tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67024847945198471802024-03-04T21:59:59.395-08:00football....why do we do it to ourselves??!!up to date views on the inevitable ups and downs of a football supporter......feel free to contact, question, input anything onto this page, even if it is to vent your anger in someway......even if football is not included!!!!!!the-real-deal?http://www.blogger.com/profile/02757221952545546336noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702484794519847180.post-41149260255852900592011-10-18T05:58:00.000-07:002011-10-18T05:58:56.617-07:00Victory for Hillsborough victims....at last<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theanfieldwrap.com/uploads/2011/08/Image_21_for_20th_Anniversary_of_the_tragic_Hillsborough_Disaster_gallery_492183396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="http://www.theanfieldwrap.com/uploads/2011/08/Image_21_for_20th_Anniversary_of_the_tragic_Hillsborough_Disaster_gallery_492183396.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
A slightly different entry today as I celebrate the verdict of the Government to ensure the release of all files and details of the horrific Hillsborough tragedy which occurred twenty two years ago.<br />
Ninety-six unsuspecting football fan's died, 766 were injured. A human tradegy didn't really sum up the scale of the disaster.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01373/hillsborough-disas_1373308c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01373/hillsborough-disas_1373308c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
All the injured and dead were Liverpool fan's, something which rocked the City and the whole Country, and still to this day, the families of the deceased and the injured still seek the answers they feel they are entitled to.<br />
<br />
The Hillsborough disaster was and still is the deadliest stadium tradegy in British history, and one of the worst in International football, coming just four years after the infamous Heysel accident, also involving Liverpool.<br />
Heysel though was a completely different set of circumstances and it has been proved that at a time of football hooliganism, Liverpool fan's were at fault for the Belgian incident.<br />
<br />
This time however they were most certainly not, and although the authorities pointed the finger at the fan's of England's most decorated club, there were so many differing statements that this will cease to be the case.<br />
The ground of Sheffield Wednesday was being used for the F.A Cup semi final between Liverpool and their rival's Nottingham Forest, the game was abandoned after just six minutes due to the severity of the happenings in the Leppings Lane end of the ground.<br />
<br />
The stall wart sport programme of the time, Grandstand, cut to live pictures as the bedlam ensued, showing harrowing images of the human crush. The country watched as football fan's, just going to watch their team in a showpiece semi-final, clambering over anything and anyone to sustain their life.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01380/HillsboroughDisast_1380793c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01380/HillsboroughDisast_1380793c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
As the happenings unfolded, supporters were seen ferrying their fellow supporters on advertising boards being used as makeshift stretchers, up to but not beyond a line of police which had been assembled along the half way line to stop Liverpool supporters from getting to the Nottingham Forest fan's at the other end of the ground. This was clearly not the case as people of all ages died amidst, in my opinion, severe police negligence at the dealing of the situation.<br />
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The facts are staggering, ninety-four people died on the day. People of ages ranging between ten and sixty seven. Seven hundred and sixty six more people were injured, of which three hundred were hospitalised.<br />
Four day's on the toll rose another one victim, a 14 year old boy, attached to a life support machine, gave up the fight and the total stood at ninety five dead.<br />
It was nearly four years after the fact that the death toll reached its final number as twenty two year old Tony Bland was taken off of life support after showing no sign of improvement and remained in a vegetative state.<br />
Seventy nine of the victims were aged thirty or younger, the youngest of the victims was ten year old Jon-Paul Gilhooley, the cousin of Liverpool's current captain Steven Gerrard.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/04/11/article-1169035-04590F860000044D-836_306x461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/04/11/article-1169035-04590F860000044D-836_306x461.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><br />
Out of forty four ambulances that were in attendance that day, only one was let in to care for the injured and dying.<br />
Accusations were quick to emerge, in the era of football hooliganism the English tabloid The Sun was first to brandish generalisations of the fan's that had been in attendance, nearly all of which has since been proved to be un-found. This publication of false information still berates Liverpudlians and many of which still boycott the purchasing of the paper to this day, and will do for a long time to come.<br />
Following the tradegy an inquest now widely known as the Lord Taylor enquiry was published. This was a more in depth look into the factors that contributed to the deaths and injuries of so many innocent people.<br />
This report dismissed many of the conspiracies surrounding police accounts of the day, contradicting stories and reports were put to bed by the ground-breaking Lord Taylor.<br />
<br />
As a direct product of the enquiry, the fences and stadium security measures were scrutinised and in lew of this the fences were torn down and standing terraces were no longer standard in England.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOasXSs9tCg1Hk3WgtsMHvErMjE_g43OaLbFSKx4WKKD1WOBLvIBsNEQwzHMhOYIkZ0sYAG5CeMvAosrvo_OvTaczAh9W_Rds5ExZ-76g79tANzcIh8uDedPaZe8uQwxWG4DiSb5tbFlkq/s1600/Dr+Stefan+Popper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOasXSs9tCg1Hk3WgtsMHvErMjE_g43OaLbFSKx4WKKD1WOBLvIBsNEQwzHMhOYIkZ0sYAG5CeMvAosrvo_OvTaczAh9W_Rds5ExZ-76g79tANzcIh8uDedPaZe8uQwxWG4DiSb5tbFlkq/s200/Dr+Stefan+Popper.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><br />
The Coroner Dr Stefan Popper, had declared that all victims were dead or brain dead by 3.15 p.m on the day of the match, just nine minutes after the game had been abandoned.<br />
One of the victims mother's, Anne Williams, who's son, via witness statements was still showing signs of life at 4.00 p.m the same day was angered at the coroner's decision, which was clearly a flawed decision by the professional commissioned with the dealing of the bodies. Her case against the 'cut-off' signalled by Dr Popper was rejected in 2009.<br />
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The on-going fight for the truth and answers rages on, twenty-two years after the fact. Yesterday the case for the files to be released as public information was heard in the House of Commons after an e-petition in favour of this rose 139,000 signatures.<br />
The unanimous decision was upheld by the entire room and the files will get to see the light of day, and the families of all the victims will finally get some answers, whether they are the answers they are hoping for, time will only tell.<br />
<br />
All the families want is the truth, and if people are held responsible then so be it, but this is not why they have pushed for the information to be released. They just want answers, the true answers....and who can blame them....<br />
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</script></div>the-real-deal?http://www.blogger.com/profile/02757221952545546336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702484794519847180.post-47328044338332652882011-10-12T06:49:00.000-07:002011-10-12T06:49:05.193-07:00International break is over......now back to the REAL football....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2011/1/10/1294691576114/Kenny-Dalglish-007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2011/1/10/1294691576114/Kenny-Dalglish-007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The farce which is International football has now been and gone, the time to reflect on the last round of games in the Premier League is almost over and we can look forward to best league in the world returning to the forefront this weekend and it promises to be a cracker!!!!!<br />
Last time round it was 'Derby' weekend as the teams from North London clashed whilst the Merseyside battle also played out in equally controversial fashion.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2010/10/2/1286036898924/Rafael-Van-der-Vaart-006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2010/10/2/1286036898924/Rafael-Van-der-Vaart-006.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
In the game at White Hart Lane the droves of Spurs fans witnessed their side get one over on the old enemy, Arsenal struggling for any kind of result, and in truth they didn't deserve anything as the pressure continues to mount on Arsene Wenger.<br />
They really are in trouble, lacklustre defense and for all their endeavour, a pretty toothless attack as well, truly worrying times for the Gunners this year having already lost four games, a tally that almost counts a team out of the title race in any other season.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.topnews.in/files/van-persie-5424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.topnews.in/files/van-persie-5424.jpg" width="173" /></a></div><br />
This season I can see it being less than this, and Arsenal certainly are not going to be in the running for the silverware.<br />
They welcome a team, that is struggling just as much in Sunderland, to the Emirates on Sunday looking to give their season a bit of stability, something they dearly need. Sunderland have been poor recently and I can only see one outcome, an Arsenal win.<br />
<br />
The victors of the North London derby, Tottenham, travel up to the North East to face an in-form Newcastle who have been in great form and boast the best defensive record in the league, and you would never have thought that October!!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00756/Alan-Pardew-280_756110a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00756/Alan-Pardew-280_756110a.jpg" width="143" /></a></div><br />
Record's aside, Newcastle have not been tested. They faced Arsenal on the opening day, and we all know it's not the test it was and ended a draw, apart from that only Villa proved to be a real test and that game also ended up a draw.<br />
Spurs had the morale boosting victory over the old foe and in an attacking capacity they look potent with Defoe looking like he enjoys the partnership with Adebayor. The Togo front man is in a race to be fit and I think if he makes the game, then Tottenham will nick it.<br />
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The other derby last week, the awe-inspiring Merseyside affair, always seems to produce talking points, good and bad and this one was no different.<br />
It was pretty even up until Rodwell was wrongly shown red for a great tackle on Luis Suarez on 23 minutes, after this a few crunching tackles were flying around and the visitors emerged with the points as Andy Carroll got off the mark for the season and Suarez himself notched to round off the 2-0 win for the red's.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.sportinglife.com/11/10/330/Jack-Rodwell-Red-CardLiverpool-Premier-League_2659423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://images.sportinglife.com/11/10/330/Jack-Rodwell-Red-CardLiverpool-Premier-League_2659423.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Everton battled hard but were unable to keep them at bay, and they can take heart from their performance.<br />
This week they travel to Chelsea and will hope they can show the same commitment and desire and at least take something out of the game in London.<br />
<br />
Chelsea had travelled to Bolton for their last game and it was not the tough game we have all come to expect from the home side as Chelsea brushed them aside with under-fire Frank Lampard netting a hat-trick. Bolton were hap-hazard and deserved to be punished, the fixtures haven't been kind to Owen Coyle and his men and the table shows it.<br />
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Manchester City host Aston Villa in a game that sees plenty of ex Villains taking to the field for City. Both teams enjoyed wins last time out and obviously both cannot this time and you would have to be silly to not think that home advantage and having the best squad in the country, that City are not going to win this one.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01969/brendan-rodgers_1969406g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01969/brendan-rodgers_1969406g.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Two of the league's new boys go head to head as Norwich take on the Swans Saturday afternoon. Norwich have started well for a team that was immediately relegation cannon fodder from the 13th August. They have however battled and played some nice football and enjoyed some good results.<br />
Swansea were renowned for playing the best football in the Championship last year and this year they haven't changed their philosophy and why should they?!<br />
Gradually they will pick up points and home form will be key, but I see them notching an away win here. I feel their brand of football is great and it twins their attitude for success and passion and I think it'll be to much for Norwich, tight Swansea win here for me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://shinguardian.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/warnock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://shinguardian.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/warnock.jpg" width="146" /></a></div><br />
The other promoted side Q.P.R see Blackburn come to town and surely Rangers fans must fancy their side to get all three points in this one. Blackburn under the guidance of Steve Kean look completely lost and well out of their depth, Q.P.R have had a cash injection which will add fuel to those players pulling on the hooped shirt, and I can really only see one winner, Q.P.R fairly easily here I think.<br />
<br />
Fulham travel up to Stoke as they look to build on their 6-0 thumping of Q.P.R last week. A first hat-trick in the Premier league for Fulham, with Andrew Johnson's name along side it, will no doubt give the Cottagers confidence going into this game and they'll need it, Stoke will be smarting from their defeat to Swansea last week and are very tough to beat at the Britannia Stadium, so in this game I think it'll end up all square.<br />
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Wigan<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.wikia.com/backofthenet/images/7/7a/MickMcCarthy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://images.wikia.com/backofthenet/images/7/7a/MickMcCarthy.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />
The penultimate game is West Brom vs Wolves which for many would have seen it's own six pointer stamp put right over the top of it but both these sides have started pretty well and Wolves especially are playing some great football whilst being quite robust at the back also. West Brom have also been playing well and the table gives me a slightly false impression of both of these sides. As for the outcome of this one I will have to say.....draw.<br />
<br />
Now last but by no means least......the champions Manchester Untied travel to their fiercest rivals Liverpool in the Saturday lunchtime offering.<br />
This is the biggest game in both sides calender and one both sets of players and supporters instantly look for, this game is bigger than either sides derby games would you believe!!!<br />
Liverpool went to Everton and got themselves three points two weeks ago and they will take that as a building block for this game. Add to that the imminent return of their Captain Fantastic, Steven Gerrard, this could have all the ingredients of a blockbuster.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kopsource.com/wp-content/postimages/steven-gerrard-out-for-the-season.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://www.kopsource.com/wp-content/postimages/steven-gerrard-out-for-the-season.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
United battled through an awkward victory at home against Norwich where they won 2-0, it wasn't the most convincing win for Alex Ferguson's side but it was still a win, something that champions do.<br />
Rooney was missing until late in that game but I'm sure he'll start against Liverpool, and after his petulant kick out in England's Euro Qualifier ending in a red card for Rooney, I'm sure he'll get a warm reception from the ever loving Kopites.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://theoriginalwinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/wayne-rooney2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://theoriginalwinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/wayne-rooney2.jpg" width="161" /></a></div><br />
Massive game and probably the hardest to predict, I'll plump for home win, narrow victory for Liverpool, mostly due to home advantage and the return of Gerrard. But United haven't been playing particularly well and it could take them a little while to get back in the old routine.......<br />
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For any of you out there that fancy a flutter, my selections for this weekend is a treble, home wins for Manchester City, Q.P.R and Liverpool......</div><script type="text/javascript">
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Oh yes!!!!! The football is back!!!!!<br />
All the expectations, disappointments, and indeed brilliance was back last weekend as England's elite league got under way, with what was some what tentative start by most standards.<br />
Yes there were outstanding performances, and none more so than Manchester City new-boy Sergio Aguero.<br />
The new £38 million man got his City career off to an astonishing start as he came off the bench for thirty minutes against newly promoted Swansea and set about destroying their resilience by scoring two and setting up another as City strolled to a 4-0 opening fixture win to get their title challenge off to the best possible start and cement the fact they mean business for real this time round.<br />
City dominated the play in advanced area's whilst Swansea played nice stuff but without any conviction or end product, but showed the league exactly what they will be about this season.<br />
But it wasn't until the little Argentine, this time not Carlos Tevez, but Aguero entered the frey as it was looking more and more frustrating for the Blue's of Manchester.<br />
They had just taken the lead through Dzeko moments earlier but it wasn't until Aguero came on that City really flexed their muscle's and he certainly took centre stage.<br />
His first was a simple tap in from two or three yards, then he flicked the ball over the keeper and somehow managed to keep the ball in, but also in the same lunge set up Silva to make it three.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01696/david-silva1_1696483c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01696/david-silva1_1696483c.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Then in the last minutes of the game he picked the ball up around 35 yards out, was given space to drift in by the lax Swansea defense and he duly obliged with a thunderous shot which crashed in the corner to round off a very impressive 30 minute debut.<br />
City's neighbours United struggled past a resilient West Brom side who had pegged back the Champions after Wayne Rooney's opener, but almost inevitably United somehow got their win as they seem to do so often without particularly playing to well.<br />
Optimistic Liverpool fans would have been left ruing several missed chances in their opening game, especially being at Anfield against a Sunderland team that was totally new-look.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Clubs/Club_Home/2011/2/4/1296851488298/Luis-Suarez-007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Clubs/Club_Home/2011/2/4/1296851488298/Luis-Suarez-007.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Luis Suarez was back for the Red's fresh from his virtuoso performances for his country helping them lift the Copa America just a couple of weeks ago, and he certainly looked fit as he charged down the defender, went clear through and was crudely bought down by Richardson as he was rounding the keeper.<br />
Yellow for Richardson, penalty for Liverpool which Suarez promptly smashed into row triple z as he failed to put the home side ahead.<br />
It wasn't long though before he made amends as he nodded in a free kick from Charlie Adam as Liverpool totally dominated the first 45mins.<br />
Sunderland came out refreshed after the break and pushed the home side further and further back and were rewarded with a sublime equaliser from new boy Seb Larsson as he scissor kicked a cross which flashed past Pepe Reina. They deserved the equaliser and Liverpool didn't really have an answer. Point was fair result. Sunderland would have been the happier camp though.<br />
The other 'Big Guns' also faltered as both Chelsea and Arsenal were both held to goalless draws by Stoke and Newcastle respectively.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/match-centre/article785115.ece/ALTERNATES/gallery-large/Newcastle-Arsenal-Gervinho-Joey-Barton-Premier-League+cropped" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/match-centre/article785115.ece/ALTERNATES/gallery-large/Newcastle-Arsenal-Gervinho-Joey-Barton-Premier-League+cropped" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Arsenal had a more eventful game as their new striker Gervinho was red carded for a fracas involving, who else but the ever involved Joey Barton.<br />
The scouser felt the Arsenal man had dived to try to win a penalty, he was actually clipped in the box but DID go down in about thirty five stages to make a meal of it. Barton grasped him by the collar and told him his version of events and got a slap for his input. Gervinho then saw red and the game drizzled out to finish 0-0.<br />
Barton was stamped on by Song in this game also, Song has now been charged by the F.A for this.<br />
Fulham hosted Villa at Craven Cottage but this was also a game dominated by the defensive parts of the two sides as this encounter also ran up zero goals.<br />
Relegation candidates went head to head in the first 'Six Pointer' of the season as Wigan welcomed promoted Norwich City to town, both teams battled hard and Wigan broke the deadlock from the spot after 21 min's. But their lead didn't even make it to half time as the visitors pulled level on the stroke of half time to ensure no 'Let's Be Havin' Ya' rally cries from Delia Smith from the stands.<br />
The game failed to bare any more fruit for either team in the second period and yet another two sides shared the spoils as this one finished 1-1.<br />
Two more relegation baited teams went head to head at Ewood Park, Blackburn took on Mick McCarthy's Wolves team. Blackburn's Manager Steve Kean had been quoted as saying that their aim over the next 4 or 5 seasons was to make the Champions League places....yes you read that right....CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, not CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!<br />
This opening day defeat saw them take the lead on 20 mins, only to be pegged back two minutes later by a force full Wolves side. It ended 1-1 at the break only for Blackburn to concede two minutes after the re-start and hold on to pick up a very good three points against one of their rival's down at the bottom.<br />
The only other game that was played was Championship Champions Q.P.R hosting Bolton at Loftus Road.<br />
Unfortunately for the promoted club, Bolton showed the gap between even the 'mid-table' sides in the top league and the new clubs who will be in a season-long relegation battle.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thisisfutbol.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Gary-Cahill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://thisisfutbol.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Gary-Cahill.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Cahill curled in the opener and pick of the goals, and reporters being told that 'he does that every week in training' by his team mates after the game.<br />
So, first game down, and on the opening games showings it does look like the club's from Manchester will be definitely setting the pace..........<br />
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Yes yes yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br />
The seasons showpiece opener has been and gone and the daily countdown to the big kick off has really started now as we are just FIVE days away from the start of which is shaping up to be possibly the closest season in The Premier League's history!!!!<br />
All the big boy's are starting their engines in anticipation of the first outings in this seasons, all the new faces are no doubt anxious to hit the ground running at their respected club's, and the managers will soon be feeling the screw of pressure being tightened on them by their teams results and performance's.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.communityshieldtickets.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/CHARITY-SHIELD.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.communityshieldtickets.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/CHARITY-SHIELD.bmp" /></a></div><br />
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The Charity Shield as always kicked off the season and this season's 'friendly' did not fail to disappoint.<br />
There is never such a thing as a 'friendly' game between the two sides in this years game though as the two big guns from Manchester went head to head at Wembley.<br />
United looking to stamp their already impressive mark on the new season, starting this campaign as defending Champions once again, Fergie's men were looking to exert some early fright into their challengers to their throne. Whilst their neighbours in blue are playing catch up and looking to show their progress during the close season having made additions to their squad this summer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.skysports.com/09/12/218x298/Roberto-Mancini-Manchester-City-Premier-Leagu_2400755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img.skysports.com/09/12/218x298/Roberto-Mancini-Manchester-City-Premier-Leagu_2400755.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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All eye's were on Wembley as this is a game that could lay a blueprint for the season ahead and both sets of fans can be buoyed by their teams showings here.<br />
City took the lead through Lescott and then doubled their tally on the stroke of half time through one of their growing list of strikers, last seasons big money man Edin Dzeko.<br />
There wasn't much De Gea could do about the first, but a keeper that has been entrusted with keeping goal for the Champions and to follow in Van Der Sar's huge footsteps should not have been beaten by a 30 yard daisy cutter in my book. I'm sure he will improve but this wasn't the debut I'm sure he himself was hoping for.<br />
Although City were two goals to the good, United were by far the better side and would have been aggrieved to find themselves two goals behind.<br />
Astonishingly at half time Bookmakers were offering a gargantuan 16-1 for Fergie's men to turn the tide and run out winners!!!! Two goals down yes, but this is still Manchester United, the comeback kings, so whoever was creating the odds on the fightback I'm sure will be counting the cost of his/her mistake this morning!!!!<br />
Being the comeback king's and never letting up, United went back on the attack, and in all honesty out-played City, they got their breakthrough through Smalling as he vollied in from 4 yards and was soon followed by their second after the move of the match as one-two's were exchanged between Rooney and Nani including a back heel before Nani coolly finished over Hart to level it all up.<br />
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The game was looking to be heading for Penalties but as City launched their final attack, the ball was cleared up field and as Kompany looked to have an age to make a decision Nani was onto him and the City Captain ricochet the ball off of the Portuguese attacker but it sprang into the path of Nani who sprinted clear, rounded Hart and rolled it into the empty net to give the Champions a much deserved victory right at the death.<br />
<br />
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Fergie would have been pleased with his teams fightback, City will be happy with their first half showing, and no doubt City fans will be looking forward to the curtain raiser this coming weekend with high hopes, and even higher hopes of seeing their new £38 million pound man, Sergio Aguero.<br />
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Either way, fan of these sides or not, this was a great advert for the coming season and me for one cannot wait for Saturday!!!!<br />
My quick predictions for this season.......<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Sergio Aguero to win the Golden Boot @ 16-1</li>
<li>Manchester United to win the league with Aguero top scorer double @ 40-1</li>
<li>Swansea to finish in top ten @ 8-1</li>
</ul>My three tips for all the gambler's out there..........<br />
<br />
My top four will be this: 1. Manchester United<br />
2. Manchester City<br />
3. Liverpool<br />
4. Chelsea<br />
<br />
Relegation anyone????? 1. Wigan<br />
2. Blackburn<br />
3. Norwich<br />
<br />
Now if any of you out there reading this have any different predictions or bets that are worth looking at, please do not hesitate to tell us......spread the wealth and we can all be happy!!!!!<br />
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</script></div>the-real-deal?http://www.blogger.com/profile/02757221952545546336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702484794519847180.post-3012064354890844042011-08-01T01:42:00.000-07:002011-08-01T01:42:15.891-07:00Is Aguero The Missing Link For City?????<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.football-news.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/I-AM-ME-LOL49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://www.football-news.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/I-AM-ME-LOL49.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Yes yes yes the season is upon us, and the transfer mill is slowly winding up and the big fish are slowly circling and the big names are starting to arrive.....none bigger than Sergio Aguero arriving in the blue half of Manchester.<br />
City have been the big spenders in the recent transfer windows and this time round is no different, as they stump up almost £40 million for the Argentine striker that most thought was going to replace the want-away Carlos Tevez, but this may not yet turn out like that, having the transfer to Corinthians for their captain crumble at the last minute the two Countrymen may well head up the strike force this Sunday in the seasons grand piece opener, the Charity Shield.<br />
Now just how good is their new South American????? Well I can tell you, top top drawer.<br />
This is a young man, son-in-law of the illustrious Diego Maradona, who scores goals for fun. In the past two seasons he has scored more goals than Tevez, he really is the Real Deal.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sportsencounter.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Diego-Maradona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.sportsencounter.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Diego-Maradona.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><br />
He is very similar to Carlos but to have a player that is more prolific than their already loved Tevez, can only bare ripe fruit for the waiting Citizens, and I cannot blame them for being excited!!!<br />
As a fan of football I personally can't wait for him to take Europe's biggest stage, The Premier League.<br />
It is the best league in the world and players are rarely judged until they have pitted their wits in the league.<br />
Me personally think the 12-1 odds of Aguero winning the Golden Boot in his first season is astounding, and not in a bad way!!!<br />
I have to remind everyone that Tevez won the honour last season, all-be-it joint with Berbatov, and yet Tevez was obviously not happy last season, handing in a transfer request in January and missed many games through injury also, and still he managed to win the strikers most prized possession.<br />
This season, a man who is a more out and out goal getter will be heading the line, the team will have grown once again, giving themselves more chance to gel after last seasons big spending. They will always create chances and this is the man to net their goals I can assure you.<br />
So here me loud and clear, Aguero will be top scorer next season, 12-1, get your money on NOW!!!!<br />
<br />
Onto an enigma that is surfacing in the transfer doing's this close season.......Spurs......Daniel Levy has a pot of gold he is sitting on, and continues to sit on, is he hoping for it to miraculously hatch into more money???!!!<br />
Harry was quoted two weeks ago as saying 'It is early days in the transfer market' well if you believe that you'll believe anything!!!!<br />
I think Levy is going to to many boot sales or something!!!! At a boot sale you either get there early, scour the stalls for the bargain's and get your dealings done before the hoards arrive, OR you wait until the stalls are packing up and just want to offload the crap at the end that they don't want to take back home with them....and that is exactly what Tottenham are going to be left with if they carry on.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://forzaitalianfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Harry-Redknapp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://forzaitalianfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Harry-Redknapp.jpg" /></a></div><br />
All the other clubs are doing deals and the Spurs Chairman seems to be hoping for another Van Der Vart deal to be the saviour of their pre-season and keep the fans happy, but I don't believe that will be enough.<br />
There has been plenty of speculation but nothing concrete for the Yid army to clutch onto, and at least have a bit of belief that their club has the ambition that they should be having after their first season in the Champions League. No they didn't make it again last term but surely that is even more reason to be strengthening their squad with top players??? Or am I missing the point here????<br />
Harry may look like he has managed to convince Modric to stay, at the minute at least but this will not be enough unless they bring in at least one top striker, and one other to enhance the squad, just to keep pace, not improve it!!!!!<br />
It could be a long season for the Spurs fanatical fans if this is not rectified.......</div><script type="text/javascript">
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</script></div>the-real-deal?http://www.blogger.com/profile/02757221952545546336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702484794519847180.post-12702480601884198222011-07-06T05:28:00.000-07:002011-07-06T05:28:07.362-07:00The Transfer Saga's Are Here.....AGAIN......Yes yes yes, it is that time of the year, no not Christmas.......yet, but the time where the media circus and general punchline worthy transfer stories rumble throughout world football, and this year is no different.<br />
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It seems that every season has one big transfer story, in the past it has been David Beckham's moves around the world, Ronaldo's trip over to the Bernabeu, and of course the Fernando Torres £50 million jaunt to the Capital just six months ago.<br />
But correct me if I'm wrong, and I believe I'm seeing this in a pretty clear light here, but, is there always a story that never quite happens and then carries on for more than just the one season????<br />
Recent memory provides the seasonal Steven Gerrard speculation, then it moved onto Thierry Henry, then Wayne Rooney and the past couple have been drowned with rumours of the Spanish 'Whizkid' Cesc Fabregas moving to his beloved Barcelona.......to no avail as yet.<br />
So my question is, why do we get these protracted transfer stories every year??? I know, when the season isn't around, the media struggle to fill their back pages so these headlines are a good eye-catcher but where there is clearly some truth why is it all dragged out????<br />
Arsenal need to sell Fabregas, for their own dignity and the better of the club.<br />
He clearly wants to return to his home town, boy-hood club, and to work with his idol as a youngster Pep Guardiola. So why are Arsenal stalling the deal for yet another year???<br />
Last season Fabregas was well under par for his own high standards and every season he stays at Arsenal whilst still wishing himself away his performances will continue to dissipate, leaving Arsenal supporters fed up and angry at the teams failures as they are starting to over the last couple of years.<br />
£35 million is the latest bid from the Spanish giants which in itself is puzzling to me, why do Barca want Cesc???<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gfdb.com/images/pictures/players/xavi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.gfdb.com/images/pictures/players/xavi.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
They have the best midfield/attack in the world already, so why spend that kind of money on someone who can't get in his Country's first team ahead of the very players he will be in competition for places against at Barcelona???!!! It's madness, I can only think that Guardiola sees him as a direct replacement for Xavi in the years to come, as the brilliant creative player is now 31 years of age and will have to be replaced at some point, although watching him control the midfield as he does in every game he looks quite a way off of hanging up his boots.<br />
I think with Clichy already gone, Arsene Wenger needs to get rid of Fabregas, tell Sami Nasri that he can play in the position vacated by the Spaniard (Nasri's favoured position, and where he plays for France) in order to keep Nasri and not lose him to another top club.<br />
Then take the £35 million they will get for their Captain, buy a keeper, as they should have done four or five seasons ago, get a strong centre back, and then actually spend some of the boards gigantic cash balance and go after a World Class striker, why they never put a bid in for Fernando Torres in January I will never know., they need a goal scorer to put the chances away after their undoubtedly beautiful footballing moves. Now Torres is situated over at Stamford Bridge I think if Wenger doesn't want to dip into his pockets to much then he should plump for Defoe.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01670/defoe_pa_1670224c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01670/defoe_pa_1670224c.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Shocker I know, would Defoe move across to the dark side after being a Spurs player???? Hell yeah he would, Defoe has no loyalty what so ever, he has always looked after number one and this move would be no different. Champions League football will also be a pull to Defoe and he could definitely get some goals for Arsenal I believe.<br />
The other big transfer saga this year seems to be that of Luka Modric. The Spurs play-maker is supposedly unhappy at Tottenham and is thought to be flying back from his home in Croatia to thrash out talks with Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy this Thursday about his plans for the future.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nevercaptainnickybutt.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/LUKA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://www.nevercaptainnickybutt.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/LUKA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The word on the street.....or should I say the news, is that Luka will tell Levy that he wants to move on from White Hart Lane and move to Chelsea in what is expected to be another £30 million plus deal.<br />
Now Modric is a great player, but £30 million???? Are they sure????<br />
I thought Modric was an attacking creative midfielder isn't he???<br />
So how can someone that scored three goals all last season, yes that is one more than two and one less than four, Vidic the Manchester United CENTRE BACK scored FIVE goals last season, be worth £30 million???!!!<br />
If I was Levy or Harry, I would send him off with a bunch of coconuts and rip their arms off, much like Liverpool did with Fernando Torres in January, take the money and better the squad/team with the money. It is no use keeping players if they do not want to be at your club, so why wait? Get rid, and get signing some players that do actually want to play for you.<br />
With £30 million for Modric, Spurs could get the World-Class striker they need, someone like Rossi from Villarreal, or indeed Sergio Aguero, who they were surprisingly linked with in January. There are plenty of them about if you have they money, so why not get it done and get them in for a good pre-season instead of waiting until the last knockings and panic buy into something.<br />
So my message to Arsenal and Spurs is.......get rid of these players, you'll be better off without them. Yes they are good players but neither of them are irreplaceable.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://londonist.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/01/JoeCole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://londonist.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/01/JoeCole.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Arsenal have a replacement in the shape of Nasri, a good ploy to keep him at the club I think, and Spurs will go out and either sign Joe Cole from Liverpool,<br />
someone they should have got last year, or maybe just drop Van Der Vart in there, I'm sure he could fill the void.<br />
So Arsenal and Spurs fans or indeed any fans of football, please let me know what you think about the transfer debacle, or any thoughts on the coming season.......<br />
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</script></div>the-real-deal?http://www.blogger.com/profile/02757221952545546336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702484794519847180.post-20905780394178792002011-05-31T09:48:00.000-07:002011-05-31T09:48:27.192-07:00Just How Good Is Lionel Messi ????<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://topnews.in/files/Lione-Messi_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="http://topnews.in/files/Lione-Messi_0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Very, is the simple answer here.<br />
Yet another formidable performance from the Argentinian magician against English Champions Manchester United at Wembley in the Champions League Final saw his club Barcelona cruise to a 3-1 win at the hands of the Manchester club.<br />
The win propelled the Spanish giants to super-stardom, that's if you have been living on Mars for the last few years that is!!!<br />
The victory saw Barca notch up their fourth European Cup victory, this followed them winning their third consecutive domestic title, beating their bitter rivals Real Madrid into second again.<br />
Now I watch a lot of Football and I am now starting to run out of superlatives for this current Barcelona side, just the sheer dominance of the past couple of season speaks volumes but here I am going to spell out just how influential and consistent the jewel in their crown is, the one, the only, Lionel Messi.<br />
I heard some rumours about the chance of Cristiano Ronaldo being touted around for the extraordinary price tag of £150 million!!!!! Yes you did read that right, £1 5 0 M i l l i o n.<br />
Now I'm not his biggest fan but I certainly can appreciate the class of the man, he really is something special, but, he is half the player Messi is, so if Ronaldo is worth £150 million, just how much would Messi be worth???<br />
Obviously he won't be going anywhere, but you must be thinking in the region of £200 million if the tariff has been set with the Ronaldo price. There are so many reasons why he would command more money, here are but a few......<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>He IS consistent.</li>
<li> He scores goals.......consistently.</li>
<li>He works his socks off for 90mins EVERY game.</li>
<li>He never sulks. </li>
<li>He has bundle's of skill & an end product.</li>
</ul>Ronaldo has a couple of these qualities but if you are forking out some serious cash for either one of these players, both of which have been billed as 'The Best Player on Earth', I certainly know which one I'd be contacting and begging them to join my ranks.<br />
So Messi IS the best in the world, I can't find any other reason at all to think otherwise, but how does he compare to the Greats of years gone by????<br />
In my un-professional opinion the Greatest player ever is Pele, run close by Maradona, Zinedine Zidane and George Best.<br />
<a href="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41747000/jpg/_41747308_pele300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41747000/jpg/_41747308_pele300.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
These four players were once the dominant figure's of the footballing world.<br />
George Best was probably the best example of pure Natural enjoyment of the game, personified. Unbelievable close control, wizardry, and of course could finish the moves or runs off in considerable style. The only disappointment for him was that hailing from Northern Ireland he never got the chance to perform on the World's greatest stage, The World Cup, but he certainly performed everywhere else he could, even off the pitch which was perhaps his own downfall.<br />
Zidane was for the want of a better word 'Mecurial'. He floated around the pitch with such ease it was breathtaking, mixed in was the skill's, trick's and flicks that every supporter wants to see, unless it was against your team and even then you have to applaud. He could also add goals to his armour through either foot and indeed his head, but for Zidane his greatest moment came playing for Real Madrid at Hampden Park in the Champions League Final in 2002 where he performed the most perfect of volley's even then most picky of technique hunters couldn't argue with. Sadly his career ended in controversy as he was sent off for the 'infamous' headbutt in the 2006 World Cup final on Italy's Marco Materazzi, but this was after Zidane became only the fourth player in history to score in two different World Cup Finals.<br />
Maradona needs no introduction, especially if you are English, but the little Argentinian was undoubtedly a Genius when it came to football. For English fan's he will ALWAYS be remembered for the 'Hand of God' goal in the 1986 World Cup Quarter Final. But if you delve past this controversial moment you will also find the 'Goal of the Century' in the same game by the enigmatic Maradona. It truly was one of the best goals ever and it wasn't the only goal like that he scored I'm sure. Again close control, trickery galore and goals to boot. As with the previous 'Great's' his career veered towards self destruct as in 1994 in U.S.A World Cup he was sent home in disgrace for failing a drugs test.<br />
Last but be no means least, in my opinion, the GREATEST PLAYER of ALL TIME....<br />
Edison "Edson" Arantes do Nascimento.......of better known to the masses as PELE.<br />
The Brazilian wonder was the epitome of everything a footballer should be, power, pace, skill's never seen before, passes from heaven, idea's worthy of coming from Einstein, and all rolled into a 5ft 8" man from Tres Coracoes in Brazil.<br />
He made his mark in his home country before blowing the minds of the footballing world when he was an un-known 17 year old, announcing to the world the next generation of footballer to everyone. Skills that the European game had never thought possible, and all from this youngster from Brazil.<br />
His career was only just beginning, and without writing his entire career out for you guys, because believe me I would be here all day, I'll sum it up......1,281 goals in 1363 games.....<br />
Any player that has a record like this I think it speaks for itself......<br />
So where does Lionel Messi rank in amongst all of these illustrious names?????<br />
Given he is only a mere 23 years of age at present, he has already won five La Liga Title's, three Champions League Winners medals, scoring in two of the three, and he also became the youngest player ever for his National Team in 2006.<br />
Clearly there is plenty more to come from Messi, I already rate him in my personal top three, those being Pele, Maradona and now his compatriot Messi, but I certainly believe that he is more than capable of at least over-taking Maradona in that list.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ73voFhIMCvli9umhxMaERjTnTzFhBGUqNDqyjzg2xryaeWibzQ6VNh9Y8qf_QRInwLOY9_KcLC3i828ZreQ2p3cwndwZcxYAV4Zm3FbN4HWD3at4JiT7NsKKxooMHo4rNQdwtXzX0WU/s400/Lionel+Messi+Barcelona+Posters+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ73voFhIMCvli9umhxMaERjTnTzFhBGUqNDqyjzg2xryaeWibzQ6VNh9Y8qf_QRInwLOY9_KcLC3i828ZreQ2p3cwndwZcxYAV4Zm3FbN4HWD3at4JiT7NsKKxooMHo4rNQdwtXzX0WU/s320/Lionel+Messi+Barcelona+Posters+1.jpg" width="311" /></a></div><br />
It is obvious that to try and compare Messi to Pele, as they are separated by nearly 50 years, the game has changed so much, most of it due to the Brazilian, especially the beautiful football that is now the Holy Grail for so many club's, one that I personally think Messi's current side has now found.<br />
So I now leave the final judgement to you, just how good IS Lionel Messi, my verdict....not bad at all....</div><script type="text/javascript">
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Yes the Premier League 2010/2011 season has come to a dramatic end, with both ends of the table sharing happiness and disappointment in maybe not so equal measures.....<br />
The top of the pile saw Manchester United crowned League Champions yet again, taking their league title's tally to a staggering 19, seeing them overtake their fiercest rivals Liverpool who are still languishing on 18, and have been since 1990.<br />
This years honour saw Sir Alex Ferguson's personal haul reach an unbelievable 12 of the 19 on his own!!!<br />
His side may not have been the vintage quality of previous teams constructed by the Scot but they certainly were effective, and deservedly took the title, as the league never lies, they were the best team.<br />
Chelsea ended up second after a storming end to the campaign which looked unlikely at the end of January.<br />
But a flurry of results pulled them close to United only to see their title challenge come to an end at the home of the Champions. Their manager Carlo Ancelotti took the brunt of the 'poor' season by being shown the door immediately after the final game against Everton, leaving Chelsea looking for their eighth, yes eighth manager in just seven years, an astounding statistic for a club that only did the double 365 days previous in the Italians first season at the helm.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.soccernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/roberto-mancini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="http://www.soccernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/roberto-mancini.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
United's neighbours City concreted their place in the Champions League proper next season by over-hauling Arsene Wenger's faltering Arsenal side to finish 3rd and the Londoners 4th. The City manager Roberto Mancini fulfilled his target of Top flight European football for the avid followers of The Blues. Also in his first season he managed to mastermind an F.A Cup victory giving the fans their first piece of silverware in 35 years.<br />
Arsenal stuttered into the final Champions League spot with a drab end to their season, leaving Gooners feeling baffled at where it went wrong......again. Also more questions are now hovering around at whether Mr Wenger is still the man for the job due to yet another season with nothing to show for their efforts at playing truly brilliant football to watch.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://videocelts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/redknapp-harry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://videocelts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/redknapp-harry.jpg" width="146" /></a></div><br />
Spurs and surprise package Liverpool battled to the final day for the Europa League spot with the London club coming out on top. Harry's Lillywhite's must be happy with their season this year, their first year in the Champions League giving them a good showing reaching the Quarter Finals but defeated by Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid over two legs, but Spurs introduced themselves on the European stage in great fashion beating some of the games giants. Their European adventure I feel hindered their domestic form slightly but they held on top pip the Merseysider's to fifth place.<br />
The middle of the table saw the one-time relegation threatened Liverpool and Everton drag themselves out of the mire to finish strongly giving their fans a more optimistic outlook for next season.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01309/KennyDalglish1_1309071a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01309/KennyDalglish1_1309071a.jpg" width="143" /></a></div><br />
The Red half under now confirmed new manager King Kenny, appointed caretaker boss following the sides poor start under Roy Hodgson, the Scot steered his beloved club out of the danger zone and amazingly into contention for the final European place, just falling short after a tiring run-in.<br />
A good finish to the season by Everton saw them follow their neighbours out of the relegation zone and on the tails of the Red's showing their quality for a battle and brilliant guidance of David Moyes.<br />
The drama turned very much to the bottom half of the table in the final few games as six teams battled to stay in the English top division.<br />
The first team to suffer their fate was West Ham, a truly dismal season saw the Hammers drop into the Championship, and as a result Avram Grant lost his job.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.skysports.com/08/03/218x298/avram_grant_735350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://img.skysports.com/08/03/218x298/avram_grant_735350.jpg" width="146" /></a></div><br />
This now leaves themselves looking for a new manager to guide them back into the Premier League. Star players such as Scott Parker and Robert Green will surely be sold to the highest bidder, making their return all the more difficult I'm sure. But overall, the Hammers deserved to go down, at times they showed great character, and others they were awful, truly truly awful, possibly the worst West Ham side I have seen for many years.<br />
Their fate was sealed the penultimate weekend of the season, which left the remaining five teams above them to battle it out on the final weekend, a mouth-watering prospect, and it didn't disappoint.<br />
It was simple, if your team started with the letter 'B' or 'W', your team was almost certain to be involved, the list was.....Blackburn, Blackpool, Birmingham, Wigan and Wolves. Goal difference was tight and the possibilities were endless with respect to results and permutations of those results.<br />
As goals went in at the various grounds involving these teams, the picture changed it seemed by the minute, goals scored, goals against, and the point difference all came into action.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01750/Alex-Mcleish_1750214c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01750/Alex-Mcleish_1750214c.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.fanhouse.co.uk/media/2011/05/ian-holloway-190511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.fanhouse.co.uk/media/2011/05/ian-holloway-190511.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> The final standings saw Blackpool and Carling Cup winners Birmingham follow West Ham down into the country's second tier, Blackpool only having a solitary year in the top flight but gave the league a much needed breath of fresh air with regards to passion and hunger, none more so then their manager Ian Holloway who with his amusing press conferences and honest opinions, will be sorely missed next year.<br />
<br />
So an overall view of the season passed.......Great for the Manchester clubs, both successful in the League and Cup's, United paving the way for yet another batch of players under Sir Alex and City for rising from the 'also-rans' into legitimate title contenders for next year, and reaching the Champions League.<br />
A good season for Tottenham<br />
Much the same target for the hungry Liverpool supporters who desperately want their club to end their title drought and under the management of Dalglish<br />
The club's that escaped the drop will definitely look forward and look to strengthen their squads to keep them out of the dog-fight next time around, and the clubs that enter the Premier League on the 13th August, Champions Q.P.R, and fellow automatic placed Norwich both return to the top division after lengthy periods away, while the final place will go to either Swansea or Reading via the money-spinning Play-offs this Bank Holiday Monday.<br />
All three teams will try to avoid returning immediately back to the Championship but with every season that passes the fine line between the two leagues getting thinner and thinner their tasks will be as hard as ever...<br />
<br />
One last game i need to mention is the Champions League Final between Manchester United and Spanish giants Barcelona, staged at Wembley.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Clubs/Club%20Home/2008/12/14/1229217401386/Lionel-Messi-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Clubs/Club%20Home/2008/12/14/1229217401386/Lionel-Messi-001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Both sides were crowned Champions of their domestic leagues, and in a fitting end to the season they face off in the European showpiece......Messi will take centre stage once again as he will go up against Wayne Rooney who has returned to form at just the right time for the English side.<br />
Can United stifle the Barca attacking brilliance?? For me, no. They simply have to much of that, but I wouldn't be surprised if United push them to the end, as we all know, they never give up and ALWAYS score.<br />
Personally I don't think they will outscore Barca, and many teams have tried many different styles in order to stem the attacking tide, and failed. I am going to plump for a 2-1 Barcelona win.....<br />
In my opinion, this current Barcelona side is the best club side I have seen, possibly since the United side of Giggs, Scholes, Beckham, Van Nistelrooy, Cantona, that type of era.<br />
They are not far off the best team EVER, only the Brazil side of 1970 are better and that isn't by much nowadays as the likes of Messi continues to produce unbelievable performances almost every week.....<br />
I hope this covers most of the points needed, you may not agree with me but I hope you can at least realise my points are valid more than not.<br />
I wonder what the illustrious transfer window will bring.......I'll be keeping an eye on that and will be sharing my views on the happenings best I can.......<br />
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Another fruitless season for the Gunners this year....<br />
At present, they are nine points behind Manchester United in the Premier league, no domestic trophy as far as the F.A Cup and League Cup, having lost to Birmingham in the later of the two.<br />
Knocked out of the Champions League, all be-it by Barcelona, probably the best club side for the last ten years at least, no shame there, but once again Arsene Wenger's team end up empty handed for the sixth season in a row......yes SIX seasons.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2105/2167667223_780374e634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2105/2167667223_780374e634.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
Cesc Fabregas was given a bit of a roasting after he suggested that if Wenger was in charge of any other top club in Europe, then he would not still be in charge after so many failed seasons, and I cannot disagree with Fabregas' comments on that.<br />
If Wenger was in charge of Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, Barcelona, Real Madrid, A.C Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Bayern Munich......the list could go on, he simply wouldn't have lasted this many years without a single trophy.<br />
Why is it then that the French thinker is still able to plod along with his team, playing wonderful football I agree but if that wins you nothing then is it worth playing that way ???<br />
The main answer to Why ? and How ? is he still there is this, Arsene Wenger has NO-ONE to answer to. Yes he has to answer fans, through the media, and should be answering more on the pitch with victories in my opinion. But as far as owners, and the money men are concerned, there is not a single person he is answerable to, and this pretty much puts Arsene Wenger in charge of the entire club, and that can't be good for the future.<br />
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Yes he has single handedly taken Arsenal to the next level.<br />
Yes he produced the first team to go unbeaten throughout a whole season, unbelievable.<br />
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Yes he nurtured such talents as Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Viera to name a few.<br />
Yes his side have finished in the top four consistently for a decade.<br />
<br />
But if you look at the last six years, Arsenal have been, on average, a staggering 15 POINTS behind the eventual winners. With them being nine behind with four games left, this season isn't going to alter that to much either, so I think Wenger has taken the team as far as he can.<br />
He is stubborn, and blind to the fact that the team HE has built, no-one else, HIS team just simply isn't good enough. Yes they have some outstanding talents but as a whole, they simply don't match up to a title winning side, and results can only prove that, facts do not lie, and the lack of trophies only highlight this further.<br />
Now if Wenger was stubborn, stuck to his idea's and plans, as he has, and the team repaid his faith by winning something, then maybe no one could say anything, but as HIS way clearly hasn't worked, especially of late, I can only suggest he leaves, because no one has the authority to sack him do they???<br />
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So is he untouchable?? I think so, until the ownership of the club is sorted, with a single person taking the kind of control over the club which it badly needs, and no more so than now.<br />
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I have the up most respect for what he has done for the club, they are financially stable, within a couple more years they will be completely self sufficient and in total profit, he pushed through the plans for the stadium, he has introduced more grass route stuff at academy level, nurturing the young talent which has become Arsene Wenger's trademark now, I understand and believe that Arsenal Football Club most definitely wouldn't be the same if Wenger hadn't taken the job. BUT the time has come, he needs to let his good work be taken to the next level by a new manager, someone who will put their own stamp on the side, introducing something else to the Wenger mix, something that will take them to that next level that Arsene has been trying to get to.<br />
<a href="http://www.soccernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Martin-ONeill-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://www.soccernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Martin-ONeill-001.jpg" width="200" /></a>Exactly who??? I don't know, really I don't, there are plenty of people out there though, perhaps someone like Martin O'Neill??? I really don't know, but what I do know is, that Arsenal have to move to the next level and I'm afraid that Arsene Wenger cannot take them there anymore......<br />
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So after Manchester United's rivals faltered AGAIN at the weekend with Arsenal blowing an 8th minute of added on time lead, due to a crazy challenge in the box which enabled Dirk Kuyt to score from the spot in a thrilling game at the Emirates.<br />
United were involved in a pretty drab, by their standards, F.A cup semi final against their local rivals City at Wembley. They eventually lost and now are only looking to complete the double. Their chances of doing so will grow ten-fold tonight if they can dispatch a resilient Newcastle side at St James' Park.<br />
United go into the game six points clear thanks to Liverpool's late late late equaliser, and if they can notch another win tonight the title is almost certainly theirs, although in my opinion it has been theirs for months now.<br />
With the ever influential Wayne Rooney returning for the league leaders after two games out due to his rant at West Ham, twin that with the fact they lost Saturday to their local rivals, I can't see anything else but a huge backlash for Newcastle to defend against.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.fanhouse.co.uk/media/2011/01/alan-pardew-newcastle-060111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.fanhouse.co.uk/media/2011/01/alan-pardew-newcastle-060111.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Newcastle though have steadied the ship since Alan Pardew was appointed as manager, they have enjoyed some pretty decent form going into this game and won't fear the Red Devils, as they have managed to score a few goals of late despite the departure of Andy Carroll to Liverpool this January.<br />
United have no shortage of goal-scoring outlets as they look to close in on their record breaking 19th title, one that which will see them overtake the Liverpool club in that tally. Although this season's title will maybe give Sir Alex Ferguson his biggest satisfaction, his team is not the type of team he has built over past seasons but they still have the knack of getting results without playing to well, which they haven't done at all this season, by their own high standards.<br />
Saying that Ferguson's team are starting to hit form, eerily at the right time as they do so often late in the season, a reason they have won so many trophies, they simply never give up and always seem to do JUST enough.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01370/alex-ferguson_pg_1370077c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01370/alex-ferguson_pg_1370077c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Tonight I see the game being fairly tight, until United score, and as famously said, they ALWAYS score. With Rooney returning and no doubt desperate to prove a point, add that to the fact he was missing for the cup exit, I'm sure he'll have a lot to say in the game this evening. The team as a whole will be looking for a win to exert their frustrations of being knocked out the elite domestic competition, and no-one would bet against them getting it tonight to confirm their intentions of breaking Liverpool's record, which of course will bring great joy to anyone connected with Manchester United, none more so than Sir Alex himself.<br />
Once United score, I can see Newcastle struggling to keep it to one, they will have to attack, even if it is just a little bit, this will inevitably play into the hands of United and in turn they will get more chances as the game opens up. So I predict a 1-3, United to ease past Newcastle and if they do win, I think it confirms them as Champions......<br />
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<br />
I ask you, the public, who is to blame for Chelsea's poor season?<br />
I have heard many conversations from many different sources, and the three names that always come up are Carlo Ancelotti, Roman Abramovich and bizarrely Fernando Torres??!!!<br />
Now, as a football fan, and someone who has played the game, I can make a case for each of the first two in that shortlist, but not for the Spanish striker.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.eftmagic.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/torres-chelsea_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://www.eftmagic.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/torres-chelsea_small.jpg" width="200" /></a>Fernando Torres is a world class striker, no discussion, yes he is way out of form, yes he hasn't reached his own high standards for a season or so, but a player of that calibre doesn't become a bad player overnight, the instinct doesn't disappear, the goal scoring knack doesn't dissipate, so why hasn't he got off of the mark for his new club following his £50 million move from Liverpool??</div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, here's what I think. Liverpool had the likes of Xabi Alonso and Steven Gerrard who when they received the ball, instantly they looked for the run of Torres, trying to put him in behind the defense and release him as early as possible. Whereas at Chelsea, they do not play that way, with the midfield players such as Lampard and Essien the ball gets worked wide, using the two attacking players that play on the wings along side Drogba. This then gives Lampard and Essien the opportunity to make runs into the box and in return they get their goals as we are all aware that Lampard does on a very regular basis.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I have watched Torres for Chelsea and as soon as a midfielder receives the ball he is still looking for the quick release, but it never comes, because the rest of the team are not used to playing that way. The more patient build up is what they are used to and have had alot a success with so why should they change???</div><div style="text-align: left;">I thought the signing of Torres would give Drogba the kick up the ass he needed as I felt he has been coasting this season, rather than feeling his place in the team was threatened in any capacity. But what has materialised is that he clearly feels disgruntled and doesn't want to play with the new £50 million man.</div><div style="text-align: left;">As a result the manager is then put in a predicament, does he stick to his guns and play HIS team, an approach that won them the double just last season?? Stick with Drogba, Malouda and Anelka and leave the new addition on the bench?? Or does he play Torres and risk people slating him for the lack of form and goals of the front man?? Needless to say I think Torres is in no way responsible for the poor finish to the season, of course if he had hit the ground running and got off the mark in his first game the situation may well be different, but Chelsea fans will see the best of Torres next season, when he and the team have a pre-season to build around him, because at £50 million, that's the kind of player you HAVE to build the team around.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</script></div><div style="text-align: left;">Next person into the dock is Abramovich.The enigmatic owner, the billionaire who likes to get involved with the footballing side of things.....straight away this is a lose lose situation. This was one of the big reasons we now no longer have 'the Special One' in the English game.</div><div style="text-align: left;">When you are a business man who has succeeded like the Russian, you do have the right to be involved as much as you want, but only when your opinion is valid, and in the footballing arena it is not.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I believe that Torres was HIS signing, not Ancelotti's, this puts immediate pressure on the manager. If he rolls over and plays Torres, even though he is clearly out of sorts, and Torres doesn't perform/score, and he has to bring him off, he gets daggers from the owner. If he leaves him on and he still doesn't perform, it looks even worse, if he brings him off and Drogba comes on and puts in a performance like he did against Manchester United Tuesday night, it must feel good from a managers point of view, if, Torres wasn't his signing. If Ancelotti did want Torres then why does he look so confused and much like a man banging his head against a brick wall during games??</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ancelotti looks like he'll be given his marching orders at the end of a fruitless campaign, so is the Russian roulette working? Er..no. You can't keep changing managers and expect to stay one of Europe's big teams, there is no sense in it at all. Ancelotti delivered the double last season, so surely he deserves time???</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</script></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last but by no means least is Ancelotti himself, the Italian as i said delivered the double to Stamford Bridge last year, his team flew out of the blocks at the beginning of the season winning I think it was eight out of eight in the opening couple of months, and in doing so scoring plenty of goals. With the start they had, many people had already crowned them champions again come the end of September, me for one of those.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Every team has a bad spell and Chelsea's was disastrous, and in that bad spell they lost alot of ground in the title race and even slumped to sixth. Cue the panic buy of Torres, now whoever signed him, he will be a star for them, but for a January but I was never convinced it would change their fortunes in the league, maybe so in the Champions League but not domestically. They managed to pluck David Luiz from abroad and he certainly added something they were missing, but Torres was always going to create more problems than solutions for the rest of the season.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</script></div><div style="text-align: left;">So in my opinion, I blame Abramovich and Ancelotti. The Russian for interfering with football matters no matter how trivial, and Ancelotti for not having the balls to stand up for what he believes in. Ancelotti wasn't happy about the sacking of Ray Wilkins earlier in the season, he should have issued Abramovich an ultimatum over that, and again over NOT playing Torres against Manchester United in the second leg, he should have told Roman that he wanted to play Drogba and leave the mis-firing Torres on the bench, and if he didn't like it then resign. They are massive decisions but one's I think the manager should have made, or at least in some part. Because come the end of May he will not be getting any sympathy or thanks from the Russian owner I can tell you.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</script></div><div style="text-align: left;">Who do you blame?? Tell me if I am wrong.......please do<br />
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</script></div>the-real-deal?http://www.blogger.com/profile/02757221952545546336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702484794519847180.post-15478285626818930162011-04-13T06:48:00.000-07:002011-04-13T06:48:03.369-07:00Harry Houdini????<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.skysports.com/10/09/496x259/Rafael-Van-der-Vaart-Tottenham-Hotspur-Champi_2509157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="http://img.skysports.com/10/09/496x259/Rafael-Van-der-Vaart-Tottenham-Hotspur-Champi_2509157.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Is it a possibility?? Can Spurs dream?? Are Real the REAL deal??<br />
All questions will be answered by 9.35ish this evening that's for sure.<br />
<br />
Sorry to sound a bit Rafael Benitez here but these are the facts:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>No team has ever overturned a four goal lead in the Champions League.</li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Harry Rednapp has NEVER beaten a Jose Mourinho side.</li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Tottenham have NEVER scored a single goal against Real Madrid.</li>
</ul>So have Spurs got any good news going into this gargantuan fixture with a seemingly impossible task of turning over a four goal deficit against the Spanish giants????<br />
Honestly.......not really.<br />
But as an optimist I will try to give Tottenham fans some hope......<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.skysports.com/09/03/218x298/Steven-Gerrard-Liverpool-Real-Madrid-Champion_1984424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img.skysports.com/09/03/218x298/Steven-Gerrard-Liverpool-Real-Madrid-Champion_1984424.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><br />
Two years ago Real Madrid travelled to Anfield to face Liverpool in the last 16 of the competition, the Spanish team did on that occasion trail the English side by an away goal BUT they disintegrated under severe pressure of the sheer speed of the attacking Liverpool side. The speed which is an earmark of the English game which very few foreign teams simply cannot live with, hence the English dominance in European competitions.<br />
Liverpool proceeded to trounce the Madrid side 4-0 in the home leg and running out 5-0 winners on aggregate. On that night Real Madrid literally fell apart and Liverpool took their chances and were deserved winners. Real were simply outclassed in every department, the Spanish side do not normally travel well so why can't Tottenham put in a similar performance tonight? The scoreline would certainly be enough if they could.<br />
The problem Spurs will have is scoring four, or more, without Madrid notching at the other end. Mourinho has already warned Tottenham that will have to get SIX if they want to progress and I for one can't disagree with that. If Madrid score then they will need six, and that is almost un-do-able.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://soccerlens.com/files//var/www/html/so/soccerlens.com/files/2007/10/jose-mourinho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://soccerlens.com/files//var/www/html/so/soccerlens.com/files/2007/10/jose-mourinho.jpg" width="235" /></a></div><br />
The difference from the Madrid side from two years ago is simple, this is not a Real Madrid side, this is a Jose Mourinho Real Madrid side, and for that reason and that reason only I have to say Spurs have come to the end of their European adventure, an adventure in which they have breathed a huge amount of life and alternative football into this competition and they certainly haven't let anyone down this year.<br />
Harry is a supreme manager and of course they will give it a go, if they can get an early-ish goal, maybe a second before half time then it really could be interesting, but I feel they will either run out of time, or they themselves concede early on.<br />
On the basis of all of the above, I am going to predict a 3-1 scoreline tonight, Spurs will have to give it a go, but Real will score if Tottenham get three, but overall a good effort from the only London side left in the competition........for now.<br />
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</script></div>the-real-deal?http://www.blogger.com/profile/02757221952545546336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702484794519847180.post-23147375768640188002011-04-12T03:11:00.000-07:002011-04-12T03:11:24.364-07:00Carroll notches......at the double...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://betting.stanjames.com/sites/default/files/suarez%20and%20carroll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://betting.stanjames.com/sites/default/files/suarez%20and%20carroll.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
If the departed El Nino aka Fernando Torres is worth 50 million pounds then the zero's that must be either printed on the fibrous fabric of English pound notes, or the pixelated zero's on a computerised pay cheque with regards to both of Torres' replacements at Anfield.<br />
Both Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez put in performances last night, that EVERY Liverpool supporter would loved to have seen come from the previous number nine. But since 'FT's' departure, ( FT is what many red's fans now call Torres as they can't bring themselves top say his name) the two men that were bought with the proceeds of his sale, have both significantly overshadowed the Spaniard with both quality and more noticeably work rate.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://paimages.s3.amazonaws.com/categories/getty/480x385/GYI0063660688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://paimages.s3.amazonaws.com/categories/getty/480x385/GYI0063660688.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><br />
We all know the non-stop ethics of Dirk Kuyt, but in Luis Suarez you get the work that Kuyt puts in, twinned with extreme talent and a directness of movement that Liverpool have missed since the enigmatic Robbie Fowler left Anfield for pastures new.<br />
Carroll, still fighting for match fitness after his long lay off also put in a brilliant 90minute performance, working hard and shutting down defenders, winning headers and giving Liverpool a longer option when needed from the back.<br />
He was rewarded for his work with two sublime finishes from very different aspects of his armoury. The first was a crashing strike from twenty yards out after he himself had won back possession, the ball was picked up by Meireles who lined up a very speculative shot from forty-odd yards which bounced back off of a City defender and in front of Carroll, he proceeded to smash a shot first time with the instep which flew passed Hart in between the sticks.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.skysports.com/10/12/218x298/AdamJohnson_2545479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img.skysports.com/10/12/218x298/AdamJohnson_2545479.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Man City rallied for a bit but only really threatened through Adam Johnson on the right hand side, he had a couple of runs but none had the finishing touch the endeavour deserved, and this was the entire match as City looked pretty toothless all night and never troubled Pepe Reina in the Liverpool goal.<br />
Liverpool doubled their lead through the tireless Kuyt, he dispatched a beautifully placed side foot shot after a pretty scrappy minute or so where the ball bounced and bobbled in the City area before ball finally broke to Kuyt and he finished with a strike right out of the top drawer and Liverpool deserved their two goal lead.<br />
Ninety seconds later and the game was killed off, Meireles picked the ball up out wide on the left, he cut back inside and delivered an inviting ball into the box with only Carroll to aim at, and that was all there needed to be as Carroll outfought Kolarov to flick an inch perfect header just inside Hart's far post and the Red's were giving the Kop something to cheer about.<br />
Maybe it was Mancini's selection? I don't think so, the team spoke for itself, there was plenty in there to get a result they would have been hoping for, City were just so poor, only Johnson showed any kind of quality until David Silva was put on in the second half, but by then the rest of his team mates had already given up.<br />
Suarez continued to find holes left right and centre, pulling the defense around on his own and there were definitely promising signs of the partnership between the two red's front men, exciting times for Liverpool ahead I can say, if last night was anything to go by.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HcZ8iqmOqEtiC8iegzLwQQ1toBeslatJiwNKqnZ7kQwdvpxwEV3q8DMwlV_-LSnHhJ0QV7s56C-oicrp78fDxazutGLFBC6tNVD9ENheN9sklApoScLjoHd8Cq9BZ4itLaawnERX5Ag/s400/man_utd_chelsea_cl_final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HcZ8iqmOqEtiC8iegzLwQQ1toBeslatJiwNKqnZ7kQwdvpxwEV3q8DMwlV_-LSnHhJ0QV7s56C-oicrp78fDxazutGLFBC6tNVD9ENheN9sklApoScLjoHd8Cq9BZ4itLaawnERX5Ag/s320/man_utd_chelsea_cl_final.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Tonight see's the battle of Britain take centre stage again, Manchester United take their away goal back to Old Trafford and welcome Chelsea in the second leg of the Champions League Quarter Final.<br />
I can't see the Blue's doing enough at the Theatre of Dreams but stranger things have happened and Chelsea certainly have the firepower, surely Torres must get on the score sheet sooner rather than later and I wouldn't put it passed him to net here, but I think United will score and I am going to plump for a 1-1 draw........<br />
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Tonight see's Premier League leaders Manchester United travel to Chelsea in the Champions League Quarter finals, having watched England's other hope, Spurs, taken apart by Real Madrid in last nights game, despite only having ten men for 85minutes.<br />
First I'll quickly re-cap on last nights game, AAron Lennon was about to take to the field in 'His biggest game of his life' and for whatever reason, which has not come to light as yet, he failed to take the field, this was a huge setback to Tottenham before they had even kicked a ball. This was underlined four minutes in when Adebayor, formerly of Spurs' rivals Arsenal headed the Madrid giants ahead, questions were already being asked, and I was certainly one of them asking.....what the fuck was Jenas doing marking such an obvious aerial threat???!!!<br />
Unfortunately for Tottenham, the question was answered as Modric failed to stop the ball on the line and they trailed with only a few moments having passed.<br />
Then, to the bemusement of every English, let alone Spurs fan, the pivotal Peter Crouch made two challenges that he wouldn't make in an entire season, let alone in the space of minutes, and as a result saw red and really put his team mates at the bottom of Mount Everest.<br />
I had earmarked Crouch yesterday as the most important feature of the Tottenham side going into this game and he definitely made an impact, but not for the right reasons here and immediately I feared the worse for Spurs as Xabi Alonso was now left as the 'extra man' and he was already purring.<br />
Tottenham battled to stay in the contest but with a man down for such a long period the outcome was a forgone conclusion, just a matter of how many.<br />
Real proceeded to unearth Tottenham's defensive frailties and Adebayor netted again after a pin point cross from Marcello, there was plenty to do as he had no pace on the cross to work any pace on the header, but he managed to wind up his neck muscles and dispatch a sublime header past Gomes in the English side's goal.<br />
The writing was firmly on the wall and damage limitation was top of the order if Spurs were to have any hope in the return leg.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://totalfootballmadness.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Angel-di-maria-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://totalfootballmadness.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Angel-di-maria-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Two more goals followed, as Di Maria unleashed an unstoppable strike which even if Spurs had Gordon Banks, David Seaman and indeed Gomes himself between the sticks it still would have hit the net.<br />
Ronaldo squirmed one under Gomes and the task is now gargantuan, IF Spurs had got an away goal, which they didn't, they might have had a chance, but unfortunately I can't see them getting the four goals without a response from Real, sorry Spurs fans but the big man needs to apologise for his madness, because it cost you, big time....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42612000/jpg/_42612423_drogba2_getty300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42612000/jpg/_42612423_drogba2_getty300.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Tonight, where can I begin, United ALWAYS score don't they??!! I believe they will tonight, and Sir Alex will be pleased if they do, Chelsea, selection problems with who out of the £100 million strike force should they play??? What a dilemma?!! Personally, I think all three of them should play, Drogba, Anelka and the new boy Torres, and why not? They are all World class so why can't hey play together??!!<br />
Drogba causes problems, Anelka gets goals and doesn't get the credit, and Torres MUST score sooner rather than later, and he loves getting goals against United.<br />
Rooney amidst the controversy will put in a good shift and hopefully as a spectator, Berbatov will be his partner, and this is clearly a dangerous proposition. United will be more than happy with an away goal, so my prediction here will be 2-1 Chelsea, giving United the upper hand in my opinion, but as I showed yesterday, what does my opinion mean, very little as Mr Crouch engulfed himself in a ten minutes of madness, but we shall see on this one.....<br />
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Yes the Champions league returns for the Quarter Final stage this evening with the first of the English contingent in the shape of Tottenham travelling to Spain to take on Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid side.<br />
The 'Special One' saw his own personal nine year unbeaten home record taken away from him at the weekend against minnows Sporting Gijon leaving his side eight points adrift of the mighty Barcelona at the top of their domestic league, and no doubt leaving the 'Galactico's' looking for a result here to heighten the spirits and push them towards a major piece of silverware this season.<br />
Spurs on the other hand also lost ground in their domestic league with a drab performance against lowly Wigan at the weekend. Harry will definitely be looking for a result to also raise the pulse in this mouth-watering fixture as Spur's continue their fairytale first season in Europe's elite competition.<br />
So many factors will be important tonight and indeed in the second leg at White Hart Lane, none more than the performance of one Peter Crouch.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.breakingfootballnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/levante-real-madrid-la-liga-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://www.breakingfootballnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/levante-real-madrid-la-liga-01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Maybe a tad surprising to see that name up there amongst the talent on show in the forms of Bale, Van Der Vart, Lennon, Ronaldo, Alonso, Ozil etc to name but a few, but in my opinion that man, all 6ft 7" of him, will be crucial IF Tottenham are to progress. Why I here you ask?? Well, although he is not prolific in the air, he will cause the Real back four extreme trouble with just dealing with the threat of him, a huge target man, superb with his feet, great finisher, and very intelligent in bringing others into play, he will be the difference, mark my words.<br />
Foreign teams do not come up against players like Crouch on a month or yearly basis, let alone two games in quick succession. Players that automatically cause problems for defenders not matter how involved they are, just the shear threat is enough to have the desired effect.<br />
Crouch got the winner in the last round, away against A C Milan, and put in a lone striking performance that ranked very high on the list as far as big man up front goes. A similar showing this evening will help no-end in getting Spurs a result they can build on in the second leg and for me ultimately go through past Madrid.<br />
This being the first season in the competition, Tottenham have had the 'unknown' factor thus far and it has helped them greatly, against Madrid on the other hand they will see many familiar faces, not only Mourinho, but obviously the much loved Ronaldo, Alonso, Carvalho all spent time in the English league and will know a bit more about what Tottenham are in regards to the setup and execution, and that is where Harry needs to pull his strings.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballticketsonline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/harry_redknapp_280x_464805a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.footballticketsonline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/harry_redknapp_280x_464805a.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><br />
It can't be hidden the impact Harry has on his current squad of players, with his undoubted man management skills, I'm sure he will have the blue prints in his mind.<br />
Keep Ozil quiet will be high on the list here, as the front players come alive as soon as he gets on the ball, Benzema, who will be missing is the most noticeable one for this but with Higuain likely to step into his shoes the threat is by no means less. Ronaldo speaks for himself but in the big games he generally is either unstoppable or just plain frustrating, Spurs will be hoping for the later.<br />
I think Tottenham will give a good account of themselves, I think they'll play it tight for twenty Min's or so then try to impose themselves on the men in white.<br />
My prediction for this one is a 2-1 victory for Madrid, this may look bad news for Spurs but as they showed in Milan, the away goal is CRUCIAL, and if they do get one, then the second leg down at the Lane will be very very interesting indeed......<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thenational.ae/deployedfiles//Assets/Richmedia/Image/sp04ap-rooney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.thenational.ae/deployedfiles//Assets/Richmedia/Image/sp04ap-rooney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Yes I am afraid so people, the weekends results signalled the end for the chasing pack in regards to the Premiership crown as it started its familiar journey up towards Manchester to settle down in the showroom of 'The Theatre Of Dreams' once again......<br />
The results in the latest round of games showed exactly why the Red Devils have won so many title's, and this seasons one won't be won in the same vein as the previous one's under the scrutiny of Sir Alex. This years crop of United players seem to have the grit and not for the want of a better word a scrappy disposition for grinding out unlikely results.<br />
We all know that all Ferguson teams are famed for late goals and this season is no different with Hernandez getting the majority of the late shows, but the team that Alex has assembled this year seem a lot more dogged and determined, this is maybe to lack of sheer class in the ranks which the United teams of the past boasted in abundance?<br />
Of course the quality still remains, with Rooney, Scholes, and the sublime but frustrating Berbatov, but aside from these the pickings are slim in comparison to years gone by.<br />
This seasons title race has been anything but straight forward with no team taking it by the horns, it seemed that every time one side involved slipped up and dropped points, then the chasing teams duly obliged the same fate. But with games running out I can only see the silverware heading back to Old Trafford come May.<br />
This weekend further enhanced the fact that no team actually wants to win it, having watched United clamber back from two goals down against West Ham, the challenge was set for Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City to keep the pressure on......only City managing to notch a win out of the rest of the 'challengers', and ever their win only bought them to within a huge ten points of their rivals, surely to far with only seven games to go.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://topnews.in/sports/files/Arsene-Wenger_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://topnews.in/sports/files/Arsene-Wenger_6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Arsenal the only real threat, as they have been most of the season drew a blank yet again as Blackburn held firm at the Emirates. As the game rode on, the home side seemed to diminish, whether it was the belief or physical I don't know but after an opening twenty minutes where the Gunners looked like they would run out comfortable winners, they seemed to run out of ideas and enthusiasm for the fight.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/match-centre/article692515.ece/ALTERNATES/gallery-large/Fernando+Torres-Chelsea+cropped" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/match-centre/article692515.ece/ALTERNATES/gallery-large/Fernando+Torres-Chelsea+cropped" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Chelsea went to Stoke with the mis-firing £50 million pound Fernando Torres only making the bench, back to the old routine looked likely but the Stoke side really were the better side for the majority of the game with Petr Cech making some great saves to win a point for the Blues.<br />
Tottenham travelled to struggling Wigan, normally I watch Spurs and see them miss hatfull's of chances but in this game they never got going at all, whereas the home side threatened most of the game and Tottenham had Gomes to thank for saving them a point.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.sportinglife.com/10/10/330/Carlos-Tevez-Manchester-City_2519726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://images.sportinglife.com/10/10/330/Carlos-Tevez-Manchester-City_2519726.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
City hosted Sunderland who were on a torrid run of results and from early on it was evident why, the poor visitors were duly punished for the lack lustre nature they approached the game in, City hit five without reply, but this was by no means a five star performance for me, they just took their chances and made Sunderland look poor, as they undoubtedly were.<br />
Before the games kicked off I predicted to have no further insight into the eventual winners of the league, but as it has turned out I think the League winners became more evident as they put in a second half performance that shows why they will win it, all being over shadowed by the 'ignorant' Rooney as he unleashed a barrage of abuse into the Sky Sports camera's after netting his and United's third.<br />
He took a whole load of abuse himself throughout but even so, this kind of behaviour shouldn't have a place in football no matter the circumstances, but we are all human after all and Rooney instantly noted his fault by way of an apology to the fans and viewers after the game.<br />
So unfortunately I feel I am forced to say that the season ending will see Manchester United notch up their 19th title, finally taking over their fierce rivals Liverpool in that tally.<br />
The winning of the league for this year may give Alex Ferguson the inspiration to continue for a few more years perhaps??????</div><script type="text/javascript">
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League leaders Manchester United travel to London to face a re-juvinated West Ham. A<span class="main-content"> four-game unbeaten run has seen Avram Grant's team climb out of the relegation zone on goal difference. But they are still only two points off the bottom of the table and Grant will be desperate for inspirational midfielder Scott Parker to be fit and repeat his performance from England's win over Wales. My prediction here, narrow 2-1 win for the league leaders.</span><br />
<span class="main-content">If United are successful, closest rivals Arsenal<b> </b>could begin their match against Blackburn </span><span class="main-content">eight points behind Ferguson's men and under big pressure. Wenger praised the character of his squad after they battled back to a 2-2 draw at West Brom in their last match, but it was two points lost as far as the Arsenal faithful were concerned. Blackburn sit one point off relegation so they will want to put in a performance to underline their intent to stay in the top flight. I can see this one being a home win, also by narrow margin, I'll plump for a 2-0 Arsenal victory.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://news.betinternet.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/kenny-dalglish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://news.betinternet.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/kenny-dalglish.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span class="main-content">Roy Hodgson will be reacquainted with Liverpool when<b> </b>West Brom<b> </b>play hosts at The Hawthorns. It will be the first time the former manager of the Anfield club meets his ex-employers since he was sacked in January just six months into the job. Hodgson's time as Liverpool boss was hugely disappointing and Kenny Dalglish<img class="lingo_icon lingo_icon_black" id="lingo_icon" src="http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif" style="background-color: transparent; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: 0pt none; cursor: pointer; display: inline; float: none; height: 12px; left: auto; line-height: normal; margin: 0pt ! important; padding: 0pt; position: static; text-decoration: none; top: auto; vertical-align: top; visibility: visible; width: 12px;" /> has since made a good start in the task of rebuilding fortunes to ensure that fifth place is not yet out of reach. But, despite an insistence that he has nothing to prove, Hodgson is expected to provide stern opposition, as, four matches into his quest to save West Brom from relegation, he remains unbeaten. Given the Baggies good hame record this looks a tough task for the visitors, but saying that, I feel Andy Carroll is gaining fitness and will be inspired by his classy finish in Englands friendly with Ghana, and I believe this may give them the edge. My Choice is 3-1 to the Red's.</span><br />
<span class="main-content">Roberto Martinez insists his Wigan<b> </b>side will continue to fight in what is proving an incredibly close scrap to survive in the Premier League and they could be quietly confident when Tottenham<b> </b>arrive at the DW Stadium. They stunned Spurs at White Hart Lane earlier in the season and, with Harry Redknapp's top-five team possibly distracted by next week's UEFA Champions League first leg against Real Madrid, Martinez will be plotting another upset. I can't see Harry letting his team take the eye off to much, 2-0 Spurs here for me.</span><br />
<span class="main-content">Defending champions Chelsea<b> </b>have still to give up hope of retaining their title and a deserved victory over Champions League hopefuls Manchester City last time out means Carlo Ancelotti's men are nine points behind United with a game in hand. A win from a difficult trip to Stoke<b> </b>is a must, but Tony Pulis' hosts are still to reach the 40-point mark this season, which will be the minimum required to avoid the drop. It remains to be seen if Ancelotti keeps faith in misfiring £50million man Fernando Torres, who in my opinion can't go without scoring for much longer, and therefore i see him notching in this, 1-2 Chelsea.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://dailynewscorner.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/roberto-mancini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://dailynewscorner.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/roberto-mancini.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span class="main-content">Roberto Mancini's future hangs on the reality of Manchester City's<b> </b>pursuit of a place in the Champions League. The club currently sit in fourth position, but Tottenham are chasing and it appears that there could be another end-of-season showdown between the two teams. Mancini will know that it will be essential to take three points from Sunderland<b> </b>especially being at home, but Steve Bruce will be demanding a response after the disappointing defeat to Liverpool last time out. Sunderland's Ghanaian contingent are expected to continue a battle from the midweek friendly against England, and James Milner and Joleon Lescott in particular. Gyan was impressive against England and I think he could cause City some real problems here, if City set out as they have in many games and sit tight I can see Sunderland nicking a point, 1-1.</span><br />
<span class="main-content"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="main-content">Yes there are a few other games and a lot of things still to be decided, one remaining question is, Who is going to take control of the fight for the championship? And even bigger question is when???? Because we have been waiting all season for someone to grasp it with both hands and not a slippery hand!!!!</span></div><script type="text/javascript">
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How they can let this debacle carry on this far as regards to the Captaining on the nation team is disgusting and disrespectful to everyone involved, and that includes all players and all officials from the illustrious heads of English Football.<br />
The issues that they deal with on a daily basis it seems are never handled well and somewhat remind me of dealings by the one the only Sepp Blatter, of FIFA 'fame'.<br />
He himself is renowned for his blinkered approach to all things outside the brain that he holds in his head, anything that isn't his own thinking is quickly turned down before it is fully justified, and unfortunately for the followers of English football, the same is felt about the handling of the English Captaincy by the F.A and the man 'in charge' of the team, the illustrious Italian Fabio Capello.<br />
Now in Italian International circle's the Captaincy is automatically handed to the player who has the most caps for their country, hence the likes of Paulo Maldini and now Gianluigi Buffon have been the most recent captains of their beloved national side, both having the most caps.<br />
So when it comes to our home nations, England, Scotland, Wales, Republic of Ireland, and indeed even Northern Ireland, we always look to appoint the most influential, charismatic, passionate candidates about, whether they have an abundance of experience or not at the highest International level?<br />
At the weekend the young Aaron Ramsey, at the age of a meagre 2o years of age caused some controversy by being named as Wales' captain against England, while on the other side the newly re-instated England captain John Terry caused as much controversy for being just that, re-instated.<br />
A year ago Terry was stripped of his armband for matters happening in his private life, rumours around an alleged fling with his then team mate Wayne Bridge's then girlfriend, rumours which had disrupted the National teams performances at the World Cup as a clear dived amongst the team had occurred, of course this was not the only reason England failed to live up to their pre-tournament billing of one of the fancied nations to lift the trophy but it couldn't be overlooked as playing at least some part in the poor performances.<br />
So I can only say I am shocked and disappointed in the fact that Terry has been given the armband back, yes Rio Ferdinand, who was going to be Captain in that World Cup on the back of the issues surrounding Terry's private life was injured, and his vice Captain Steven Gerrard stepped in to fill his boots, which Gerrard did with some inspiring displays, no-one can deny that, but the questions, a year on still remains, Rio does get injuries, so therefore he doesn't play as much as an England need a captain to. So for those reasons, yes, England need a captain to play almost every game, which Terry generally does, but I personally don't think he is the right choice to take the armband again, what message must that send to the rest of the squad? Not a good one if they are of the mindset that Terry was at fault and fully responsible for his own un-doing in the first place.<br />
Capello doesn't have Gerrard to call on due to injury and an operation, but surely Terry was not the right choice here?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://england.footballblog.co.uk/files/2010/06/john_terry_england_28648a1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://england.footballblog.co.uk/files/2010/06/john_terry_england_28648a1.jpg" width="235" /></a></div><br />
Let me simplify it, England Captain should.....Be a respected member of the squad.....Maybe Terry isn't anymore, Captain should lead by example.....on the pitch yes, off the pitch certainly not, just a few reasons why it shouldn't be John Terry, we all know his qualities he does bring but surely an England captain should encapsulate everything the country as a whole, not just a sporting team, should be sending out as a message to the rest of the world and the back and forth juggling of the captains armband is sending out a message making our national team look like a joke.<br />
Capello doesn't understand the ramifications of the honour that goes hand in hand for the English public, because his roots buried in the Italian way doesn't translate into the way of doing by the National coach.<br />
Because of his lack of knowledge on the thoughts and feelings or lack of both, it shows he maybe not the right man for his job either, but until he steps down in 2012 this will not be changing, the overall handling of all situations since his appointment has disappointed me in every way, but if the team then went and won a major trophy then he could throw that back at his doubters but as that hasn't happened and in my opinion not likely to under his guidance, then and only then he could stand tall and say his choices were justified......<br />
<br />
<br />
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The game was full of incident on and off the pitch with Tottenham running out eventual winners by a single, but ultimately important away goal.<br />
Over the history of the Champions League the illusive away goal has always proved an interesting proposition, with the team playing the first leg away from home, unconciously having the upper hand even before a ball has been kicked.<br />
Spurs have their precious away day notch and this will play a huge part in tonights second leg. Its simple, AC Milan HAVE to score, and this in itself sets the tie up very nicely, especially for a neutral, but in my opinion also a very good situation for Tottenham fans. AC will have to attack at some point, and with the attacking ability waiting in the London club's ranks it can only play to their advantage.<br />
Yes Milan do have danger men, with players like Ibrahimovic, Robinho, Pato they will always carry a goal threat.<br />
Ill be astounded if Pato doesn't start for the visitors, his introduction in the first leg spurred the home side, even though they couldn't muster a finish. He is the key IF Milan are to progress passed this maturing Tottenham side.<br />
With Van der Vart passed as fit, and Gareth Bale supposedly 'touch and go', a status that I'm sure will see him play tonight, with all the other goal scoring talents in the Spurs squad, I can't see them messing this one up. Yes they have been conceding, but they nearly ALWAYS score. If they convert half the chances they make in any game they would probably be top of the Premiership.<br />
With Defoe getting his first league goals in almost a year against Wolves at the weekend, I can see him getting in on the act tonight.<br />
With my correct prediction for last nights game under my belt, I am punting for a repeat scoreline at 'The Lane' this evening, 3-1 Tottenham, something that will only enrage Arsenal fans further I'm afraid.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01381/lionel-messi-eto_o_1381474c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01381/lionel-messi-eto_o_1381474c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Last night for Arsenal, no, Van Persie shouldn't have gone off, but, even with eleven versus eleven the Gunners were being given the run around. The mecurial play between Xavi, Iniesta and Messi is truly out of this world. If Arsene Wenger's team play the best football in the English Premier League, and they do with no question do that, then it goes to show just how far behind our teams are.<br />
One Arsenal player that stood out was young Jack Wilshire, it was an un-enviable task constantly chasing the ghosts of the three Barcelona play-makers, but he stood firm, and when on the rare occassions that Arsenal had the ball, he was most definately at the heart of it. With a big majority of Barcelona's players coming through their own accademy, this must point the English clubs in the direction of following suit, only then we will see a true improvement, and overdue performances from our National side.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.football-wallpapers.com/wallpapers2/messi_6_1024x768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><br />
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The Gunner's go to Spain leading the last 16 tie 2-1 after a gripping first leg at the Emirates, where they trailed the Spanish giants early on but fought back to take a lead into the second leg this evening.<br />
Arsene Wenger has had his side repeatedly compared to the un-comparable Spanish Champions, because his philosophy of total football is paramount, even above results in a lot of cases.<br />
Everyone wants to see the beautiful game played beautifully, and no team, in my opinion does or ever has played it that way more so than this current Barcelona side.<br />
A team boasting such talents as Messi, Xavi, Villa, Iniesta, Puyol, Dani Alves to name but a few never disappoints as far as watching great passing and movement, and more importantly for the record books, they get the results to boot.<br />
Barcelona destroyed Real Madrid earlier in the season, and the talents Madrid have are no secret, and the 'Galactico's' couldn't get near them. The speed and accuracy of the attacking football is breathtaking and I don't think there is a team who could dampen them, especially if they hit top gear which does happen with eerie regularity for their opponents.<br />
So.....do Arsenal have a chance?? In a word, NO. In my opinion. But of course football is a funny old game, anything IS possible, but I just can't see Arsenal being capable of doing it this time.<br />
They have two options from where I see it, they can either sit tight and try and hit them on the break, nick a goal and hang on for dear life, or go at Barca, play the football we all know they are well capable of doing, get a goal....and hang on for dear life.<br />
IF, and its a big IF, but IF they get the first goal then it could get interesting, if they do not get the first one, then it could be a long night, even for a side of Arsenal's qualities.<br />
Personally I predict a 3-1 home win for the Spanish side, thus putting Arsenal out, but even if that does materialise, they must still take heart from the performance at the Emirates.<br />
If they do go out, it could destroy their season totally, having lost in the Carling Cup final at the hands of Birmingham, stuttering in the league whilst even the might of Manchester United are wobbling, this could really hinder the run in if they lose, the feeling of also-rans will be printed in the minds of their players, because another year without a trophy is simply unacceptable for the loyal Gunners fans.......<br />
<br />
<br />
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The weekend rolled in boasting some interesting prospects, could Birmingham capitalise on their Carling Cup triumph? Could their defeated rivals Arsenal bounce back from disappointment? Could Manchester United recover after their mid-week defeat at the hands of Chelsea? And could someone take hold of the situations developing at both ends of the table??? A lot of questions......and in the end we were left with more answers to them all.....again!!!<br />
Birmingham hosted fellow stragglers West Brom at St Andrews in the early kick off Saturday. Having dispatched Arsenal at Wembley a week earlier the blues struggled against the dogged Albion side who went ahead almost straight after the break, the home side immediately replied with an equaliser only 60 seconds later.<br />
The away side must have sensed that Birmingham were feeling the effects of their gargantuan effort in the previous weeks outing, because they rallied to the extreme and fulfilled manager Roy Hodgson's faith by going ahead on 58mins, reflecting the run of play in my view.<br />
They got a third twenty minutes from the end to concrete a mixed week for Alex Mcleish's blue's, who thanks to this result dropped into the drop zone as West Brom leapfrogged them in the table....so who could take advantage in the other games???<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.whufc.com/javaImages/3a/17/0,,12562%7E3479354,00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.whufc.com/javaImages/3a/17/0,,12562%7E3479354,00.jpg" /></a></div>West Ham played Stoke in a 3 o'clock kick off at Upton Park, looking to carry on from their brilliant result against Liverpool last week, and capitalise they certainly did.<br />
<br />
They effortlessly put Stoke to the sword with a great performance, much mirroring their victory a week earlier. The Hammers went two up in the first half, before finishing the job off a few minutes from time as Hitzlsperger showed why Hammers fans had been missing him.<br />
Once again Scott Parker was the star man for the Claret and Blue army, whenever he turns up he seems to single handedly lift the ground and results are starting to show that.<br />
Arsenal hot off of their latest Final upset hosted Sunderland at the Emirates. An ideal fixture to wipe out the disappointment from Wembley, or so we thought.<br />
Instead, Sunderland defended sternly, showed determination and vigour to keep the home side at bay.<br />
They played out a pretty drab 90minutes in which the game ended 0-0. Thus Arsenal dropping points in the title race, and leaving their supporters bemused once again.<br />
So, Arsenal fans as well as Liverpool fans were hoping the red half of Merseyside could add to the misery of Manchester United after they lost for only the second time this season at Chelsea.<br />
No defenders for United was seemingly the order of the day for the attacking players for Liverpool. With their record signing Andy Carroll taking a place on the bench it looked promising for the home side.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://soccerlens.com/files/2011/03/dirk-kuyt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://soccerlens.com/files/2011/03/dirk-kuyt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>From the offset the Red's of Liverpool went at United, sensing the injured animal, and United didn't really have an answer. Berbatov hit a post in United's only real attack in the first 45 minutes, and that was a flash of brilliance out of nothing.<br />
At the other end Edwin Van der Sar was by far the busier stopper, with Liverpool playing some breath-taking football rarely seen at Anfield for some time, almost playing Manchester at their own game, using their own blue-print for success.<br />
The Kop truly have a new hero to worship, if the first 'King' of the Kop was the man at the helm now, one King Kenny, then maybe the second coming is upon us.<br />
Luis Suarez, signed in all probability to partner the long forgotten Fernando Torres, was completely un-playable. Possibly one of the best individual performances I have seen in a long long time from a Liverpool player, is it coincidence he wears the number previously worn by King Kenny?? Maybe, but his showing here will go a long way to stamp his application for the 'King' status among Liverpool fans.<br />
His movement and appetite for the game is a true breath of fresh air, even from a neutrals point of view.<br />
He has work rate, he is direct with his running and had the United back four in tatters, and none more evident than when he turned the whole defence on his own and continued to go past another couple of defenders before squaring the ball for Dirk Kuyt to smash the ball home from three or so inches.<br />
United looked rattled, having lost to one of their biggest rivals, Chelsea last week, another defeat would be unthinkable, especially against their BIGGEST rivals.<br />
This didn't look like the solid United that we have seen this season as the home side got a second minutes later as Nani headed the ball back into the six-yard box under no pressure, and Kuyt was there again to oblige by guiding the ball past his fellow countryman Van der Sar for the second time.<br />
Liverpool stalwart Jamie Carragher smashed through Nani on forty minutes, gaining only a yellow card for his wreckless lunge at the Portuguese whinger, sorry winger.<br />
A few full-blooded tackles followed with Rafael flying through Lucas as the blood started to boil. Pushing and shoving was aplenty as the action reached half time.<br />
The United onslaught was expected, surely after Sir Alex had his say in the dressing room for fifteen minutes. But the fightback never materialised, but for a clearance from Meireles off the line from Berbatov's header. United simply just didn't get going, and couldn't cope with Suarez and the rest of Liverpool's attacking talent.<br />
Attacking the Kop end Kuyt got his hat-trick, the first for a Liverpool player in this fixture since Peter Beardsley notched three under Dalglish's last tenure for the Reds.<br />
Suarez curled a free kick in and Van der Sar couldn't hold on and Kuyt was there to tap home once again. The total yardage for Kuyt's entire hat-trick could have only mustered up to a measly seven or so yards, just showing the renewed enthusiasm in the Liverpool ranks since Dalglish took over.<br />
United managed a consolation goal very late on and even that was half hearted. A very bad week for United finished off and not a moment to soon.<br />
It looks bad on paper but if the two defeats, AWAY to Chelsea and AWAY to Liverpool were divided by a month or two noone would batter an eyelid so its no crisis time at Old Trafford by any means in my opinion. Title number 19 will be on its way to Old Trafford come May, Arsenal will be kicking themselves that they didn't win 24 hours earlier, they are only tree points behind now and have a game in hand, but with lots of big games left and Arsenals season in danger of imploding on tuesday against Barcelona, maybe they have missed their chance now......<br />
<br />
For something a little bit off football now, I have had the chance to listen to one of my buddies cover's band, they're called Echo and here is a link to their site, let me know what you think, I think they hit the spot....<a href="http://www.echo-music.co.uk/">http://www.echo-music.co.uk/</a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
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Yesterday saw a struggling West Ham side host a rejuvenated Liverpool under the guidance of King Kenny at Upton Park, and it was not the visitors that were the reaping the benefits of their star performers.<br />
On a day that the underdogs reigned supreme in all games in the English competitions one Scott Parker showed once again he is capable of world class performances that could single handily save the Hammers from the drop.<br />
It seems to be this season that whenever Parker plays well, the London club directly benefit, and illustrates why they are so desperate to keep their talisman at all costs as Tottenham and I'm sure many others found out in the summer and January transfer windows.<br />
Yesterday Parker put in the type of performance that will give him the plaudits and rightly so, he was truly immense in both commitment and influence. He rose to the occasion and over shadowed the likes of Steven Gerrard, Raul Meireles and even Luis Suarez in the Liverpool ranks.<br />
He was at the heart of everything good that West Ham did, and his spirit seemingly rubbed off onto his team mates. His goal which opened the scoring was brilliant, a quick one-two on the edge of the box finishing with a toe-poke from 18 yards which seemed to pass Pepe Reina in super slow motion as it nestled in the corner and put an end to Liverpool's clean sheet run. I'm not sure if the Liverpool stopper should have reached it but it was brilliantly placed and they took a deserved lead.<br />
Liverpool rallied and launched counter attacks but without really threatening the Hammers goal in all honesty.<br />
All of the football was being played by the home side and minutes before the break they doubled their lead as Ba headed home from eight yards without a Red's defender in touching distance as their defensive record of late started to look like a fluke.<br />
After the break the away side pushed and Suarez looked more and more dangerous, and on 84 Min's he turned the entire Hammers defense inside out and was left practically on his own at the by-line before smashing the ball across the six yard box and Glen Johnson was on hand to tap home against one of his old clubs.....the comeback kings at it again?????<br />
The Red's pushed and pushed but West Ham hit them on a counter attack of their own to relieve pressure on the defence, and Carlton Cole rode a half hearted challenge and drove towards the Liverpool goal and unleashed a shot which skidded past Reina at the near post, possibly another mistake from Liverpool's number one, into the bottom corner and the game was over.<br />
An unbelievable result and mostly thanks to their inspirational skipper. Parker will surely move on if the axe falls on the London club come May, he may even move if they escape the drop, but while he is in a Claret and Blue shirt, the loyal Hammers fans can have hope.<br />
The frightening thing is that if he doesn't have an outstanding game EVERY week then they seem to struggle to get over the finish line in games, and this could be the reason they could go.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.skysports.com/11/02/496x259/Carling-Cup-Final-Arsenal-Birmingham-Van-Pers_2567417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="http://img.skysports.com/11/02/496x259/Carling-Cup-Final-Arsenal-Birmingham-Van-Pers_2567417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Across London was the Carling Cup final, Arsenal had the best chance within the last six years to get their hands on some silverware, against a Birmingham side who had not won a major tournament since the 60's.<br />
The big plus for the Blue's on this occasion was in the shape of Zigic, the tall awkward front man who has taken the Premiership by storm since arriving at St Andrews.<br />
Arsenal were missing Fabregas, Wallcott and probably another three or four names, one's that probably wouldn't cut it in our league anyways but they fielded their strongest side possible in order to concrete their first trophy in the first show piece of the year.<br />
Although Arsenal had beaten Birmingham already this season, they had not faced Zigic, the big bulky and sometimes un-markable striker definitely gave the Arsenal back four an afternoon to remember.<br />
He dominated in the air as you would imagine and the Gunners didn't know how to handle him, and he nodded the under dogs ahead following suspect defending.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01836/Birimgham_1836312b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01836/Birimgham_1836312b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The class of the favourites showed for much of the game but hit the brick wall in the shape of Ben Foster in the Blue's goal. Much similar to Fosters performance last time in a big final, although last time he wore the red of Manchester in that one, but here he showed he definitely has the quality to perform at the highest level.<br />
Chance after chance, shot after shot he stood firm and his defence were on hand to deal with anything Arsenal threw at them. But as they struck the bar and the ball returned to an Arsenal player, the ball sent accurately across to meet the flying Dutchman Van Persie to volley home exquisitely, Arsenal looked like they had cracked it.<br />
A barrage of attacks followed in the second half but all to no avail thanks to the inspiring Foster, shot after shot was beaten away by the stopper and Birmingham held on, then, 89 minutes showing on the Wembley clock, Foster himself launched the ball towards the Arsenal box, the target was inevitably Zigic, and has he flicked the ball on, the Gunners must have breathed a huge sigh as it trickled towards an area with a defender and keeper in it and all seemed calm, until a baffling mix up between the two saw the ball roll to Obafemi Martins, unmarked and surely in shock at the open goal that had presented before him.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/02/27/article-1361122-0D63B5BC000005DC-876_634x430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/02/27/article-1361122-0D63B5BC000005DC-876_634x430.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2010/8/24/1282683662415/Scott-Parker-006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Duly he rolled the ball into the empty net and bedlam ensued, celebrations were crazy and Birmingham upset the apple cart and walked away with the spoils, leaving Arsenal fans everywhere bewildered and still wondering where it all went wrong.....again.....</div><script type="text/javascript">
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Now I don't know how all of you see this punishment, but I am utterly disgusted by it. If you take into consideration Chelsea's Didier Drogba was handed a SIX game ban with two suspended, reduced to one suspended after Chelsea appealed, for swearing into a television camera "it's a fucking disgrace" after he thought many decisions had gone against his team in the semi-final against Barcelona in June 2009, this ban handed out to the Italian nicknamed 'Rino' is nothing short of a disgrace.<br />
'Rino' is banned for a total of five games due to the fact he also picked up a yellow card in the game, thus totalling five games but four were for the attacks on Spurs' assistant coach Joe Jordan.<br />
Having played some football in Scotland with Glasgow Rangers a few years ago, the two were able to exchange abuse in the native Scottish throughout the game as flash points arose when Spurs were the dominant side and the A C Milan captain was growing increasingly frustrated with his team and himself and their level of performance on the night.<br />
During the second half the pantomime started as Gattuso strongly challenge a Tottenham player right in front of the Spurs bench, a tackle which enraged the London club's backroom staff and Rednapp and Jordan duly rose to their feet to show their anger at the tackle.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/incoming/article699509.ece/ALTERNATES/gallery-large/AC-Milan-Tottenham-Hotspur-Gennaro-Gattuso-Joe-Jordan-Champions-League+cropped" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/incoming/article699509.ece/ALTERNATES/gallery-large/AC-Milan-Tottenham-Hotspur-Gennaro-Gattuso-Joe-Jordan-Champions-League+cropped" width="320" /></a></div>Scene one was to follow as 'Rino' approached the sideline, shared some, I'm assuming nothing but lovely language with Spurs boss Harry Rednapp, before his attentions turned to his assistant Jordan.<br />
Words were clearly exchanged and the blood clearly had started to boil within Gattuso's mind and he proceeded to grasp the 59 year old by the THROAT and pushed the Scot away using some force. The certain red card for this incident alone didn't materialise, and amazingly not even a booking! The referee surely was losing the plot??!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.football365.com/11/02/240/vedran-corluka_2563799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.football365.com/11/02/240/vedran-corluka_2563799.jpg" /></a></div>Allowed to continue beyond this saw Gattuso trying to rile Tottenham players, mainly the lanky front man Peter Crouch, by making late tackle's and challenges off the ball, of which Crouch was having none of as he fronted up to the, by this time, crazed Gattuso, and as Crouch looked down on the little Italian from his 6' 7 inches, he probably couldn't see the blood bursting out of his eyes!!!<br />
A horror tackle by Mathieu Flamini on Corluka followed and the blood pressure rose in the entire stadium as the Italian giants tried to battle back against a Spurs side that was dominating.<br />
Tottenham scored with minutes left as Milan launched attack after attack without really threatening and then at the final whistle the pantomime continued.<br />
Gattuso shook hands with the Spurs players, and made his way over to the benches.....<br />
In turn he then shook the hand of Rednapp and headed for Jordan once again. Rednapp was quoted as "I thought Gattuso was coming over to apologise to Joe" as thus amending the wrong doing for the shove earlier in the contest, this was as far from the truth as it could have been.<br />
Words were beginning to be exchanged and the tempers were fraying by the nano second as 'Rino' confronted Jordan, I imagine to discuss the earlier incident, and not happy with Jordan's comments he continued, between two officials, to headbutt the Spurs' assistant coach in the face. Then quickly people forced their way in between the two and separated them before the clash escalated any further.<br />
Gattuso had clearly not forgotten the previous incident, which had happened a good 30minutes before, something that was festering in his mind until the final whistle, and this cannot be a good sign of the mental state he was in during the game.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00186/gattuso_186484t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.independent.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00186/gattuso_186484t.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>There's being pumped up and full of enthusiasm and there is losing control of yourself and Gennaro Gattuso was guilty of the later.....big time.<br />
As captain, a World Cup winner, and grown man, the example set for the millions watching was not up to standard for such an experienced campaigner. My three year old shows more restraint and knowledge about how to conduct herself. So what the hell are UEFA doing only giving him a four game disciplinary for this???!! Truly....I am speechless, and can't explain it.<br />
If this had happened in a street, Gattuso would be facing a assault charge and probably a prison sentence of some kind, so I ask you all, have UEFA lost the plot on this one???? Because I certainly think they have.... </div><script type="text/javascript">
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Having already taken on the Rossoneri's neighbours Inter in the group stage Spurs were looking to strengthen their European profile which had already blossomed under the guidance of Rednapp this season.<br />
Rednapp as a manager cannot be faulted as far as I am concerned, from bringing such talents as Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and England captain Rio Ferdinand whilst at the helm at West Ham, to guiding a very average Portsmouth side to F.A cup glory in his relatively short time there.<br />
Rednapp had never hidden the desire to manage a top four side but the opportunity never arose, so as a sign of the measure of the man, Rednapp decided that he would take over the reigns of a side outside the 'big four' and turn them into one himself.<br />
He was given this chance with Tottenham Hotspur, but this was no ready-made blueprint however as when Harry took charge Spurs were languishing bottom of the Premiership and only had two points from their opening eight games.Within two weeks he had already made his mark pulling Spurs out of the relegation zone and from there the only way has been up.<br />
The first full campaign with Harry saw Tottenham break the mold of the 'big four' and finished in fourth position and in turn putting the club into the Champions League for the first time, and this is where he has really made his mark.<br />
Tottenham are currently (17/02/2011) sitting fourth once again with twelve games to go and they are only ten points off of leaders Manchester United. This alone shows the improvement that he single-handidly has given the Spurs faithful, a harem of fans that truly deserve to watch football being played at the highest possible level, and to add to that, they are more than holding their own.<br />
It started worryingly for the London side though as they were guilty of naivety against minnows Young Boys, losing 3-2 away, but their brilliant home form see them progress to the competition proper.<br />
From there they faced games against Inter Milan, Werder Bremen and FC Twente, Inter were reigning champions and not many people gave Spurs, in their maiden season, much hope to qualify.<br />
Whether it was the 'unknown entity' factor or not, Tottenham repaid their terrific support by finishing top of their group against all the odds, they progressed to the last sixteen to face AC Milan, one of the true giants of European football.<br />
The first leg of this knock-out round was played this week and it didn't disappoint anyone, whether you are a Tottenham fan, neutral, or hater, they put in a performance that ranks right up there with the best. They silenced the hostile crowd in the San Siro but playing some breathtaking football at times, they pressed the seven time winners and four times runner ups back into their shell from the off, frustrating the home side and showing the footballing world that they are in the competition not just to make up the numbers but to progress as far as possible, and on this form, with the magician Harry pulling the strings behind the scenes, who can say how far he might take them.<br />
This performance gave benchmarks to Tottenhams fantastic run so far in the competition, a true yard-stick to measure the opening jitters they undoubtedly encountered at Young Boys on the first match day.<br />
It showed just how far they have matured under the man-management of Rednapp, he is clearly top of the tree when it comes to getting the most out of his players, as Palacios and Sandro controlled the centre of midfield against World Cup winner Gennaro Gattuso, and his back four made Robinho and Ibrahimovic look like two lost puppies.<br />
Yes it is only half time in the tie but I can really see Spurs making not just the quarter finals but I think they are well capable of reaching the final four. If this turns out to be the case, then who knows where Harry will lead them.....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.myfootballfacts.com/567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>History is most definitely on his side as Tottenham's record in years ending in '1' is irrepressible......<br />
1951-League Champions<br />
1961-League Champions<br />
1901-FA Cup Winners<br />
1921-FA Cup Winners<br />
1961-FA Cup Winners<br />
1981-FA Cup Winners<br />
1991-FA Cup Winners<br />
1971-League Cup Winners<br />
So as this season's showpiece final will of course be settled in 2011, are we looking and watching yet another piece in Tottenham's history where their victories see them add another trophy to the list of '1'?????? <br />
<br />
English teams are so good in Europe....why???? Here's what I think....<a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/English-Clubs-In-Europe">http://hubpages.com/hub/English-Clubs-In-Europe</a></div><script type="text/javascript">
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</script></div>the-real-deal?http://www.blogger.com/profile/02757221952545546336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702484794519847180.post-50975224045861885372011-02-14T03:32:00.000-08:002011-04-01T06:49:46.718-07:00The Plot Thickens.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The build up was fierce, the hopes and fears were equally great, and the Manchester derby didn't disappoint.<br />
The newly-rich sky blue side of the city have made no mistake about their aspirations and desires about over-hauling their Red Devil counterparts, and this was to many a chance for them to concrete their ever growing profile by beating their rivals on their own patch.<br />
City started the brighter of the two and for the majority of the opening exchanges they were the dominant side as the Old Trafford cauldron heated up nicely.<br />
Chances were few and far between but City were playing the better flowing football, and United had trouble getting going. This was then the stage for someone to step up and ignite the touchpaper and kick the game into life......enter Nani. The Portuguese magician conjured up a assured finish from a flick on from Rooney as United went into the lead just before half time. This followed some scorching efforts from Nani which showed he was in the mood.<br />
After the break the action was slow once again to get going, City bought on Wright-Phillips and suddenly they were on the front foot, forcing a string of corners which failed to bear any fruit for the visitors.<br />
Milner picked up a knock and was swapped with Edin Dzeko. This change also put City back into control, and just minutes after his introduction he played the role of supplier all-be it with a slice of luck that not many teams enjoy at Old Trafford.<br />
Wright-Phillips flew down the wing and delivered a low cross for Dzeko who connected forcefully with the centre and his strike headed for Van Der Sar's goal. What the United stopper didn't anticipate was the strike hitting Silva's back and eluding him as it nestled in the net putting City level.<br />
Both sides now seemingly in search of a winner, Berbatov was introduced by Sir Alex and he added a much needed air of calm within the ranks of the home side.<br />
The game was being played at a frantic pace and was end to end, and it was down to a previously out-of-sorts Wayne Rooney to deliver the decisive blow.<br />
His touch had been pretty lax in the previous 77minutes and he had not had much influence on the game until Nani put a cross into the box and 75,000 fans who had packed out Old Trafford holding their breathe as Rooney left the floor facing away from goal, he rose elegantly and as the ball connected with his foot, there was an air of inevitability about where the ball was ending up.<br />
The ball flew off of his foot and passed a stunned Hart and the crowd reacted, part gob-smacked and part jubilation as their side went ahead once again.<br />
City rallied but the Untied back line stood firm and held on to gain a huge three points in the title race.<br />
Arsenal kept the pressure on with a win at home to United's conqueror's Wolves but on this showing, once again I cannot see anyone else being crowned Champions come May.<br />
Spurs go to Italy to face A.C Milan in the champions league this week without their influential winger Gareth Bale, I think a big ask to get a victory out there but I expect them to score and an away goal will be crucial for the London club to progress to the next stage.<br />
Arsenal host the world's best club at the Emirates, Barcelona was held to a draw in their league game at the weekend but unfortunately for Arsenal fans I can't see them bettering Barcelona over two games.....<br />
Only time will tell........</div><script type="text/javascript">
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