Source: http://www.caughtoffside.com/2011/08/31/luka-modric-makes-astonishing-tottenham-exit-video/
יום רביעי, 31 באוגוסט 2011
Luka Modric Makes Astonishing Tottenham Exit (Video)
Relax White Hart Lane supporters the Croat is going nowhere but our friends at Who Ate All the Pies spotted this amusing incident earlier which they believed was an elaborate attempt by the midfielder to leave the North London club. Join the FREE CaughtOffside Fantasy Football League and Win Big Prizes! Join the FREE CaughtOffside [...]
The careless and whimsical Argentine Primera Divisi�n preview
Yes it's back! After all of the Copa America action (which technically hasn't finished as the ball from Elano's penalty against Paraguay is still travelling through space), the domestic bliss that is the Primera Divisi�n returns and truth be told, Argie Bargy is seriously relieved, and rather looking forward to it.
There are so many ways to do a season preview: team-by-team, just as a huge block of prose, using expressive dance and so on. But we've decided to do it roughly based on where teams finished in the last Clausura season, grouped together in a careless and whimsical fashion...
The Contenders
VELEZ won the title by four points and were by far the best team in Argentina over the whole 2010/11 season. They will begin the new season with a weaker squad though, having lost Ricky Alvarez to Inter for a fairly hefty sum, but more importantly, Maxi Moralez to Atalanta. While they have players like David Ramirez in the squad to soften the blow, they have not made any signings to take the breath away.
Last season's runners-up, LANUS, have also lost some key individuals, including Hoyos, Pelletieri and Valeri (who hasn't left yet but definitely will). They've been linked with Nacional playmaker Mauricio Pereyra, who'd be a great replacement for Valeri, but the key thing will be the continued development of young Romero up front. If he keeps on his upward curve, then Lanus will be contenders once more.
It will be tough for GODOY CRUZ to improve on their best season ever, but it will rely on how their raft of signings from the lower leagues bed in at the higher level. If one or two turn out to be gems then there's no reason why they can't finish in the top 4 or 5 again, and they haven't lost any key figures of their successful campaign. It's been a great year for provincial football in Argentina.
The Chasing Pack
OLIMPO were a surprise package last season, and were well in the title race for the first half of the Clausura campaign. Rather predictably though, a club of little financial means, they have been fleeced of many of the players that got them there. Gone are Ezequiel Maggiolo and Martin Aguirre amongst a list of 13 departures from the Bahia Blanca club, where new recruits - much like at Godoy Cruz - will have to make the transition from the lower leagues. Expect them to be lower mid-table.
ARGENTINOS conceded just 11 in 19 last season, but only netted 16 times. If they can build on this defence then there's no doubt that they could be contenders.
Best of the Rest
ESTUDIANTES had a shocking Clausura when you consider they'd just been so dominant in winning the Apertura title, but the fact is that Berizzo never got hold of things in La Plata and with largely the same squad, he just failed to get the results that his predecessor got. They've arguably had the most impressive incoming signings of any side in this off-season, so despite losing Enzo Perez and Federico Fernandez to Benfica and Napoli respectively, they look set for a return to title challenging. The only concern is new boss Russo, who was frankly unimpressive at Racing.
As you'd expect, INDEPENDIENTE and RACING have both bought well, without losing any vital cogs from their respective machines. Racing have got Diego Simeone in as boss in what could be a master-stroke - twinned with the return of the stupendous Gio Moreno, Argie Bargy predicts Racing to be top 4, starting slowly and building momentum. The red side of Avellaneda has the players to move up the table, but has 'the Turk' done anything in the league to merit still being in charge there?
BOCA JUNIORS have the money to get the right men in, but they won't win the title - we just refuse to believe they can do it. It's an ok side, which will win more than it loses but it is nothing more. 4th-8th.
From the rest, the only two clubs you could see surprising are BANFIELD and SAN LORENZO. The former have one of the bright young striking talents in Argentina (Facundo Ferreyra) and Acevedo could be an inspired signing from relegated River, whilst Eluchans is an exciting prospect. San Lore have a new manager and with that, hope that their already strong squad will be moulded into a team that can at least head for continental qualification.
Down The Bottom
That leaves us with five teams that featured last season but didn't impress. These could be roughly split into two groups - the ones that will be ok, and the ones that will struggle.
In the primary grouping, you'd place TIGRE and COLON. Tigre have held onto goalscorer extraordinaire Denis Stracqualursi, and strengthened well with players like Maggiolo. Colon have brought in two of the most exciting signings of the window, in Chevanton and Tino Costa - both returning from Europe. They have the evergreen 'Bichi' Fuertes up front who will score goals as long his legs still carry him, and because of this, there seems no way they will finish below mid-table anonymity.
The remaining three are your strugglers. NEWELL'S are an obvious one given their performances between January and June which barely merit the tag of 'football'. An utterly hopeless entity that has lost some good talent as well. ALL BOYS and ARSENAL both were in the lower reaches of the table and have got weaker squads, therefore it's kind of logical that they will struggle.
The New Boys
Of course, there are four relative unknowns joining the party this year and guessing how well promoted sides will do (apart from 'not') isn't particularly easy. BELGRANO have recruited some of the better players to the naked eye but it's usually the undiscovered gems that come to the fore. Ribair Rodriguez is an excellent midfielder though and with him the Pirates could well be the surprise of the promoted sides, but fans should look forward to a renewal of the Santa Fe clasico with the arrival of UNION in the top flight.
Argie Bargy Predictions
Champions - Estudiantes
Surprise Package - Banfield or Racing
Disappointment - Olimpo overachieved last year, and will struggle.
Whipping Boys - Newell's Old Boys
Rising Star - Silvio Romero (Lan�s)
When should this transfer circus actually end?
This summer?s transfer window seems like one of the longest in recent memory, with the long, drawn out sagas involving the likes of Fabregas, Nasri, Tevez and Modric to name but a few. These cases have been well documented and closely followed, stretching beyond the kick-off to the new season. A whole three rounds of [...]
Source: http://www.footballfancast.com/2011/08/football-blogs/when-should-this-transfer-circus-actually-end
The Stretford Bends: Backtalk from the West Stand
It isn?t Wayne Rooney?s goals, or the way in which we tormented and toyed with Arsenal on Sunday afternoon that created a lasting image in my mind. Neither is it the hangover that still lingers within my brain following celebrations in town afterwards. It is something much more sadistic – the look on Danny Welbeck?s [...]
Source: http://football-united-blogs.com/2011/08/30/the-stretford-bends-backtalk-from-the-west-stand-2/
McCarthy working his magic at Wolves
Two games into the season and very few people will be surprised to see Manchester City and Manchester United sitting at the top of the Premier League table, but who would have predicted Wolves to be the only other side with a 100% start?
Not that manager Mick McCarthy is one to get over-excited. Wins over Blackburn and Fulham would have been greeted by the Yorkshireman with quiet satisfaction and a reminder that it's where Wolves are on the evening of the final day of season, 13 May, that matters.
There are some fairly stringent financial limits at Molineux, but in his five years in charge McCarthy has worked within them but still managed to significantly improve the squad.
I was a bit sceptical as to whether Scottish striker Steven Fletcher was worth �6m when he joined from Burnley in June 2010, but his 12 goals last season proved crucial, particularly towards the end of the season when Kevin Doyle was injured.
Getting Jamie O'Hara from Tottenham, initially on loan last season before signing him permanently this summer, was a masterstroke, and Irishman Stephen Hunt is a real pain for defenders.
McCarthy was jubilant as his side narrowly escaped relegation last season. Photo: Getty images
McCarthy will always have room for an honest grafter with a smattering of talent, rather than a genius with attitude and a dislike for running. He'll forgive a lack of technique, but never a lack of effort and his squad seem to be united behind his belief in the rewards of hard work.
The 52-year-old is always good for a quote, and he's never anything but brutally honest. In his first press conference when he was unveiled as manager back in 2006, he was asked if he thought he could get Wolves promoted to the top flight in his first season.
Quick as a flash he replied: "You know my initials? Well they stand for Mick McCarthy, not Merlin the Magician." The room echoed with laughter, even the sceptical press men had been won over.
I've been lucky to work a fair bit with McCarthy as my co-commentator on World Cups and European Championships for the BBC, and the conversation is always the same.
Whether chatting over breakfast at the crack of dawn, by a pool on an afternoon off or over a drink late at night, he just loves talking about football.
He is always passionate and usually funny with it, but I still wouldn't want to ask him a stupid question after a Wolves defeat. I doubt very much whether I would escape one of his typically blunt replies.
When I was a very green reporter for Capital Radio in the early 1990s, I was sent to interview McCarthy, who was then manager at Millwall.
Even now when I'm interviewing someone for Match of the Day I have to remind myself not to waffle, but in those days I had a real tendency to ask long, rambling questions which didn't always make a lot of sense.
Tucked away in his office at the training ground I started on one such meandering train of thought, and after what could have been a very long time, I moved the microphone towards him for a reply.
He paused, looked at the microphone and said: "Have you finished? Well, the answer to the first bit was a no, to the second bit it was a yes, then to be honest I lost interest in whatever it was you were saying. I'm going out to take training, if you want a cup of tea there's a kettle in the corner."
Spoken like a true pro. I hope he's handing out lessons in football management interviewing technique for a long time to come.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/stevewilson/2011/08/mccarthy_working_his_magic_at.html
The careless and whimsical Argentine Primera Divisi�n preview
Yes it's back! After all of the Copa America action (which technically hasn't finished as the ball from Elano's penalty against Paraguay is still travelling through space), the domestic bliss that is the Primera Divisi�n returns and truth be told, Argie Bargy is seriously relieved, and rather looking forward to it.
There are so many ways to do a season preview: team-by-team, just as a huge block of prose, using expressive dance and so on. But we've decided to do it roughly based on where teams finished in the last Clausura season, grouped together in a careless and whimsical fashion...
The Contenders
VELEZ won the title by four points and were by far the best team in Argentina over the whole 2010/11 season. They will begin the new season with a weaker squad though, having lost Ricky Alvarez to Inter for a fairly hefty sum, but more importantly, Maxi Moralez to Atalanta. While they have players like David Ramirez in the squad to soften the blow, they have not made any signings to take the breath away.
Last season's runners-up, LANUS, have also lost some key individuals, including Hoyos, Pelletieri and Valeri (who hasn't left yet but definitely will). They've been linked with Nacional playmaker Mauricio Pereyra, who'd be a great replacement for Valeri, but the key thing will be the continued development of young Romero up front. If he keeps on his upward curve, then Lanus will be contenders once more.
It will be tough for GODOY CRUZ to improve on their best season ever, but it will rely on how their raft of signings from the lower leagues bed in at the higher level. If one or two turn out to be gems then there's no reason why they can't finish in the top 4 or 5 again, and they haven't lost any key figures of their successful campaign. It's been a great year for provincial football in Argentina.
The Chasing Pack
OLIMPO were a surprise package last season, and were well in the title race for the first half of the Clausura campaign. Rather predictably though, a club of little financial means, they have been fleeced of many of the players that got them there. Gone are Ezequiel Maggiolo and Martin Aguirre amongst a list of 13 departures from the Bahia Blanca club, where new recruits - much like at Godoy Cruz - will have to make the transition from the lower leagues. Expect them to be lower mid-table.
ARGENTINOS conceded just 11 in 19 last season, but only netted 16 times. If they can build on this defence then there's no doubt that they could be contenders.
Best of the Rest
ESTUDIANTES had a shocking Clausura when you consider they'd just been so dominant in winning the Apertura title, but the fact is that Berizzo never got hold of things in La Plata and with largely the same squad, he just failed to get the results that his predecessor got. They've arguably had the most impressive incoming signings of any side in this off-season, so despite losing Enzo Perez and Federico Fernandez to Benfica and Napoli respectively, they look set for a return to title challenging. The only concern is new boss Russo, who was frankly unimpressive at Racing.
As you'd expect, INDEPENDIENTE and RACING have both bought well, without losing any vital cogs from their respective machines. Racing have got Diego Simeone in as boss in what could be a master-stroke - twinned with the return of the stupendous Gio Moreno, Argie Bargy predicts Racing to be top 4, starting slowly and building momentum. The red side of Avellaneda has the players to move up the table, but has 'the Turk' done anything in the league to merit still being in charge there?
BOCA JUNIORS have the money to get the right men in, but they won't win the title - we just refuse to believe they can do it. It's an ok side, which will win more than it loses but it is nothing more. 4th-8th.
From the rest, the only two clubs you could see surprising are BANFIELD and SAN LORENZO. The former have one of the bright young striking talents in Argentina (Facundo Ferreyra) and Acevedo could be an inspired signing from relegated River, whilst Eluchans is an exciting prospect. San Lore have a new manager and with that, hope that their already strong squad will be moulded into a team that can at least head for continental qualification.
Down The Bottom
That leaves us with five teams that featured last season but didn't impress. These could be roughly split into two groups - the ones that will be ok, and the ones that will struggle.
In the primary grouping, you'd place TIGRE and COLON. Tigre have held onto goalscorer extraordinaire Denis Stracqualursi, and strengthened well with players like Maggiolo. Colon have brought in two of the most exciting signings of the window, in Chevanton and Tino Costa - both returning from Europe. They have the evergreen 'Bichi' Fuertes up front who will score goals as long his legs still carry him, and because of this, there seems no way they will finish below mid-table anonymity.
The remaining three are your strugglers. NEWELL'S are an obvious one given their performances between January and June which barely merit the tag of 'football'. An utterly hopeless entity that has lost some good talent as well. ALL BOYS and ARSENAL both were in the lower reaches of the table and have got weaker squads, therefore it's kind of logical that they will struggle.
The New Boys
Of course, there are four relative unknowns joining the party this year and guessing how well promoted sides will do (apart from 'not') isn't particularly easy. BELGRANO have recruited some of the better players to the naked eye but it's usually the undiscovered gems that come to the fore. Ribair Rodriguez is an excellent midfielder though and with him the Pirates could well be the surprise of the promoted sides, but fans should look forward to a renewal of the Santa Fe clasico with the arrival of UNION in the top flight.
Argie Bargy Predictions
Champions - Estudiantes
Surprise Package - Banfield or Racing
Disappointment - Olimpo overachieved last year, and will struggle.
Whipping Boys - Newell's Old Boys
Rising Star - Silvio Romero (Lan�s)
Wenger's greatest humiliation
Old Trafford
The sound of Sir Alex Ferguson almost killing Arsene Wenger with kindness may have been the most ominous noise of all for a manager who had just suffered his greatest humiliation.
Wenger still has aspirations to win titles and revisiting one of the great Premier League managerial rivalries - a fanciful notion after Manchester United became the first team to score eight goals against Arsenal since Loughborough in 1896.
So to hear Ferguson expressing genuine sympathy bordering on sorrow for Wenger at Old Trafford, the place where Arsenal once triumphantly confirmed the league and FA Cup double, after an 8-2 mauling only added a further layer of embarrassment to his obvious suffering.
The manner in which United graphically, horrifically in an Arsenal context, illustrated the gulf between the two sides marks down this remarkable Old Trafford match as a watershed moment.
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit BBC Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
For Wenger it was a performance, or lack of one, that proved the folly of his summer of transfer inaction and for United it confirmed the seeds of their next title-winning side have been successfully sown by Ferguson.
United took to the pitch with a resounding message echoing in their ears from "noisy neighbours" Manchester City after their 5-1 win at Tottenham and answered back with irresistible force to wipe out Arsenal and return to the top of the table on goal difference.
Wayne Rooney's hat-trick took him past 150 goals for the club, Ashley Young scored two stunning strikes and United could have raced into double figures and beyond but for their own carelessness.
With an average age 23, United were youthful, vibrant and laced with pace and power in all parts of the pitch - in other words the template Wenger always craves for his teams.
If Manchester City are going to pose a massive threat, as seems certain, then United look in shape to meet the challenge. They have emerging stars in defence in Phil Jones and Chris Smalling and attacking options to burn - at times they treated Arsenal with merciless contempt.
Wenger cut a despairing figure still locked in various stages of denial in his post-match inquest, flailing against reality by reeling off a list of absentees and how this was only early days. True enough, but Arsenal have made the sort of false start that would make Usain Bolt blush and absenteeism was no excuse for the debacle that unfolded at Old Trafford.
One hesitates to use the word, but there was something rather sad about some of Arsenal's efforts and in Tomas Rosicky and Andrey Arshavin they had two prime culprits. Youngsters like Carl Jenkinson, sent off in the second half, and Francis Coquelin were promoted above their rank through necessity so can be excused, but Rosicky and Arshavin were so poor it almost defied belief.
And then we come to Wenger. A man so admired for his philosophies and past successes, he has bluntly failed to address the serious problems that faced his team after last season imploded on Arsenal.
To hear him talk about how he would like a midfield player and a defender with three days to go before the transfer window closes begged the question why he had not tackled this earlier in the summer when it was clear this was Arsenal's Achilles heel and the world knew Cesc Fabregas would be leaving, followed by Samir Nasri.
The grim evidence that unfolded at Old Trafford was mere confirmation of the holes in the Londoners' side and why Wenger has erred in being reduced to scouring the transfer market at the last minute for quality reinforcements.
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit BBC Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
Wenger had a valid point when he stressed that the Gunners were without eight players, but Manchester United had men of their own missing - the difference is Ferguson found solutions and strengthened quickly while his counterpart has seemingly prevaricated.
Arsenal's substitutes were more a "Who's He?" than a "Who's Who" - Oguzhan Ozyakup and Gilles Sunu for instance - and for this Wenger must accept responsibility for how he has allowed his squad to thin out.
Many Arsenal supporters, and to a man and woman they were magnificent in the support they gave their battered players at Old Trafford, question the support Wenger is receiving financially from his board.
Suspicions have been raised by offers for Everton's Phil Jagielka and Bolton's Gary Cahill that were never going to be accepted but Wenger insisted at Old Trafford that he has money. The mystery is why it has not been spent earlier.
Liverpool faced accusations that they had paid above the market rate for players such as Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson. This may be true but they got deals done, beefed up their squad significantly and the benefits are seen in early season results.
The suggestion that Wenger should pay for the current malaise with his job, or that his future is uncertain, is clearly a nonsense. He has earned every right to solve Arsenal's problems but the scale of this loss proved the time for action has arrived - indeed it arrived at the end of last season.
Wenger will have known few darker days - trounced by the team he once toppled with such relish - and he must act swiftly to shed some light on Arsenal's season.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnulty/2011/08/wengers_greatest_humiliation.html
Are ex-pro pundits a waste of time?
When a professional footballer hangs up his boots, he is faced with three choices. He can take the easy life, opting to spend the rest of his days mooching around golf courses in Hertfordshire. He can take the hard life and attempt the move into management or he can don his sharpest suit, make the [...]
Source: http://www.footballfancast.com/2011/08/football-blogs/are-ex-pro-pundits-a-waste-of-time
Dimitar Berbatov is?The Continental
I see you've caught me posing for a magazine cover that doesn't exist. I often do this in discount clothing stores and hospital gift shops to show the Berba-babes in my presence just how erotic real life can be. They usually roll their eyes and walk away, but they always come back for more. Usually with the police accompanying them. Ha-HA!
While you admire my posing ability and try to determine that unusual smell, allow me to inform you of the news that Manchester United beat Arsenal 8-2 over the weekend. ... No, The Berba didn't score any of the eight goals. ... No, I didn't even play in the match. But I was the sole reason we won by such a titillating margin. You see, The Berba doesn't need to be on the pitch to inspire his team to a resounding victory. My musk is so strong that it can seep into the nostrils of my less talented teammates even when I'm on the bench, drawing cartoon women with generous proportions. Also, Wayne Rooney is driven by his jealousy of my hair. Ha-HA!
After the match, Sir Alex complimented the team on doing so well, but I knew his words were really just for The Berba since he looked at me the entire time he spoke. Probably because I was winking at him and holding up my cartoon women for him to gaze upon. He later told me to "put those pervert drawings away or you'll play even less than Michael Owen." He really couldn't resist my sensual art! Ha-HA!
Oh-OHHH! I just realized that this watch I bought from a man on the street is not a real Hublot! Oh, this is terrible! I gave him �30,000 for it since he assured me it was real with a certificate of authenticity written in pencil on the box of a VHS copy of the film Under Seige! Oh, I can't believe this. On the bright side, seeing the question "WhoBlow" on my wrist is far more arousing than the actual time of day.
Join us again next time for another chapter in the life of...The Continental...
Photo: Getty
Nasri and Fabregas: Two very different tales
Just as night still follows day and the youth of the nation still feel thoroughly marginalised, it seems many top-level footballers still lack any sense of loyalty or obligation beyond the realms of their own ego-driven, selfish desires.
The general belief around the rumbling transfer sagas at Arsenal this summer is that it is Cesc Fabregas, and not Samir Nasri, who is indebted to Arsene Wenger and should stay put to repay Arsenal's managerial mastermind.
Those who decried the Spaniard?s return to Barcelona assert that the now former Gunners skipper owed Wenger more for plucking him from Barcelona's youth set-up - where he apparently would have eventually festered behind Andres Iniesta and Xavi in the pecking order - and turning him into a world class talent at one of the world's leading clubs.
By way of contrast, Nasri was already a first-team regular at Marseille and, as the heir apparent to Zinedine Zidane's throne as the King of French football, was destined for the very top regardless of which club he played for.
Wenger was unquestionably a significant influence on Fabregas' development, but it would be folly to overlook his natural talent and the fact that he most likely would have succeeded anywhere.
Yes, he would have been, and indeed still is, far from certain to be selected over Iniesta and Xavi, but Barcelona's manager Pep Guardiola has already shown a propensity to promote youth players if they're good enough. Sergio Busquets and Pedro, key to Barcelona's unprecedented trophy haul under Guardiola and members of Spain's triumphant 2010 World Cup team, are testament to this. There is no reason to suggest Fabregas won?t be afforded plenty of game time.
One of Guardiola's biggest concerns is that he is rarely able to rest key men such as Iniesta, Xavi and Lionel Messi, and that they could suffer from burnout as a result. Signing Fabregas helps allay those fears - even Messi could benefit from a rest, should Guardiola decide to use Iniesta as part of a front three and deploy Fabregas in midfield.
This summer's conclusion to one of football's longest-running transfer sagas is the culmination of what has been an incredibly aggressive tug of war. A fee of around �35 million for a player who cost Arsenal a six-figure sum represents a marvelous piece of business for the London club, regardless of the importance of the asset sold.
In an era when many players adopt an unashamedly diva-like, self-indulgent demeanor until their wishes are satisfied, squeezing the last two or three seasons out of Fabregas reflects well, not only on Wenger, but also the player himself.
With that under consideration, it's fair to say that Fabregas has repaid Wenger's faith and vision, something Nasri is still a long way from doing.
Nasri has long been heralded as the successor to Zidane but, despite a considerable reputation and obvious ability, Wenger was the first coach willing to take him to one of European football's major leagues and nurture that raw talent.
After an indifferent first season in London, he has clearly improved as a player, but has yet to dominate an entire game - let alone season - in the way that one would expect of someone drawing comparisons with a phenomenon like Zidane.
Make no mistake, Nasri's goal against Fulham was one of the highlights of the 2010/11 season and showed a delicate technical ability and balance on a par with some of the world's best. But that's as good as it's got for him. At the moment, Nasri's far more Robinho than Zidane, more Ribery than Ballack. He is not - and indeed exhibits no sign of - being the next Zidane.
If he had any sense, he'd stay at Arsenal, become a key player for them and continue to improve under Wenger's tutelage in the same way Patrick Vieira, Theirry Henry and Cesc Fabregas all did before him.
At Manchester City, he'll face the fiercest imaginable competion for a first team berth, with Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli, Adam Johnson, David Silva, Shaun Wright-Phillips and James Milner all likely to be competing for two or three positions.
Beyond the obvious financial benefits of moving to Manchester City, there is realistically little else that can seriously appeal to him. The opportunity to work with Roberto Mancini can surely not match the appeal of working with Wenger, a man universally regarded as one of the game?s elite managers.
Despite their wealth and an FA Cup win, there is no guarantee City are about to embark on some kind of Barcelona-like trophy winning spree. Don't be fooled, this is a player who's had his head turned by the promise of big money.
In leaving Arsenal at the first opportunity presented to him, Nasri will have underlined exactly how he has taken Wenger's support for granted. It seems that a manager who spent big money on him, stuck with him despite his frustrating inconsistency and improved him deserves no loyalty. Unlike Fabregas, Nasri hasn't rewarded Wenger's patience and hasn't attempted to repay him.
Zidane was a big game player, a winner, a model professional and a balletic, elegant individual. For the man supposedly ready to succeed Zizou, these appear elusive qualities.
While Nasri may substantially increase his personal wealth, he?s at serious risk of becoming another expendable commodity in a gargantuan squad of superstars.
Like Zidane, Wenger will go down in the annals of history as a man who had a genuine, lasting impact upon football and who'll forever have a place in the hearts of myriad fans.
Nasri? Just another mercenary who believed his own hype.
Follow Declan Warrington on Twitter @decwarrington
NFL Owners, Players Sort It Out
NFL football is back. Technically, of course, NFL football never left, as this all happened from March to July, but even that thought didn’t piss on the parades of gridiron fans today as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Players Association boss DeMaurice Smith stood in front of reporters and announced that both sides agreed to [...]
Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2011/07/25/nfl-owners-players-sort-it-out/
Premier Ratings: City 'set a marker' as Arsenal verge on the criminal
FourFourTwo.com's James Maw plays the numbers game following a breathtaking weekend of Premier League action...
Manchester City 9.5
(W 5-1, Spurs A)
Although Spurs may have played into their hands somewhat by not bothering to play anybody who would even pretend to tackle a City player in central midfield, Roberto Mancini?s side really ?set a marker? by winning so emphatically at White Hart Lane. Samir Nasri slotted in effortlessly as Edin Dzeko continued his ?resurrection? with his most complete performance in English football to date.
Manchester United 9
(W 8-2, Arsenal H)
A mark for every goal (and an extra one for the funny faces Anderson pulled as Wayne Rooney lined up those free-kicks). We place them below City as torturing a massively under-strength Arsenal at home is marginally less impressive than thrashing last year?s Champions League quarter-finalists on their own patch. Fergie won?t be happy his side allowed the Gunners to score twice and have a further 18 attempts at goal, but will at least be chuffed they netted eight against a ?title rival?. Obviously.
Liverpool 8
(W 3-1, Bolton H)
With Arsenal and Tottenham faltering, Liverpool look huge favourites to grab the final Champions League spot ? or better. Midfielder Charlie Adam came to the fore as he and Jordan Henderson scored first goals for the club in another impressive attacking display from Kenny Dalglish?s side.
Wigan Athletic 7.5
(W 2-0, QPR H)
Roberto Martinez?s side have had an expectedly smooth start to the new season, despite losing star man Charles N?Zogbia and having to fend off interest in Hugo Rodallega. They?ll do well to ?make hay while the sun shines? in these early months, as three points pinched from QPR could look all the more crucial should the winter be a bleak one.
Newcastle United 7.5
(W 2-1, Fulham H)
Like the Latics, Alan Pardew?s side have made a solid start to the season. The Magpies managed to navigate round the storm that was Joey Barton's departure with a fairly routine home win, and at present look a long way from being candidates for the drop - whoever would?ve thought it, eh? (clue: check the fourth entry down? and ignore the bit about Wigan struggling).
Stoke City 7
(W 1-0, WBA A)
Stoke had to weather something of a storm during their trip to the Hawthornes, with the Baggies dominating for large spells of the match, enjoying 60 percent possession and 11 more attempts at goal than the visitors. Yet it was the Potters wot won it, thanks to Ryan Shotton?s last-gasp prod out of Ben Foster?s mitts, which just goes to show you?ve got to make those chances count in this here Premier League.
Everton 7
(W 1-0, Blackburn A)
What?s that? A 1-0 away win thanks to a late, controversial goal? Oh go on then. The Toffees won their first league match of the season at the second time of asking - uncharacteristically early for a side gaining a reputation as sluggish starters - thanks to a baffling penalty awarded against Chris Samba in the dying minutes. This certainly won?t be the last time they dig deep, knuckle down and pinch points this season.
Chelsea 6.5
(W 3-1, Norwich H)
Seven points from nine represents a far from disastrous start to life in West London for Andre Villas-Boas, but it?s the nature of the performances that has raised eyebrows. The Blues appear to lack a little fluidity and imagination and, while Juan Mata will surely get the Londoners? creative juices flowing once he?s up and running, there?s still a need for a little more artistry.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 6
(D 0-0, Villa A)
Although the Molineux men lost their 100 percent record to Aston Villa, this is still Wolves? best start to a top flight season since 1979. Their newly-found defensive solidarity west tested in Saturday?s derby, but Roger Johnson and co passed with flying colours, holding off their rivals to secure a well deserved point.
Norwich City 6
(L 3-1, Chelsea A)
Despite ultimately succumbing to defeat in West London, the Canaries gave a more than creditable account of themselves on their trip to the capital. At one stage the Norfolk side even looked the more likely winners, before Ramires ?won? the penalty that saw John Ruddy dismissed and Paul Lambert?s side crumble.
Aston Villa 5.5
(D 0-0, Wolves H)
A solid, if unspectacular start to the season continued in solid, if unspectacular fashion as Villa stopped Mick McCarthy?s party bus gaining too much speed. Villa fans may have fancied their team as the favourites for this one, but McLeish is one of several managers still looking to chop and change his playing staff, and may be happy just to avoid getting off to a bad start.
Sunderland 5.5
(D 0-0, Swansea A)
Steve Bruce?s side extended their winless start to the season to three matches, although will take some solace from being unbeaten on the road. Maybe. Their biggest concern will be a lack of goals ? just one from 40 attempts so far - that has this morning seen the club linked with a move to Peter Crouch.
Queens Park Rangers 5
(L, 2-0, Wigan A)
Granted, the Super Hoops are in the midst of a rather encouraging squad shake-up, with the likes of Joey Barton, Luke Young and Armand Traore only likely to improve the Shepherds Bush side, but come the end of the season they may live to rue surrendering three points to the Latics without too much of a fight.
Swansea City 5
(D 0-0, Sunderland H)
Three Premier League games without a goal will have Swans boss Brendan Rodgers a little concerned, especially given two of those matches were at home to sides who finished in the bottom half last term. On the plus side, another clean sheet and another near faultless performance from goalkeeper and potential cult hero Michel Vorm.
Bolton Wanderers 5
(L 3-1, Liverpool A)
Another defeat and another three goals shipped see the Trotters? opening day rout at Loftus Road a distant memory. While Owen Coyle will be pleased with the number of chances his side are creating - and particularly how many Ivan Klasnic is converting - he won?t be with how many Zat Knight and co. are allowing down the other end. Still some defensive tweaking to be done, and that?s if they can actually keep Gary Cahill?
Fulham 5
(L 2-1, Newcastle A)
Their stroll to the Europa League group stages has perhaps masked how stilted a start the Cottagers have made to the Premier League campaign. Although Clint Dempsey flicked home their first league goal of the Martin Jol era, the Dutchman is still looking for his first league win and will be keen to get it before the rigours of another season in Europe hit.
West Bromwich Albion 4.5
(L 1-0, Stoke H)
While there were crumbs of comfort to take from their defeats to Manchester United and Chelsea, there was less to gleam from a loss to Stoke that sees the Baggies still to get off the mark. Roy Hodgson (we only call him Woy to be affectionate when he?s doing well?) was quick to criticise keeper Foster for his part in Stoke?s goal, a move hardly likely to quell suggestions he?s lacking when it comes to man-management?
Tottenham Hotspur 4
(L 5-1, Man City H)
Their defeat was perhaps more embarrassing than humiliating. Spurs played reasonably well in spells and came up against a highly talented team somewhere near the top of their game, but there will still be tactical questions over which Harry Redknapp will have to mull, but first he?ll be looking to squeeze a little cash out of Daniel Levy. He is ?daaaahn to the bare baaaahns?, after all.
Blackburn Rovers 3
(L 1-0, Everton H)
There was an air of inevitability around the nature of Everton?s late win at Ewood. Blackburn?s concerned fans would?ve been half expecting the Toffees to win with a penalty, after their side had twice failed to score from the spot. That?s the way things are going for Rovers at the moment, the question is, does Steve Keen have the personality and nous to turn things round?
Arsenal 2
(L 8-2, Man Utd A)
The number of first-choice players missing shouldn?t mask exactly how awful a performance the Gunners put on at Old Trafford, and the severity of the spanking doesn?t say much for the depth of Arsene Wenger?s squad. Heads dropped and lost causes weren?t pursued, and against a side like Manchester United those are acts verge on criminal. The next two days will most likely prove the most important of Arsenal?s season.
HEROES & VILLAINS Wenger's gap year, suicidal Redknapp and Shearer's hairline
Lukaku called teacher to say ?I told you so? after signing for Chelsea
A couple of years ago, 18-year-old Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku visited London on a school trip and TV cameras were there to capture his awe for Stamford Bridge and statement of intent to one day play for Chelsea while he was there. And now that he has officially accomplished that goal by signing for the club this summer, he had an "I told ya so" to slap on his former teacher.
From Sporting Life:
We were visiting the city and I didn't know we'd be going to Chelsea on the day," he said.
"I saw a big blue building and thought what is this? As we got closer I saw it was Stamford Bridge. I thought 'wow!'
"I couldn't speak because I always wanted to come here. When my class went to the dressing room I stayed behind on the pitch looking.
"I imagined myself playing there alongside Didier Drogba and the other lads.
"A teacher asked me 'what are you doing here?'. I told him that one day I'd play here.
"When I signed for Chelsea, I called the teacher and said 'I told you I'd play for Chelsea!'.
"I took 300-400 pictures. I still have them on my PC."
If 300-400 pictures sounds like a bit much, then you really don't know just how obsessed he has been with Chelsea in general and Didier Drogba in particular...
"Three or four years ago I had two jerseys of Didier Drogba, one to sleep in and one to wear in the street when I was playing with my friends," he said.
"I had a poster above my bed of Didier and a poster on my right side of Nicolas Anelka.
"I always wore the same boots as Didier. They were Nike, but when I signed my contract with Adidas I changed!
"I'd watch Chelsea train on Chelsea TV. No-one else would do that. People called me crazy, my mum called me crazy.
"I said it was normal, I want to know what it's like there so that I'm ready when I go there. I was a true crazy.
"When you are a true fan of a team and you can play for them, it's the best thing in the world.
"But you must also be focused - I'm not a fan anymore, I'm a player."
As great as it is that a kid who was such a big fan of the club now plays alongside his heroes, Didier Drogba might want to keep an eye on Romelu just to make sure he doesn't revert back to being that "true crazy" super fan and try to smuggle him back to Belgium and keep him in a giant glass jar in his bedroom.
Wowzers! Joe Hart shocked at Man City move for Owen Hargreaves (video)
Definition of “Wowzer” – Something of great interest or beauty; something worth saying “wow” about. England goalkeeper Joe Hart was ambushed by Sun journalist Shaun Custis on Tuesday with the news that Owen Hargreaves is set to make a shock move to Manchester City. Hart’s reaction was: “Wowzers ? where?s that come from? Really? I [...]
A lovely goal from Stu Holden?s younger brother
Euan Holden, younger brother of Bolton and U.S. midfielder Stu Holden, pulled off a beauty of a goal to give Stockport County their first win of the season in the Blue Square Premier after getting relegated from the Football League last season. In a match against Kettering Town last week, the 23-year-old defender/midfielder slipped through a pair of defenders and spun around a third before finding the back of the net from an angle to break the scoreless deadlock in the 60th minute.
Of course, Conference defenders aren't exactly the world's best, but it was still a nice goal and it shows why Scotland manager Craig Levein has been tracking Euan's progress (the Holden boys were born in Scotland before moving to the U.S.). No word on whether Stu has forwarded this video to Juergen Klinsmann yet, though.
The Beginner?s Guide to Aussie Rules, 2011 Edition
So the NFL lockout proved inevitable, the NFL Players Association has decertified, and everyone’s dug in for a long, ugly legal battle that nobody really wants to read about, even though the fate of the 2011 NFL season hangs in the balance. Whatever shall we do without football? Simple. We shall turn our attention… to [...]
Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2011/03/21/the-beginners-guide-to-aussie-rules-2011-edition/
Should the NCAA Tournament Be More Like the UEFA Champions League?
It’s NCAA Tournament week here in America, and as the college basketball-loving masses fill out their brackets in the vain hope of actually winning a few bucks, the press turns to head coaches from schools that just missed out on invitations to the Big Dance(tm). Angry coaches whose jobs hinge on these invitations often have [...]
Man City officially counting goals scored in video games now
From the same official club website that brought you their guide to pretending how to be a Man City fan and the bold claim that they beat Man United in the Community Shield comes yet another first. The site reveals that on the same day City finalized the signing of Samir Nasri, the former Arsenal player scored his first goal for the club...in a video game that isn't even finished yet.
Yes, under the headline of "Samir Nasri scores first City goal" is a picture of the virtual player in his new kit kicking the ball towards what we can only assume is an out-of-frame goal against the only other club that exists in City's eyes -- Manchester United. Have a look...
According to the posting, the image was created using "an early version of the upcoming FIFA12 game." But as Deadspin and the Guardian point out, the real City won't play Man United at home until April 28th, so Nasri will have to wait a while to recreate his first goal for the club in real life.
Anyway, now that we're counting goals scored in FIFA games, none of you can ever call Fernando Torres a bust again because he's scored many, many times for Chelsea on my console.
Wenger facing crucial 10 days
Arsene Wenger's body language could have been set to a sombre musical soundtrack as he suffered an increasingly familiar fate. It did not just rain on Arsenal's manager at Emirates Stadium, it poured.
As Wenger ruffled his hands furiously through hair soaked by a torrential downpour, then lurched forward in frustration in his seat as Liverpool concluded their first win at Arsenal in 11 years, an inescapable conclusion was reached.
Wenger now faces 10 days that may not exactly define his future, but which have the capacity to shape the mood of an entire season for an increasingly depleted Arsenal squad and their manager.
Arsenal face a hazardous Champions League qualifier second leg against Udinese in Italy on Wednesday before travelling to face champions Manchester United at Old Trafford next Sunday. And then, with great significance and a reason for Wenger to act with an urgency that has escaped him this summer, the transfer window will close.
This was always shaping up as the most testing season of Wenger's Arsenal tenure. This defeat, and the loud jeering that preceded sympathetic applause at the final whistle, did nothing to alter the impression.
Liverpool, with a �100m injection of new talent and Kenny Dalglish back in charge, have emerged as the most potent threat to a place in the Premier League's top four that Arsenal have called their own on an almost permanent basis.
And if Liverpool's 2-0 win, secured by a late own goal from Aaron Ramsey and a second in the dying seconds from Luis Suarez, is a signpost to the future then Arsenal and Wenger have the rest of August to ensure they are heading in the same direction as the men from Merseyside.
Wenger rightly quoted mitigating circumstances for the defeat. Jack Wilshere was injured, Alex Song and Gervinho suspended, Laurent Koscielny lasted only 15 minutes before a back spasm and the impressive but impulsive Emmanuel Frimpong was sent off with 20 minutes left.
And in the moment Frimpong received his second yellow card for an unwise launch at Lucas, Dalglish ruthlessly took the opportunity to demonstrate how Arsenal are seriously threatened by a shift in the balance of power in that battle for fourth place.
Wenger cut a forlorn figure on the touchline as his side crashed to a 2-0 home defeat. Photo: Getty
He sent on Suarez and Raul Meireles, instrumental in both goals, while Wenger was left to rely on his mix and match blend from a squad he has simply allowed to become too weak. They were riches beyond Wenger's reach and how it showed.
Liverpool's victory was built on efficiency rather than sparkle, but they looked like a team that had been subjected to serious investment while Arsenal's resources looked threadbare, lightweight and in need of having some hard cash lavished on them.
Yes, Arsenal were unlucky as Wenger insisted both goals had a hint of offside, but he must not use this as a shield against stark reality.
The current Arsenal squad is not of the quality required to maintain the standards Wenger's own brilliance as a manager have set and time is running out to find the remedy.
Samir Nasri, still likely to leave for Manchester City, was one of Arsenal's brighter performers while Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott were either starved of service or poor when they received any.
Wenger also had a point when he underlined the crisis mentality being inflicted on Arsenal, saying: "We are living in circumstances where every defeat is absolutely a disgrace and an earthquake."
There is no suggestion the foundations of Arsenal's empire are shifting under Wenger's feet, but there is no escaping the increasing sense of desperation and anxiety around the vast Emirates' concourses. Not an earthquake, but certainly tremors of anxiety.
The irony is that enough class lurks around Arsenal's squad to give Wenger room for manoeuvre and optimism if he finally brings in reinforcements, but he has left it horribly, mystifyingly late to do so.
Dalglish's has given Liverpool reinvigorated hopes of finishing in the top four. Photo: Getty
For Liverpool, it was a game that will have confirmed their sense that they can get back in the top four. It was not a classic performance but it had a solidity that bodes well and was in sharp contrast to many of their efforts on their travels in recent years.
This was not vintage but it had a resilience and reliability that has been missing too often in the latter days of the Rafael Benitez reign and during Roy Hodgson's brief stay.
Dalglish relished pointing out how much stronger Liverpool's squad was than last season - as indeed it should be given the money spent on it.
Stewart Downing made a sound contribution as did Jose Enrique, although Andy Carroll is still short of fitness and rarely threatened apart from one fine first half header.
The catalyst, however, is Suarez. The credits were rolling for Arsenal as soon as he appeared. Full of movement - not movement for movement's sake but going into areas defenders do not appreciate - and menace, he unsettled Arsenal's makeshift defence instantly.
As Suarez tapped in a simple second, the rejuvenated Dalglish danced with delight on to the touchline and pumped his fists towards Liverpool's fans while Wenger slumped forward in despair as Arsenal's supporters made a bolt for the exits.
It was an image that summed up the afternoon. Wenger now has a matter of days to change the mood music.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnulty/2011/08/pressure_mounts_on_wenger_afte.html
A lovely goal from Stu Holden?s younger brother
Euan Holden, younger brother of Bolton and U.S. midfielder Stu Holden, pulled off a beauty of a goal to give Stockport County their first win of the season in the Blue Square Premier after getting relegated from the Football League last season. In a match against Kettering Town last week, the 23-year-old defender/midfielder slipped through a pair of defenders and spun around a third before finding the back of the net from an angle to break the scoreless deadlock in the 60th minute.
Of course, Conference defenders aren't exactly the world's best, but it was still a nice goal and it shows why Scotland manager Craig Levein has been tracking Euan's progress (the Holden boys were born in Scotland before moving to the U.S.). No word on whether Stu has forwarded this video to Juergen Klinsmann yet, though.
Should football clubs show such a blatant disregard?
Domestic cup competitions are on somewhat of a slide in English football. The FA Cup may still profit from the tradition that surrounds the competition but what about the often disregarded League Cup? Last week QPR manager Neil Warnock admitted he was pleased that his side were out of the Carling Cup after an embarrassing [...]
NFL Owners, Players Sort It Out
NFL football is back. Technically, of course, NFL football never left, as this all happened from March to July, but even that thought didn’t piss on the parades of gridiron fans today as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Players Association boss DeMaurice Smith stood in front of reporters and announced that both sides agreed to [...]
Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2011/07/25/nfl-owners-players-sort-it-out/
Premier League will test talented Coates
On the verge of joining Liverpool, Uruguay centre back Sebastian Coates was last seen on the pitch in Buenos Aires celebrating victory in the Copa America, and then accepting an award for the best young player of the tournament.
These are impressive credentials for a player who is not 21 until October.
Coates is shaping up as a potential future captain of his country but, assuming the deal goes through, the challenge he now faces at club level is very different, and is surely going to stretch the youngster with the gangling frame.
Tournament football is played to its own rhythm - look at Paraguay, beaten convincingly by Coates and his Uruguay team-mates in the final. They reached the decider without winning a single game.
Coates enjoyed a successful break-through tournament in the 2011 Copa America. Photo: Getty
In a competition where eight of the 12 teams make it through to the knock-out stage, the emphasis is on not being beaten. The 2011 Copa was a counter-attacking tournament, and part of Uruguay's success was that they read it so well.
In every game they played in last year's World Cup Uruguay had less possession than their opponents but more shots. During the Copa they made sure they pulled back still deeper, swapping striker Edinson Cavani for yet another hard working midfielder.
It was, then, a good tournament for a young centre-back to find his international feet.
Coates could defend deep, with Diego Perez and Egidio Arevalo Rios snapping into tackles in front of him - and the magnificent Diego Forlan-Luis Suarez partnership to win the game at the other end.
Coates is now about to team up with Suarez once more, but this time the circumstances are very different. Liverpool's quest is to win enough games to get into the top four, or even mount a title challenge.
It means that, if called upon, Coates will be asked to defend much higher up the field, with much less protection in front of him, in a context where everything is happening much more quickly than anything he has ever been used to in his young career.
It is a step up that proved far too big for a South American centre-back previously signed by Liverpool - Gabriel Paletta, who came to Anfield soon after helping Argentina win the 2005 World Youth Cup.
Paletta has gone on to prove himself in European football, coming back from a serious knee injury to enjoy a solid debut season in Italy with Parma. He is a strong, rugged defender - had he waited until now for a move to Liverpool he might have done better.
But as I argued in this space five years ago, swapping Banfield in the Argentine league for Liverpool in 2006 was dangerously premature.
In comparison, Coates would seem more prepared for the new demands he is about to face. Despite his age he has accumulated some interesting senior experience, as well as making his way through Uruguay's excellent youth ranks.
It was after shining for his country at Under-20 level at the start of 2009 that Coates was thrown into the deep end with Nacional, one of Uruguay's big two.
He made an immediate impression, and was a fixture in the side that year that became the first Uruguayan club in two decades to reach the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores.
Come the vital second leg at home to Estudiantes of Argentina, Coates made the crucial mistake, gifting an away goal after being caught in possession.
It was an unfortunate error, but also a great learning experience. There are no short cuts for young defenders. Mistakes are going to be made. In this case, Coates did not let it affect his momentum.
He has performed solidly through the club's two subsequent Libertadores campaigns, having responsibility thrust upon him and, without being a shouter, showing good leadership potential, organising things around him, keeping things simple and using his height to be a dominant figure in both penalty areas. He is much further down the road than Paletta was five years ago.
For all that, the step up he is taking is still a big one. For evidence, he need only look to the wildly differing fates in English football of his team-mates in the Uruguay attack.
Diego Forlan is a truly magnificent footballer - intelligent, audacious, unselfish, technically excellent. He could even speak good English when he crossed the Atlantic to join Manchester United.
But straight from Independiente in Argentina with no senior international experience, it was too much, too soon. At Old Trafford he could never get a regular run of games and he lost momentum and confidence - before going off to Spain and proving himself a truly world class player.
Suarez, on the other hand, arrived in the Premier League that vital few years later, having bedded in with Ajax and shown what he could do in a World Cup. He has lit up Liverpool from day one.
The one undoubted plus point about Sebastian Coates joining Liverpool now is that he will only have to face Suarez in training games.
Comments on the piece in the space provided. Questions on South American football to vickerycolumn@hotmail.com, and I'll pick out a couple for next week.
From last week's postbag;
Q) I've been keeping an eye on the Brazilian league since the start of the season, and I can't help but notice that Santos, who have one of the best squads in the league with the likes of Neymar, Ganso and Elano in their squad, have really been struggling this year.
Fifteenth in the Brazilian league just isn't good enough for a team that hope to challenge at the Club World Cup this winter. What do you think is going on?
Arthur Holmes
A) I don't think it's anything to get too worried about, unless they slip back into the relegation zone, which is unlikely as recent results have picked up.
This kind of slump is normal for a Brazilian team that has just won the Copa Libertadores. As holders they are guaranteed a place in next year's Libertadores, and they start thinking day and night about the World Club Cup - it's hardly surprising that domestic form slumps.
It becomes even less surprising when you add in the fact that Santos have lost lots of players to international call-ups - the stars away for a month for the Copa America, others away for a month with the World Youth Cup - all during the domestic season.
I don't think their league form has much relevance in terms of their chances in the World Club Cup.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/timvickery/2011/08/premier_league_will_test_talen.html
If it continued? (Barca v Real Madrid, Supercopa)
The two legs of the Supercopa combined for the usual volcanic mix of violence, childishness and entertaining football that usually comes from Real Madrid and Barcelona sharing the pitch. Though Barca came up with a late winner to lift yet another trophy, the brawl that followed made for a less than desirable ending to two great games. So, we are left to ask that question we keep coming back to: "What if it continued?"
97' ? After getting great satisfaction from tweaking the face of Barca assistant Tito Vilanova, Jose Mourinho decides more faces must be tweaked. He targets Gerard Pique next, but Pique starts bleeding before Mourinho even touches him.
101' ? Cristiano Ronaldo discovers that he can make his collar stands erect just by thinking about himself.
108' ? Wanting to prove that he really does have Barca DNA, Cesc Fabregas spontaneously shouts, "Football is winning!" at Iker Casillas. He then drops to the ground, clutching his face. Because Marcelo came back onto the pitch and kicked him there.
112' ? Everyone continues to act like fans yelling racial slurs at players isn't all that bad.
115' ? Lionel Messi scores three goals while no one is paying attention. He giggles.
120' ? Fabio Coentrao sits in the corner, rocking back and forth and wishing he was back in Portugal.
126' ? Mesut Ozil gets his revenge for David Villa's earlier slap in the face by shooting his eyes out of his head at Villa ? an experience that will haunt Villa for the rest of his life.
131' ? Having gone several minutes without kicking anyone, Pepe accidentally kicks Riccardo Carvalho instead of Xavi, who screams, "Cesc is suffering!" for no reason whatsoever. Both teams converge and brawl once again.
132' ? Kaka stands on the opposite end of the pitch, humming gospel songs to himself.
133' ? Arsene Wenger sneaks into the middle of it all and attempts to drag Cesc back to London by his feet. Cesc tearfully calls him his "second father," then elbows him in the head and runs away.
135' ? Jose Mourinho laughs as he successfully tweaks the face of every Barca staffer. Except one?
140' ? Jose Mourinho tells Pep Guardiola that his face is about to get tweaked the hardest. Guardiola puts on his stylish fighting vest. The two are about to fight each other to the death, once and for all, when ? all of the sudden ? they both realize that this is just a stupid preseason cup and that it would be much more satisfying to save the savage, cold-blooded murders for the 187 times they play each other once the season actually starts. They then casually poke each other in the eye and walk away.
To be continued?
Photo: Getty
Wowzers! Joe Hart shocked at Man City move for Owen Hargreaves (video)
Definition of “Wowzer” – Something of great interest or beauty; something worth saying “wow” about. England goalkeeper Joe Hart was ambushed by Sun journalist Shaun Custis on Tuesday with the news that Owen Hargreaves is set to make a shock move to Manchester City. Hart’s reaction was: “Wowzers ? where?s that come from? Really? I [...]
Marshawn Lynch Catches an Invincibility Star
It didn’t matter that Marshawn Lynch’s game-clinching touchdown run for the Seattle Seahawks happened during the first game of the weekend. You just knew from looking at it that no other play in the remaining games could possibly top it. And while you might not have known right away, this Super Mario-themed video tribute was [...]
Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2011/01/10/marshawn-lynch-catches-an-invincibility-star/
Random musings of footballers before they fall asleep?
Lionel Messi
Great. ... Another trophy that's not made out of Legos and is no fun to play with. ... This is just what I never wanted. ... Maybe if I give it to Mr. Mourinho he won't try to poke me in the eye. ... I just hope Xavi doesn't try to give it to Cesc as a present like he did with my shampoo...
Samuel Eto'o
This is how I sleep now!
Rod Stewart
WTF IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW
Rod Stewart
THE VIAGRA IS WORKING
Didier Drogba
Time for the disgraces. ... First, Andre Villas-Boas' breath smells like cat food. That's a Kitier Katba f***ing disgrace. ... Then, Fernando Torres gets to start instead of me. That's a f***ing insane f***ing disgrace. ... Then, Man United got the easiest Champions League group since every other year that they got the easiest Champions League group. That's an incomprehensibly lucky f***ing disgrace. ... Then, Chelsea got Bayer Leverkusen in our group, so that means we have to see Michael Ballack again. That's an awkward f***ing disgrace. ... Then, Torres, Mata and Romeu keep talking Spanish to each other, which makes me feel left out. But when I speak French to Malouda and Anelka they don't seem to care. Then, Kalou starts speaking French too and ruins everything like always. That's an annoying f***ing disgrace. ... Then there were those times those referees who probably make gluten-free foods that aren't actually gluten free cheated us out of the Champions League. That...that was a...
Photos: Getty, AP
MLS News Show: August 22nd
Our friends over at the North American Soccer Network produce a daily Major League Soccer, US Soccer news show called NASN News: We will be posting the show, Monday-Friday. You can subscribe to NASN News on iTunes at http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/nasn-news/id426071781. or view it at NASN.tv
Source: http://worldsoccerreader.com/2011/08/mls-news-show-august-22nd/
Alice Eve ? Beautiful Women
Alice Eve is an English born Actress. More Pics after the Jump………
Source: http://theoriginalwinger.com/2011-08-31-alice-eve-beautiful-women
Should football clubs show such a blatant disregard?
Domestic cup competitions are on somewhat of a slide in English football. The FA Cup may still profit from the tradition that surrounds the competition but what about the often disregarded League Cup? Last week QPR manager Neil Warnock admitted he was pleased that his side were out of the Carling Cup after an embarrassing [...]
Footy Blog Site Update
We have a range of exciting work going on with footy blog these days so I thought it was a good time to hop in and post a few updates. I have been getting quite a few emails about previous site functionality, namely links to various footy matches streaming live. After some deliberation we felt [...]
Source: http://www.footyblog.net/2011/07/footy-blog-site-update/
Copa Sudamericana: Nacional peg back Aurora; Arsenal beat Estudiantes
Nacional 1 – Aurora 1 (Copa Sudamericana second round first leg, August 30, 2011) Aquilano Villalba headed Aurora ahead on 6 minutes but was later sent off. Javier Gonzalez equalised for Nacional midway through the second half. Arsenal 2 – Estudiantes 0 (Copa Sudamericana second round first leg, August 30, 2011) Second half goals from [...]
City ready to challenge United for title
My first full-time job as a sports reporter was for a local radio station in Manchester. One of my tasks was to take in Joe Royle interviews – the then manager of Manchester City - and edit them for our Saturday show. They were always entertaining.
I remember him having an argument with a collection of journalists over the quality of a striker called Robert Taylor. Taylor had scored against City in the Division Two play-off final of 1999 for Gillingham and was snapped up by Royle about six months later.
One of the assembled voices had referred to Taylor as a “pub player” in his commentary and Royle was not a happy bunny. “You’ve got to realise that I have to work within a budget!” he said. “Who do you expect me to bring in... Ronaldo?”
I was reminded of that story when City splashed another bucketload of cash this week. Samir Nasri is the latest man persuaded that the future looks bright in laser blue.
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit BBC Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
The days when supporters used to call our football phone-in to defend their often-booed captain Richard Edghill and sing the praises of Kevin Horlock (or Super Kevin Horlock) seem an awfully long way away.
Even the excitement at the arrival of Kevin Keegan, and the dazzling skills of Eyal Berkovic and Ali Benarbia, have faded into the shadows created by the current crop of superstars.
On the day Keegan arrived, there were hundreds of fans outside the club reception. He made a joke about his mother telling him never to play near the “Maine Road” – everybody laughed. His name was all over the Manchester Evening News that night and he was talking about stealing some of the limelight away from Sir Alex Ferguson’s lot down the road. City fans believed he could do it.
Keegan left Manchester in 2005. In the six years since, things have changed immensely. Ronaldo isn’t playing for them but, if he (the Brazilian Ronaldo, that is) was in the prime of life - and a few stones lighter - he might well be tempted.
Two seasons ago, I asked Mark Lawrenson about the future for Manchester City on my first Football Focus. He predicted that they would win the league within three years.
That’s why I’m backing them to do it this year. Manchester United look slick again and Ferguson has built yet another impressive young squad but, if manager Roberto Mancini can get his team to click (and importantly the bosses believe he can) then they will be mighty close to the league championship come May.
One man who is particularly impressed with Mancini’s transfer dealings is Rafa Benitez - back on Football Focus last weekend.
I’ll be honest with you, I used to be a Benitez doubter. I’d sat through hundreds of press conferences and interviews with the Spaniard and never been entirely convinced that he was a football colossus. I was wrong.
I’ve written in the past about how he divides opinion but you don’t have to spend long in his company to realise how much he knows and how passionate he is about the game.
Now I don’t want this blog to turn into a “how much did Benitez really spend at Liverpool” debate because, frankly, it’s boring. I would love to see how he does when he dips his toe into management again.
The Aston Villa job wasn’t right because the club were not willing to spend the money needed to make the top four. He will be back but, as he said last week, it’s all about the “right opportunity” and he might have to hang around for a while.
After the show, Stoke defender Danny Higginbotham, Benitez and I had a 10-minute chat just outside the studio. Higginbotham was firing questions at the former Liverpool boss, who was responding with remarkable story after remarkable story.
You know it’s a good tale when a Premier League footballer’s jaw drops. Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger, David Moyes and Sergio Aguero were some of his specialist subjects but – as per usual – the conversation ended with a Spanish smile and a “keep all that to yourself... right?”.
There is no Benitez on Football Focus this week but we’ve got another packed programme for you. I need to remind you that we are on at 1130 BST this week.
You’ll hear from Nani and John Terry (amongst others) and we’ll hopefully grab a word with Uwe Rosler. He also played for a very different looking Manchester City but has been through an awful lot since and is now the Brentford boss.
If you have any questions or comments about Football Focus, you’d like to suggest something for the show or you can tell me whether to put Rooney or Aguero in my fantasy league team then put your thoughts below.
I’ll come back to answer some of your queries and if you want to keep up to date with all the thrills and spills of Football Focus you can find me on Twitter at twitter.com/danwalkerbbc
Don’t forget - an early start at 1130 BST on BBC 1. Tell your friends.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/danwalker/2011/08/my_first_full-time_job_as.html
הירשם ל-
רשומות (Atom)