The men do it all the time, the youngsters did it a couple of weeks ago, and now it's the women's turn.
I'm talking about their failure to grasp a tournament by the scruff of the neck - and actuall win the first game.
At last year's World Cup England's men took an early lead only to end up drawing against USA 1-1 (a match they were expected to win). Although they qualified from the group the stumble meantr that they had to face Germany in the first knock-out match and they lost 4-1.
At the recent Under-21 European Championship the men actually did rather well to draw 1-1 with Spain in their opening game, but they then failed to beat the Ukraine (a match they were expected to win) and went out with a defeat to the Czech Republic.
And now the women are doing the same. They drew their opening World Cup match on Monday, 1-1 with Mexico (a match they were expected to win) , and now face a 'must-win' game against New Zealand tomorrow.
Sorry to be cynical, but I can already read the headlines ...
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Monday, 20 June 2011
England's youngsters come home
For the English the football season finally came to an end yesterday as England Under-21s crashed out of the UEFA Under-21 Championship in Denmark.
Needing a win, England were leading 1-0 with a minute to go when the Czech Republic equalised and then moments later stole a winner to go through and send the English youngsters home. It was a disappointment for manager Stuart Pearce who must have thought his boys were on the verge on a semi-final spot.
But it was not to be.
Pearce said: "It was probably the best performance of the tournament. But perhaps us going home now was symptomatic of us not passing the ball well enough in the first two games."
So it's holiday time for these boys with most of the rest already on hot beaches. Pre-season training will sart in early July, and the first Premier League games are on 13 August (some of these players will start in the Championship a week earlier).
Until then, relax.
Mind you, the Women's World Cup starts next Sunday in Germany, with England's women having an outside chance (they're rated 10th in the world). Good Luck to them!
Needing a win, England were leading 1-0 with a minute to go when the Czech Republic equalised and then moments later stole a winner to go through and send the English youngsters home. It was a disappointment for manager Stuart Pearce who must have thought his boys were on the verge on a semi-final spot.
But it was not to be.
Pearce said: "It was probably the best performance of the tournament. But perhaps us going home now was symptomatic of us not passing the ball well enough in the first two games."
So it's holiday time for these boys with most of the rest already on hot beaches. Pre-season training will sart in early July, and the first Premier League games are on 13 August (some of these players will start in the Championship a week earlier).
Until then, relax.
Mind you, the Women's World Cup starts next Sunday in Germany, with England's women having an outside chance (they're rated 10th in the world). Good Luck to them!
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
Managerial merry-go-round in full panic
The madness of the managerial merry-go-round is in full swing.
Carlo Ancelotti sacked at Chelsea. No appointment yet
Mark Hughes resigned at Fulham. Martin Jol appointed at Fulham.
Gerard Houllier resigned at Aston Villa.
Billy Davies sacked at Nottingham Forest. Steve MacClaren appointed at Forest.
Alex McLeish resigned as manager of Birmingham City. Resignation rejected.
Aston Villa have now asked to talk to McLeish.
Fun, isn't it?
And funny how clubs believe that managers who have failed at other clubs will succeed at theirs. It was the old manager's fault that he failed at their club. It was the old club's that the new manager failed there.
Blind optimism? Blind panic? Blind stupidity?
There's got to be some fun during the summer when there are no games to keep us occupied!
Carlo Ancelotti sacked at Chelsea. No appointment yet
Mark Hughes resigned at Fulham. Martin Jol appointed at Fulham.
Gerard Houllier resigned at Aston Villa.
Billy Davies sacked at Nottingham Forest. Steve MacClaren appointed at Forest.
Alex McLeish resigned as manager of Birmingham City. Resignation rejected.
Aston Villa have now asked to talk to McLeish.
Fun, isn't it?
And funny how clubs believe that managers who have failed at other clubs will succeed at theirs. It was the old manager's fault that he failed at their club. It was the old club's that the new manager failed there.
Blind optimism? Blind panic? Blind stupidity?
There's got to be some fun during the summer when there are no games to keep us occupied!
Friday, 10 June 2011
Pearce bemoans England's absentees
The European Under-21 Championships open in Denmark this weekend. England's under-21 team is one of eight competing. The other seven are: Denmark, Switzerland, Iceland, Belarus (Group A), and Spain, Czech Republic and Ukraine with England in Group B.
England under-21 boss Stuart Pearce is unhappy that several of England's top young players have withdrawn from the squad. Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs, Micah Richards and Andy Carroll are the big four names - all with senior international experience - who have pulled out.
"We've probably got the biggest number of absentees who have represented the seniors," Pearce said. "We need to make sure that when we turn up to these tournaments that the big, big players are here."
He went on to say that experience gainmed from such a tournament didn't have a downside. "It adds value to the players, which obviously the club pick up on as well.
"I'll still deem that there's a real learning curve from the tournament like this. It's really high-profile, it's gaining in momentum profile-wise every two years."
It's a shame that so many of England's top youngsters will miss the trip. Invaluable experience will be lost, which could have stood them in good stead for future senior tournaments.
Nevertheless, others will gain from - such as Jordan Henderson, now of Liverpool, and Scott Sinclair of newly promoted Swansea City.
We wish them well.
England under-21 boss Stuart Pearce is unhappy that several of England's top young players have withdrawn from the squad. Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs, Micah Richards and Andy Carroll are the big four names - all with senior international experience - who have pulled out.
"We've probably got the biggest number of absentees who have represented the seniors," Pearce said. "We need to make sure that when we turn up to these tournaments that the big, big players are here."
He went on to say that experience gainmed from such a tournament didn't have a downside. "It adds value to the players, which obviously the club pick up on as well.
"I'll still deem that there's a real learning curve from the tournament like this. It's really high-profile, it's gaining in momentum profile-wise every two years."
It's a shame that so many of England's top youngsters will miss the trip. Invaluable experience will be lost, which could have stood them in good stead for future senior tournaments.
Nevertheless, others will gain from - such as Jordan Henderson, now of Liverpool, and Scott Sinclair of newly promoted Swansea City.
We wish them well.
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
The insanity of a mid-winter break
Talk of a mid-winter break in the English Premier League has reared its head again.
Sir Alex Ferguson mentioned it after Manchester United were crushed by Barcelona; England players have talked about it after their embarrassing draw against Switzerland last week; Fabio Capello said England players looked tired in that game.
But a mid-winter break simply would not work.
First of all - when IS mid-winter? November suffered snow in 2010; but so also did February 2010. So when do you break? December?
Secondly, the game is all about money and attendances at games on Boxing Day and New Year's Day are always at a peak. This might not matter to clubs whose stadiums are full every week, but it will certainly matter to the Wigans and Fulhams of this world.
Thirdly, it is not the breaks that matter, but the number of games. There are 38 Premier League games, as many as 19 Champions League games, plus possibly 11 cup games. So that's 60+ games in a season of around 41 weeks. That's not mentioning the half-dozen pre-season games, of course. What are we suggesting with a mid-winter break? That we cram those 60+ games into two or three fewer weeks?
Fourthly, the truth is that there will be no mid-winter break for players. If there is a break in the Premier League, then the clubs will whisk their players off to Thailand, Japan, USA for a lucrative mini-tour to ensure that revenue is boosted. Add three more games to the schedule.
Talk of a mid-winter break is misguided foolishness. Forget it now.
Sir Alex Ferguson mentioned it after Manchester United were crushed by Barcelona; England players have talked about it after their embarrassing draw against Switzerland last week; Fabio Capello said England players looked tired in that game.
But a mid-winter break simply would not work.
First of all - when IS mid-winter? November suffered snow in 2010; but so also did February 2010. So when do you break? December?
Secondly, the game is all about money and attendances at games on Boxing Day and New Year's Day are always at a peak. This might not matter to clubs whose stadiums are full every week, but it will certainly matter to the Wigans and Fulhams of this world.
Thirdly, it is not the breaks that matter, but the number of games. There are 38 Premier League games, as many as 19 Champions League games, plus possibly 11 cup games. So that's 60+ games in a season of around 41 weeks. That's not mentioning the half-dozen pre-season games, of course. What are we suggesting with a mid-winter break? That we cram those 60+ games into two or three fewer weeks?
Fourthly, the truth is that there will be no mid-winter break for players. If there is a break in the Premier League, then the clubs will whisk their players off to Thailand, Japan, USA for a lucrative mini-tour to ensure that revenue is boosted. Add three more games to the schedule.
Talk of a mid-winter break is misguided foolishness. Forget it now.
Monday, 6 June 2011
England end on a poor note
And so another football season comes to a close, and it ended, for Englnad, on a pretty gloomy note. The performance in the 2-2 draw at home to Switzerland in Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier was poor, to say the least.
Excuses of tiredness; some lame claims that they had done well to come back from 2-0 down, can't disguise the fact that a home draw against the Swiss is simply not good enough.
There was some respite in the group as Montenegro could only draw at home to Bulgaria, and so missed their own chance to claim top spot ahead of England.
So what's wrong with England? People like to blame the manager and his tactics ("too cautious"). Tiredness has been blamed. Apparently England players averaged 46 games to Switzerland's 31. Yet, Glen Johnson has missed half the season, as has Rio Ferdinand; Milner's not a regular at Manchester City, and Scott Parker has missed several games for West Ham. For Switzerland, Senderos, Djourou and Behrami all played in the Premiership last year, so I'm not sure about that stat.
It was supposed to be a good thing that Ferdinand and Terry were back together in central defence; that Wilshere was playing; that England played 4-3-3 (4-5-1, take your pick). They were all "good things" until Switzerland took a quick-fire two-goal lead in the first half. The recovery to grab a draw only partly disguised the dismal performance.
Top passers in the England team were John Terry (71) and Rio Ferdinand (57). Why? Because they spent most of the game passing to each other! Why? Because there's little or no significant movement ahead of them. They are then left to chip the ball forward (England's disease) and possession is lost.
We have no thrusting midfielders; none who can make a 20-yard run so that our possession is in the middle of the opposition half rather than in the middle of our own (indeed the Swiss had several who could do this: Shaqiri and Xhaka being two); none who slip quietly into open space in dangerous positions (like Xavi or Iniesta of Barcelona); none who can play quick one-twos to open up the opposition; and, more crucuially, none who can instantly control a ball and be ready for the next pass or move immediately. They call it technique and they've been going on about it for years, but nothing improves.
I think England fans live on in (blind) optimism that things will get better, but really they know they won't. We want England to be good, but we don't really believe they are or can be.
Teams like Switzerland are better than we are.
Excuses of tiredness; some lame claims that they had done well to come back from 2-0 down, can't disguise the fact that a home draw against the Swiss is simply not good enough.
There was some respite in the group as Montenegro could only draw at home to Bulgaria, and so missed their own chance to claim top spot ahead of England.
So what's wrong with England? People like to blame the manager and his tactics ("too cautious"). Tiredness has been blamed. Apparently England players averaged 46 games to Switzerland's 31. Yet, Glen Johnson has missed half the season, as has Rio Ferdinand; Milner's not a regular at Manchester City, and Scott Parker has missed several games for West Ham. For Switzerland, Senderos, Djourou and Behrami all played in the Premiership last year, so I'm not sure about that stat.
It was supposed to be a good thing that Ferdinand and Terry were back together in central defence; that Wilshere was playing; that England played 4-3-3 (4-5-1, take your pick). They were all "good things" until Switzerland took a quick-fire two-goal lead in the first half. The recovery to grab a draw only partly disguised the dismal performance.
Top passers in the England team were John Terry (71) and Rio Ferdinand (57). Why? Because they spent most of the game passing to each other! Why? Because there's little or no significant movement ahead of them. They are then left to chip the ball forward (England's disease) and possession is lost.
We have no thrusting midfielders; none who can make a 20-yard run so that our possession is in the middle of the opposition half rather than in the middle of our own (indeed the Swiss had several who could do this: Shaqiri and Xhaka being two); none who slip quietly into open space in dangerous positions (like Xavi or Iniesta of Barcelona); none who can play quick one-twos to open up the opposition; and, more crucuially, none who can instantly control a ball and be ready for the next pass or move immediately. They call it technique and they've been going on about it for years, but nothing improves.
I think England fans live on in (blind) optimism that things will get better, but really they know they won't. We want England to be good, but we don't really believe they are or can be.
Teams like Switzerland are better than we are.
Thursday, 2 June 2011
Blatter back in as FIFA president
So Sepp Blatter was re-elected unopposed as President of FIFA yesterday.
The FA's "too-little-too-late" attempt to postpone the election in the light of corruption investigations and unopposed candidacy was mocked and scorned by a succession of speakers from Haiti, Congo, Fiji, Benin and Cyprus. They called the FA's stance unconstituional and said that the interference from media and politicians was unwarranted. I'll bet.
The FA went out on a limb, with little support, and their position was defeated as 172 delegates (of 206) voted to continue to the election. Blatter was re-elected. "Today something marvellous happened and I'd simply like to tell you I'm deeply moved and honoured. It's a challenge, a new one for me, and I accept it," he said, in somehwat mock surprise.
Is there any light at the end of this murky FIFA tunnel?
Well, maybe the corruption investigations will find something to stick.
It appears that the way World Cup venues are chosen will change to encompass votes from ALL the delegates rather than the 24-man executive committee. That should make it more difficult for widespread corruption from potential hosts.
There were words (let's hope, not platitudes) around making FIFA more transparent and to "restart the credibility of FIFA". Blatter said: "Everyone was waiting for solutions - now we will apply them."
I'll not be holding my breath.
The FA's "too-little-too-late" attempt to postpone the election in the light of corruption investigations and unopposed candidacy was mocked and scorned by a succession of speakers from Haiti, Congo, Fiji, Benin and Cyprus. They called the FA's stance unconstituional and said that the interference from media and politicians was unwarranted. I'll bet.
The FA went out on a limb, with little support, and their position was defeated as 172 delegates (of 206) voted to continue to the election. Blatter was re-elected. "Today something marvellous happened and I'd simply like to tell you I'm deeply moved and honoured. It's a challenge, a new one for me, and I accept it," he said, in somehwat mock surprise.
Is there any light at the end of this murky FIFA tunnel?
Well, maybe the corruption investigations will find something to stick.
It appears that the way World Cup venues are chosen will change to encompass votes from ALL the delegates rather than the 24-man executive committee. That should make it more difficult for widespread corruption from potential hosts.
There were words (let's hope, not platitudes) around making FIFA more transparent and to "restart the credibility of FIFA". Blatter said: "Everyone was waiting for solutions - now we will apply them."
I'll not be holding my breath.
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Sponsors voice concerns about FIFA
Now sponsors are apparently getting twitchy about the goings-on within FIFA.
President Sepp Blatter has stated that the organisation is not in crisis, but both Coca-Cola and Adidas have voiced their concerns.
A a Coca-Cola spokesperson said: "The current allegations being raised are distressing and bad for the sport."
An Adidas spokesman said: "The negative tenor of the public debate around Fifa at the moment is neither good for football nor for Fifa and its partners."
Blatter is now unopposed for the presidency of FIFA (vot on Wednesday) after Mohamed Bin Hammam dropped out of the race following recent allegations.
"Football is not in a crisis, only some difficulties," Blatter claimed.
President Sepp Blatter has stated that the organisation is not in crisis, but both Coca-Cola and Adidas have voiced their concerns.
A a Coca-Cola spokesperson said: "The current allegations being raised are distressing and bad for the sport."
An Adidas spokesman said: "The negative tenor of the public debate around Fifa at the moment is neither good for football nor for Fifa and its partners."
Blatter is now unopposed for the presidency of FIFA (vot on Wednesday) after Mohamed Bin Hammam dropped out of the race following recent allegations.
"Football is not in a crisis, only some difficulties," Blatter claimed.
Monday, 16 May 2011
Relegation looms for two out of five
While the city of Manchester celebrates its League and FA Cup wins for United and City, at the other end of the table the folk of Blackburn, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Wigan and Blackpool will be living a fearful week as the threat of relegation looms large over all of them. Poor West Ham United already felt the axe as they were relegated after defeat at Wigan yesterday.
At the weekend Blackburn Rovers got a valuable point against the champions, while Wolves, Wigan and Blackpool all recorded wins, which they would have hoped would have dragged them clear of the relegation mire, but didn't. One point now covers all these five teams - Blackburn and Wolves on 40, the others on 39. Of the five, maybe Birmingham City are fearing the most after their dreadful home defeat against Fulham (0-2) on Sunday made them the only losers of this group.
So it will all come down to the final day and no games look easy. Perhaps the stand-out game is Wolves v Blackburn as it involves two of the clubs. In addition, Birmingham City travel to Tottenham (looking for fifth place), Blackpool travel to already-crowned Champions Manchester United (who, even if they field a supposedly weakened team, will still present a mighty threat and will not want to dent an almost perfect home record further), and Wigan Athletic face Stoke City who might be a little deflated after their FA Cup Final defeat on Saturday.
For those involved, next Sunday is going to be an awful afternoon.
At the weekend Blackburn Rovers got a valuable point against the champions, while Wolves, Wigan and Blackpool all recorded wins, which they would have hoped would have dragged them clear of the relegation mire, but didn't. One point now covers all these five teams - Blackburn and Wolves on 40, the others on 39. Of the five, maybe Birmingham City are fearing the most after their dreadful home defeat against Fulham (0-2) on Sunday made them the only losers of this group.
So it will all come down to the final day and no games look easy. Perhaps the stand-out game is Wolves v Blackburn as it involves two of the clubs. In addition, Birmingham City travel to Tottenham (looking for fifth place), Blackpool travel to already-crowned Champions Manchester United (who, even if they field a supposedly weakened team, will still present a mighty threat and will not want to dent an almost perfect home record further), and Wigan Athletic face Stoke City who might be a little deflated after their FA Cup Final defeat on Saturday.
For those involved, next Sunday is going to be an awful afternoon.
Monday, 9 May 2011
Manchester United on verge of record 19th title
Manchester United pretty much clinched the Premier League title yesterday with the 2-1 win over Chelsea.
The fast-start goal after 36 seconds was a body-blow for the Blues from which they never truly recovered. And the second United goal was the clincher.
Chelsea, never a team to lie down, mounted something of a second-half revival, with Frank Lampard cutting the arrears, but, despite some nervous moments for the home team, it was always going to be too much for Chelsea to turn around the early setbacks. In truth, the defending that allowed United to score their goals was woeful, and David Luiz (who has otherwise impressed greatly since his arrival in January) paid the price with his half-time removal by boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Manchester United only need a point to secure their record-breaking 19th English League title and, with due respect to Blackburn Rovers (away) and Blackpool (home), there is no doubt that they will get it. This championship has been won at home, with only one draw denting an otherwise perfect home record. Away from home, United have not been so impressive - even Blackpool have won as many games away.
Indeed, United have not always looked to be championship material. But in this oddest of Premier League seasons, none of the other contenders - Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester City - have done enough to stop the Reds from virtually securing the title with two games to spare.
As for Chelsea, they will lick their wounds from a trophy-less season and try to figure out how to get the best out of Fernando Torres next season. The fact that neither Torres nor Drogba scored a goal while both of them were on the pitch has to be a key pointer.
The fast-start goal after 36 seconds was a body-blow for the Blues from which they never truly recovered. And the second United goal was the clincher.
Chelsea, never a team to lie down, mounted something of a second-half revival, with Frank Lampard cutting the arrears, but, despite some nervous moments for the home team, it was always going to be too much for Chelsea to turn around the early setbacks. In truth, the defending that allowed United to score their goals was woeful, and David Luiz (who has otherwise impressed greatly since his arrival in January) paid the price with his half-time removal by boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Manchester United only need a point to secure their record-breaking 19th English League title and, with due respect to Blackburn Rovers (away) and Blackpool (home), there is no doubt that they will get it. This championship has been won at home, with only one draw denting an otherwise perfect home record. Away from home, United have not been so impressive - even Blackpool have won as many games away.
Indeed, United have not always looked to be championship material. But in this oddest of Premier League seasons, none of the other contenders - Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester City - have done enough to stop the Reds from virtually securing the title with two games to spare.
As for Chelsea, they will lick their wounds from a trophy-less season and try to figure out how to get the best out of Fernando Torres next season. The fact that neither Torres nor Drogba scored a goal while both of them were on the pitch has to be a key pointer.
Friday, 6 May 2011
Leeds and Burnley charged: why?
I am a Leeds United fan, but sadly live over 200 miles away in the south, so getting to see the team in action is an infrequent occurrence. I did, however, get up to see the tense 1-0 win over Burnley last Saturday. It's a shame for Leeds that the hard-fought, but deserved win will probably count for little as Nottingham Forest look certain to claim the last place in the play-offs by avoiding defeat at Crystal Palace tomorrow.I was rather bemused, however, to read that both Leeds and Burnley are to be charged by the FA for failing to ensure that their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative behaviour.
The incident happened in front of where I was sitting - only 20 yards away. A high challenge on Leeds's Max Gradel by Chris McCann sparked a melee in which I believe McCann, and Leeds's Neil Kilkenny and Eric Lichaj were booked. The melee was nothing more than the sort of thing you can see on Match of the Day every week. I have no idea why the FA chose to charge these two clubs.
There is a bit of a paranoid conspiracy theory at Leeds (justified, as "they" are always out to get us!), but this did seem over the top.
I am even more surprised to see this morning that Leeds have pleaded guilty to the charge. No doubt they will end up with a more severe punishment than QPR will receive for their misdemeanours (judgement mysteriously delayed by the FA yesterday).
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Norwich City make it back to the big time
Congratulations to Norwich City who secured promotion to the Premier League last night with a 1-0 at Portsmouth.
This followed Cardiff City's inexplicable 0-3 surrender at home to Middlesbrough earlier in the evening. That result meant that Cardiff were left hoping for a Norwich failure at Fratton Park, and results to favour Cardiff next Saturday.
But Norwich were in no mood to let slip their advantage, and a Simeon Jackson header gave them the win they needed to clinch promotion.
Manager Paul Lambert called it "a miracle" as the club has achieved back-to-back promotions - the first club to do son since Manchester City did so in 2000. Lambert took over as boss at The Canaries after his then-club Colchester United won 7-1 and Carrow Road on the first day of last season. They have rarely looked back since then.
Norwich City join Queen's Park Rangers as clubs promoted from the Championship to the Premier League. Cardiff City are left to fight out in the play-offs with Swansea City, Reading and, almost certainly, Nottingham Forest.
This followed Cardiff City's inexplicable 0-3 surrender at home to Middlesbrough earlier in the evening. That result meant that Cardiff were left hoping for a Norwich failure at Fratton Park, and results to favour Cardiff next Saturday.
But Norwich were in no mood to let slip their advantage, and a Simeon Jackson header gave them the win they needed to clinch promotion.
Manager Paul Lambert called it "a miracle" as the club has achieved back-to-back promotions - the first club to do son since Manchester City did so in 2000. Lambert took over as boss at The Canaries after his then-club Colchester United won 7-1 and Carrow Road on the first day of last season. They have rarely looked back since then.
Norwich City join Queen's Park Rangers as clubs promoted from the Championship to the Premier League. Cardiff City are left to fight out in the play-offs with Swansea City, Reading and, almost certainly, Nottingham Forest.
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Mancini must hope unconvincing Manchester City deliver the FA Cup
I watched Manchester City stumble to a 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park yesterday evening.
For the millions City have spent, they have come up with an entirely unconvincing unit. Players like Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko (although he did score the winner) do not look like players who will win the Premier League for City next season.
Yet, they have made the FA Cup Final - delightfully, for them, at the expense of their more illustrious neighbours from Old Trafford. The chance to bring the first silverware to City since the League Cup in 1976 looms large, but opponents on 14 May Stoke City (last winners of silverware in 1972 with the league Cup) will present tough opponents, and City should be mindful of Arsenal's defeat in the League Cup at the hands of Birmingham City earlier this season.
City look comfortable in fourth place and, in spite of Arsenal's recent troubles, are likely to stay there to claim a Champions League qualifying spot for next season.
Time could well be running out for Roberto Macini and, if he fails to deliver the FA Cup next month, he could see his number up.
For the millions City have spent, they have come up with an entirely unconvincing unit. Players like Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko (although he did score the winner) do not look like players who will win the Premier League for City next season.
Yet, they have made the FA Cup Final - delightfully, for them, at the expense of their more illustrious neighbours from Old Trafford. The chance to bring the first silverware to City since the League Cup in 1976 looms large, but opponents on 14 May Stoke City (last winners of silverware in 1972 with the league Cup) will present tough opponents, and City should be mindful of Arsenal's defeat in the League Cup at the hands of Birmingham City earlier this season.
City look comfortable in fourth place and, in spite of Arsenal's recent troubles, are likely to stay there to claim a Champions League qualifying spot for next season.
Time could well be running out for Roberto Macini and, if he fails to deliver the FA Cup next month, he could see his number up.
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Give the captaincy back to John Terry
The discussion about John Terry's captaincy of England has reared its head again recently.
When it first came up for discussion in February 2010, I commented on it. Here are some snippets:
"So should John Terry carry on as England captain?
The fact is that Capello chose John Terry as England captain because he is the best man for the job - football-wise. Does there need to be another reason"
The only thing I was wrong about was that Capello DID sack Terry as captain. He chose Rio Ferdinand as his replacement, but Ferdinand has figured very infrequently due to injury (as I expected).
Give the captaincy back to John Terry - it's the right thing to do, Fabio.
When it first came up for discussion in February 2010, I commented on it. Here are some snippets:
"So should John Terry carry on as England captain?
Chelsea obviously see no problem with the situation as he has carried on as captain of the Blues.
Why should it be any different for England?
Some may say the job's so important and it's representing the nation and all that. Is it? Is that the real reason for all this debate? Or is this just a typical media storm in a tea cup, brought about because of the lifting of restrictions on reporting this story, and the "haven't-we-done-well-to-expose-him?" media frenzy that has followed?
Let's face it. The media (newspapers in particular) love to "get" someone, don't they? And the bigger they are, the better. Captain of England? Top score!
If Fabio Capello sacked Terry as captain (and he won't), who would he put in his place?
Who are the candidates?
Steven Gerrard (he of the nightclub fight accusations)
Wayne Rooney (he of the dubious onfield discipline)
Rio Ferdinand (will he be fit?)
etc.
The only thing I was wrong about was that Capello DID sack Terry as captain. He chose Rio Ferdinand as his replacement, but Ferdinand has figured very infrequently due to injury (as I expected).
Give the captaincy back to John Terry - it's the right thing to do, Fabio.
Thursday, 27 January 2011
Premier League is shaping up
This week's Premier League games have helped to shape the league table.
Chelsea's impressive win at Bolton on Monday seemed to put them back in the title race, and when Manchester United were 2-0 down at Blackpool the following evening, Blues fans must have been rubbing their hands with glee. But, where Wayne Rooney can't score, Dimitar Berbatov can't stop scoring and two from him helped United to turn the game round to win 3-2. Soul destroying for title rivals.
Thus, United are 5 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal, and a further 5 points ahead of the other team most likely to challenge, Chelsea.
Liverpool's 'lucky' (according to Dalglish) win over Fulham last night moved them up to the dizzy heights of 7th, although they are five points behind 6th-placed Sunderland. The Reds are clearly not going to be dallying with relegation; they're only looking up now.
Blackpool's loss underlines the precarious nature of their own position, despite some exciting times up to now. Although apparently comfortable in mid-table, they are only six points ahead of the relegation places. No doubt they were delighted by Wigan's 2-1 home loss to Aston Villa, which has left Wigan in the relegation zone, and lifted Villa level with Blackpool - Houllier's team now starting to pick up points.
Alphabetically they'd be the last three in the league and that's where they are (slightly out of order): West Ham, Wolves and Wigan. The Hammers' defeat at Birmingham City last night leaves them without the distraction of a Wembley final, but would they really wish such a 'problem' on 17th-placed Birmingham (three places higher)? I doubt it.
Chelsea's impressive win at Bolton on Monday seemed to put them back in the title race, and when Manchester United were 2-0 down at Blackpool the following evening, Blues fans must have been rubbing their hands with glee. But, where Wayne Rooney can't score, Dimitar Berbatov can't stop scoring and two from him helped United to turn the game round to win 3-2. Soul destroying for title rivals.
Thus, United are 5 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal, and a further 5 points ahead of the other team most likely to challenge, Chelsea.
Liverpool's 'lucky' (according to Dalglish) win over Fulham last night moved them up to the dizzy heights of 7th, although they are five points behind 6th-placed Sunderland. The Reds are clearly not going to be dallying with relegation; they're only looking up now.
Blackpool's loss underlines the precarious nature of their own position, despite some exciting times up to now. Although apparently comfortable in mid-table, they are only six points ahead of the relegation places. No doubt they were delighted by Wigan's 2-1 home loss to Aston Villa, which has left Wigan in the relegation zone, and lifted Villa level with Blackpool - Houllier's team now starting to pick up points.
Alphabetically they'd be the last three in the league and that's where they are (slightly out of order): West Ham, Wolves and Wigan. The Hammers' defeat at Birmingham City last night leaves them without the distraction of a Wembley final, but would they really wish such a 'problem' on 17th-placed Birmingham (three places higher)? I doubt it.
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
Chelsea right back in the title hunt
Chelsea's return to form in the Premier League last night with a 4-0 win at Bolton Wanderers might just have the teams above them twitching.
The Blues (41 points) are now seven points behind leaders Manchester United, who have a game in hand - an away game at Blackpool this evening. Between these two sit Arsenal (same games as Chelsea) with 46 points and Manchester City (one more game) with 45 points.
Chelsea's imperious march through last night's game (at a venue where they always win and never concede) appeared to be proof that they have come through their bad patch - their last away win being in October. Goals from Drogba, Malouda, Anelka and a first from Ramires saw them cruising on a night when Bolton had wanted to celebrate the life of recently-died Nat Lofthouse with a win. The impeccably observed minute's silence before the game was a true mark of respect to the great man.
Manchester United will want to start winning away games (they have drawn eight of ten away to date) as, in the end, the dropping of two points in so many away games could prove crucial. SO tonight's game at Bloomfield Road takes on added significance.
Suddenly, Chelsea appear not to be out of the title race.
The Blues (41 points) are now seven points behind leaders Manchester United, who have a game in hand - an away game at Blackpool this evening. Between these two sit Arsenal (same games as Chelsea) with 46 points and Manchester City (one more game) with 45 points.
Chelsea's imperious march through last night's game (at a venue where they always win and never concede) appeared to be proof that they have come through their bad patch - their last away win being in October. Goals from Drogba, Malouda, Anelka and a first from Ramires saw them cruising on a night when Bolton had wanted to celebrate the life of recently-died Nat Lofthouse with a win. The impeccably observed minute's silence before the game was a true mark of respect to the great man.
Manchester United will want to start winning away games (they have drawn eight of ten away to date) as, in the end, the dropping of two points in so many away games could prove crucial. SO tonight's game at Bloomfield Road takes on added significance.
Suddenly, Chelsea appear not to be out of the title race.
Monday, 24 January 2011
Sexist comments have no place in modern football
The furore over the alleged sexist comments made by Sky Sports presenters Richard Keys and Andy Gray about female assistant referee Sian Massey is fully justified.
Their "off-air" comments were recorded before the Wolves v Liverpool game on Saturday and then released by an unnamed source after the match.
The comments reportedly ranged from [Keys]: "Somebody better get down there and explain offside to her" to [Gray]: "Why is there a female linesman? Somebody's ****ed up big" and [Keys]: "I guarantee there will be a big one today. Kenny (Dalglish) will go potty."
In fact, 25-year-old Massey got the "big one" right and it was in Liverpool's favour as Christian Poulsen played the ball through for Raul Meireles who Wolves thought was offside, but was proven by Sky's TV replays to have been kept onside by defender Ronald Zubar. Fernando Torres scored from the ensuing attack.
The kind of outdated sexism voiced by Gray and Keys surely has no place in the Tenties. Society and football have moved on from when Sky started showing live football (as they have pointing out repeatedely in the last few weeks) twenty years ago.
Some years ago pundit and erstwhile manager Ron Atkinson was sacked as an ITV pundit for "off-air" rascist comments, as was (in a non-football context) Carol Thatcher from the BBC.
Will Sky have the courage to follow suit?
Their "off-air" comments were recorded before the Wolves v Liverpool game on Saturday and then released by an unnamed source after the match.
The comments reportedly ranged from [Keys]: "Somebody better get down there and explain offside to her" to [Gray]: "Why is there a female linesman? Somebody's ****ed up big" and [Keys]: "I guarantee there will be a big one today. Kenny (Dalglish) will go potty."
In fact, 25-year-old Massey got the "big one" right and it was in Liverpool's favour as Christian Poulsen played the ball through for Raul Meireles who Wolves thought was offside, but was proven by Sky's TV replays to have been kept onside by defender Ronald Zubar. Fernando Torres scored from the ensuing attack.
The kind of outdated sexism voiced by Gray and Keys surely has no place in the Tenties. Society and football have moved on from when Sky started showing live football (as they have pointing out repeatedely in the last few weeks) twenty years ago.
Some years ago pundit and erstwhile manager Ron Atkinson was sacked as an ITV pundit for "off-air" rascist comments, as was (in a non-football context) Carol Thatcher from the BBC.
Will Sky have the courage to follow suit?
Friday, 21 January 2011
South Coast stirring in League One
In League One the south coast is stirring. Brighton lead the way, with Southampton in third and Bournemouth in fourth place.
This weekend Bournemouth (40 points from 25 games) host the leaders Brighton (46 from 23). Gus Poyet started to stir Brighton in the latter part of last season and they have continued their good form into this season. Their last three games have been wins against two other south coast teams: Exeter City 2-1, in the league; Portsmouth 3-1 in the FA Cup; and another league win against Peterborough (3-1).
Bournemouth's recent form has not been quite as good: 0-0 at Rochdale, a 2-1 loss at Colchester United and before that a 3-0 against (another south coast team!) Plymouth Argyle. They have obviously not been helped by the upheaval and then departure of boss Eddie Howe, who has now taken over the reins at Burnley. Lee Bradbury has now taken over as boss at Dean Court.
Brighton, of course, are moving into the their new stadium at Falmer - The American Express Community Stadium - next season and they would be delighted if they were to do so in the Championship.
With an impressive record to date, you've got to fancy the Seagulls to edge it over the Cherries in tomorrow's game.
This weekend Bournemouth (40 points from 25 games) host the leaders Brighton (46 from 23). Gus Poyet started to stir Brighton in the latter part of last season and they have continued their good form into this season. Their last three games have been wins against two other south coast teams: Exeter City 2-1, in the league; Portsmouth 3-1 in the FA Cup; and another league win against Peterborough (3-1).
Bournemouth's recent form has not been quite as good: 0-0 at Rochdale, a 2-1 loss at Colchester United and before that a 3-0 against (another south coast team!) Plymouth Argyle. They have obviously not been helped by the upheaval and then departure of boss Eddie Howe, who has now taken over the reins at Burnley. Lee Bradbury has now taken over as boss at Dean Court.
Brighton, of course, are moving into the their new stadium at Falmer - The American Express Community Stadium - next season and they would be delighted if they were to do so in the Championship.
With an impressive record to date, you've got to fancy the Seagulls to edge it over the Cherries in tomorrow's game.
Thursday, 20 January 2011
Premier League sees off Championship in the FA Cup
The four Premier League clubs duly dispatched the four Championship opponents in the FA Cup replays this week.
Only Doncaster Rovers took a severe beating - 0-5 at Wolves - and Cardiff City ran their opponents closest, beaten by Stoke City only after extra time.
However, both Leicester City and Leeds United had their moments against more illustrious opponents in Manchester City and Arsenal respectively.
On Tuesday Leicester City levelled at 1-1, then brought the game back to 2-3 to put the wind up the big-spen ders from Manchester.
On Wednesday, Arsenal brough out most of their big guns to ensure that could see off Leeds United for whom a superb 25-yard strike by Bradley Johnson had briefly given them hope at 1-2. Ultimately, though, the classy act that is Arsenal proved too much for the gutsy Elland Roaders. A 38,232 crowd brought back memories of the good old days to the Yorkshire club, who are in with a shout of promotion back to the top league.
Onward they go, then the Premier clubs:
Wolves and Stoke face each other in the fourth round.
Arsenal host another Yorkshire club in Huddersfield Town.
Manchester City face the conqerors of Sunderland, Notts County, in a potential banana-skin tie.
Only Doncaster Rovers took a severe beating - 0-5 at Wolves - and Cardiff City ran their opponents closest, beaten by Stoke City only after extra time.
However, both Leicester City and Leeds United had their moments against more illustrious opponents in Manchester City and Arsenal respectively.
On Tuesday Leicester City levelled at 1-1, then brought the game back to 2-3 to put the wind up the big-spen ders from Manchester.
On Wednesday, Arsenal brough out most of their big guns to ensure that could see off Leeds United for whom a superb 25-yard strike by Bradley Johnson had briefly given them hope at 1-2. Ultimately, though, the classy act that is Arsenal proved too much for the gutsy Elland Roaders. A 38,232 crowd brought back memories of the good old days to the Yorkshire club, who are in with a shout of promotion back to the top league.
Onward they go, then the Premier clubs:
Wolves and Stoke face each other in the fourth round.
Arsenal host another Yorkshire club in Huddersfield Town.
Manchester City face the conqerors of Sunderland, Notts County, in a potential banana-skin tie.
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Grant stays at West Ham - but for how long?
It now appears that West Ham United will be retaining Avram Grant as manager. Today they say they are “committed to retaining Avram Grant as manager”.
This after all the speculation over the weekend and the worst kept secret that the Hammers were courting Martin O’Neill for the job. However, it seems that O’Neill declined to take up the management role at Upton Park.
Having failed to tempt O’Neill back into management – he left Aston Villa last August – West Ham say they were now identifying “potential transfer targets” in a bid to avoid relegation.
Earlier in January owners David Gold and David Sullivan would not comment on Grant’s tenure after a board meeting.
One can’t help but wonder how long Grant will last if things turn worse again for West Ham.
This after all the speculation over the weekend and the worst kept secret that the Hammers were courting Martin O’Neill for the job. However, it seems that O’Neill declined to take up the management role at Upton Park.
Having failed to tempt O’Neill back into management – he left Aston Villa last August – West Ham say they were now identifying “potential transfer targets” in a bid to avoid relegation.
Earlier in January owners David Gold and David Sullivan would not comment on Grant’s tenure after a board meeting.
One can’t help but wonder how long Grant will last if things turn worse again for West Ham.
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