ireland, Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland
Sat 20 v Italy, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Six Nations candidates: Italy

2010-01-29T02:40:00.000-08:00

Can Italy avoid the wooden spoon in this year’s RBS Six Nations? Jonny McLeod looks at Italy’s prospects for their 2010 campaign.

Strengths:
Italy have always built on strong forward foundations. The brute strength and experience of their pack, which will include the likes of Mauro Bergamasco, Marco Bortolami, Martin Castrogiovanni and Carlo Del Fava, will again be their greatest assets.

They will be formidable in the set piece and physical at the breakdown. Their scrum destroyed New Zealand’s pack – albeit an inexperienced one – during the November international at the San Siro and, with Leicester tight-head prop Castrogiovanni set to be fit for the Championships, the Italians will try to make the most of their set-piece supremacy.

Weaknesses:
The absence of Sergio Parisse is a sledgehammer blow to Italy’s hopes of avoiding a third successive wooden spoon. The Stade Francais number eight will miss the entire tournament with a knee injury sustained during the November internationals. Not only a formidable player – the best number eight in the business – Parisse’s influence as a leader will be deeply missed.

Italy’s greatest Achilles heel remains their lack of electricity in the backline. Numerous half-backs have been auditioned over past few years – including flanker Bergamasco and centre Andrea Masi – but they continue to search for the right balance of control and creativity from their playmakers.

A place-kicker of consistency is another weakness that will need to be resolved. Mirco Bergamasco and Craig Gower were both used during the autumn internationals without great success. With try-scoring a rarity for the Italians, they will have to take their chances in front of goal if they are to convert possession into points.

Coach’s perspective: Nick Mallett
Took over Italy in 2007 having won two titles at Stade Francais and guided South Africa on a record 17-match winning run. The pressure is on the South African after just one victory in two Six Nations tournaments with Italy, yet he maintains: “The team has grown in the last six months.”

Key player: Mauro Bergamasco
The Stade Francias flanker will be vital in the absence of Sergio Parisse. Bergamasco was drafted into the scrum-half role for last season’s encounter with England at Twickenham with disastrous effect, but restored to his regular position, Italy will be relying on his tough tackling and tireless work rate.

One to watch: Craig Gower
Nick Mallett could opt to persist with the former Australian rugby league captain at fly-half despite the return of Treviso number 10 Andrea Marcato from injury. The 31-year-old, who converted to union in 2007 joining French side Bayonne, is still getting to grips with the pace and tactical nuances of the international game. But if he retains the number 10 shirt, the pressure will be on to bring authority and direction to the Italian backline.

Stadium: Stadio Flaminio, Rome
Built in 1959 to host the 1960 Rome Olympics, it is the smallest stadium in the tournament but still has the potential to create a crackling atmosphere. Despite the successful experiment of playing New Zealand at the San Siro in Milan, the Stadio Flaminio remains Italy’s home.

Italy’s Six Nations Fixtures:
Sat 6 Feb v Ireland, Croke Park
Sun 14 Feb v England, Stadio Flaminio
Sat 27 Feb v Scotland, Stadio Flaminio
Sun 14 Mar v France, Stade de France
Sat 20 Mar v Wales, Millennium Stadium

Last season: 6th
Prediction: 6th

Weakened teams - a final kick in the crotch?

2009-05-22T00:55:00.000-07:00

Whatever transpires on ‘survival Sunday’ – as Sky have dubbed it – there can be no complaints. Should Hull stay up thanks to Manchester United fielding a team of youngsters or should Middlesbrough or Newcastle profit from playing sides with nothing to play for (West Ham and Aston Villa), there can be no objections. Of course there will be, but we should be dismissed with disdain.

Everyone hopes to avoid the antics of a few seasons ago when Neil Warnock whined and wailed about the injustice of Sheffield United being relegated (he is still going). The Carlos Tevez case apart, he had no case then and nor will Hull’s rivals should Phil Brown’s team turnover Manchester United (an eventuality that looks unlikely). Teams play fixtures as they come and they must play the league table as it comes as well. They are in the position that they deserve and will be at the final whistle. More than luck and more than external factors, their final standing will depend on their own qualities or inadequacies over the season.

Manchester United have earned the right as Premier League Champions to field a ‘weakened’ team ahead of the Champions League final against Barcelona, as Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Newcastle have failed to secure their place in the topflight next season. I hope Sir Alex Ferguson does not pander to the of and field a team based purely on his teams own interests than attempt to intervene in some kind of justice mission to temper the guilt of a few seasons ago – he should have none. (Quite why Sheffield United were doing watching the announcement of the Manchester United team to play West Ham when they should have been preparing for their own game needing just a draw I don’t know).

There is an argument that a team of ravenous youngster and fringe players fighting for a place in the starting XI and on the bench for the Champions League final would be a stronger team. Certainly some of the bigger players will be anxious of playing a full game three days before the biggest game of their lives (no one wants to be robbed of the Crisyiano Ronaldo v Lionel Messi showdown in Rome).

Come Monday morning there can be no complaints. The teams who have failed to justify their place in the English topflight will have been exposed and cut adrift. Any manager who begs to differ and wails at the ‘injustice’ of it all should be shunned into submission.

Final word on the weekend - Fear of future fuels Benitez’s bitterness

2009-05-18T03:51:00.000-07:00

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez refused to congratulate Sir Alex Ferguson on winning Manchester United’s 18th Premier League title this weekend. Many angry words have been exchanged between the rivals this season – more than previous rivals in previous years – and the feuding is set to continue into next season.

But it is not just the present or the past that fuels Benitez’s frustration. It is a fear and trepidation of the future.

If Benitez had had the stomach to sit through any of United’s celebrations at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon he will have countered many emotions but one thing will have tortured him more than any other. United want more.

As Ferguson moved among his players after the final whistle there was plenty of back slapping and jubilation, but as the celebrations progressed their desire for further glory was evident. Their thirst for further titles was deepening with every touch of the trophy. The grins that adorned the faces of Rooney, Ronaldo and Ferdinand among others foretold further success.

Ferguson has accumulated a squad with the same insatiable appetite for glory that has driven his own career. But it is also a squad of huge talent and significant youth. With the likes of Danny Welbeck, the Da Silva brothers, Rooney, Jonny Evans and Federico Macheda United have a wealth of young talent to supplement any superstar signings Ferguson makes over the next few years. Even the potential loss of Cristiano Ronaldo appears manageable.

And to top it all of Ferguson shows no signs of relenting to the conventions of managerial life-spans. By surrounding himself by the likes of Rooney he is as sharp and determined as ever.

It is likely Benitez’s thoughts would have briefly swayed to next year’s title chase before Saturday’s coronation. He would have known United will have the quality and youth to retain their title once again next year. But what Saturday will have proved - and what is infuriating Benitez so much - is that the desire at Old Trafford is as ravenous as ever.

Final word on the weekend: Will Arsenal ever be good enough?

2009-05-11T00:58:00.000-07:00

It is time for Arsenal to stop hiding behind the mask of ‘youth’.

Once again the consensus was that Arsenal lacked the experience as their season self-destructed with defeats to Manchester United in the Champions League semi final and Chelsea in the Premier League (a defeat that cost them a tilt at third place and automatic qualification for the group stages of the Champions League). The ability is not in doubt and there time will come was the prevailing view. But after four years without a trophy, will their time come? Are they really good enough?

There are undoubtedly world-class players in their dressing room, such as Cesc Fabregas, Gael Clichy and Andrey Arshavin. Then there are those will the potential to turn in world-class performances such as Samir Nasri, Emmanuel Adebayor, Robin Van Persie and Kolo Toure. And there is much potential in Theo Walcott and Carlos Vela.

However, what of the supporting cast? Yes they are young but will they ever be good enough – technically, mentally and physically - to win trophies at home and abroad against the toughest opposition. Will Alexandre Song ever match Mathieu Flamini’s industry in midfield? Will Abou Diaby ever be able to command the touch and authority of Patrick Vieira, will Adebayor ever sacrifice his ego? Will Nicklas Bendtner ever be able to control his flailing limbs sufficiently to compliment Arsenal’s slick attacking play?

There is an underlying suspicion that for all the potential of Arsene Wenger’s new class, they lack that extra bit of quality and ability.

And, of course, Arsenal are not without experience. Players such as Kolo Toure, Mikael Silvestre, Manuel Almunia, Adebayor and Arshavin are all players who can draw on events of the past to shape the future. But are Silvestre and Almunia good enough players to lead Arsenal to European Cups? The overwhelming suspicion is no.

With Manchester United, Liverpool and to a degree Chelsea constantly raising the bar, it will require more than the one or two experienced players Wenger is promising this summer for Arsenal to catch up with the pace-setters. Arsenal need an injection of quality as much as experience, especially in some key areas such as central defence, goalkeeper and defensive midfield.

It is time for Arsenal to stop hiding behind the excuse of youth.

Alan Shearer - The plight of the uncharismatic leader

2009-05-04T00:17:00.000-07:00

Despite the dense stench of desperation emanating from the corridors of power at St James’ Park as Newcastle faced up to the prospect of Championship football next season, there seemed some reasoning behind the appointment of Alan Shearer as caretaker manager at the beginning of April. He was an injection of optimism required to lift them out of trouble. He was a figurehead for a wayward but talented team. He was a saviour in waiting.

However, Shearer’s return was not logical. It was inevitable. Sometimes a one can masquerade as the other.

And how it has all unraveled. Three games and one question remain for Newcastle. So what can the suited Shearer do to save them from relegation?

Shearer is no tactical grand master. Anyone who watched the BBC’s coverage of Euro 2008 will testify to that. Sitting next to Martin O’Neil on the pundit’s sofa, Shearer squirmed constantly. By the end of the tournament he was visibly fearful of his colleague’s persistent interjections and corrections. A seasoned football man though Shearer is, he appears no closer to solving the chalkboard equations. His recent experimentations with three at the back have proved as fruitless for him as it did for their previous high-profile employer Steve McClaren.

But such criticisms, of course, miss the point of the appointment. Shearer was recruited to galvanise the players, staff and supporters. His instruction was to inject confidence and pride. He was to win over the crowd who, in turn, he would lend to the players. He was to unite the fragmented club. He was recruited for his personality.

However such expectations are to misinterpret the Shearer phenomenon. The Shearer legend was created on the pitch through his predatory powers not through his uniting personality. His early experiments in team building and man-management have fallen short. His public backing of Michael Owen could have worked but has ended in a climb down and no doubt a number of the Newcastle squad were displeased with the air-time their new manager spent eulogising their team-mate. Shearer the player was never in question. Shearer the manager has many to answer.

Shearer’s legend was created in boots not suits, on the pitch rather than off it. Which begs the question: what can he offer Newcastle now?

2009-04-27T03:36:00.000-07:00

For the majority of fans in the Premier League the season is over. Their teams are out of contention for the title, short of a tilt at Europe and safe from the threat of relegation. Their chants and jeers are largely redundant - save for some end of season frivolity.

So it is time to focus on the flip side of football support - taking pleasure in the suffering of rivals. Watching the seesawing drama of the final days from a safely detached perspective, and savouring the angst and neuroses of opponents, can be thrilling (whether it is blowing the title or succumbing to relegation).

It is an entirely legitimate and hugely rewarding pastime. Any uncomfortable feelings that they are slightly sadistic thoughts can be countered by the knowledge that the outcomes really don’t matter as much as the managers, players and supports protest. It is like being a neutral at a penalty shoot-out. The narratives and drama are clear and compelling.

And in those terms MANCHESTER UNITED 5 TOTTENHAM 2 was a great end of season game for all those fans with little watch for and requiring an outlet for their passion.

First there was the incredulity etched on Sir Alex Ferguson’s face as Tottenham raced into a 2-0 lead and United’s title credentials were again in question.

Then there were the remonstrations of Harry Redknapp at Howard Webb’s penalty award and Cristiano Ronaldo’s finish from the spot. An end-of-season thriller is not complete without a refereeing blunder that stirs up anger and embarrassment in equal measure.

United, and Rooney in particular, scented blood and played some inspiring and pulse-elevating stuff as Tottenham capitulated in fine comedic fashion.

The narrative was set and farce ensued. Comedic defending not seen since Djimi Traore’s own goal for Liverpool in a Carling Cup match, followed as Tottenham relinquished their lead with abandon.

There were goalkeeping errors, centre-back sins and general inadequacies to cheer any bored football fan. It was all topped off by further remonstrations and innuendo from Redknapp about the injustices of the Premier League.

There was less delight in the 2-0 defeat of Middlesbrough by Arsenal. May be that is because Middlesbrough are harder to hate than most.

But having said that, any football fan seeking some light entertainment on Monday night, should watch Newcastle v Portsmouth. There is plenty of joy to be had with Newcastle. With an inflated owner, jail-bird midfielder, ‘carry-on’ defending, mop-haired centre-backs, belief in Messiahs, and the conviction that they are the ‘chosen people’ - Is there a team with greater delusions of grandeur? Is there a team more ripe for ridicule?

Rafa or Fergie - Who is winning the mindless ‘mind games’?

2009-04-24T02:33:00.000-07:00

So Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez have buried the hatchet – squarely between the shoulder blades in each other’s backs.

Psychological warfare, ‘mind games’, propaganda or just plain banter they are all in full flow as the season nears its conclusion.

THE DOSSIER

The propaganda machines at Anfield and Old Trafford cranked into life at the turn of the year. The press - the Don King promoter figure in it all - were summoned to Anfield where Benitez, in front of an anticipant audience, unveiled THE secret dossier on the injustices of recent times, the tyranny that Old Trafford holds over the regulating FA and the need to fight back against these heinous crimes. In translation it read: Man U are so mean, it is all unfair and by the way Ferguson is a little shite.

(Liverpool attempted to rock United and reassert their place at the top of the Premier League….)

THE RESPONSE

Ferguson laughed it off – how could he, an amiable OAP with a new-found lust for life, be capable of such things? The pressure is getting to Benitez and he is going mad, Ferguson intimated. The dossier was a sham, it had been ‘sexed up’ and it was all a conspiracy to unite the football community behind an out-and-out war on Old Trafford.

(Ferguson turns the emphasis back on Benitez, attempts to belittle him and his team and invokes the infamous ‘siege mentality’)

It is all too much for the delicate minds of the Liverpool players. They join Robbie Keane as basket-cases and go on a shocking run of results.

THE PEACE

A hiatus lasts for much of February and March as Liverpool’s title challenge falters. But fighting on five fronts, United take their eye off the ball – several times in Nemanja Vidic’s case – as United lose to Liverpool at Old Trafford and they let their rivals back into the race. Complacency appears to be entrenched in the United psyche as they follow defeat with defeat, this time against Fulham.

(Had Benitez been playing the long game, lulling them into a false security and confidence – could he claim a PSYCOLOGICAL VICTORY?)

Well the race was getting tighter and nerves were being stretched beyond their elastic limit.

FERGIE’S ATTACK

As Liverpool close the gap, Ferguson goes offensive. This time the fearleass Glaswegian bares his teeth, prepares for war and launches a ruthless attack on his rivals (manly staring down Rafa through a camera lens whilst hiding behind Sam Al(LARD)yce). Ferguson dismissed Benitez as arrogant - aka ‘Me, the great Alex Ferguson would not do such a thing’ - and says his sideline actions were ‘beyond contempt’ - aka ‘I like mind game as much as the next person but that was going too far’.

(Triumph - ‘Ferguson is scared’ or Ferguson attempts to unite teams against Benitez to ensure they ahve tough end of season games as well as riling the Spaniard and taking his eye-off game against Arsenal. He also proves he has way more friends than Benitez - he so has. Meanwhile, Benitez marvels at his sophistiction by introducing sign language to the war of words.)

RAFA’S RESPONSE

Benitez unleashes scouse attack dog Sammy Lee (probably a Terrier) to refute Ferguson’s “arrogant” calims (it is a job only worthy of a minnion and not the great Rafa Benitez). Besides Benitez has “business meetings” to attend, insists Lee before baring a note signed by a Mrs E Benitez.
Lee gives a stirring defence of his master. ‘Are you starting on my boss?’, ‘Mr Benitez, the all-conquering King of Anfield and all of Liverpool - as we affectionately call him - is certainly not arrogant’.

( Liverpool attempt to show it is Ferguson who is the deranged fantacist in this league. And wait, could Benitez be about to invoke the dreaded seige mentality?)

Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger watches on longingly. He can remember the times when he was on the end of Ferguson’s vile rants and innuendo. Where had those heady Spring days gone? How their special relationship has disappeared? Now Fergie only has eyes for Rafa.

As for Guus Hiddink, he is reassuringly Dutch about it all as he refuses to get involved in any confrontations.

Alas, Liverpool draw with Arsenal and the verbal jousting and mind controlling techniques are set to be shelved for the summer.

For all the bravado these are sensitive souls. And for all the hyper-babble it seems the poor, single brain-celled players are the biggest victims in this all. For pity sake, think of little Nemanja Vidic and Stevie G!

The Insider - Bullard faces up to Hull future

2009-04-22T09:20:00.000-07:00

Hull City star Jimmy Bullard insists he will not walk out on the club if they are relegated from the Premier League.

The future of the club-record £5million signing has come under scrutiny with Hull in danger of being relegated from the topflight.

But Bullard admits he is going nowhere.

“I have a serious knee injury,” he said. “There is no chance of me walkig out of here. Believe me I have tried. I even tried crawling but Phil Brown caught up with me on the A64 and dragged me back to the KC stadium.

“I can hardly get out of bed in the morning. Have you seen Hull on a map? To the North is Scarbrough, to the South is Grimsby and to the East is Leeds - what kind of incentives are for a man with a serious knee injury? I cant risk that, I have a serious knee injury.

“I thought about taking a lylo to the North Sea but I could end up in Denmark or even drift down to Norwich. They are no places for former England squad member.

“No, I am not taking my chances with that, not with a serious knee injury."

* The contents of this post is entirely fictious.

The final word on the weekend - Goalkeepers falter in months of truth.

2009-04-20T00:44:00.000-07:00

We have entered the months of truth. April and May are the most important months in English football. For all the posturing, for all the positioning and for all the points in the preceding games, the entire season comes down to these two months of truth. Relegations, promotions, finals and trophies are all decided here.

The pressure on teams is intense but the pressure on individuals is greater. And no more so than the goalkeepers. On Saturday, young Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski failed to keep his head in the swelter atmosphere of Wembley and an FA Cup semi final against Chelsea. The talented keeper lost his cool on countless occasions and was at fault for both of Chelsea’s goals from Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba.

Earlier in the week, Liverpool’s Pepe Reina and Chelsea’s Petr Cech both endured shockers in the Champions League quarterfinal. Two world-class keepers of proven ability and mind, wilted under the lights of the Champions League showdown. Their reputations dented, but not beyond repair thanks to the sharp shooting of their teammates.

The problem for goalkeepers is they exist in a constant state of negative equity. They are expected to make saves, they are obliged to make saves, and they must make saves. Any error can cost dear and is scrutinised without sympathy. The perception is goalkeepers lose games, strikers win games.

Their one salvation comes in the penalty shoot-outs. Here the roles are reversed. The onus reverts to the ball striker. The goalkeeper is suddenly in the privileged position where all responsibility is absolved. Make the save and they are the heroes don’t make the save and there are no recriminations or slander.

But to reach these moments of role reversal and are justice, they must negotiate a perilous path.

You're fired - Southgate takes on Sugar...

2009-04-17T09:22:00.000-07:00

In a generic boardroom on the 552nd floor of an undisclosed skyscraper somewhere in central London, Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate takes a seat and awaits his fate and Sir Alan Sugar.

Sir Alan Sugar: Good afternoon Mr Southgate. Take a seat.

Gareth Southgate: Yes, Sir Alan. Thank you Sir Alan.

SAS: Right, lets cut the post-match interview crap. I don’t want to hear about ‘the next game’, ‘must-wins’, ‘battling to the end’, ‘strong spirits’ or whatever else you fob off those parrot journalists with. You all know why you are here. You’re failing Gareth. You’re failing spectacularly.

GS: Yes Sir Alan. I’m so sorry Sir Alan. I…

SAS: Gareth, I have a problem here. I like you. You’re a decent bloke. You’re popular with the players and the pundits. You’re loyal, you’re honest, you’re young and you’re keen to learn. Wonderful! Ain’t that all lovely, ain’t that all sweet. May be after this we can have a kick about in the park, you can bring along the Neville brothers, we can play penalties - ay - and we’ll all eat ice cream?

GS: Yeah. Although, Gary might be having his hair styled again and Phil is probably redecorating his house.

SAS: Gareth, I don’t eat ice cream you prick! And the Neville brothers are no more entertaining than the Chuckle brothers. Yes, you’re young but I don’t want potential. I want results…and NOW!

GS: Yes Sir Alan. I am so, so sorry. If you give me another chance, I will do better. But I am only young and I will improve and I… I…

SAS: Yeah ok Southgate stop sniveling…. Oh don’t cry Southgate…. Will someone give him a tissue, its like bleeding Euro 96 all over again in here.

SG: Thanks Margret. (brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh) (brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh).

SAS: Bleeding hell Southgate. That nose of yours is louder than the QE2. Hang on, is that a bogey on my Armani suit? If only your strikers displayed such power and potency from five yards. No the reason you’re in here is because you’ve made some piss poor acquisitions. You’ve bought badly. You’ve invested in sub-prime stock and we can all see the consequences.
Alfonso Alves – what was tat about? The quality is just no there. You’ve recruited badly – and you have to take responsibility for that.

GS: But..

SAS: No. You’re done talking. I haven’t been able to get a word in at all. Now let’s get down to the numbers. The bottom line. You’re team is the red. You’re two points from safety with six games to go. It is not looking good is it? You’ve got tough games to come and scored just 25 goals this season – the worst of all your competitors. I don’t like your chances.

GS: Yes Sir Alan.

SAS: That is why, with regret, I have to say Southgate you’re fired. Go on piss off. Go make a pizza advert. That nose of yours could with being housed in a brown paper bag for the good of all those Armani suits out there.

* The contents of this post is entirely fictious and composed by a man with an unstable personality and a hour to kill before Neighbours starts.

Final word on the weekend - Torres and Macheda take charge.

2009-04-13T02:12:00.000-07:00

It is at this stage of the season when the value of individuals becomes tangible. With six games left – seven for Manchester United – and the Premier League title increasingly at stake, tension and neuroses can rule the day and wreak havoc on the hopes of players, coaches and fans.

In such circumstances it is difficult for a team to function to its maximum, for each element to reproduce its best. And so the emphasis often switches to those individuals capable of match and season defining interventions.

In the early Premier League kick off on Saturday, Fernando Torres scored a majestic double to maintain Liverpool’s distant hopes of a first league title in 19 years. They went on to beat Blackburn 4-0, but it was the Spanish striker’s exquisite improvisation and finishing that did for their opponents. The two late goals merely garnish.

In the late kick off, Manchester United needed to respond. And 15 minutes from lights out, lightning struck for the second time this week. Federico Macheda deflected Michael Carrick’s into the Sunderland net and Manchester United resumed their advantage in the title race. Head to head comparisons between Torres and Macheda would be wrong. One is the most complete striker in the world; the other is a rookie with unknown potential. But both have made crucial interventions in recent weeks and who would bet against them doing it again?

However, for all Torres’ unyielding quality, United remain favourites for the title. With their only other world-class attacking player, Steven Gerrard, struggling with injury, Liverpool will be over-reliant on Torres while United can look to Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Dimitar Berbatov, Carlos Tevez and Ryan Giggs. Untied are not just favourites because of their numerical advantage, it is because at this stage of the season it is often the individuals that make the difference.

The Insider: FA launch referee protection scheme

2009-04-08T00:12:00.000-07:00

Following the recent spate of coin throwing attacks at football grounds around the country, the FA have announced that referees will be issued with crash helmets for the remainder of the season.

Directives from the FA will require all Premier League officials to wear the protective head gear at all times from entering the vicinity of the stadium to departing.

It is hoped that this new £10 billion initiative could prevent numerous bumps and cuts as a the helmets protect referees from incoming objects and thus preserve their irreproachable decision making ability as well as enhancing their on-field authority.

The FA fear that the economic meltdown and depreciation in the Pound could lead to an avalanche of monetary missiles coming from the crowd as fans opt to hurl money rather than valuable werthers originals.

They stressed the problem is particularly acute as many of their referees are severely folically challenged.

Not only is this depriving them of an invaluable 'cushioning' layer but it is also thought to goad fans into targeting their gleaming white domes - especially with the increasing amount of reflected sunshine during the spring months.

The helmets have been extensively tested at McLaren's secret headquaters with positive results.

Tests involved a number of topflight refeeres, including Mike Riley and Dermot Gallagher, being fired from a cannon through a wind tunnel and into a reinforced concrete wall as reserachers attempted to assertain aerodynamics of the equipment.

The FA were pleased with it's performance and believe the referees will retain their express straight-line speed.

One spokesman, in a thick Glaswegian accent described the tests as "deeply satisfying".

But the Scot, chewing gum with all the elegance of an industrial washing machine, added he would not rest until 100s of referees had been catapulted into walls in order to assertain the true efficacy of the equipment".

Officials will also be given the option of wearing helmets fitted with visors to protect them from players expressing their views with a wet palette and enthusiastic pronounciation.

Though the wind-screen wiping system requires further tests.

The designers have other complications to resolve as the helmet currently block out a noise and allow a limited field of vision but officials are unconcerned about such trivialities.

The FA are considering further requests of quad bikes and stun guns, while controversial referee Stuart Attwell has demanded arm bands and long trousers for the winter season.

*Please note the content of this blog is entire fiction.

The final word on the weekend - Macheda' magic and Shearer's troubles

2009-04-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

On Saturday night, as he waited for sleep to come, a little-known 17-year-old will have run through all the possibilities of the next 24 hours. He will have thought of playing football, scoring spectacular goals and hearing his name praised by tens of thousands of people. He will have carefully constructed the most fanciful of scenarios and dreamt up the most extravagant details in his mind. And then with a smile, dismissed it all.

If sleep ever came to Federico Machedo on Sunday night, it will have been brief. The young Italian, without a name in football, scored a wondrous injury-time winner against Aston Villa in front of an Old Trafford crowd of 75,409, ensuring Manchester United retained pole position for the Premier League title with what could be the most decisive moment.

Where his career goes from here is anybody’s guess. His late, late shot at glory was preceded by some heavy touches and muddled thinking, but he has attributes of great strength, form in the reserves and so much time. In years to come his debut heroics could be looked back upon as an extraordinary peak to a career drowned out by unenviable expectation or the first evidence of a precocious talent. Either way for now Machedo will just be thinking of the next 24 hours.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, it took 56 minutes for Alan Shearer’s halo to slip as Newcastle lost to Chelsea. Such has been the clamour from fans for Shearer return as manager to his former club, when owner Mike Ashley and the man himself finally relented to the fans’ wishes last week, the appointment smacked of a long-term union. Despite Shearer’s repetitive assertions that it was an arrangement of eight games only, the talk was of next season. But defeat to Chelsea will have reinforced to the fans, pundits, players and staff the precariousness of the club’s position and severity of the moment. This was an attempted bail out in the most desperate of situations. Seven games and counting…

Ledley King - the exception or the rule?

2009-03-25T02:14:00.000-07:00

As if Ledley King were not fragile enough, this week Fabio Capello and Harry Redknapp have fought a ferocious tug-of-war over the injury-prone defender. It is the familiar dispute of club loyalty against national pride. But what is most remarkable about this row is that King can play at all.

By Redknapp’s admission the players doesn’t train at all in preparation for a game and doesn’t train at all in recovery from a game. He is simply wheeled out onto the pitch – especially when times are most desperate – and then stretchered off when the time is right.

It goes against all coaching discourse about preparing for peak performance. How can a player be physically fit enough for 90 minutes? Mentally ready for ? and tactically in tune to the practices of his team and nuances of their opponents? Surley the chalkboard is insufficient preparation for elite football whether it be at international level or in the Premier League.

So either King is a freak of nature with awesome physical attributes in spite of his fragile limbs or is football far simpler than we buy into? Despite the rhetoric, the montages and the cash fuelled hyperbole, could football really be quite a basic game out over 90 minutes demanding though it is played?

Final word on the weekend - Ashley and Kinnear the miracle men of Newcastle

2009-03-23T02:06:00.000-07:00

While all eyes trained on Craven Cottage where Fulham beat Manchester United or Anfield where Liverpool trounced Aston Villa, Newcastle United slipped almost anonymously into the bottom three with eight games remaining following defeat to Arsenal.

A whiff of Championship football next season has been in the air circulating St James’ Park for a while now but is fast becoming a lingering stench. Such a situation would have been unimaginable to Newcastle fans at the start of the season. But now it is a reality they have accepted.

In the space of seven months, Mike Ashley and Joe Kinnear have achieved something none of their predecessor could. They have quelled the expectations of the fans. They have transformed the fans from potent protestors, demanding the best, into beggars, pleading for mercy. They have run the club down so far that survival would be an achievement, a great achievement.

Mid-table anonymity was not enough to save Glenn Roeder, Graeme Souness or Sam Allardyce mainly because it left them without an identity and a without a purpose. What the fans want most of all is a fight, a struggle, an enemy to unite and rally against. During the Keegan era it was Manchester United, now it is Stoke and Middlesbrough.

Final word on the weekend: Liverpool's result not so shocking

2009-03-16T02:19:00.000-07:00

The result was a truly shocking: Manchester United 1 Liverpool 4. The events were even more shocking: Liverpool comeback from a goal down at Old Trafford to hit four past the best defence in the league with the player of the season (Nemanja Vidic) rendered a nervous wreck before seeing red. And yet it should have come as no surprise.

This is a Liverpool team capable of the incredible one-off results - take the 4-0 defeat of Real Madrid as corroborative evidence. With two truly world-class operators in Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, backed by a gang of able and efficient support staff, Liverpool have a team capable of overturning anyone on any day. But not everyone on everyday.

Inconsistency has blighted their season and it is by no accident. Two world-class players can sustain a cup run, such as in Europe, but they cannot shoulder a 38-game push for the title. In Europe, an able squad can negotiate the early rounds with the latter stages overcome with a touch of class from Gerrard or Torres. However, with injuries, suspensions and lulls in form, two players cannot be relied upon to generate results season round in a league scenario. It is why Manchester United will win the league; they have five or six players who will earn their share of points throughout the season with late goals and decisive interventions. Liverpool do not have enough resources to be consistent.

As for the game, the margin of victory masked the evenness of exchanges. Both side’s had their periods of ascendancy, particularly United in the opening quarter and Liverpool in the closing quarter, and with any top-class encounter of this level, inches given resulted in miles taken. Ultimately three individual errors had a hefty price for United. Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra were the gift givers, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres the ruthless recipients.

Saturday’s result is likely to be revealed as the most hollow of trumpeted victories.

Elsewhere the weekend’s action remained loyal to the theme of prolonging the angst and intrigue of the season. Once again the teams in lower reaches failed to take decisive steps towards survival, except Tottenham winning 2-1 at Aston Villa. Middlesbrough drew with Portsmouth, Hull drew Newcastle, Sunderland lost to Wigan, Stoke lost to Everton, Blackburn lost to Arsenal and Bolton lost 3-1 to Fulham.

The nine teams, from Tottenham down, all reek of fear and remain highly vulnerable to the end of season flush. Their focuses are now firmly locked on scrapping for survival, paralysed by fear they can’t help but look down making a dramatic surge up the standing unlikely. With ten games remaining for most, it looks as though relegation will be determined by who does worst rather than who does best.

Manchester United v Liverpool - The weekend's big one

2009-03-13T03:18:00.000-07:00

Manchester United v Liverpool
Barclays Premier League
Old Trafford, Saturday 14 March 12.45pm

Wayne Rooney claims that Manchester United can end Liverpool’s ailing title ambitions by 3pm on Saturday afternoon. He maybe lighting on the pitch, but Rooney is not the quickest. Liverpool’s hopes of being confirmed as the best team in England since 1990 fell by the waste side along time ago (that is if they ever really existed). That is harsh on Rooney but not on Liverpool.
Despite the insignificance of the contest – no one really believes a Liverpool victory would result in a United capitulation – the pride and egos on display on the pitch, in the dugout and the stands should ensure a compelling confrontation.

The Bosses:
Rafa Benitez - While he continues to be a mastermind of one-off tactical skirmishes in Europe, Benitez continues to be exposed in the drawn out race for the Championship. The two images of Benitez could not be more different: The neurotic fool at home, brave pioneer abroad.

Sir Alex Ferguson – Despite his aging years, Ferguson – unlike Benitez - seems to be improving at a rapid pace as a coach and manager. His failings in Europe, which for so long threatened to overshadow his legacy, are being erased with such efficiency and elegance.

The Key Players:
Rio Ferdinand - With Ferguson’s rotation policy increasing its turnover, a number of United players will be desperate to step up. However against the threats of Gerrard and Fernando Torres, their defence will have to be as solid as it has been all season. Fitness permitted Rio Ferdinand will have a is decisive role in shutting out Torres.

Steven Gerrard – Gerrard is like a flash grenade. He does not dictate the game with his passing like a Xavi (Barcelona), rather he hits you square between the eyes with his surging running and long-range shooting from nothing. Bang and he is gone.

The Tactics:
Despite the form of Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick this season, there remains a suspicion that Untied can be dominated and bullied in central midfield. Inter Milan achieved this in the second half at Old Trafford and Chelsea have been masters of it in recent years.

With an accomplished midfield trio of Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano and Xavi Alonso, Liverpool will play tight in midfield and attempt take control of the game and their Premier League destiny. Despite being at Old Trafford, victory is essential. From that foothold in the game they will hope one of their match-winners – Gerrard and Torres – can do something special.
With little threat coming from the flanks – except perhaps Ryan Babbel – and the majority of play coming through the centre, Ferguson could field the competitive Darren Fletcher to keep an eye out for Gerrard’s surging runs.

Victory is not essential for United, but Ferguson knows they are at their best when going forward. Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney will target the sometimes immobile Liverpool back four by drifting into the centre as much as possible and using their trickery. Carlos Tevez could also have an important role with his unpredictable movement and positioning. With Jamie Carragher marshalling the skies above the Liverpool defence, United will have little effect with an aerial bombardment.

The Result:
With so many match-winners on the field this could go either way. Home advantage, momentum and class give United the edge, desperation gives Liverpool a chance. A late gerrard equalizer gives each a point. 1-1.

Is English dominance dulling the Champions League?

2009-03-11T04:21:00.000-07:00

Midway through the last-16 round, English sides look set to dominate the latter stages of the Champions League once again this season. Liverpool and Chelsea are through while Manchester United and Arsenal are on the brink of qualification. English clubs, therefore, will in all probability account for half of the teams in the quarter-finals. Again it is already looking like an all-English final.

After the final in Moscow last year and Turin this, it appears we already have the ‘39th game’. But it is not looking that special. The European night is losing its appeal. What is the difference between a Super Sunday and a Super Wednesday?

Anyone watching Chelsea against Juventus in the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday night will testify that the drama is still there. But it takes more than great drama to make a great knockout competition, as the FA Cup has discovered in recent years, it also requires quality. And at present the quality is rarified and confined.

That Juventus played better than many expected in the first half against Chelsea, reveals more about our estimations of their current standing and any European resurgence. Their best players, Pavel Nedved, David Trezeguet, and Alessandro Del Piero, remain from a decade ago.

But the result that must have brought to a singe of disappointment to every football fan in Europe, apart from Liverpool’s faithful, was the one at Anfield. The once shimmering white shirts of Real Madrid were sullied by Liverpool’s 4-0 demolition on Tuesday night.

Over the years the European Cup and latterly the Champions League has thrived on an elitism that has thrown together the best sides on the continent. Currently they are all English. While this is positive for the English game, it the European game seems that much poorer at present.

The final word on the weekend - Is Tevez the Tasmanian Devil and Eduardo's left ankle

2009-03-09T03:33:00.000-07:00

Manchester United’s quest for the quintuple remains firmly on track thanks to the Tasmanian Devil -aka Carlos Tevez.

The Argentinean scored twice as United sauntered into the semi-finals of the FA Cup with a 4-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage. It was a typically ravaging display from Tevez, who not only looks like the famous cartoon character, “Taz”, but acts in on the pitch.

A being possessed, Tevez tears around the field to a devastating effect prompted by his ravenous appetite. But more than his work rate and desire, it is the unpredictability of Tevez that defines him as a player. It both helps and hinders him.

Like Wayne Rooney he has so many strengths and such willingness to adapt that he becomes difficult to define for opponents and colleagues alike. His ravenous nature means during a game he will drop deep, he will drift wide, he score goals, he will make goals, and he go up top. What is more is that he has the ability to hurt opponents from almost all positions – as demonstrated by his wonderful curling effort on Saturday. Such unpredictability as to when and where this whirlwind will strikes causes havoc for defences.

But that unpredictability is also the reason why he has become a habitual bench warmer at Old Trafford. While Dimitar Berbatov has a specific role in the United side – the pole which his team-mates can dance around – Tevez’s remit is less defined. Sir Alex Ferguson does not want to cage him to a specific role and his attributes do not lend him to such straightjacket restraints. It means he is more difficult to fit into a game-plan and a style of play.

It is, of course, the nature of the beast.

Elsewhere, it may have taken a year but Eduardo’s left ankle is back. Last February it was shattered, some said beyond repair, but on Sunday it fired Arsenal into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a sublime finish on the volley. Burnley, the victims on this occasion, will surely be demanding that the Brazilian-born Croatia is put under the knife once again to determine whether any high-class military technology or titanium plating was used in the reconstruction of Eduardo’s left ankle. They are unlikely to find anything un-toward, except of course some compelling Brazilian genes.

As for Middlesbrough, beaten 2-1 by Everton, it is a question of whether of defeat in the FA Cup will bring a crippling end to their momentum as they fight against relegation or whether it will allow them to focus on Premier League survival. But does either way does it matter – the real question is whether they are good enough to stay up?

In the other FA Cup clash of the weekend Coventry showed Chelsea the kind of benevolence they have been praying for all season.

The weekend's big one: Fulham v Man U

2009-03-06T01:29:00.000-08:00

Fulham v Man U
FA Cup
Saturday, March 7, KO 5.15pm.

Manchester United's bid for an unprecedented quintuple continues at Craven Cottage late in the afternoon on Saturday.
In terms of footballing ability, United have proven over the last few months that they are unrivalled in England and potentially - Barcelona aside - in Europe also, making the fanciful task of claiming the FA Cup, Premier League and Champions League before the end of the season appear somewhat loigcial.
But after the frighteners served up against Newcastle at St. James' Park, Ferguson is well aware that is it not the necessarily the difficulty of the terrain they must overcome but the length of the journey and the potential to be ambushed by bad luck.

The bosses:

Roy Hodgson - Composed, understated ad highly effective. When the final verdicts are in on the season, Hodgson will be rightly praised for his work in stabilising and drivig Fulham forward.

Sir Alex Ferguson - At present, Ferguson is the priveleged position of down playing hype whilst basking in the knowledge that it is entirely merited. His reputation as the pre-eminent managerial force in the Premier League is once again absolute.

Key Players:

Brede Hangeland (Fulham) - The Norweigan centre-back, the keystone around which Fulham have built a formidable defensive wall, has put the January transfer speculation behind him and is in top form. But he and his colleagues will be tested to the maximum against the Unted's unpredictable attacking force.

Michael Carrick (Man U) - For many people, Carrick is United's most improved player this season. he has finally developed the influence his imaginative and accurate passing has suggested is possible. United's slick football relies on the mdfielder finding his rythum.

The tactics:

Fulham may have an imposing record at home htis season, especially in defence but United will come to attack and to win this one with maximum efficiency. But Fulham, with Danny Murphy at the hub also like to play the game on the ground.
Therefore the midfield clash will be key between him and Michael Carrick will be key with the winner doing most damage, not in the tackle but in the quality of passing. the clash in mdifield between Danny Murphy and Michael Carrick could be decisive in which side hits their stride most effectively.
If United hit their strike the raidings from all over, deep and wide, could be too much for Fulham's otherwise secure backline.

Prediction
Fulham wil fight hard to keep the Cup dream still kicking but expect a smoother United performance than against Newcastle and expect them to prevail.
Fulham 0 Manchester United 2

2009-01-21T02:23:00.000-08:00

This is the closest Premier League title race for years and also the most decisive. Not only is the destination of this season’s title at stake but potentially the destination of many more as Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United battle it out to be the pre-eminent force in English football.

It is no coincidence leagues are dominated one club over a period of time - perpetuated by ability, wealth, momentum and fear. But at present there is a vacuum of power at the top of the Premier League. English football is in a transitionary phase with Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal all uncertain of their current status.

They all have the ability, they all - to an extent - have the wealth, but crucially no team has a monopoly on fear. For the past few seasons any of the top four have had the capabilities of beating anyone else in the top four and this has filtered down the league to the point where even the promoted clubs believe they can upset the leaders. The likes of Stoke and West Brom now eye wins against the big teams rather than rolling over and pleading for mercy.

When one team assumes the status of being feared by the entirety of the league, not only have they proved themselves to be a good team but they ensure the passage to the next title is infinitely easier.

Manchester United dominated during the 90s, Arsenal were the team after the turn of the millennia and Chelsea, bankrolled by Abramovich, were the most recent dominators. Now they, plus Liverpool, are vying to be the next dynasty team.
Liverpool have not dominated since the 80s. Arsenal’s empire crumbled at Old Trafford a few years ago when a 2-0 defeat ended their 49-game unbeaten run and obliterated the self-confidence. This was confirmed by Arsene Wenger’s reaction to their FA Cup triumph a few years ago when he vowed never to win ugly again.

Many believe Chelsea’s demise coincided with the arrival of Luiz Felipe Scolari or Avram Grant. The truth is Chelsea are still reeling from the summer of 2008. It was Jose Mourinho, not Grant nor Scolari, that oversaw the beginning of the end of Abramovich’s revolution.

Mourinho’s success was based on a pragmatic platform spiced up by the cutting edge of Damien Duff, Arjen Robben and Joe Cole. The replacement of Robben with Florent Malouda failed and Chelsea retreated into a conservatism that was inconducive with winning the league. Scolari has attempted to reverse this but - after missing out on Robinho - it has taken longer than many thought.

Manchester United are closest to filling the void vacated by Chelsea. Though crackling with attacking possibilities, they are yet to attain the aura they enjoyed when Roy Keane was in command. But if - as many expect - United prevail this season they could be set for another period of sustained success.

That is until Sir Alex Ferguson leaves.

The Final Word on the weekend

2009-01-19T02:43:00.000-08:00

The Final Word

Arsenal
The success of Samir Nasri’s Arsenal career could be defined in the coming months. A bold statement but with Cesc Fabregas injured for a further few months, Nasri’s creativity and scoring touch from midfield will be decisive in Arsenal’s push for Champions League football. The Frenchman, who started the season so brightly, scored on Saturday and must now consistently impose himself on Arsenal’s season.

Aston Villa
The question is will Ashley Young’s dismissal derail Villa’s surge towards the top four. They will certainly miss his pace, goals and assists and crucially absence could place too much pressure on Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Blackburn
Hard, direct and damned effective: this is football Sam Allardyce style. Blackburn has never been as pretentious to claim they only value `beautiful football` unlike one of Allardyce’s most recent clubs and Saturday’s opponents. The question is who are the happier?

Bolton
If Bolton successfully avoid the trap door this season they will have Jussi Jaaskelainen to thank. The goalkeeper may not have been able to save them on Saturday but by the end of the campaign he will no doubt done enough to save them.

Chelsea
The relief was evident as Frank Lampard led a swarm of Chelsea players racing to the touchline to celebrate with boss Felipe Luiz Scolari. But possible more defining in Chelsea’s season is the injury to Joe Cole. Chelsea are desperately short on width and creativity at present and Cole, at his best, can bring both. Is this the time for Miroslav Stoch.

Fulham
For such a consistent and disciplined defence, Fulham’s back four had an erratic day which was exemplified by Paul Konchesky. The left-back hit a stunning long-range drive before cutting down Carlton Cole, for which he should have been sent off, to give away a stupid penalty.

Hull
Their slide down the league is gathering a queasy momentum that could see them drop out of the top 10 soon. But they have garnered sufficient belief and nous over the past five months to see them through.

Manchester City
There is only one name to be heard at the Eastlands at present and no it is not Pablo Zabaleta - who scored the winner against Wigan. However the Argentine illustrated an important point: it will be the men around Kaka that will define the £100million man`s success as much as the player himself..

Manchester United
That which seemed inevitable for months has finally happened. United have hit the top and despite his indifferent demeanor Dimitar Berbatov is looking priceless.

Middlesbrough
Could chairman Steve Gibson, `the merciful`, even be forced to wield the axe? The guardian angel of beleaguered Boro bosses may have to fire Gareth Southgate should Middlesbrough continue their fall towards the bottom and the Championship.

Newcastle
Can Joe Kinnear open his month without spitting vile abuse at anyone in his presence? He was amazingly fortunate to have got the job and even more so to keep it so long. His continued presence only signifies the depths to which Newcastle’s expectations have plunged.

Portsmouth
Sol Campbell looked fearful of the potential stream of abuse awaiting him as the teams lined up in the tunnel ready to emerge onto the pitch, but for the majority of the game he showed none of it. A mighty response from the former Tottenham defender.

Stoke
So the creator turns the finisher. Rory Delap, so often the tormentor, took advantage of some atrocious Chelsea defending to slot home to prove he is much more than a human catapult. Though it was not enough for the draw, Stoke face bigger games ahead.

Sunderland
Life after Roy Keane is not necessarily rosier as you’d expect. May be Sunderland should have waited a little longer to give the reigns to Ricky Sbragia on a full time basis.

Tottenham
Spurs can surely claim to have the most wasteful strike line in the Premiership. They missed a sack load and more. Darren Bent was the simplest chance but Jermain Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko also fall into the category of less than efficient forwards.

West Brom
They were beginning to take root, but West Brom are off the bottom of the Premier League table. A crucial psycological barrier overcome or a temporary window full of false hope? Almost certainly the latter.

West Ham
A 3-1 win over Fulham proved that there is plenty of talent in the squad beyond Craig Bellamy. They must snap Mark Hughes’ arm off if he offers the rumoured £14million for the Welshman who has only started to play in recent weeks when the transfer window came into sight.

Wigan
In the summer Wigan manager Steve Bruce look back on Amir Zaki’s horrendous miss and thank his lucky stars. The Egyptian headed over when scoring seemed infinitely easier but it should help Zaki stays off the radar during transfer window and give Bruce a decent shout at signing the striker in the summer.

January sales: 5 of the best and 5 of the worst

2009-01-04T08:01:00.000-08:00

Despite the unnicersal tightening of belts, the threat of relegation and Man City's billions mean the should be plenty of activity in the transfer market this January. Here we look at the best and worst of the potential buys....

Best buys:

1. Michael Owen - Despite the statements to the contrary, Owen is desperate to end his turmoil with the Toon. And why wouldn't he be. The thing is a sale now could make sense for Newcastle, assuming they will avoid the drop without him, as the striker is certain to be off in the summer.

2. Amr Zaki - The attributes are obvious and a drop in form, induced by a period of injuries, will have lowered the price a touch and means a reasonable bid could scrape under the radar.

3. Marcos Senna - The Villarreal and Spain midfielder is available and still has much to offer. The 32-year-old's experience and grit mean there should be no shortage of suitors. Perfect stop gap for Arsenal or Manchester City.

4. Roque Santa Cruz - The ties have been mended in order to pave the way for a transfer to be done without anyone losing face or cash. Man City's interest could force a prohibitive price but he remains a top striker with an average team.

5. Mathew Upson - Over the past few seasons the West Ham defender has confirmed his quality and with West Ham a selling club once again expect him to be in demand. The figures (£15million) maybe highly fanciful but a more measure price should be agreed although he may have to wait for the summer.

Worst buys:

1. Craig Bellamy - Will he never learn, will they never learn. Decent player but by no means special enough to justify the grim excess baggage especially if you are the richest club in the world.

2. Adriano - Problems off hte pitch and poor form on it at Inter Milan mean the Brazilian is available and looking for a move but they also mean he is a gamble of Russian roulette proportions.

3. Joey Barton - Reportedly Tony Adams is willing to give the disgraced Newcastle midfielder a sporting chance at Pompey. If he does, Adams will be stepping into a whole new hell.

4. Emie Heskey - The Wigan striker is the ultimate fashion accessory. Heskey seasonally goes in and out of fashion but the fact remains he is a striker that does not score goals. Sure goals aren't everything but they are definitely something and to have a striker under no obligation to hit the net is ridiculous. Has already proved he cannot cut it at the top.

5. Andrei Arshavin - A strange choice perhaps. But if Arsene Wenger believes the Russian forward can transform Arsenal's season, he is distressingly deluded. A transfer would be an overpriced puchase of a yet to be proven player.

The weekend’s big one: Hull v Newcastle

2009-01-02T08:57:00.000-08:00

Hull v Newcastle
Saturday 3, January 3pm

In one of only two FA Cup third round ties between Premier League sides, Newcastle and Hull go in search for some solace from their trials in the league.
Heavy defeats in recent weeks means both sides are as much looking for an up turn in form to ensure Premier League survival as they are eyeing Wembley glory.

The bosses:
Phil Brown - The festive season may have little good news for the Hull boss, but he and Hull remains the story of the season.
Joe Kinnear - The real works starts now for Kinnear. With the club no longer for sale and robbed of the siege mentality that has thus far defined Kinnear’s regime, the next few months will inform whether he has what it takes to guide Newcastle up the table with a more long-term plan

Team News
Hull - Craig Fagan could make his first start for four months and Phil Brown could shuffle his pack with the league remaining his primary target.
Newcastle - Fitness doubts persist over Jose Enrique, Nicky Butt and Shola Ameobi with Habib Beye, Mark Viduka, Obafemi Martins, Joey Barton and Claudio Cacapa all facing prolonged periods on the sidelines.

Key Players
Hull - Despite scoring an own goal last time out against Aston Villa and a torrid run of form, Kamil Zayatte remains a central component to Hull’s defence and if he can regain his early season form he could help keep Newcastle’s frontline quiet.
Newcastle - Michael Owen has cut a disconsolate figure on Tyneside for the last few seasons and that will not change soon, but at least the former Liverpool striker is in the goals again and he is vital to Newcastle's chances.

Prediction
A late goal from Michael Owen rescues a replay for Newcastle, although it is one that neither side wanted. 1-1

Premiership predictions

2008-12-20T05:44:00.000-08:00

Saturday:
Blackburn 2 Stoke 1
Bolton 2 Portsmouth 1
Fulham 0 Middlesbrough 0
Hull 2 Sunderland 2
West Ham 0 Aston Villa 2

Sunday:
Arsenal 1 Liverpool 1
Newcastle 1 Tottenham 2
West Brom 1 Man City 1

Monday:
Everton 1 Chelsea 3

Premier League’s Big One: Arsenal v Liverpool

2008-12-19T08:35:00.000-08:00

Arsenal v Liverpool (Premier League, Sunday 21st December 4pm)

The formula for producing your best in the biggest games is one of the most elusive in sport. But after 2-1 victories over rivals Chelsea and Manchester United, Arsenal seem to have mastered the art of the one-off performance. And that knowledge, despite their infuriating inconsistency, will give the Gunners the belief that they can overcome Liverpool on Sunday.
Liverpool, similarly unreliable against smaller teams, will be desperate add creditiblity to their title challenge.

Team news:
Arsenal - Samir Nasri could return, while Kolo Toure is a doubt with a calf injury and Micklas Bendtner has a knee proble. Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky are long-term absentees.
Liverpool - Striker Fernando Torres could be back next week after a hamstring injury, while full-back Fabio Aurelio (calf) may return to the squad and long-term absentee Martini Skrtel is back in training after two months out.

The bosses:
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists he will only spend money in the January transfer window if he spies something very special, but stubborness in his search for perfection will surely concern the club’s fans.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez returns to the bench on Sunday after being hospitalised due to kidney stones.

Result: Arsenal to gain another valuable point against their ‘Top Four’ rivals with a 1-1 scoreline, though it will be a bigger point for Liverpool.

The big one: Tottenham v Manchester United

2008-12-12T12:29:00.000-08:00

Tottenham v Manchester United (5.30pm, Saturday December 6)

Manchester United jet off to Japan for the World Club Championships after Saturday’s game and the reigning Premier League and Champions League holders will be desperate to leave the domestic competition on a high note, particularly as rivals Chelsea and Liverpool will be attempting to gather as many points as possible while United are away.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, however, knows a thing or two about beating United hwon against them with Bournemouth, West Ham and Portsmouth in his career.

The bosses:
Despite rumours of his impending retirement, Sir Alex’s Ferguson ’s desire for success seems to be unquenchable and he will relish the crucial month facing United.
The wily Harry Redknapp has overseen a dramatic reversal in fortunes for Tottenham since taking over from Juande Ramos and the former West Ham boss is quickly transcending his reputation as a very good boss into a top manager.

Team News:
Man U - Dimitar Berbatov (Achilles) is struggling to be fit to face his former side. Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra are suspended but Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to be fit. Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick are doubts.
Tottenham - tbc

Key players:
Man U - With Rooney definitely out and Berbatov potentially so, the pressure will be on Carlos Tevez to lead the line for United and score the goals.
Tottenham - Heurelho Gomes has come in for massive criticism since his move from PSV but the Brazilian goalkeeper performed well last time out and will need another confident display if Tottenham are to take anything away from Old Trafford.

Tactics - Won and Lost
With nothing less than a win on the mnds of Manchester United, they are sure to come out of the blocks hard.
Harry Redknapp will be aware that his flaky Spurs defence is unlikely to withstand United’s attack all game and so will encourage his side to charge forward whe the opportunity presents itself.
The pace of Aaron Lennon on the counter attack could be especially productive for Spurs especially as Patrice Evra is out.
With Rooney out, Ronaldo could be handed a more central role behind Carlos Tevez. If so the Portugual international will look to run at the heart of Spurs defence, which could be susceptible to the quick changes in direction of the forward, and unleash plenty of early long range efforts on goal.

Prediction:
Spurs to push United but the Premier League champions to prevail 2-1 with Ronaldo scoring the winner.

One to watch: Man U target Adem Ljajic

2008-12-08T03:45:00.001-08:00

Adem Ljajic

Position: Attacking midfield/Forward
Age: 17 (29/9/1991)
Height: 5ft 11”
Current club: FK Partizan
Country: Serbia under 21 international
Valuation: GBP10million
Plays like: His sparkling talents on the ball have generated comparisons to Brazil’s Kaka and even take on teh nickname ‘Little Kaka’.
Interested: Ljajic has already spent time on trial with Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson is determined to secure the young prodigy’s signature.

See Ljajic in action...

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_UOcFAFJ3zw

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAq3BzV9u6s

The Premier League final word

2008-12-07T06:38:00.001-08:00

The final words:

Arsenal 1 Wigan 0
Where does this win fit in the narrative of an Arsenal team trapped in a cycle of unfulfilled potential.
A telling battling win borne out of hard lessons learned for a team closing in on their true selves or just another incidental win for a team short of what it takes to win a championship?
The latter seems the likier.

Blackburn 1 Liverpool 3
Self-delusion is the final refuge of a man on the brink of his demise.
Blackburn boss Paul Ince’s claims that his team’s improved performance against Liverpool means they have no cause for concern will be far more terrifying for the team’s fans than the act of shipping three goals against a Liverpool attack spearheaded by Dirk Kuyt.
Blackburn are second bottom and have lost five league games on the bounce.
The effort may have improved, the performance may have improved but they still got stuffed. These are worrying times for Blackburn whatever Ince may claim.

Bolton 0 Chelsea 2
That is 11 straight away wins for Chelsea - the ideal away side.
With the pace of Nicolas Anelka up top and the precise distribution of Deco and Frank Lampard waiting to pounce, they are a potent counter-attacking force.
But they need to find a way of replicating that form at home and teams may now assume more cagey away-from-home tactics when Chelsea come visiting - Didier Drogba could yet have an influential role to play in their title challenge.

Fulham 1 Manchester City 1
Without their Brazilian trio of Elano, Jo and most importantly Robinho, Manchester City had to rely on a more physical approcah against Fulham and it worked until Jimmy Bullard’s fine effort grabbed a point for the hosts.
It may be silly season with the tabloids transfer stories, but expect Manchester City’s novelty-size cheque book to be the first open in the New Year.

Hull 2 Middlesbrough 1
An intoxicating 12 minutes and the man in black decide this one.
Hull boss would have appealed for a bit of luck after going five games without a win and he certainly got it when the referees sent off David Wheater for a foul on Geovanni and award a penalty which Marlon King dispatched with glee.

Manchester United 1 Sunderland 0
A defender’s injury-time winner against ailing opposition - it is what so many cliches about title winning credentials were founded on.
Nemanja Vidic’s late header ensured Sunderland’s situation, which was relatively solid a few games ago, could quickly turn into a full blown crisis.
Sunderland need to fill the Roy Keane void sharpish.

Newcastle 2 Stoke 2
Just because other clubs have claimed the limelight recently does not mean Newcastle are a club out of crisis.
Little has change in the North East, Joe Kinnear is still ranting to no positive effect, teh team are still drawing rather than winning, in-form striker Michael Owen is doing his best to avoid a new contract and Newcastle are still tettering on the brink of the final humiliation of relegation.
Could they fall for the great footballing gods’ trick of ‘crisis, what crisis’.

Premiership predictions

2008-12-06T02:04:00.000-08:00

Saturday:
Arsenal 3 Wigan 0
Blackburn 1 Liverpool 1
Bolton 0 Chelsea 2
Fulham 1 Man City 2
Hull 0 Middlesbrough 0
Man U 4 Sunderland 0
Newcastle 2 Stoke 2

Sunday:
Everton 0 Aston Villa 2
West Brom 1 Portsmouth 1

Monday:
West Ham 2 Tottenham 2

Premiership’s big one – Blackburn v Liverpool

2008-12-05T06:49:00.000-08:00

Blackburn v Liverpool (3pm, Saturday December 6)
Liverpool are standing tall at the summit of the English Premier League table but without striker Fernando Torres, who will be absent for a further month with a hamstring injury, doubts persist ovre their goalscoring ability. Paul Ince’s Blackburn are desperate for any points they can grab as they face up to the prospect of a ruelling battle to avoid relegation

The bosses:
Blackburn manger Paul Ince is on the brink of the sack. Blackburn are languishing at the bottom of the table and the board cannot contemplate the havoc relegation would create.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is sitting contently at the top of the table despite some critics still questioning whether he has enough quality forward options after their 0-0 with West Ham on Monday.

Team News:
Blackburn - Brett Emerton and Roque Santa Cruz hope to be fit after knocks during the midweek defeat to Manchester United. Zurab Khizanishvili is sidelined out with a groin injury, but defender Chris Samba is fit.
Liverpool - Fernando Torres and Fabio Aurelio are both out for the Premiership leaders.

Key players:
Blackburn - The returning Christopher Samba will have to keep a keen eye on Robbie Keane and hope the livewire Irishman does not expose his lack of mobility.
Liverpool - Rafa Benitez has admitted that striker Robbie Keane has yet to show his best form since arriving from Tottenham in the summer for more than £20 million. With the continued absence of Torres, the pressure will be on the Irish international to provide a ruthless edge to Liverpool’s attack.

Tactics - Won and Lost
The addition of Albert Riera over the summer has given Liverpool greater width to their play but they are still over reliant on Steven Gerrard’s runs and goals from central midfield and just behind the main striker. With neither Keane nor Dirk Kuyt possessing blistering pace, Benitez will demand his striker or strikers operate high up the pitch to create space for the rampaging Gerrard in the centre ground. Also watch out for Albert Riera’s cut backs from the left for Gerrard on the edge of the penalty area.
Blackburn will be desperate for a point, and despite some doubting the dressing room spirit, Paul Ince will ensure his players scrap for everything.
The hosts’ attack will as always revolve around Roque Santa Cruz - if fit - but the question will be whether they can provide himn and the in-form Matt Derbyshire with the opportunities to score. With the Blackburn midfield looking bereft of creativity, they could adopt a direct style against Liverpool and hope that enough chances drop to Santa Cruz and Derbyshire, who can in turn react quicker than the sometimes imobile Liverpool central defenders. However, the Liverpool midfield tend to offer a highly effective shield for their defensive team-mates.

Prediction:
Blackburn to scrape a 1-1 draw at home and prolong the debate over Liverpool’s title credentials.

Who will be the next Premiership managerial casulaty?

2008-12-04T07:25:00.000-08:00

After Roy Keane resigned as Sunderland manager this morning, the attention is turning to who will be the next casualty of the mid-season cold snap. With the prospects of relegation battles and challenges for European qualification crowding the minds of chairmen, boards and fans alike, managers are as vulnerable as players in the January transfer window.

Three on the brink:

Blackburn manager Paul Ince
The former England midfielder has endured a torrid start to life as a Premiership manager after his summer move from MK Dons. Blackburn are second bottom in the Premiership following seven games without a win and, despite his relative short tenure, Ince’s position is precarious. With a squad that includes Roque Santa Cruz, Matt Derbyshire and Benni McCarthy, Blackburn’s shocking return of four goals at home this season will more than disturb chairman John Williams.

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes
Hughes’ previous work at Blackburn generated a reputation in football management – which secured his move to Eastlands - that will not subside easily. But the astronomical cash injection at Manchester City is akin to filling a hatchback with rocket fuel with the obvious hike in expectation of performance from the owners standing at a safe distance. Hughes must someway control this explosive beast if he is not keep his job. However, rumours are already circling that the owners are considering more experienced candidates and with big money to be spent in January, Hughes could be ousted sooner rather than later.

West Brom manager Tony Mowbray
Having led West Brom back into the Premier League with a styling and entertaining brand of passing football, Tony Mowbray’s stock could have hardly been higher at the beginning of the season. But reaching midpoint in the season and sitting bottom of the league table, the prospect of relegation will be entering the thoughts of the board. West Brom’s desire to shake the tag of a yo-yo club - bouncing between the Premiership and Championship - and Mowbray’s entrenched tactical philosophy, which has failed thus far, could result in a surprise exit for the manager.

One to watch: Liverpool target Yoann Gourcuff

2008-12-03T05:45:00.000-08:00

One to watch: Liverpool target Yoann Gourcuff

Position: Central Attacking midfielder
Age: 22
Current club: Bordeaux (on loan from AC Milan)
Country: France (5 caps 1 goal)
Valuation: £15million
Plays like: The tall, elegant French playmaker has been compared on numerous occasions to French legend Zinedine Zidane.
Interested: Liverpool are thought to be in pole position to sign Gourcuff with his chances of ousting Kaka from the AC Milan midfield slim. But Arsenal are also monitoring the situation.

Gourcuff in action on you tube….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSy9fLLXtrk
Gorucuff vs Zidane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-3qcq4hCf8

Lag-time gives Ronaldo the edge in race for the Ballon d'Or

2008-12-01T09:21:00.000-08:00

Lag-time gives Ronaldo the edge in race for the Ballon d’Or

Cristiano Ronaldo appears set to be crowned European Footballer of the Year and thus win the coveted 2008 Ballon d’Or. He will follow in the footsteps of such greats as 2007 winner Kaka, Zinedine Zidane, Brazil’s Ronaldo, Marco Van Basten, and the first winner Sir Stanley Mathews.

Ronaldo has some worthy opponents. Due to the sublime talents of Lionel Messi, Barcelona have been producing some of the best football in Europe at the beginning of the Spanish Primera Liga and, despite Argentina’s trials at senior international level, it was again Messi that led their Olympic team to gold in Beijing. There are also a number of Spanish players rehearsing their speeches just in case, foremost Fernando Torres, after they won the European Championships in the summer.

Were the objectives of the competition to route out the finest footballer currently performing in Europe, Ronaldo may come up short. The Portuguese winger has yet to fully hit his stride this season, despite the occasional virtuoso performance, after an injury and transfer speculation overshadowed the start of his season. Not only that but he failed to shine for Portugal in this summer’s European Championships.

But thankfully for Ronaldo it is a cumulative award taking into account the performances of European based players over the past year and - after defining roles in Manchester United’s Champions League and Premiership winning season - he is a worthy, if annoyingly self-satisfied, winner.

Manchester City 0 Manchester United 1 review

2008-11-30T10:01:00.000-08:00

The margin of the result may have been slim but on Sunday Manchester United revealed gulf in class between the two highly touted teams.

How it was won – The biggest shock at half time was that Manchester United were not further ahead. They dominated possession territory and chances and could have been three goals to the good. Despite being away from Old Trafford, United managed to grasp a stifling hold on the game thanks to the pace and lively work of their full backs in a 4-4-2 formation. Patrice Evra and Rafael da Silva constantly pushed forward into midfield and beyond. This allowed central midfielders Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher many passing options when they were on the ball. They had the choice of going square and wide with these full backs, hitting the runs of Cristiano Ronaldo and Park Ji Sung coming off their flanks high in the oppositions half and looking more directly forward to Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov, one of whom would drop into a deeper role.

These options and the fast and efficient passing of United allowed them to retain possession high in City’s half despite their opponents having a three-man central midfield, negating Mark Hughes’ men’s numerical advantage. Particularly in the first half, City could not get close to United players or the ball and, subsequently, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men dominated proceedings and created many chances as they threw players forward and overwhelmed the opposition. It only garnered one goal in the first half but it could have been many more and in the second half, when United went down to 10 men after Ronaldo’s sending off, United’s superiority in passing and movement ensured City never had enough ball to win the game.

United’s domination of the game reveals the scale of work facing Mark Hughes and his Manchester City squad.

Premier League predictions

2008-11-29T04:22:00.001-08:00

Saturday

Aston Villa 2 Fulham 0
Middlesbrough 1 Newcastle 2
Stoke 1 Hull 1
Sunderland 0 Bolton 1
Wigan 2 West Brom 0

Sunday

Chelsea 1 Arsenal 1
Manchester City 1 Manchester United 3
Portsmouth 1 Blackburn 0
Tottenham 2 Everton 2
Liverpool 3 West Ham 0

Big Game: Arsenal v Chelsea

2008-11-28T07:06:00.001-08:00

Arsenal's title challenge is hanging by a thread - if not already dead - and after a disappointing week Chelsea will be desperate regain some form and extinguish any lingering optimism around the Emirates.

Key players:
Arsenal - All eyes will be on the Gunner's new captain Cesc Fabregas, but if Arsenal are to get any return from this game his midfield partner Denilson will have to establish a platform from which their attacking forces can operate.
Chelsea - Nicolas Anelka faces his former team on one of the hottest streak in his career. He has scored 12 goals in 15 league games and with Joe Cole a doubt the pressure will once again be on the Frenchman to convert the chances.

Injuries:
Ars - Abou Diaby, Kolo Toure, Theo Walcott and Emmanuel Eboue all out.
- Emmanuel Adebayor, Bacary Sagna and Samir Nasri fit.
Che - Juliano Belletti, Michael Essien, Ricardo Carvalho and Franco di Santo all out
- Alex fit, Joe Cole doubt.

Suspensions:
Che - Drogba

Won and lost:
The battle for middle turf - Chelsea's physical and combative three in midfield will look to dominate the middle ground preventing Fabregas from pulling the strings and forcing Arsenal to move the ball wide against the inclination of their centrally minded midfielders.

No Drogba - Arsenal with draw comfort from the absence of Didier Drogba - an Arsenal tormentor in the past - which should ensure their Achilles heel of failing to defend aerial bombardments is less exposed. But the Blues will look for enjoy as Anelka, supplied by Deco, runs in behind the sometimes clumsy Silvestre.

Arsenal forced to go wide on counter - As Chelsea revert to a 3-4-2-1 in pssession with the full backs bombing on and Obi stepping back into defence, Arsenal will have to find space in the vacated full back areas with the wingers and full backs pushing forward - a risky but necessary ploy. This will peg back the Chelsea full backs and allow the Gunners a foot hold in the game.

Turning the titanic - With teh robust but often immobile pairing of John Terry and Alex at the back for Chelsea, Arsenal will also look for Fabregas to play in the tricky Robin Van Persie as a sharp turning rapid firing option.

Frantic - With the pace of both sides they will look to hit on the counter attack so expect at times a some frantic and open exchnges.

Result:
Arsenal to scrape a draw and prolong the ambituity that engulfs them. 1-1.

Transfer eye - Spurs in for German international

2008-11-25T05:56:00.001-08:00

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is considering a move for German international Lukas Podolski in the January transfer window.

The Bayern Munich striker, who has scored 31 goals in 60 games at international level, is unhappy in Germany and handed in a transfer request earlier this week.
Having secured the services of Landon Donovan for the second part of the Bundesliga season, Bayern coach Jurgen Klinsmann is willing to grant Podolski’s wish and allow him to leave.

With Darren Bent, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Fraser Campbell the English side’s only options up front, Redknapp is desperate to land a proven goalscorer in the transfer window. And the Spurs boss believes Podolski can catapult Tottenham away from the relegation zone and up the Premier League table.

The German international would also represent good value with money tight at White Hart Lane. A bid of GBP5million should force the German to sell a player who is becoming more trouble than he is worth. The Tottenham hierachy are still keen to sign Zenit St Petersburg forward Andrei Asharvin, as is Redknapp, but the Russian side’s daunting valuation of GBP20million means a deal is unlikely leaving Podolski as the primary target.

Monday debate - Should Wenger get rid of Gallas?

2008-11-24T09:08:00.001-08:00

Arsenal's season is already on the ropes and William Gallas' recent outburst has heightened the sense of discontent at the Emirates stadium. Having stripped the international defender of the captaincy, should Arsene Wenger rid himself of the disruptive Frenchman in January?

Yes - Not only has Gallas been a destabalising influence as capatian, he has also been a destabilising presence in defence. The French international has had a poor season and has failed to show the required command as the senior figure in Arsenal’s defence. Gallas has previous in this respects. Last season he famously sat on the turf as Arsenal endured another tough game against Birmingham.
Wenger needs to reconstruct the centre of his defence and, given his tempremental attitude and waning ability, Galla sis no longer a long-term prospect. Wenger must begin the search for his replacement immediately whether that is from within the club or via the January trnsfer window. Any extra cash the Frenchman would generate would be welcome.

No - Arsenal’s defensive frailties are more accute than ever. The days of a back four cut from granite is long gone and, since the departure of Sol Campbell, Arsenal’s title ambitions have continually been undermined by a meek defence. It is staggering that Wenger has not shown more urgency in strengthening this area. Arsenal’s lack of height and stomach for a tackle, have made them vulnerable to crosses and even long throw ins - as exercised by Rory Delap - this season.
Gallas may be a bad influence, but when on his game he is still Arsenal’s best centre half. There will be few world class defenders on offer in January and Arsenal’s youngsters are not ready to step into the massive breach.

Verdict - Time for Wenger to take out the trash.

Germany vs England - Review

2008-11-20T01:21:00.000-08:00

The vitriol following England's win over Germany has been emphatic. But the greatest significance of the night was a German team, playing in their capital city, and little more than a shell of the once great footballing super power.

England’s performance was decent, ever more when considering it was a back-up side, and there were some promising displays from the likes of Michael Carrick, Glen Johnson, Shaun Wright Phillips and Stewart Downing. But you could scarcely believe they were playing the mighty Germans.

In truth England were given an easy ride. Johnson and Wayne Bridge were rarely tested at full-back, John Terry and Mathew Upson enjoyed a hassle free evening in Munich and Carrick and Gareth Barry were afforded the run of the midfield, being given time and space to create and dictate at will. The intimidating, bullying and beguiling Germans of previous years were replaced by a fragile rabble that have struggle under the wieght of national expectations for a few years.

We have known for a long time that Germany have lost their individual skill but their collective belief looks as though it has finally run dry. The truth is Germany’s power have been on the wane for the past decade. They have reached a world cup final in 2002 and came close in 2006 as they did in 2008, but on those occasions it was down to a remarkable reserves of mental strength and a tactical cohesiveness rather than a formidable force of individuals. And, while tactics and belief are great for plucky performances, they are the preserve of the underdog and not those that aspire to be the to dogs. The best teams have it all.

With any dynasty belief and confidence out lives ability. The mental certainty gathered over years of triumph can often endure for some time after the decline has set in, but set in it has and the German’s have realized their own mediocrity with devastating effect.

Prior to the game, Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff criticized the English Premiership for having too many foreigners and not producing enough England players. He should look more closely at the state of affairs in his own nation. Germany need to find some players and quick. For England they must remember that it was ‘only Germany’ – it still sounds slightly bizarre but is increasingly accurate.

Time for Shearer to be Newcastle manager?

2008-11-19T03:27:00.000-08:00

Former Newcastle midfielder Robert Lee believes Alan Shearer is ready to take over at St James` Park.

While the ex-England striker has admitted he would be interested in taking over the club at some stage in the future, he has consistently denied he was ready to fulfill his destiny. But now could be the time.

Owner Mike Ashley is closing in on a new owner, they are out of the relegation zone and, best of all for a potential new manager, Joe Kinnear has decimated any expectations. The presence and antics of Ashley and Kinnear at the top of the club has deprived Newcastle fans of notions of grandeur. Where at the start of the season there were hopes of a top six finish, now survival in the top-flight is the goal and the person who delivers it will be an instant success. They are in a mire and immediate aspirations are out the window.

A manager is always judged relative to their predecessor, and so Harry Redknapp`s fine start to life at Tottenham has assumed god-like status. With Shearer already enjoying messiah-like acclaim at St James’ Park, the current situation would grant him even greater time to enact his reforms.

The current managements running into the ground of the club has tempered expectation and so even with the great Shearer at the helm Newcastle fans hopes may stay in check. Now all the former hit-man needs is a billionaire backer to blast away the current hierarchy.

Transfer talk - Liverpool eye Elano

2008-11-18T03:45:00.000-08:00

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez could offer Brazilian Elano an exit route from Manchester City in the January transfer window.

The Brazil international is increasingly frustrated by the lack of first-team opportunities at the Eastlands and is now considering his options with Benitez monitoring the situation closely.

Manager Mark Hughes is not a man to tolerate his authority being undermined and Elano’s recent public criticism of the management could have created an irretreavable rift between the two.

Manchester City would demand £10million for the midfielder, but the Liverpool manager believes he can sign the 27-year-old for £8million. Benitez is keen to bolster his midfield optiions as hopes continue to rise of a first title in 18 years.

With Albert Riera, backed up bey Ryan Babel, solving many of the questions on the left flank, a right sided player is Benitz’s priority especially with Jermain Pennat set to leave the club in January.

Newcaslte and Aston Villa are also showing an interest in the developments at the Eastlands stadium.

Monday debate: First team experience or first class grooming?

2008-11-17T02:12:00.000-08:00

Everton manager David Moyes has suggested clubs should be limited in the number of players they can sign at youth levels so the talent is more evenly distributed among the league clubs. The argument continues that it would allow young players to gain first team experience rather than languish in the academies of the ‘big teams’. Which is better first team experience or first rate grooming?

YES - That scenario would give a larger number of players what they want, an exposure to first-team football at an earlier age. It would open the eyes of youngsters to the requirements of truly competitive football with players surely making rapid progress in physicality as they face up to seasoned pros and learn important lessons. Lower league clubs would benefit through access to better players and potential earnings.

NO – By scooping up the best talent from across the globe, the elite club’s of the Premiership offer the best education for young players of all nationalities. The quality of the facilities, coaching and back-up is far better than can be offered from lower league teams. The exposure to top rate coaching and ideas can develop players of greater technical and tactical aptitude. These are the defining element of a player’s future potential. Elite academies also reveal to youngsters what is necessary to become world class by watching international players around the club and measuring themselves against peers from all over the world at an earlier age.

VERDICT – Proof is in the outcome. Arsenal has consistently produced the brightest English prospects over the last few years with players like David Bentley, Ashley Cole and Jack Wilshere coming through with potential to reach the top of the international game.

Are Arsenal really back in the title race?

2008-11-09T10:08:00.000-08:00

The football story of the weekend is that Arsenal have answered their critics, dispelled the doubts and revived their ailing title challenge with victory over Manchester United.

Just 24 hours after stirring up suggestions that the Arsene Wenger era may come to a premature end, the media have been remorseless in vindicating Wenger and hailing his master plan. ‘How could they doubt Wenger?’ ‘Crisis, what crisis?’

But the only problem is that the Gunners will not win the title and victory over Man U will not change that. A single victory can have a huge impact on a team’s season, but this was not such a win.

It does not make up for the losses to Stoke and Fulham that revealed fragility and flakiness, which will be targeted by all in the Premiership and will not be easily rectified. Gone is there aura of invincibility that often guarantees safe passage and straightforward points. Arsenal will have to battle in every game from now on in - Chelsea are the only side to retain the image of an irresistible force that make teams quiver.

With a squad light on numbers and experience they needed a flying start, as they got last season, to build the belief in the camp that could prevail over the deep reserves, physical and mental, of Chelsea and Manchester United.

Arsenal have been beating the top teams and losing to some of the bottom ones for years. Victory was no emancipation or meaningful turning point, it does not set them on the path to the title just as victories over the top four in previous seasons have not led to silverware.

Rather it is another example of vast potential in an infuriatingly erratic narrative.

Arsenal vs Man U

2008-11-08T03:01:00.000-08:00

Manchester United scent a wounded animal and on Saturday the Euyropean Champions could all but kill-off their rival’s title hopes.

It’s been a disastrous few weeks for Arsenal - as well as some poor results, a sensitive and weak underbelly has once again been exposed - but it could get worse. Arsenal’s title bid could be terminally damaged before mid November.

Key players:
Ars - With a number of injuries to important players, there will be huge responsibility on Cesc Fabregas as a leader and player especially as the side are still lacking a specialist holding midfielder.
Man U - Cristiano Ronaldo is finally coming back to his best form and his ability to run at players as well as shooting early from distance could prove decisive.

Injuries:
Ars - Emmanuel Adebayor (ankle), Emmanuel Eboue (knee) out. Doubts over Theo Walcott (shoulder) and William Gallas (thigh)
Man U - Wes Brown doubt.

Suspensions:
Ars - Robin van Persie

Won and lost:
Despite their attacking reputation, Arsenal may be forced to retreat into a disciplined defensive display as United go for the jugular at the Eimrates.
Arsenal will set-up with a very compact formation - to prevent Rooney and Ronaldo from causing havoc in between the opposition’s midfield and defence - and look to hit United on the break with the pace of Walcott (if playing), Gael Clichy and the trickery of Samir Nasri, using Niclas Bendthner as a rallying point in attack.
If Arsenal drop too deep, a distinct possibility, United will rely on the Berbatov lay-off ability of Berbatov, and Rooney’s and Ronaldo’s long range shooting ability.

Result:
United to have too many options in attack and win 2-1.

s

2008-11-07T09:35:00.003-08:00

Wenger's stubborness betrays confusion

2008-11-06T15:02:00.001-08:00

There was a time when RAFA BENITEZ was the most stubborn man in the Premiership League.

His convictions were that Steven Gerrard should play nowhere near the centre of the pitch and that rotating his squad would preserve their title ambitions.

But the Spaniard has mellowed in his dogma. Now ARSENE WENGER has replaced him as the man to muddle conviction with stubborness with delusion.

Arsenal are already out of the league and Wenger's claims his young side is strong enough and mature enough to win a title against the established and proven professionals of Chelsea and Man U is absurd wnough for everyone to see.

Paper talk

2008-11-05T07:27:00.001-08:00

Barcelona’s long-term pursuit of Cesc Fabregas took another turn when it was revealed they are preparing a £30million bid.

The prospect of returning to Spain and Barcelona must be growing more and more apeealing to the Spaniard.

As Arsenal leap from triumph to disaster, being simultaneously brilliant and despairing, Pep Guardiola is creating a Barcelona team seemingly more technically gifted and, critically, more effective.

The chance to form the foundations - alongside Xavi - that enable the likes of Henry, E’too, Messi and Bojan to fly, may soon be too much for Cesc. And Arsenal will have once again lost a player to a lack of ambition.

Michael Owen is reportedly a transfer target of Chelsea with a figure quoted as £3-5million.

Eventhough his contract is counting down, it is a derisory figure for a top striker and a big game player.

On a par with big city bonuses rewarding bankers for ruining the economy, Juande Ramos will receive £1.7m in compensation from Tottenham after his exit in October. A figure being half of what was his annual salary

Lewis Hamilton's destiny transformed in a blink

2008-11-04T02:30:00.001-08:00

Breaking into the penultimate corner at the Interlagos circuit on Sunday, Lewis Hamilton was a serial loser and a man beset by demons; emerging out of the final corner he was a free man speeding into the record books as the youngest world champion in history. Rarely are destinies re-aligned so abruptly.

The flip side to Hamilton’s dramatic accession was Felipe Massa’s demise. When the Ferrari driver passed the finish line, in front of his adoring fans, he was the champion-elect and his entourage in the pit lane went into a frenzied celebration. But by the time he joined them, the race winner was a broken man. Massa had done what he had to do, but - somehow, someway - so had Hamilton, by the skin of Tino Block’s tyres.

After an era of tedium and predictability in the late 90’s, early 00’s, motor racing is once again a sport of hi-octane excitement.

Cricket bites Stanford in the butt!

2008-11-02T04:47:00.000-08:00

The underlying premise of STANDFORD, the root of many objections, was that it sort to find a villain and humiliate him on the grandest stage cricket has ever created.

By placing a winner-takes-all, million dollar bounty on victory, they hoped the game would come down to the final ball with the outcome decided by a four, a six, a wicket or best of all a steepling shot into the night sky and one fielder standing under a $20million catch with enternity to wait - would they be blinded by the glint of falling riches or would they see nothing but a ball - the ultimate examination of nerve.

In the end, England’s universal inadequacy on the night cost the organisers their car-crash moment when a player would rob his team mates of a $1millions each.
The PR people seek to make modern sport an individual’s pursuit. It is a product of an era of over-emphasised personality driven by the demands for celebrity. But as a England proved cricket, and all team sports, are one and lost as a unit.

There was a time when RAFA BENITEZ was the most stubborn man in the Premiership League.

His convictions were that Steven Gerrard should play nowhere near the centre of the pitch and that rotating his squad would preserve their title ambitions.

But the Spaniard has mellowed in his dogma. Now ARSENE WENGER has replaced him as the man to muddle conviction with stubborness with delusion.

Arsenal are already out of the league and Wenger's claims his young side is strong enough and mature enough to win a title against the established and proven professionals of Chelsea and Man U is absurd wnough for everyone to see.

Tottenham players absolved of responsibility with potentially dangerous consequences

2008-10-31T09:36:00.000-07:00

So all is well again at White Hart Lane. Tottenham are still bottom of the league but with Harry Redknapp installed as manager few envisage them remaining there much longer. The terminally bad smell around the club has disappeared instantly. Or has it?

Though Ramos and his crew have gone, the players - seemingly absolved of all blame - still remain after failing to win a game in their opening eight matches. And no doubt most of them will continue on under Redknapp and the new regime because they are ‘highly talented’. Tottenham’s failure, however, has been their failure and can they be trusted to take them up to the high altitude and pressure of challenging the top six.

So much for generating a culture of personal responsibility among the players, absolving them of accountability now could return to haunt Tottenham in the future.

Maradona appointment from the heart

2008-10-30T10:33:00.000-07:00

Emotion, however misguided, continually trumps logic in football.

Diego Maradona has been confirmed as the new Argentina national coach and it is a decision straight from the heart.

Despite one of the greatest playing careers of all, Maradona’s coaching career consists of three wins, 12 draws and eight defeats in two managerial stints with Racing and Deportivo Mandiyu.

It is an appointment based on no more than celebrity.

Although Argentina are struggling in their bid to qualify for the World Cup, inspiration is something that they are not short of with Messi, Riquelme, Tevez and Aguero in the team.
What they require is the direction of a proven tactician and leader.

Barton's moment of glory reveals dark side

2008-10-29T06:05:00.001-07:00

Joey Barton, the Newcastle midfielder, demonstrated once again on Tuesday night why he is a fearsome footballer and a tormented sole.

When Shola Ameobi was brought down by Ryan Donk in the 10th minute of the Premiership game between West Brom and Newcastle, Barton ignored instructions from the bench and team-mates - he seized the moment, grabbed the ball, placed it on the spot and fired the Geordies into the lead.

His manager Joe Kinnear was full of praise for his defiant midfielder. “He showed a lot of bottle to do that,” said Kinnear told the BBC after the 2-1 victory. “He stuck it away well and he's trying to prove a point - all he wants is to play football and be given a chance.” Kinnear, however, also admitted that Barton was not the designated penalty taker - Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins was. “He’d have been in trouble if he'd missed, but fair play to him, he’s obviously a very confident lad,” joked Kinnear.

The way in which the midfielder, who was returning for a six-match ban for assaulting his former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo, thrust himself back into the spotlight with such force of character and confidence was in many aspects admirable, and yet it revealed an unnerving and highly destructive element of his personality.

By snatching the ball and claiming the moment all for himself, Barton defied the all authority around him (his team-mates and manager), displayed an incredibly arrogant streak and exercised self interest in the extreme. For Newcastle, desperately needing a win, it was crucial to take the lead, but Barton saw only personal gain and pushed aside the player deemed most qualified to take the spot kick. Brave, maybe, but it was certainly selfish and his “stick it to them”, “prove a point” attitude could have cost the team dear.

Sound familiar? It is this over-fuelled ego and deep-routed malice (mistakenly viewed as courage) that has causes him such trouble off the pitch in the past and will no doubt do so in the future.

Ronaldo auditions for Fifa award

2008-10-28T09:37:00.000-07:00

Cristiano Ronaldo was named FIFPRO world players of the year yesterday.

Many, most notably Ronaldo himself, expect the award to be a prelude to assuming the mantle of Fifa world player of the year, which is announced in December. The Manchester United winger, not one to suffer from self doubt, has done a number of self-congratulatory interviews recently that have the ring of a campaign trail.

There is only one problem. He is not the best player in the world, Lionel Messi is.

Simpson Daniel out again

2008-10-24T06:14:00.000-07:00

It is as depressing as it is inevitable.
James Simpson-Daniel has been ruled out for three months with an ankle injury and will miss England’s autumn tests starting against the Pacific Islanders on November 8.
The Gloucester winger, 26, has won 10 caps for England - a travesty considering his undoubted genius.
In England possibly only Danny Cipriani comes close to Simpson-Daniel in skill levels and imagination on a rugby field as a player that so often defies his lack of height and bulk.
The thoughts persist that he could have lighted up the international arena in the same dazzling running and impromptu idea as he has at a domestic level - he was player of the season last year - and given a clear run he could have become England’s version of Shane Williams or even, dare I say it, David Campese.
A genius that makes the game worth watching.
Is it obscene ill-fortune or a fragile body that continues to hamper his international career? Probably a bit of both.
But each time an injury strikes our burgeoning hopes of seeing Sinbad in the white shirt of England are shattered again, and we are disappointed with ourselves for believing this time could be different.

Arsenal not exempt from fear

2008-10-23T02:02:00.000-07:00

Wenger’s youngsters not exempt from fear
Arsene Wenger insists his young gunners have “no fear”. The Arsenal side that took the field against Fenerbache in the Champions League on Tuesday had an average age of 22 and they trashed the Turkish side 5-2 with unbridled confidence.
And that is the point of youth, particularly when highly talent - dare we say precocious.

Very often they have no fear because they have no experience of failure. In the sanitised world of youth team football they score a hatful of goals each game, and reach the top having never endured criticism, the jeers of fans or 4-0 drubbings - never tasting self doubt or confidence lapses. But it is a temporary state.

Defeat, humiliation and criticism is an inevitablity. The exhilarating promise of Walcott, Vela, Ramsey, et all will sooner or later encounter disappointment and be forced to face the demons that emerge with failure. If defeat against Hull and a draw with Sunderland have not already derailed Arsenal’s title bid, relying on the callow beliefs of youth will come back to haunt them again at some stage in the race.

It is there, at the sharp end of title races, that experienced players prove themselves. They may not ride as high from a searing performance as their younger countrerparts, but crucially they know how to deal with failure when it materialises, and ovrecome it with greater mental reserves.

For this reason Arsenal will not win the Premiership or the Champions League this season.
They say exceptions prove rules and in that vein Alan Hansen’s preoclamation that ‘you can’t win anything with kids’ has rung true over the past decade after Man U’s younsters won the title in 1996 - it is a far tougher Premiership more than ten years on.

Harewood poor bait

2008-10-22T02:02:00.000-07:00

According to the Daily Mirror, Aston Villa manager Martin O’Niell is planning on using Marlon Harewood as bait to secure Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz.

In size Harewood may be a heavyweight but with seven goals in 32 games - admittedly most from the bench - compared to Santa Cruz’s 21 strikes in 44 games, he is pound for pound no big fish.

And hardly great bait when trying to lure a £15million striker.

Does the potential dismissal of Comolli mis the point for Tottentham?

2008-10-21T04:09:00.000-07:00

The news being leaked out of White Hart Lane is that Damien Comolli, rather than Juande Ramos, will be the man to be sacrificed for Tottenham’s disastrous form.

The tide of opinion has turned against the director of football who has enjoyed such influence over the past few years. With two points from eight games a change is needed. Not just to appease the increasingly incensed fans but to act as a watershed moment, a rallying point and stimulate a new belief in the players to countering the sense of doomed destiny.

The problem is that as much as Comolli has cocked things up in his role as recruitment chief in the past few seasons, particularly in the recent transfer window, his influence over performance is minimal. His job has been done for now and it is not until January that would see him emerge again as a key player in the Tottenham story. Comolli’s departure will make little difference to Tottenham’s clamour for points. It is Ramos and his players – of which there are plenty of good ones – that must play their way out of trouble.

So the predicted dismissal of Commoli is a punishment for previous mistakes and pre-empting future errors, but it does little curtail Tottenham’s current ills. The only hope for Spurs is that the players and management can cling on to the idea of change, endow it with as much meaning as possible and somehow gain a fresh perspective from it.

Otherwise, a year and a half after dismissing Martin Johl for his inability to shoot for Champions League football, they will drop into the Championship.

Chelsea reaffirm title credentials

2008-10-20T09:58:00.000-07:00

To what extent can one game inform you about the destination of the title fought out over by 38 encounters? Often no more than any other.

Chelsea’s systematic demolition of Middlesbrough, however, retains significance beyond the three points gathered and the - even if it was followed by Liverpool’s dramatic comeback against Wigan, Arsenal’s less dramatic but as engaging comeback against Everton and Manchester United’s win against West Brom.

Boro offered little threat and even little resistance, but a injury savaged Chelsea team swatted them away with disdain. It not only does this prove the resolve within the camp but demonstrates the extent of quality in the squad - even Kalou is hitting form.

Man U will fight, it is what they do under Ferguson, but Chelsea are looking stronger than ever.

They are developing a belief that not only boosts the team but destroys others. An inevitable momentum is beginning to emanating out of Stamford Bridge and could in time invade the thoughts of opponents and rivals like a plague.

Bellamy a shining example for Ramsey??

2008-10-18T03:33:00.000-07:00

Craig Bellamy has reportedly offered to mentor Welsh sensation Aaron Ramsey.

Now I am not sure whether Arsene Wenger reads the Daily Mirror as a matter of routine, but if he happens to catch Bellamy’s comments over his morning skinny latte and butter croissant in a North London cafe, Arsenal fans can only hope a paramedic is passing by.

Bellamy certainly knows a thing or three about the darkside of stardom and injury setbacks after a volatile career in the spotlight, but nothing in his recent past suggests he has found any answers or any sense to pass on to the young Ramsey. Surely the Welsh can find a more suitable role model for the 17-year-old midfielder - Britney Spears perhaps.

If Bellamy carries out such threats of a quiet word or two in the Arsenal player’s ear, Ramsey will surely succumb to a plague of anonymous “knocks” prior to international engagements and Wenger will whisk his precious youngster away from the Welsh border on the Ryan Giggs express way.

That said, John Toshack may encourage a relationship between Bellamy, the upstart, and Ramsey over one with Giggs, the no-start.

Has Capello introduced humility to England's super ego's?

2008-10-17T01:28:00.000-07:00

There is something very different about the England squad at present, something emanating from the players, something transforming the previous perceptions; A shift in attitude and in culture. A whiff of humility perhaps?

Much has been written - more has been said - about the iron fist of Fabio Capello and the new dictatorial regime instilled from top down, but it is a point worth pausing on and developing. The truth is, the treatment of the squad has affected the fans as much as the players.

Over the past few years a chasm has grown between the fans and the footballers, most keenly felt at international level.

The perception (and probably the reality) was that the players were intoxicated with the life style of the rich and famous, an addiction that was indulged under Sven Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren. Egos were routinely massaged, Bentleys were bought, WAGS were tolerated and football matches were lost. This fostered resentment among fans - as expressed in the booing of Ashley Cole on Saturday. This may have been something the players were aware of all along, and their outward apathy and warped priorities may simply have been a media concoction, but I suspect not.

But no longer do trips abroad resemble all-expenses-paid company jaunts to Spain. Capello has instilled some austerity to the previous material culture, with bans on mobile phones and WAGs as well as shifting the focus to football and professionalism. By doing this, he has reintroduced the concept of sacrifice and cold showers to the pampered players and with it, perhaps, even some humility.

An added sense of modesty should stand them in good stead for challenges on the pitch. And for all us fans - jealous of the mega wages, model girlfriends and blacked-out BMWs (especially with the somber mood of the impending credit crunch) - it is reassuring to know there is still place for cold showers and much sweat.

Barry fails audition?

2008-10-16T00:11:00.000-07:00

Gareth Barry is now seen a regular in the England midfield and last night’s game against Belarus will probably not have diminished those sentiments. But there will be tougher nights for England and when they come England will need a quality defensive midfielder. On the evidence of last night and previous ones, question marks still surround Barry.

The ‘holding’ midfielders role has two primary functions. Firstly, when your team has the ball the ‘holding’ player must act as a century on duty, searching the horizon for potential counter attacks and creating a visual presence to deter teams from launching directly at the goal. Aesthetic long-range passes and ‘tippy tappy’ football are an appreciated extras, though not obligatory.

The second function of the defensively minded man in the middle is to make vital interceptions and yes tackle opponents who are intent on skipping around the penalty box with malice of forethought.

Now Barry performed task one quite comfortably against Belarus, as he generally has during his burgeoning England career and even added the garnish of a well-executed progressive pass or two.

But when Belarus took control of the match after England’s first goal, Barry did not control the zone around the around the D. In Belarus’ goal, three times the Aston Villa man could have made a challenged but he lacked the snap to stop the move.

Barry was once a fine centre half but that does not make him a fine defensive midfielder. Many great defenders have failed in that role, including Jamie Carragher against Germany in 2000 at Wembley, because the different positions require different attributes. Defensive midfielders need aggression (much underestimate, see Tom Huddlestone), discipline/tactical awareness (see Steven Gerrard) and mobility/sharpness (see Gareth Barry).

Indeed Barry would never claim to be a ‘holding player’ and it is not where he operates for Aston Villa. Were he as high profile as too Gerrard or Lampard, no doubt he too would be offering suggestions as to “how to get the best out of Gareth Barry”.

Who knows if he can develop that snappiness, acceleration and aggression to become an effective shield for England? At this stage Owen Hargreaves is still a better long-term bet.

Time for players to take responsibility?

2008-10-08T10:54:00.000-07:00

Gareth Southgate made a telling remark recently when he admitted that his Middlesbrough squad lacked leaders. It was not so much a slight on his players but a comment on the footballers at large with the former Boro captain citing the lack of communication skills and leadership qualities in modern day footballers. Those deficiencies are most clear in crisis.

We are entering a minefield of Alan Hansen-esc clichés here - “if you are talking about pride and passion”, “grit and determination” and “wear the shirt with pride” etc. There is, though, an over emphasis on these overt displays of aggression or chest thumping moments.

Danny Guthrie’s attack on Craig Fagan, which broke the midfielder’s leg, was an exaggerated show of aggression in a misconceived attempt to justify his role. It revealed only stupidity. The outcome was a red card and a ban, which damaged his prospects and had a detrimental effect on his team. It is worrying that Joe Kinnear believes Joey Barton embodies the type of character that can rescue Newcastle.

What is required from Tottenham and Newcastle players is mental courage as much as physical toughness. With a few exceptions, players from those sides have not performed to anywhere near their potential and for that they must take responsibility. Where as manager are vilified for airing excuses, players are often afforded the luxury of moaning - “playing out of position”, “poor tactics” or a ‘lack of confidence” without recrimination.

It is up to the players on the pitch to assume greater authority. To have the mental strength to perform their role and play their natural game, whether that is running at defenders with pace and conviction, commanding the penalty area, hitting the target or to continue to ‘try things’.

The plight of Newcastle and Tottenham – who despite criticism retain some top class players - reveals just how fragile, and ultimately hollow, the footballer’s super-sized egos can be. Too often this season Newcastle and Tottenham players have subconsciously accepted the media’s premise that bogeymen (Mike Ashley, Damien Comolli etc) are defining their fate, they have shrunk in front of disgruntled fans and submitted to self-doubt. Players have been indulged in the notion that they are ‘suffering’ from ‘crises of confidence’ and ‘fear of failure’. Such states of mind are not constant or crippling and can be overcome or diminished by approach and attitude, for which it is again the player’s responsibility.

But as Southgate suggested player responsibility is waning in the modern game. Whether it is because of too much playstation at a young age (as he suggested) protection from coaches, concerned about fragile egos, obscene wages, and little consequence for poor performance or the media’s taste for an individual scapegoat.

Both Newcastle and Tottenham are in the bottom three when they have teams easily capable of top half finishes. Managers can make a difference, but in the winning and losing of games there is no bigger factor than the players on the pitch.

Usain Bolt can confirm freak status in 100m final

2008-08-16T02:15:00.000-07:00

Are the Chinese 'evil'?

2008-08-07T07:20:00.001-07:00

There is one story, and one story alone, that the media are intent on telling us about the Beijing Games. It is the story of a despotic, oppressive regime incomparable with anything in the West and a naïve, complicit populace unrelated to the rest of us.

One story to tell them all! How insulting to the Chinese? And, more pertinently, how insulting to us the audience?

China, it should be said, has a terrible record with human rights, pollution, Tibet and international relations and it is a country that must do far more, far quicker, to resolve these issues. The international community along with the IOC are making the right moves in recognising the Games but also condemning and bringing publicity to such issues.

But the media’s attempt to characterise a population of 1 billion and a country of more than 9,000,000 square kilometres in such a simple and rigid narrative of good and evil (us and them) is woefully insufficient and offensive. I am already bored of their single-agenda reporting where everything is presented as having a sinister and evil undertone. One report toured the Beijing traffic control centre – who would have thought it masks a clandestine big brother operation that controls and oppresses the residents with digital precision. The reporter went on to ask an official whether people were allowed to enjoy the games - is fun tolerated?

Apparently, the people are paralysed by fear and offer only the stern faces of a repressed and robotic nation. Having lived in China before, I know his not to be the whole truth.

What of the Chinese athletes inspired by the prospect of a home Olympics, the warmth of receptions, the classic landscapes and modern skylines, the diversity of culture and the people so proud to be finally on the world stage?

It is representative of the lazy journalism, increasingly found in today’s media world, where the complex is reduced to the palatable at the expense of understanding. China is becoming increasingly important beyond the borders of sport and it is up to us to learn about the nation in full and not to regress into the fear of the unknown.

Humiliation continues for poor old Paul

2008-07-29T15:13:00.000-07:00

As if it a series of humiliating blunders followed by a series of humiliating axings were not enough. Now in an inflated market, that shows no signs of hitting the wall, Paul Robinson has joined Blackburn Rovers for £3.5million. In Premiership terms it is half a bag of peanuts.

For an England international, who is closing in on his finest years, to command such a pultry sum in the crazy football economy must be tough for Robinson to take. A humbling thud at the end of his near-on two year fall. He might as well turn up to the next England meet, if selected, driving a 2007 mini such will be the dent to his status in the young millionaires club.

Not only did he fail to break eight figures, the once England number one has been traded on the same level as Lee Cattermole(Middlesbrough to Wigan) and Brad Friedel (Blackburn to Aston Villa). Had Boro been in the market a straight Cattermole-Robinson swap could have been the ticket.

A fine keeper Friedel maybe, but he is 37 to Robinson's 29 years and Cattermole is little more than a decent midfielder who will trade off the tag former England under 21 for time to come. Now Robinson can only dream of standing on the same shelf as £10million Andrew Johnson and he can forget about his former team mate Robbie Keane at £20million.

The limited comfort that Robinson can take is that Blackburn are still a respectable top half side, thanks largely to Mark Hughes, but whether this will continue under Paul Ince's is only gambler's business.

Robinson has endured a torrid few year, but he is youngish and decentish - has he really stumbled so far? If his confidence was not derailed previously, it must surely have flat-lined now, but worryingly for Robinson - Ince dependent - it may not be his final humiliation.

Ferguson’s posturing betrays only fear

2008-07-23T15:02:00.000-07:00

Sir Alex Ferguson insists he is “unconcerned” about the threat of Chelsea to his team’s Premiership crown. The enduing Scot laying down an early challenge to his new rival in a pre-season mind-game skirmish? More like a premature outburst revealing Fergie's fear as Big Phil bears down upon him.

Ferguson claims Chelsea are too old, in capable of developing and Manchester United 's only rivals play in red (Arsenal and Liverpool). The argument is unconvincing and the jostling tactic is unwise.

Chelsea start the season with a team of proven title winners, a new coach with a world cup stamp in his passport and an owner with deep, deep pockets and long, long arms. While both Arsenal and Liverpool are severely depleted with aps appearing not only in thier squads but in their starting line-ups, and they will struggle to recruit sufficient in time for the start of the season. Forget the acquisition of kaka, Robinho or whoever else touted, Chelsea - as they prove last season - are ready to take on United.

Scolari has fired back with an oblivious silence. But Ferguson's disregard and disrespect will have registered at Stamford Bridge, not only in the manager's office, but in the changing room and the board room. After the Champions League final defeat Chelsea would have needed no more motivation, but motivation is an endless scale. And this will have riled them.

It is hard to imagine Ferguson indulging in such early skirmishes with Avram Grant - largely because he saw little threat. The arrival of a World Cup winning coach with a reputation almost on a par with the Manchester United coach's has induced reaction fuelled by a fearful disrespect and reveals nore about fergie's anxieties for the coming season than Chelsea's inadequacies.

Grass could be browner for Adebayor in Milan

2008-07-23T01:07:00.000-07:00

Emmanuel Adebayor should watch his wishing. Being coveted by two of the most attractive teams in Europe seems like a dream scenario, and it is, but his footballing future (not his financial future of course) could be more precarious than it appears.

The Togo marksman was a revelation last year. He made the transition from a no-man to a hit man in suitably startling fashion, scoring good goals and lots of them. He scored 24 in the league. But before he is invited to the top table at the strikers’ convention and his £35 million valuation is verified, there are mitigating circumstances that should delay the jury.

With a supply line of Fabregas, Hleb, Rosicky etc, how many goals would Van Persie contributed or Eduardo? Have his exploits this season justified a ten-fold increase in valuation from the £3 million Arsenal paid Monaco to the £35 million now mooted.
Adebayor has been a benefactor of his previous anonymity and low expectations. The season before last he contributed 12 goals in 44 games - a modest return that hardly deserves head swelling.

But most of all it is Adebayor's assumption that his career will only climb. Arsene Wenger rescued him from a bench in Monaco and gave him a platform to become a Premiership star. It would be unwise to dismiss those circumstances. A bench is a bench whether it is in Monaco or Milan and those that leave their French mentor do not always prosper. Overmars, Petit, Anelka, Vieira, Henry, all thought they were moving on to bigger things and better times, only to realise they never had it so good. Only to realise that it was they alone after all.

Ronaldinho restores some faith

2008-07-16T01:23:00.000-07:00

Football's premier partyboy Ronaldinho has chosen Milan over Manchester. On the surface it seems the glamorous and obvious choice - and to a large extent it probably is. But it is also a reassuring and re-affirming choice.

He has renounced his right to 15% of the fee, will earn less wages and Barcelona, to their credit (or more accurately their debt), have accepted an offer £8 million less than that of Manchester City's. The acceptance of AC Milan's offer must have owed much to Ronaldinho's insistence on not going to Manchester (for the second time in his career). Hard core cash was not the primary motivation - it seems.

Of course the sums being talked about are ridiculous anyway. But given the current climate, I half expected the Brazilian World Cup winner to wind down his career - at the age of 28 - attempting to import samba to the north, making guest appearances at Rio Ferdinand's Christmas bashes, and setting up a Copacabana night club in the city centre. And the occasional visit to the City of Manchester stadium for treatment on his terminal migraines. Basically doing everything except playing.

But this move shows a semblence of desire and passion to return to the highest summits of the game. It shows a willingness to subject himself to the rigor and scrutiny of the world press, a demanding boss and expectant fans. He will have to perform in Milan - on the pitch. He wants to recue his reputation and tussle with the big boys again. A footballer making a choice on football grounds. Not a big ask of any professional but at least it shows they live one planet closer to earth.

Barry in vicious cycle of the under and over rated

2008-07-14T08:42:00.000-07:00

To be exposed as “overrated” takes an instance, to be celebrated as “underrated” takes a lifetime.

After a rapid rise to prominence in the late 1990’s as a classy centre back, Gareth Barry endeavoured to slip surreptitiously into the “underrated” bracket over the last decade. He achieved this. And now he is on the verge of an abrupt succession into the “overrated” category. The £18 million price tag that trails him is as much an expression of his mispercieved ability as the over inflated market. Good in defence good, good in attack and an all round decent bet, but exceptional in any - come on!

It takes years of consistent ‘soundness’ to continually evade the radar and retain the right to one day earn your spurs as under appreciated. Eligability for this unique group is inextricably linking to the personality type. When long service has been completed, ‘decent’, ‘honest’, ‘steady’, ‘hard working’ players earn their testimonials of a sudden recognition. It is the unspectacular, uninteresting players, the plain boring ones that no-one, but the keenest watchers, notice. (And of course there lies the origin of the term - to distinguish the knowledge of the ‘purists’). In every drab artisan there is a genius wating to be praised, as stars veer violently in fans and managers perceptions.

But, of course, once the day of sudden acclaim comes, and the player is hailed as “underrated”, the chances are they have reached saturation point and are already “overrated”.

It is, like the cycle of extreme capitalism to extreme communism, a natural progression where one is a prelude to the other.

2008-07-08T04:39:00.000-07:00

Roger vs Rafa show

2008-07-04T07:01:00.000-07:00

What if Tiger Woods had walked St Andrews with Jack Nicklaus at his peak,
What if Lance Armstrong had tried to break Miguel Indurain in the Alps,
What if Michael Schumacher had chased with Ayrton Senna around Monaco,
What if Muhammed Ali had gone toe to toe with Joe Louis at Maddison Square Gardens,

Bring on Sunday and men's final at Wimbledon.

Spain's victory untainted by luck.

2008-06-30T08:13:00.000-07:00

Spain were the best team at Euro 2008 and they won - what a relief.

The Spaniards defended, they passed, they created and they scored - all better than any other team, from beginning to end. How reassuring. Football is not, afterall, a lottery of erratic moments that starts with a coin toss and finishes with penalties. Cause can lead to effect, good football can win you football matches.

In recent years knockout competitions, particularly at international level, have become shoot out of chance. Four years ago Greece were a disciplined and conditioned
outfit that, in a few critical instances, caught the kiss of fortune and won the European Championships. More recently Turkey beat Croatia in a fit of insanity, governed as much by blunder as by brilliance. It makes for unrivalled drama, but makes little sense.

The appreciation of the match, in such circumstances, is based on the personalities and not the art. It is a Hollywood blockbuster compared to a cinematic classic. And once the euphoria of shock has dissipated, it is that much emptier for it.

But the Spanish have redressed the imbalance by marginalising luck in all its forms, and it is a triumph for the game. Football makes sense again, and means so much more for it.

Wenger's champ man fever

2008-06-28T07:16:00.000-07:00

Whenever I play championship manager, for some reason, I always target the stars of the future, the next Peles, the new Zidanes, the original ‘mr x’. I shun the established internationals, even if they are on free transfers, in order to unearth a hidden gem in South America or Africa or Scandinavia – the more obscure, the less known, the better. It just seems more of a challenge, more fun to create a championship team from scratch, and ultimately build a dynasty.

With flair and magic they destroy teams 3-0, 4-0, 5-0; playing some of the finest football seen on a subuteo-like simulation graphic. But, inevitably, it ends in shattered dreams with the team of future legends falling short in the final days of the season and winning only plaudits and sympathy. But I draw comfort in the idea they are potentially the greatest team in the world.

I fear Arsene Wenger is similarly addicted to the promise of tomorrow. Last season Arsenal lost the league by points and a million miles. This season they will not be favourite. After they limped to the line in May, in have come a 17-year-old (Ramsey) and a 21-year-old (Nasri), both of whom will be fresh for the season after long stints resting on benches. And out have gone a 24-year-old (Flamini) and a 27-year-old (Hleb), both of whom were reaching a peak. Wenger may not have wanted them to depart but it is difficult to imagine their replacements influencing the title race like a Terry, a Rooney, a Lampard, a Ronaldo, a Torres. The big guns at United and Chelsea will probably decide the end game.

It is said that wise old Wenger is just thrifty. But with outlays of £13 million for Nasri and £18 million for Walcott (and in the past 12 million for Francis Jeffers) suggest he is a visionary with a flaw. Wenger is a genius at discovering youngsters and nurturing into internationals of high value stock but his obsession youth potential this is becoming a weakness.

Shearer fluffing auditions

2008-06-26T07:08:00.000-07:00

ALAN SHEARER is increasingly looking like the most uncomfortable person at Euro 2008. With the thunder and lightning terrorising the Austrian night sky, the former England captain figgeted and twitched on the BBC sofa as Germany gave Turkey a taste of their own miracle medicine.

But it was the Martin O'Niell that made him squirm. Perching on his shoulder and interjecting at every opportunity, O'Neill trumped Shearer in every discussion. The Geordie renowned for his pride has slowly been reduced to a stammering, nervous wreck in this Championships, often looking across to Hansen and Lineker for a lifeline.

"Can i just disagree with you there Alan," O'Neill says with the authority of a successful manager. Something his fellow couch potatos cannot compete with.

For Shearer, who harbours managerial ambitions, it is worse. It is an audition. One in front of millions, including chairmen and players, as he pits his tactical wits against a potential rival. Though young, Shearer has suffered as much in his ideas as his fight and conviction.

Ironically the up shot of it all is that Shearer is more settled than ever in his pundits chair. After being snubbed by Newcastle, he turned down Blackburn in favour of his TV commitments. Now he looks like a man whose confidence has burst and a venture out of the studio and onto the training pitch is the last thing he wants.

No end to Scolari tears

2008-06-20T07:37:00.001-07:00

WHEN the tears stop for Scolari, the cold sweats will set in. His fresh start at
Chelsea will include a reunion with three of Portugal's back four that aided
the Germans into the semi finals of the Euros. Boswingwa, Ferreira and Carvalho
not only failed to deal with club mate Michael Ballack and his domineering
Germans at set pieces, but also in open play. All three had a wayward foot in the
opening goal.

England cry mercy

2008-06-19T09:34:00.001-07:00

England cry mercy

AFTER the mauling in Auckland last Saturday the overriding call eminating from the
England camp is "mercy".
Of course the official line does not deviate from the progressive and positive as
players and management insist that opportunity still outwieghs the potential for
disaster. But it is a sound bite that is increasingly difficult to swallow. Recent
allegations surrounding four members of the squad are at worst an uncomfortable
development.
But it is in the selection of the second test team that England have publicised
their weakness and shown their fear. Not that weakness were hard to spot. It is the
first team pick with Martin Johnson's paw print on it. By removing a creative and
attack oriented player in Barkley with the defensively robust but out of position
Jamie Noon, England are attempting to plug holes in the sinking ship. It is a
negative step that the All Blacks will feast on.
History shows that olicies of containment rarely work. They only serve to encourage
and motivate aggressors as the fear in the opposition is revealed. The crucial
mental battle is up. The aggressors thrive on the confidence while the pacifiers
quiver in the reinforce knowledge of inferiority.
The only guarantee with a damage limitation policy is that there will be damage and
where the All Blacks are involved it is often substantial.

Small guys light up euros; Zero20 vision; England's trauma contiues

2008-06-15T02:15:00.000-07:00

A FIST from the grave as Buffon resurrects the World Champion. The Croatians shock the ordinary Germans. The Dutch, the Portuguese and the Spanish struttting, the Swiss, the Greeks and the Austrians faltering. The Euros are beginning to simmer. But the highlight so far has to be the flourishing of the small players that many feared extinct - Deco, Villa, Van der Vaart, Sneider, Modric, Xavi, etc. Not least the playmakers in the centre dictating tempo, manipulating direction and plotting attacks, while runners orbit around the side's nucleus. The small players were once an endangered species, with their place threatened by the physically domineering box-to-boxers or the suffocating ‘holders’, but are now thriving in Switzerland and Austria. In recent years they have been marginalised and ostracised to the flanks- for a time the best, Zidane, was operating on the left for Madrid - or thrust upfront as inside forwards. Xavi, Deco, Sneider, Modric - the midfield shemers are back and re-establishing their authority.

CRICKET have always been towards the studios, patient and even intellectual end of the sports spectrum. But when the cash man cometh they are as crazy as the rest of us. I am struggling, like most i think (the players, administrators and officials included), to understand all these policies, proposals, ideas and inuendo that are flooding into the game. Like global warming no one seems to know what will happen, when and which governing body can make the most money out of it? There seems to be no long term vision or sensible planning, just a mad gold rush. There is no doubt that with these opportunities come with pitfalls and it will be a testing time for test cricket. Let's hope five years down the line we are not cheering for home runs or rounders.

NEW ZEALAND'S rehabilitation begins: England's trauma continues. Despite a competitive opening quarter England were sliced and diced by the brutal All Blacks led by the mercurial Dan Carter. It was a merciless initiation to the the rugby caldron of Auckland. In such situations international futures are decided. Some walking away wounded to fight on, others strapped to the life support machine and refibralators charging. As he was against Argentina at Twickenham two years ago, Charlie Hodgson was halled off like a scolded schoolboy before the 50 minute mark. It apppeared then that time was up for the gifted but fragile fly half, but injuries sent a reprieve in the post. Even a plague declared on all other English fly halfs may not be enough now. He was the sole white shirt to be left grappling with night air, as England's tackling was atrocious, and others will be dented by the occassion. There were chinks of light principally created by Ojo and Rees, who took their chance with gutsy resolve. But with a game to go and a team - particularly the midfield - in tatters there could have more casualties.

Ronaldo's outing; Germany NO! South Africa champions

2008-06-07T08:22:00.000-07:00

SO Cristiano Ronaldo has finally come out of the closet - and he is wearing a Real Madrid shirt. No wonder a fuming Sir Alex Ferguson has threatened to go to Switzerland and drag him back by his diamond-encrusted earrings. No wonder Ronaldo has retreated to the sanctuary of the Portuguese squad and the arms of Big Phil Scolari.

Beyond fulfilling his mother’s dreams, the question must be why? It is difficult not to see these flirtations as a cosmetic operation to enlarge his already swollen head, an exercising of his well-established ego.

He has won everything in England and to play in Spain would be a challenge, but at the age of 23 he is (scarily) still developing and sculpting his career. A sudden shift to Spain could disrupt that precarious progress. But more importantly it would be a career path chosen on the romantic notions of the white shirts of the old Real and the glitz of the modern Madrid, image over reality. Madrid claim to be the most famous club in Europe but United can claim to be the best club in Europe. Right here, right now.

It is difficult to see this as anything more than impetuous greed, in the name of money (£150,000 a week some suggest) and stardom. Not necessarily evils, but Ronaldo could be so much more. He must be careful not to trade, or confuse, fame with success.

GERMANY are going to win the European Championships according to the bookies and the pundits; please, please No! This has no jingoistic origins. They have effectiveness, teamwork and the draw but, with Bayern reserves throughout the side and an Aston Villa reject on the left (Hitzleperger), they are not the most talented team out there. France have youth and experience in enticing measures, Holland are as talented and unstable as ever and Spain shimmer with potential. It does not happen often, but with England excluded for once we can back the best team to win.

TWO English cricketers must be pretty miffed at present. Two track records, one of patchy brilliance and the other of constant belligerence, but neither are enough for Harmison and Hoggard find a place in the team. They were ruthlessly, and rightly, jettisoned from the England Test team when their performances dropped below the brilliant and the constant. But they must feel aggrieved to see Collingwood and Bell continuously protected in the face of recurrent failure. And how about Bopara and Shah. Maybe, after the pairs latest failing in the third test, the benevolence is set to end and the selectors are preparing for another clinical axing.

SOUTH AFRICA have served notice – they will be rugby World Champions in both title and deed. By beating Wales, the Six Nation Champions 43-17, they ended the, oh so, romantic Warren Gatland/Sean Edwards honeymoon in the high altitude of Bloemfontain.

England and Rooney four years on; Andy Murray and Lawrence Dallaglio

2008-06-01T04:31:00.000-07:00

A FEW nights ago England beat Croatia in Euro 2004 on ESPN Classic – so much, and yet so little, has changed since then. The personalities are almost identical, the image irreconcilable. There was a freshness, excitement and anticipation surrounding the team. Granted they were in a major tournament but it was a team in its infancy, a team of unforeseeable potential, and a team to show off to the world. In Sven we trust was the mantra; Roonaldo was the chant. With heart stopping energy and guaranteed spontaneity, the raw 18-year-old Wayne Rooney personified the team, and so the faith festered. But it was all in the mind’s eye.

Four years on and it’s a tainted band of capped internationals, dulled by defeat and sullied by failure. What a good player Rooney has become, but the legendry status we assumed a formality is not guaranteed and the succession is precarious. In those early days he traded on physicality, allied to an accomplished skill level, to defy his tender years and enhance his precocious reputation. Now something extra is needed to hit the Messi and Ronaldo heights, and similarly England need something extra. The aura of potential greatness has slipped by. Hope has sprung a leak. Still Capello seems the right man to introduce a steel-capped dose of realism.

DESPITE its obvious appeals, tennis is often a tedious sport to watch but Andy Murray renders it indigestible. My timing must be poor because each time I see his matches one thing strikes me: 11th best in the world, how? But more infuriating than his consistent errors, perplexing shot selection and mental frailties is his ugly and uninterested demeanour. The hunched shoulders, the scuffing trainers, and the muttering grumbles – protestation requires passion – are all so sapping and tiresome. Sports fans are all failed sports stars, and when the privileged few appear apathetic to their fortune, lethargic in the face of opportunity and fail even to raise a smile to their circumstances, it is hard to find the enthusiasm. More unjust criticism for the maligned Murray? Or is our summer sports(recreational) culture too soft?

IT takes a brave man to steal Lawrence Dallaglio’s thunder. But in the retiring international’s own ball-breaking style, young back row colleague’s James Haskell and Tom Rees did just that as Wasps won the Guiness Premiership yesterday. In the first half particularly, the two snarling flankers blitzed Leicester’s lumbering back row as though they had been caged and starved for months. The most complimentary aspect of Dallaglio’s legacy is surely fearsome predatory instincts of his protégés, who guarantee a healthy future for Wasps and England.

Forget right or wrong - Will foreign quotas happen?

2008-05-28T10:13:00.001-07:00

'But it is against the law', they say. European legislation has long been the trump card to the perennial debate over limiting foreign players. A Fifa congress will convene later this week to discuss quotas as Sepp Blatter, like a desperate exiting premier, attempts to secure his legacy. Forget right or wrong - could it actually happen?

Consensus states that the law is clear cut and impermeable. But it is anything but introvertable, and there could their be leaks in the legislative wall. There are concessions already. Football as with most sports is based on an alien concept to the rest of the working world - the transfer system. Players are bought and sold on the market as commodities rather than employees, and only at the end of a contract or in its final few years can a 'move' be guaranteed. This is an exception to the laws on freedom of movement guaranteed under the Maastricht Treaty.

The transfer window, which states that players can only move between clubs at a certain stage of the season, further exaggerates these discrepancies between European ideals and football's reality. In Scotland teams are required to have a designated number of young Scottish players in their match day squads - so that would be a quota system then (deciding who should be employed based on nationality rather than ability).

Whatsmore these exceptions are recognised in law. The latest EU constitution - the treaty of Belgium signed in December - guarantees for the first time the unique nature of sport, the 'specificity of sport', allowing exceptions in certain circumstances. But it is a map rather than a trodden path. These exceptions exist because they have no objectors, they are tolerated and yet to be thrown to the court house wolves.

But quotas in the domestic leagues is another matter. This time the Premier league, the clubs and the owners will stamp their feet and hire the most obscene lawyers to ensure their pursuit of global domination is not compromised by second rate nationals imposed upon them. This issue is no skirmish, it is the war they will not lose.

But as a Fifa official has suggested, along with compromising there are other avenues to be explored. They could also contest the bureaucrats of Brussels over European competition laws and create alliances with sports like basketball (who also rebel).

But as ever the fate of things lies delicately in the hands of the lawyers.

England in Europe - best and worst

2008-05-01T04:26:00.001-07:00

"It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.”

England are the best in Europe. England are the worst in Europe. The pantheon of club competition, the European Cup, will soon be in the English hands (whether they are Ferdinand’s or Terry’s) and yet in a couple of months when Europe’s finest gather European Championships both will be barred. How can such a dichotomy exist? How can they

The truth of course is both representations are inaccurate, and should be treated as impostors. But how representative are the highest echelons – the filthy rich four – of the quality of the league in entirety?

Three out of four champions league semi finalists cannot be baulked at, but is the English premier league really the world’s premier league. The cooing of pundits and promotion of clubs searching for a billionaire to fall for would suggest so, and the scandal induced demise of the Italian league and struggles of Spain’s top clubs offers substance to the assertion. But the monopolising of the Champions League is not an expression of the omnipotence of the English clubs.

While the champion’s league confidently says yes, the UEFA cup screams no! The middle tier English clubs have been shown up by their continental counterparts. This season has brought new meaning to the anonymity of mid-table mediocrity - West
Ham have coasted to a top ten finish, a glitteringly average Newcastle side have won seven in a row and Bolton Wanderers have avoided relegation! Derby, Sunderland, Reading, Birmingham, Bolton, Fulham and so on - so many candidates only three vacancies. Has the relegation reaper ever had such choice?

Beyond the top four, beyond the mega bucks, beyond the foreign influence, the Premier league is no that premier. And when it comes to the top four how English are they anymore? Like any cheeseburger flogging multinational, the roots of their identity are increasingly submerged by their reliance on foreign investment, importation of skills and dedication to overseas markets. Admittedly a solid core of English internationals and faithful British fans give them a home-grown facade, where would Chelsea be if were not for Abramovich. Certainly not in the Champions League final. Had the band of billionaires chosen the economically less attractive Spanish and Italian leagues over England, would the monopolising top four be as domineering? No. Although Arsenal with Wenger and United with Ferguson would have had a chance. English European success is built on foreign cash, and so if it is English success, it is substantially diluted.

And so the national team is not the best in Europe, but nor is it the worst. Despite the furore about their doomed Euro 2008 campaign in terms of calibre of player available the 1990s were darker days. You only have to look at, yes, the Champions League. Scholes, Ferdinand, Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney etc - they have been among the main protagonists. Sure we could do with more top quality, a Ronaldo here, a Messi there, but England are not poor. But they have underachieved in the international arena. There will be no three lions renditions this summer, but in terms of player quality there have been darker – may be that is the real angst. There is talent, no matter how tarnished, and under Capello they should qualify for the World Cup and what happens then who knows.

But it is not a time for true despair – that should kept in reserve – nor is it the time for Premier League elation. The two impostors must be treated the same.

2008-04-29T03:39:00.000-07:00

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

Wing and a prayer

2008-04-28T13:28:00.000-07:00

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

GAME OF THE WEEKEND: Chelsea vs Man U

2008-04-25T08:47:00.000-07:00

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

Barcelona vs Man Utd

2008-04-23T03:48:00.000-07:00

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.

Chelsea vs Liverpool: the runners and riders

2008-04-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

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.

Flame burns brighter after relay.

2008-04-13T07:12:00.000-07:00

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.

Roll up to see the Dwain the rugby playing freak!

2008-04-01T03:10:00.001-07:00

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.

Will Ferguson’s shackles prevent Rooney from being a great?

2008-03-30T06:51:00.000-07:00

The downpour in Manchester on Saturday not only signalled in the fight for the title but also brought an end to Wayne Rooney’s marathon goal drought.

The United forward had not scored a league goal at Old Trafford since November. But then Rooney has never been devastatingly prolific. Since his impetuous emergence as an Everton youngster with a broad, bullish swagger, Rooney has specialised in the spectacular and the startling, but never the unerring constancy of a straight-up goalscorer. Rooney was always different. No one had an explanation for the new comer, no one quite knew what he meant; he was without a comparison or reference point. He was not a striker like Alan Shearer or a midfielder like Paul Gascoigne, but that is as close as we got – the guile of Gazza, the shot of Shearer, an intoxicating hybrid. And it is this confusion that set Rooney out for stardom; too good and too proud to be forcibly pigeonholed. He was of a rare ilk, one where the scope of potential contradicted positional cataloguing.

The same of course was said of Michael Owen in his formative years. To Glenn Hoddle he was not a goalscorer, and by that he meant he was much more, but ultimately when the stardust settled - after the whirlwind created by that solo goal against Argentina in ’98 - Owen was exactly that. Timely and finer finisher as he is, he could be categorised on his qualities and his limitations and easily assigned a role. And in the same rationale as Beckham, he is not a great. They are too conventional and easily understood.

The greats possess an enigmatic value: individualism in a team dynamic. Their careers are often marred at some stage by an uncertainty of purpose - confine them to a system and team objectives or set them free to the teams benefit. It is the no.10 conundrum - the shirt a symbol assigned to the teams top performer – Do you get the best from a team by getting the best from a particular individual, even if it is at odds with the team system? Can a player be so good that they are more important than the team?

Of course there is the added complication that they are good enough to play anywhere. On the continent they understand these players better but that did not stop Zidane playing wide on the left for a time at Madrid and Henry struggling to find himself in Catalonia. The list could continue to include the careers of Totti, Zola, Bergkamp etc. The desire of coaches is to designate them a role but the realisation is often to the win the trophies their genius cannot be shackled.

It is something that Christiano Ronaldo has thrived upon since he was handed the freedom of Old Trafford, but there can only be one in a team. Rooney had that potential but Ferguson has another purpose for him. Ferguson has picked his main man and Rooney is` the fall guy. Ferguson has sent him back to the kiln and recast him as a centre forward with set tasks of pressurising the oppositions back four, holding the ball for support, and being constant and visible in his positioning; the selfless and tireless role at the apex of the attack.

Of course with that responsibility comes the necessity for goals as he undergoes the transformation to the conventional striker in which Capello has a stake. Saturday’s game suggests Rooney finishing is taking heed of the new demands. But his new role as the straight-jacketed striker could well suffocate the menace and spontaneity that compliments his ability; diverting his, and our, aspirations of recognising Rooney as beyond convention, a true great.

Wake me up when September ends

2008-03-28T07:15:00.000-07:00

It’s no use. Beckham did deserve his day - if not for
the ability, then for the journey – having played for
his country for the 100th time, but all the sports
writers and all the PR men can’t put the interest back
into England again.

Even David James did his best to jolt us from our
apathy by re-enacting his worst, but the episode was
more comical than concerning. Harsh or no the calamity
James narrative is so ingrained it is beyond
redemption. But it was not enough to put a semblance
of appeal into a friendly brought a new meaning to
meaningless friendlies, nothing was and nothing could
have been. Had England struck four, or conceded five,
the game would have remained bereft of significance.
It is of course because England don’t go to the Euros
this summer and the nation is suspended in a state of
indifference, and because even at the height of
expectation friendly matches are unproductively
amiable. In rugby they are not friendlies, they are
internationals and in cricket they are tests.

I doubt I am the only one utterly bored by the ‘golden
generation’ of Stevie G, JT, Cashley C, and Lamps and
Becks. I am going to take a sabbatical from supporting
England. Until the World Cup qualification start in
September, and even that seems nauseatingly soon,
hibernation from the England jamboree is the only
answer.

bolton

2008-03-16T11:22:00.000-07:00