Media outburst: The Sun

The Sun Murdoch’s most popular paper

Following on from the article “Aretha says…” David Hills from the Observer in reference to the Sun Newspaper’s attitude to treatment of referees pointed out the hypocrisy of some of the media.

The Sun Newspaper said in April 2008

“The Sun today declares war on the Premier league’s loudmouths- and pledges to name and shame every player or manager who disgraces our national game. We are sick and tired of snarling stars hurling abuse at referees. The game is in danger of losing it’s sanity if refs are reduced to crumbling wrecks by loutish antics. We want power restored to the men in black and our message to bully boys is loud and clear: SHUT IT OR ELSE…”

However in June 2004 following England’s exit from EURO 2004:

“YOU SWISS BANKER! Euro 2004 buffoon ref cheats England heroes…You tell bungling ref Meier just what you think of his decision on his own website. Click on feedback, enter your name and email address and let rip”

Hills goes on to mention in brackets: “The result: 16,000 abusive emails, 5,000 calls, Meier placed under armed police protection in a safe house.”

Its funny how people can change their views so easily.

Filed under: England, arsenal, football, liverpool, soccer, sports , football, Referees, soccer, Sport

How do you solve a problem like Rafa?

Rafael Benitez has been a great and fantastic success for Liverpool FC. Coming after having been in charge of Valencia in Spain, he had won two La Liga titles for that team; made them Champions league regulars and won them a UEFA Cup. This was a remarkable achievement considering Valencia were not considered heavyweights before he became their manager, and notable that his first La Liga title with Valencia was their first in thirty-one years.

Filed under: Champions league, football, liverpool, premiership, soccer, sports , football, sports

“I love it when a plan comes together” : Liverpool 8-0 Besikstas

 

Payback-check. Self belief- check. A Champion’s League record win- check. In a short space of time we have witnessed two English clubs in the Champions league embarrass their opponents by a considerably high score: Manchester United 7-1 against AS Roma (April 2007),  and Arsenal 7-0 against Slavia Prague (October 2007). Liverpool have decided to enter into this fray by demolishing Besiktas 8-0 at Anfield on Tuesday night in one of Liverpool’s most accomplished performances under Rafa Benitez. Going into this game with only a point in Group A,  it seemed that Liverpool’s chances of progressing to the knock out stage, were slim. However with this record win in the Champions league, and Olympic Marseille being held to a draw with Porto, Liverpool are within three points of second placed Marseille.

I could imagine what Benitez said to his players before the game; probably something along the lines of “i want revenge, i want every outfield player to try and get a hat-trick aginst these Turkish Bastards!” Well this may not of been his actual words but part of his agenda was to lift them off the bottom of their group by going for an all out win and renweing a perceived loss of self belief. This was apparent from the get go, where every ball that was contested was one by a Liverpool player and they swarmed forward in great numbers. The Besiktas players never had any time to dwell on the ball and were often forced into mistakes, by the complete harrying of the midfield and front players. Indeed the first goal came when Edouard Cisse unintentionally played Crouch through with a tackle towards his goal. Forcing Hakaan Arikan to make the save, the Turkish keeper could only parry it back into the path of Crouch who made sure with his second shot. You could see the joy on Crouch’s face, and what with not getting the required amount of games for a footballer who is eager to play, thegoal undermined Benitez’s decision to put him at the bottom of the list in his striker rotation policy.

Though he was oushone by Yossi Benayoun who grabbed a hat trick, he did extremely well, and always looked dangerous, drawing defenders in and flicking balls this way and that for his fellow team mates to run onto. The Besiktas defence seemed to be scared of the Liverpool forward, and this was maybe because people of this lanky appearance are normally confined to the circus as some sort of freak show in their culture (relax i’m not Bernard Manning and i dont actually believe this). Nevertheless on many occasions they employed  three players to mark him, which in turn open up more space elsewhere on the field.

Other notable performances, came from Livepool’s right back of the day Arbeloa, who linked well with the midfield and  attacked venemously on the wing resembling some sort of unstoppable train. Aindry Voronin who partnered Crouch, also put in a great performance even if he did not manage to get his name on the score sheet. Similar to Crouch’s performance his dynamic movement and slick passing gave Besiktas all sorts of headaches.  Javier Marschrano gave a terrific holding midfield display, repaying Benitez’s faith in doing business with West Ham, and Steven Gerrad gave a characteristic performance that had been missing lately for Liverpool, with energy, skill and drive culminating in his goal, Liverpool’s sixth and best goal. Playing a one-two with Marscherano in midfield, he evaded one challenge to pass for Voronin who backheld the ball into Gerrad’s path to put clean through on goal and score with a stinging shot past Arikan.

The whole of the team performed brilliantly, and this drew up questions to why Benitez does not field this team for the majority of games. Every player performed his duties efficiently and the team gelled considerably working down the wings with such panache, that it confusing why Benitez had often gone for hitting the ball up long in previous games. Staying on the subject of wingers, Benayoun who had managed to score three goals managed to outshine all his team mates by scoring three goals. If possible, Benayoun may also answer England’s SOS call if he continues this form, when he captains his Israel side against Russia.

Filed under: Champions league, liverpool, soccer, sports , football, sports

Liverpool’s soul

Unfortunately for Liverpool this season has not been going the way they had forseen it. Even Goalpost expected them to be performing better this season with the quality of the players bought,  and now there is talks of Benitez’s job being on the line! Champions league honours does not seem possible at the moment and maybe this is a blessing in disguise so they can concentrate on the league. They currently languish in 6th place in the premiership, but there are only 6 points between them and the leaders, so it is still possible. However performances need to improve.

Whilst reading the papers i came across this feature in the Times sports pages titled “the soul of Liverpool in 50 moments”. Although i am not a fan, particular favourites are number 43; Robbie Fowler gets fined £900 for displaying a shirt supporting sacked Liverpool dockers, and 48; which shows a typical witty soundbite from Liverpool managerial legend Bill Shankly:

“The sound of Liverpool”(Times Online by Tony Evans) 

Filed under: liverpool, premiership, soccer, sports , football, sports

Wednesday’s Champions league: Valencia 1-2 Chelsea, Liverpool 0-1 Olympic Marseille

 VALENCIA 1-2 CHELSEA: Having been flung into the deep end in his first game at Old Trafford against Manchester United, “rookie” “caretaker” manager Avram Grant had overcome a UEFA coaching license to secure a deserved win agaiinst the Spanish giants. After inheriting a team from a widely perceived managerial great that was Jose Mourinho; any manager filling in his shoes was always going to have to follow a tough act. With only a handful of games underneath his belt, the critics are obviously going to start analysing his record. Therefore, notwithstanding his achievements of nearly earning a qualification to the World cup for the Israel national team, his record for Chelsea thus far should be seen as an admirable one.

A win against Manchester United back in late September would of earned him instant adoration with the Chelsea fans and loyalty aside, they might of been shouting out “Jose who?”, but then again no one expected him to win this fixture. His following game; the Carling cup match against Hull was exactly the type of football that Abramovich wanted played at the club, having beaten them 4-0, but you would expect nothing less against Hull. The 0-0 draw against Fulham was pretty dissapointing where they were expected to win this match considering they’ve let in 16 goals alredy this premiership season, and Chelsea’s apparently great record at home against their West London neighbours. This away win against Valencia sees them in a promising position in the group stages having beaten their alleged toughest opponents away, and after failing to beat Rosenborg in match day one. So the record under Avram Grant reads: Won 2, Drawn 1, Lost 1.

The manager aside, it is important to examine the players who Mourinho had left behind. Certain circles of the football media and what have you, were expressing their concerns of certain players not having enough dedication or desire to play for Chelsea after their inspirational manager had departed. These views were obviously not going to be transfered to John Terry. Not taking into account of his alleged falling out with Jose Mourinho, his name was certainly on the team sheet for the Valencia clash at the Mestalla stadium, nevermind the 72 hours that had elapsed since he had underwent surgery on a fractured cheekbone experienced in the Fulham home match. It is interesting to note that in the League Cup final with Arsenal last season,  J.T. was knocked unconscious after Arsenal’s Diaby met his boot with Terry’s head, and yet this did not deter him from joining the Chelsea after celebrations. I’m sure that if he still was unconscious he would of sleeped walked there. To Didier Drogba (read Evening Standard) who was reported to of cried once hearing the news of Mourinho’s departure and to of been less motivated because of this (thats the last time i will mention Mourinho’s name-sorry) showed in this match that these media tales were completly misfounded. In this match he surpassed himself calling to mind why he was in the running for PFA player of the year last season, and scoring the winner.

Other players all across the pitch perhaps rediscovered their misplaced reliability,  Ricardo Carvallho and Joe Cole in particular putting in a great performances. Valencia took the lead after 9 minutes where the highly demanded David Villa reacted fastest to a loose ball that had bounced off Michael Essien and into his path. Escaping John Terry for pace, he managed to keep his composure and slide the ball past Petr Cech. Joaquin who was posing problems for the Chelsea defence had a good chance to increase the lead after good work from Fernando Morientes but Petr Cech was on hand to make a crucial save. His save, proved as a turning point as seconds later Chelsea managed to equalise and stun Valencia. Exchanging passes with Drogba, Florent Malouda sent in a perfect cross for Joe Cole to draw level ahead of the interests of Valencia’s Emiliano Moretti.

Part of this desire and dedication that i was talking about, was expressed when there was a scare for Drogba when he started clutching his hamstring just before half time. Luckily for Chelsea he emerged after the interval to continue where he left off. Showing real composure after the break Chelsea aimed to stay focused even after a 55th minute chance by David Villa ended up in the net but was chalked off side. Their reward came with 19 minutes left of normal time. Joe Cole, playing out of skin , won possession on the right and then delivered a brilliant throughball on the outside of his foot for Drogba to latch on to and put the ball past Timo Hildebrand. The win for Grant’s Chelsea for however long he has this position of head coach should be a starting point and prove to the critics that this squad need not be lacklustre under his command.

UEFA.COM champions league pictures

Chelseablog.com (Johnathan Dyer)

John Terry is a Cyborg (Shazgood.wordpress.com)

 LIVERPOOL 0-1 OLYMPIC MARSEILLE: Rafa Benitez described this display as one of the worst he has ever experienced with this club. He commented that “it was bad , a very bad game” showing that he has a great grasp of the English language. In truth his statement was true. Liverpool were abysmal and bearing in mind that this competition is supposedly Benitez’s main priority, Liverpool after two games without a win sit in third place in the qualifying group. All the money spent on fire power bellied the fact that they barely threatened until the final stages of the match.

Marseille languished 17th in the French league, poor in comparison to Liverpool’s league positionof 4th. On normal European nights the support from the Liverpool fans is one of the most estatic and memorable that anyone is likely especially for a crowd that only expects the best as they are the most sucessful English club both on the continent and domestically. After the result it was boos that were echoing across Anfield at their own team, which was uncharacteristic of the supporters such was the effect of watchingtheir team lose to Marseille.

Liverpool fashioned a chance early on for Fernando “Ian Rush/number 9″ Torres, early on in the third minute of the game. However a poor first touch allowed Marseille’s keeper Steve Mandanda to clear the danger. This was about it for Liverpool in the way of true goal scoring chances. The football media consensus is that Benitez being in the group of a recently coined managerial trait of “tinkering”, had in some way contributed to the result. Rafa said:

“You can talk about team selection, and we have been talking about big names. But those big names did not play well from the start.”

Steven Gerrad, in particular may pop into the mind when hearing these words, for he was missing throughout the game though he did try more so than the rest of his team mates to raise the standards of his team with a couple of long range efforts. The goal for Marseile, which was coming for some time, came in the 77th minute. Mohamed Sissoko was caught in possession, (in Rafa’s rotation policy it was a pity he had come in for the so far brilliant Javier Marsherano) , where the ball was switched to Valbuena who let in a 20 yard strike, that deservedly made sure his team ended up with the three points. For Benitez this game poses alot of problems to address for his next fixture in Europe. Their position in the Champions league probably will be improved giving the calibre of the squad he has to offer and bearing in mind his inpressive experience in this competition, having taken them to victory in 2005 and to the final last season. Benitez’s tinkering with his team after all may jut be a way and a means of applying the trial and error method to football.

UEFA.COM Champions league pictures:

Being Sven: a Liverpool fc blog

Independent football match report

Shankly gates

Filed under: Champions league, Chelsea, football, liverpool, soccer , football, sports

Depatures from English Football.

The completion of two major transfers occured last night, where Arjen Robben left West London and Gabriel Hienze left Manchester both bound for Madrid. Robben claims in the Guardian that “Chelsea should of done more to keep me”, which is funny considering he requested the move, and besides who would want to keep a player no matter how talented that player is (and Robben is immensely talented) who is always on the injury bench?? Heinze finally got his move away from Manchester, and  the Telegraph reports on whether Heinze will still take further action against Manchester United blocking his “dream move” to Liverpool.

Elsewhere Roy Keane lands the services of Andrew Cole who will reunite with the manager and Dwight Yorke. (football.co.uk)

Filed under: Chelsea, football, football transfers, liverpool, manchester united, soccer, sports

Can Liverpool emerge as serious title contenders this season?

When Jose Mourinho delivered another one of his “sportsmanship” comments last month about Liverpool and Manchester United’s expenditure over the summer, he was being both condenseding and truthful at the same time. Manchester United have spent over £50 million this summer compared to Liverpoll’s £40 million plus, but the onus is on Liverpool to perform this campaign after so many seasons of having the status of a top three team. The problem with Liverpool is that they have the squad to win the Premiership but act like they they have their minds on somewhere else, and this has been going on for long enough now.

Liverpool is one of the most successful clubs in European and English football, but the league title has alluded them for 17 years and its about time that they challenge this fact before Manchester United catch up with them in the cataegory of most league titles won. A poll conducted by the Liverpool fans, showed that 90% of the fans see the Premiership trophy as the trophy they want the most this coming season. This should also be the priority of Rafa Benitez, who after three seasons with the club, has had his eye on the champions league trophy as the most coveted prize, of which he was successful in achieving in 2005.

Liverpool looked dangerous on paper last season before they began last years campaign, but struggled to take the performances in the Champions league into the Premier League. Their failings last year was mainly due to a tactically cautious style of play, where they started really slow, and blew hot and cold throughout the year. This inconsistancy warranted a top three finish of which they achieved, but they were never going to challenge the two horse race between Manchester United and Chelsea.

This season they look impressive again. £40 million worth of investment has brought in proven finishers and creators, in the form of Fernando Torres, Andriy Voronin, Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babel. With this amount of talent measured in money, there should be no excuses if things go wrong. These arrivals should also herald a philosphy of attacking football that Liverpool have lacked under Benitez, but he must ensure that his new signings don’t become the equivalent of other proven finishers and providers that have come to Liverpool,  such as Fernando Morientes, Craig Bellamy, Jermain Pennant and Luis Garcia.

This aside if they repeat the triumph of 2005 without winning the premiership, the season will be another great achievement. If they repeat the form of last season it will be a failure. So the Spaniard must prioritise what he believes is achievable. The champions league is an achievable target… granted, but it is perhaps better to aim for a trophy that has not yet been purchased in the three years he has spent here. The premiership is both achieveable and more easier to achieve than the Champions league. So when Liverpool come out to face Aston Villa this weekend, they have to be ready from the off, and not give the other two teams a head start. They have the width, and in Kuyt and Crouch they have great target men with Torres suitable in partnering one of them; that is if he does not emulate another spaniard who came to Anfield.

Filed under: football, liverpool, soccer, sports

5 players set to storm the Premiership

1 Carlos Tevez (Manchester United)

Amid  the “Tevez-gate” stories that have been circulating in the media, there is no denying the talent that this Argentine striker possesses. When he first arrived on the scene in Argentina at Boca Juniors, he was dubbed “the new Maradonna” and indeed he draws many paralells to the Argentinian legend. Born in the back streets of Bueno Aires, he was a child footballing prodigy,  and he played for and is a boyhood soccer fan of Boca Juniors, but the similarities lie in the fact that they are both extremly gifted. Though he has not reached the legendary status of the Argentinian demi-god or had the success of him on the international level; he has none the less been a success at every club he has played at, starting with the clubs he played for in South America (Boca, Corinthians), to his stint at West Ham where he practically saved the whole team from relegation. Watching him last season it is easy to see why Manchester United were so eager to add him to an already impressive squad. He has flair, great technique, pace and courage and he is always comitted. In addition to these qualities he has an important ability that even when things are not going well on the pitch, he never seems demoralised. This is what you need in your team,  if you are a manager that wants to win trophies. Manchester United’s aquisition of this “new Maradonna” has laid out their intentions for the coming season. Without Tevez they could retain their premiership trophy but with him they might just win the Campions league. Football Vid

2 Fernando Torres (Liverpool)

“El nino”,  ”The kid” or “Baby face” as he is often refered to, is a La Liga legend at only 23,  having scored 75 goals in five seasons whilst playing for Atletico Madrid. Tall and lanky, yet athletic and extremly fast he is also exceptionally good in the air as well as being adept with his feet. Arriving at Liverpool and obtaining the number 9 shirt once worn by greats Robbie Fowler and Ian Rush, he aimed to prove to the Kop faithful that he is and will be a footballing idol in the same respect as his former number 9 predessors. In truth it is fiting that he wears this shirt number because he is a classic number 9 style centre forward. Added to his physicality and his dominating height presence (6″1 ,though still not as tall as Crouch), he has great skill and he should prove a welcome addition to an already impressive Liverpool team.

3 Florent Malouda (Chelsea) 

To count the French exports that have not fared well on English land i have managed to muster up two names. (message me if you have any more). Step forward Gilles Grimandi and Pascal Cygan, whose “footballing talents” were never appreciated on this soil (although they did manage to grab premiership medals with their club). Coming from Lyon, one of the most successful clubs in France, Malouda signifies the ethos of the French club of possessing and nurturing great footballing talents. After all this is the club that also gave the premiership Michael Essien. Malouda operates on the left-wing and can also play as a second striker or behind the front two. He is pacy and can provide for his team, mazy dribbles, neat one-twos, clever link up plays as well as an impeccable work rate and is often found traking back to help out his defenders (it would be interesting to see how his partnership with Ashley Cole develops) He also likes to get inside the box

4 Eduardo Da Silva (Arsenal)

 “There is a boy…who is very special. Believe me he can do things” Slavan Bilic  Croatia under-21 coach.

 Remember when Arsenal said that all they needed was a ‘fox in the box’? That was quite a while ago now, however  they still haven’t found one. The Arsenal of Wenger’s reign, plays perhaps the best football in the premiership, but often frustrations occur when the fans just want someone to ‘have it’  and shoot in the oppositions net, instead of just trying to walk the ball into the goal (no matter how pretty it looks). There was Francis Jeffers, and last season Jean Baptista, but they failed to add that cutting edge that Arsenal needed. That poachers instinct. This though is set to change after the £7.5 million signing of Eduardo Da Silva from Dinamo Zagreb. With the loss of Thierry Henry over the summer, a man who himself could get 30 goals or so over a season, Edauardo Da Silva is by no means his replacement. But he can guarantee goals. He has scored a around 83 goals in the Croatian league and last season he managed to score an impressive 34 goals in 32 appearances. These sort of statistics are not normally found in the modern game and perhaps Da Silva is a player from another era,  comparable to a Gerd Muller or Paulo Rossi or a ‘Dixie’ Dean. Although he has yet to perform at the highest level, he has managed to help propell Croatia to the top of the Euro 2008 qualifying group of which includes the England team. He will be a welcome addition to the Arsenal team. 

see link for player stats and the like at Goal.com : http://china.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=343313

5 Gareth Bale (Tottenham)

When you become Wales youngest ever international at 16 years and 315 days, and you have Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham chasing you to sign on the dotted line, you may start to believe that you are something special. Gareth Bale is  something special, and this is why Tottenham parted with £10 million to land this defender. Bale is everythink you want your fulback to be; defensively sound but also a brilliant attacker. He gets forward and overlaps well whenever he can, but is always at the back extinguishing any danger . Technically sound, his left foot is probably one of the most gifted left foots since Ryan Giggs. He also is adept at scoring brilliant free kicks one of which made him become Wales youngest ever scorer when he executed one past Slovakia in October 2006. The step up from Championship to Premiership will be a challenge for the Welsh youngster but I’m pretty sure he will cope with this well.

Football vid

Filed under: Chelsea, arsenal, football, liverpool, manchester united, premiership, soccer, sports, tottenham