tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3502575921313799892024-02-08T02:10:38.733-08:00Van Steffanroy's thoughtsVan Steffanroyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691669156852455679noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350257592131379989.post-8709560475925780522010-10-19T15:37:00.000-07:002010-10-19T15:53:34.614-07:00Rooney not UnitedIn the 24 years Sir Alex Ferguson has been manager of Manchester United, There is not much he hasn’t felt, not much he hasn’t seen and certainly not much he hasn’t dealt with. <br /><br />As he revealed for the first time however that Wayne Rooney wanted to leave the club, there was a sense of massive disappointment that has usually been reserved for some regrettable results in the past and not want away players. As Ferguson sat there perplexed as to why Rooney would want to leave especially after all the help, time and energy he and the club had given to the striker, he was at a loss to explain the player’s motives.<br /><br />Ferguson has seen many a player come and go and many notable names to add to that but never has he cut such an upset and disillusioned figure. When on field lieutenant, Roy Keane breached club rules and had to be shipped out; Fergie barely batted an eye lid. And when Cristiano Ronaldo expressed his desire to become a galatico, Ferguson reluctantly accepted. But Rooney was always different. He may not have received the same level of on field praise as Ronaldo nor had the same leadership qualities as Keane but he has always been Ferguson’s Mr reliable, a talismanic figure if you must.<br /> <br />When Fergie had a task and needed a man for the job, Rooney would always be selfless and give his all for the team. If a player was caught out of position, lo and behold who would be there running back to cover or 9 times out of 10 successfully challenge? Wayne. He may have had his critics out there particularly after his performances in South Africa and start to the current season but there’s no denying his talent and skill. <br /><br />He has always possessed that workman like fight and determination born from his upbringing on the tough streets of Liverpool mixed with a natural deft and technique. He embodies the phrase jack of all trades, master of none as there is not much he cannot do on the pitch and he is the sort of figure who, with his fire, can lift his team out of the most dormant of slumbers as he has done on many occasions for United. A quality, Ferguson can ill afford to lose at the moment.<br /><br />Ferguson has very rarely admitted defeat when it comes to player power. He is a staunch believer of running the club with an iron fist where he sees fit but in an age where the agent is the strong kryptonite of a football manager and players seem to possess more power than the law of the land, he has had no choice to all but concede defeat to the demands of Rooney. He has made the unprecedented step of leaving the door open for Rooney to stay and sign a new contract, something that has never been done. Does this show signs of Ferguson abating and finally giving in to how play ball with a modern day footballer? Maybe, but it could also mean just how much he actually values Rooney and hopes his feelings can be changed. <br /><br />After all, it wasn’t long ago that Rooney laughed off talk of a move, “Why would I want to move anywhere else, I’m playing for the biggest club in the world and have my family very close, I want to stay here for the rest of my career.”Van Steffanroyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691669156852455679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350257592131379989.post-44141116294247920522010-06-13T15:00:00.000-07:002010-06-13T15:03:50.156-07:00Goal feast shouldn't be expected after goal festFinally there has been a match that has provided goals. Germany’s 4-0 crushing of Australia seems to not only have delighted fans of the three time world champions but also fans universally. The reason being? Simply because tournament is yet to come to life.<br /> <br />To be fair, the tournament is only three days old but fans were starting to complain that South Africa 2010 was yet to depict the colour and drama that had been portrayed so wonderfully in the opening ceremony. Fans however, have to understand that with football evolving from the wonderful carefree game it once used to be to the capitalistic business orientated game it has become now, much more is at stake. The end to end open games that may have once taken place in tournaments of years gone by will not be the order of the day for the opening game of a countries world cup campaign. <br /><br />The aim for most teams in a tournament as important as this is to not lose the first game because of the pressure and danger the result may bring. This does not mean that teams will not be going all out to win the game because they will. It just means the all out plan to win a game will have a different definition to what we think it may mean. <br /><br />While we, the fans, may think of the ‘all out’ method to be kamikaze attacking football, players and especially managers will try to implement a more conservative approach so they do not leave themselves exposed. They will be trying instead to create as much as they can within reason, taking those chances clinically at the same time. More a case of not going all out to win but instead going all out not to lose. <br /><br />A perfect example of this was the match between England’s other opponents in group C, Algeria and Slovenia. This certainly was no classic in terms of the football on show but both teams tried to be tight at the back while still creating chances, albeit not many, to try and win the match knowing a draw, especially after England and America’s result, would not mean the end of the world. Instead Slovenia went on to win the match late on with, ironically, another goalkeeping era from the Algerian keeper. France v Uruguay was another example of a lack of urgency to win the game as the slightest mistake could cost either team a valuable point that could make all the difference when it comes down to final standings in the group. <br /><br />Teams that come up against each other in the opening games are trying to find their feet and it shouldn’t be forgotten that nerves can play a part. Yes, you might throw the argument that these men are professionals who have salaries to match, but I dare anyone of you to play on the world’s biggest stage, with the eyes of the world and the pressure of a nation on you. Enough to make the coolest of characters cautious and anxious. <br /><br />While the German’s displayed a rare goal glut of a performance tonight, it shouldn’t be expected that this is now officially the start of the tournament and good performances. As great a game as it was to watch, you may not get many teams or games that will provide great entertainment for fans until possibly the second round of group stage games where teams will understand and will be able to influence their fate.Van Steffanroyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691669156852455679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350257592131379989.post-84451318027622497132010-06-11T04:46:00.000-07:002010-06-11T04:49:06.820-07:00All eyes on South AfricaIt’s here. After six years of waiting, doubting and scepticism, it is finally here. The decision to award South Africa the right to host the 2010 Fifa world cup was always going to be met with some disapproval. Not just because it was the first tournament to be held in the African continent but also because of the rocky history of the country itself. Despite expectations riding heavily on the shoulders of the countries taking part, they are lucky as it is only a game. Not so long ago in apartheid South Africa, men and women were prepared to die for a cause and sport was dragged into the centre of the storm.<br /> <br />Throughout the twentieth century, racism was embedded heavily in South African society; the continent itself had been the dominion of European countries. For the white minority in South Africa, black majority rule was a frightening prospect as they feared a similar situation to Zimbabwe, a loss of governance of land and the country they lived in.<br /><br />Under the apartheid policy, enforced by the government from 1948 right through to 1994, whites and non-whites were segregated in all aspects of life. Non-whites were deprived of citizenship and were provided with services that were far inferior to those that were provided for the whites. To call this policy barbaric is an understatement and the tension the apartheid policy caused amongst the whites and non-whites were also catastrophic. Sport in the country was also heavily affected with the apartheid laws affecting how sport was conducted within the country as whites and non-whites could not play together.<br /> <br />Basil D’Oliveira was one such sportsman affected by the apartheid movement. Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, D’Oliveira played cricket and was hugely talented but because he was classed as coloured he was not allowed to play first class cricket for South Africa. Instead he moved to England in 1960 and played first class cricket for Worcestershire until eventually gaining his British citizenship in 1964 going on to play test cricket for England in 1966. In 1968 D’Oliveira looked odds on for a place in the test team that was to tour South Africa later on that year after a successful test against Australia but under pressure from the South African government the England selectors dropped him. Ironically, the man called up in place of D’Oliveira suffered a tour ending injury leaving the already embarrassed MMC to pick D’Oliveira. The inclusion of D’Oliveira outraged the South African prime minister and the MCC agreed to cancel the tour in what was seen as a pivotal moment between sport and politics in the apartheid movement. <br /><br />South Africa started to ease on apartheid in sport in the 1970’s and 80’s as they realised that they could not get away with it anymore. Black golfer, Lee Elder was allowed to compete in the Johannesburg open in 1971 and Errol Tobias became the first black person to play a test for the springbok’s rugby side in 1981. While integration, however big or small, was taking place in sport the social aspect of the apartheid movement in South Africa was still the same. Even after the policy’s end in 1994 tensions remained high between whites and non-whites despite the inauguration of Nelson Mandela as the country’s first black president and his calls for unity. <br /><br />The first test of social unity within South Africa post apartheid was the rugby world cup in 1995 which they hosted and won. It may be said that it proved that the apartheid era was over by that point but social factors were still certainly prevalent and have been in South Africa despite the apartheid movement being well and truly over. <br /><br />While South Africa may have hosted numerous cricket and rugby matches, the opportunity of hosting the world cup is on a truly different scale as it will play host to the second biggest sporting event on the planet. It is a chance to show how far they have come in the 16 years since the end of the apartheid era. It is a chance to show how much the social barriers have been broken in the country and to show how capable a continent Africa as a whole is. The slogan for this world cup is Ke nako which translates as celebrate Africa’s humanity. Hopefully the world will be left celebrating this long after the tournament.Van Steffanroyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691669156852455679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350257592131379989.post-53229171741812540032009-12-30T15:56:00.000-08:002009-12-30T16:02:55.978-08:00The best league in the world. The best 10 years in the worldThe decision for the elite of English football to breakaway and form an entire new super league was met with much derision and scepticism but 19 years on and the decision has all but answered and shut up every single doubter.<br /><br />In the last 10 years the Barclays Premier league has become the most dominant and passionate league in Europe. It has created moments that will never be forgotten in the game, it has had as much, if not more, romance than any song or film can describe or portray and has produced so much drama, Bruce Willis would struggle to compete. It has also played host to some of the biggest and best talents in world football and has turned out some of the greatest football matches ever.<br /> <br />Who could ever forget moments like Arsenal’s unbeaten season or the amazing demise of Leeds United, a onetime Champions league club, not to mention Manchester United knocking Liverpool of their f***king perch. Who could ever forget legends like Alan Shearer, Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham, Tony Adams or the great and ever continuing Ryan Giggs who has seen and experienced it all. Who could ever forget some of the great foreign names to grace and even make their name in this wonderful league like, Eric Cantona, David Ginola, Roy Keane or more recently Thierry Henry<br /><br />The matches haven’t been bad either. Some consider Liverpool’s dramatic 4-3 win over Newcastle as the best of all time but the 2009 Manchester derby settled by Michael Owen’s late winner was a match for the purists but there have been so many great, great matches it is hard put it all into context and order.<br /><br />For all the wonderful players to have graced this league it should be said that it has also made its fair share of great players. Who could ever forget Wayne Rooney announcing himself on the big stage as a 16 year old for Everton scoring the winner against the irresistible Arsenal and then scoring a hat trick on his Manchester United debut. The rise and progression of Cesc Fabregas to become the premier league’s new Paul Scholes or the league’s biggest developer, Cristiano Ronaldo who quickly cemented legend like status as possibly the best player to play in the Premiership.<br /><br />Some of the changes that have been made since its interception have also been astonishing, the main one being the rise of the foreign owner. Roman Abramovich’s transformation of Chelsea turning them from title pretenders to league winners while Manchester City look to attempt a similar blueprint backed by the wealth of Arab money.<br /> <br />While the Premier league has been extraordinary, it should be said that football in general over the last 10 years has been mind blowing, providing moments that are breath taking to the human eye. Liverpool’s stunning win over AC Milan in the 2005 Champions league final after being down 3-0 at half time seemed to sum up the decade in all its unpredictable but dreamy glory. Ronaldinho came and conquered all in his path before capitulating as did Ronaldo while talents such as Lionel Messi and Fernando Torres turned from raw ingredients into the most magnificent dishes the ever changing restaurant of football has to offer. <br /><br />A moment should also be remembered for the loss of the great but controversial George best who was part of the holy trinity at Manchester United and was the most enigmatic symbol of the Busby babes and of course the passing of the great Sir Bobby Robson who will be forever remembered as the most football passionate man of this generation and possibly any other. <br /><br />Sky sports should also be given a mention in regard to the grandness of the Premier league as they were a huge influence in the forming of it. They have brought us the best moments and allowed viewers to follow a running narrative as epic and exciting as any soap could be with more twists and turns than a rollercoaster. <br /><br />It’s hard to put into words just how great the premier league and just football in general has been over the last 10 years. Amazing doesn’t begin to tell the whole story but one thing is for sure. Judging by this decade, the next one should be as every bit exciting. Here's to the next 10 years.Van Steffanroyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691669156852455679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350257592131379989.post-63882237908770266922009-12-21T15:39:00.000-08:002009-12-21T15:42:41.580-08:00City life harder than it looks...Mark Hughes departure from Manchester City should cause no shocks or surprises to the clubs’ fans or the football world in general. A surprise however, was the timing of the decision which was announced an hour and a half after City’s epic 4-3 win over Sunderland lifting them to a respectable sixth in the table. An even bigger surprise though, was City’s mega rich owner’s decision to appoint charismatic Italian coach Roberto Mancini.<br /><br />Hughes was always under scrutiny from the start. The fact he was not the owners choice as manager always meant that the pressure was on but despite that he was given a chance. The board backed him handsomely with Hughes spending well over £100 million as well as breaking the British transfer record in the process and moulding a squad in his fashion.<br /><br />The aim was simple. Finish fourth and acquire Champions league football which was the first step in the owner’s vision to future premier league domination. To be fair to Hughes, City are still on target to reach the aims set out, making his dismissal all the harsher. The club currently lie sixth in the table six points behind Aston Villa who occupy fourth place with the luxury of having a game in hand too. <br /><br />It can only be speculation as to what Hughes may have achieved if given till the end of the season but his sacking certainly shows something had been arranged to replace him at some point. It was assumed Hughes would’ve got until then at which time the club would strongly court Guus Hiddink or Jose Mourinho for the job. <br /><br />City’s decision to switch personnel mid season is a perplexing one and appointing a manager who has not managed since May last year is even more baffling. The appointment of Roberto Mancini as manager may prove to be popular among the women of Manchester but he is also under pressure to hit the ground running judging by his initial sixth month contract. <br /><br />The Italian has the same aims as Hughes and the position the club has been left in means it will not be too much of an Italian job to achieve those aims of a top four finish.<br /><br />Don’t be surprised if more changes will be made at the end of the season whether City claim that top four spot or not.Van Steffanroyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691669156852455679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350257592131379989.post-37229434020998016162009-12-17T06:38:00.000-08:002009-12-17T13:55:12.205-08:00Countdown to NyonAs Europe’s elite countdown to the draw for the knockout stage of the Champions league in Nyon tomorrow, I take a look at who made it to the last sixteen and how.<br /><br />Group A, considered a possible group of death, proved to be too difficult for European power houses, Juventus and Bayern Munich. French champions Bordeaux surprised many as they demonstrated themselves to be the groups surprise package and possible dark horses. Les Girondins qualified at a canter – claiming the most points (16) in the group stages, beating Italy’s old lady and the German 4 time winners in the process and only dropping two points in their six matches. Juventus and Munich struggled in the group leaving it to the final group game between the pair for one to ensure making it to the last sixteen. Munich travelled to Turin and thumped the bianconeri 4-1 with Munich keeper Hans Jorg Butt scoring a penalty, helping the Germans to advance through.<br /><br />Manchester united began European life without superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo in a tough looking Group B which presented them with all new European opponents. Containing German and Turkish Champions, Wolfsburg and Besiktas along with 2005 Uefa cup winners Cska Moscow; United started comfortably winning their first three games, including tough trips to Moscow and Turkey. The English champions struggled thereon in drawing and losing their next two games leaving their last game, away to Wolfsburg, to determine whether they finished first or second in the group. A Michael Owen Hat trick sealed top spot and ended the Germans hopes of progressing as Cska beat Besiktas to claim second spot.<br /><br />All eyes were on Group C as the two most successful teams in the competition, Real Madrid and AC Milan, were pitted against each other along with Swiss minnows, FC Zurich and French club, Marseille. The newly formed Galatico’s, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, stated their intentions with a strong 5-2 victory away to FC Zurich but the Swiss team turned heads and odds with a 1-0 win away to Milan to blow the group wide open. Milan then caused a huge upset of their own by beating Madrid 3-2 in the Bernabeu followed by a pulsating 3-3 draw in the San Siro to state their own credentials as possible champions. As expected, competition top scorers so far this season, Madrid finished as group winners with Milan claiming Second spot ahead of Marseille.<br /><br />There were no surprises in Group D as Chelsea proved to be the best of the rest. The Blues overcame tricky Spanish and Portuguese tests in the form of Athletico Madrid and Porto but passed with flying colours. Carlo Ancelotti’s men did not lose a game as they eased their way to group winners also becoming the first English team to win a group game in Porto. Spanish side, Madrid were largely disappointing in the competition after a lot was expected of their exciting attacking talent. 2004 winners, Porto earned the tag of dark horses after breezing to second place. After losing Lucho and Lisandro, the Portuguese champions impressed many with their clinical style of play and are a team to be feared in the draw.<br /><br />Group E provided the biggest shock in the competition as five time winners, Liverpool, failed to reach the knockout stages. After beating Debrecen in their opening game things started to go terribly wrong after that starting with a surprise defeats to Fiorentina and Lyon putting those two teams in the ascendancy. A late Lyon goal conceded by Benitez’s men in France all but sealed their fate paving the way for Fiorentina and Lyon to progress as group champions and runners up respectively. Liverpool will now be drawn into the Europa league. <br /><br />Last year’s champions Barcelona were given no easy path to qualification as they were pitted with Italian Champions, Inter Milan, Russian champions, Rubin Kazan and Ukrainian champions, Dynamo Kiev. The group, nicknamed the group of champions, proved to be very difficult for the Catalans as it looked at one point they could face elimination after losing to Kazan at home in one of the shocks of the tournament. Pep Guardiola’s men finished strongly to secure a place in the last 16 with the added bonus of finishing top. Mourinho’s, inter, struggled to begin drawing their first three games but just scraped through winning their last game to secure second spot. <br /><br />Group H was more of a formality than a challenge for Spanish club Sevilla as they breezed through a group including Scottish club, Rangers, German team, Stuttgart and Romanian outfit, Unirea. The Spaniards won their first three games comfortably with the stand out match a 4-1 victory away at a hostile Ibrox, booking their place in the knockout stages. The battle for second place went right down to the wire between Unirea and Stuttgart with the 2007 Bundesliga champions coming out on top with a 3-1 victory of former Chelsea player, Dan Petrescu’s, team.<br /><br />Arsenal probably had the easiest group out of all the English teams with Standard Liege, AZ Alkmaar and Olympiacos as their competition and the gunners took full advantage in Group G. After a scare in the opening match against Standard going 2-0 down, Wengers men came back to win the match 3-2 and never looked back from their winning four and drawing one to top the group. Greek champions, Olympiacos, finished second in the group creating history at the same time. Liege finished third and qualified for the Europa league no thanks to their keeper, Sinan Bolat. Bolat headed a late equaliser to ensure his team will still be playing European football and confirmed his name in the history books as he became the first keeper to score in open play in the Champions league.Van Steffanroyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691669156852455679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350257592131379989.post-752131067654842422009-12-16T07:02:00.000-08:002009-12-16T07:12:54.746-08:00Testing times continue for BenitezThe situation, Liverpool find themselves in currently is the worst in the history of the club. A club steeped in great history and proud tradition mixed with profound passion. A club, let it be remembered, that are still the most successful outfit in the history of the English game. However, a club that is in danger of a meltdown if their current plight continues.<br /><br />Tonight’s premiership match against Wigan has never looked so important for Manager, Rafael Benitez. Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal was the final blow to any chances Liverpool had of challenging for the league title. The club are now a worrying 13 points behind league leaders Chelsea and, more troublingly for the Spaniard, eight points behind Aston villa, who hold fourth spot right now.<br /><br />Liverpool’s season has disintegrated into disarray after crashing out of the Champions league in the group stages, the first time they’ve missed out on the knockout stages since the 2002-2003 season, and have also suffered further disappointment in the league cup at the hand of the gunners once again. The defeat to Arsenal on Sunday left the Kop ruing another season gone by in the search of that elusive 19th championship leaving only the Europa league and the FA cup as their only chances of silverware this season. <br /><br />After finishing second in the league last season, challenging United all the way, it looked as if Benitez’s men were heading in the right direction but after taking one step forward last season, Liverpool have taken more than two steps back this, as their seasons looks to be hanging off a cliff.<br /><br />They have now won three out of their last 15 games and for the size and stature of this club who, pride themselves on winning games it is simply not good enough for any ambitions they harbour or, looking at it now, harboured. It is ironic that Liverpool are on their worst downward spiral in their history on the anniversary when their greatest ever manager, Bill Shankly, took the reins and transformed the fortunes of the club and led them on their path to success.<br /><br />Benitez has a lot of work to do if he is to stop the undoing of all Shankly’s hard exertions and with the strength of his squad, it looks a hard task. It has become apparent so far this season that the squad Benitez, and only Benitez, has assembled is one of the worst in the clubs history and it will take more than the spirit of Istanbul to achieve anything with them. <br /><br />The minimum and it could be said, the maximum, the club can aim towards is finishing within the top four to secure Champions league qualification. With the amount of debt American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillette have placed upon the club, the Champions league is more important to Liverpool than any of the other top four pretenders. Without that revenue next season, the club can forget any hopes of a proposed move to Stanley Park as well as risking losing some of their top stars such as Torres and Mascherano. Benitez has also complained about the lack funds for transfers but without qualification for Europe he can all but forget about making any big signings next year. <br /><br />It is a real surprise to see just how desperate and concerning things have become at Anfield but if the club does not get their act together soon and improve upon recent form and achieve a top four finish then it could well turn into the meltdown Graeme Souness predicted. <br /><br />After all we have seen this before. Newcastle United ring any bells?Van Steffanroyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691669156852455679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350257592131379989.post-51425963286533991332009-12-08T16:01:00.000-08:002009-12-08T16:23:22.852-08:00Owen not done just yetFabio capello has said that Michael Owen presents him with his biggest nightmares. If the England manager was watching his tormentor tonight he will not sleep any easier in the nights leading up to naming his final world cup squad next year.<br /><br />As the Manchester United forward scored his first hat trick in a united shirt against Wolfsburg with great aplomb he fully stated a strong case for his inclusion in the England squad for South Africa next year. What was more impressive for Owen was that it was a Champions league hat trick away from home which will further cast him into the spotlight and surely impress the England boss of his ability to still play at the highest level.<br /> <br />His three goals were a perfect and timely reminder that when it comes to movement and finishing he is still as effective as the young kid that burst onto the scene and announced himself at France 98. Tonight though, was not the first time the former Liverpool striker has shown Capello he still has what it takes to play for the three lions. <br /><br />Owens winner in the Manchester derby back in September highlighted his ability to score chances in high profile matches and tonight’s hat trick also proved that. Apart from Rooney, Owen is the only other English striker who has a proven track record of playing scoring and performing at the highest levels of world football something that the other strikers in England’s roster cannot boast.<br /><br />After being frozen out of the national team set up by Capello, Owen has not played for England since 2008 during an injury hit spell with Newcastle but he has said that playing for England is still very much in his sights and has admitted that playing for Manchester United and playing in competitions such as the Champions league can only enhance his chances.<br /><br />He has enough compelling evidence to suggest he warrants a place on the plane to South Africa. No matter where Owen has played he has always maintained a respectable goal scoring record. With 211 goals in 438 appearances at club level meaning he boasts an almost 1 in 2 record and more importantly for England he has scored 40 goals in 89 caps.<br /><br />Fabio Capello is more than aware of what Owen is capable of but the main concern is whether he is given the opportunity to portray it consistently. After all, the same threats have been echoed to Beckham that if he does not play regularly then he will not go. <br /><br />While Owen has become just a squad player at United he will certainly be hoping that he could become a more peripheral figure in the second half of the season and prove his doubters wrong. Though united manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has not promised Owen a regular starting berth maybe not even he, on tonight’s showing, can deny the former Madrid striker the chance to perform on a more regular basis and help fire Manchester United and ultimately, England to possible glory in 2010.Van Steffanroyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691669156852455679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350257592131379989.post-44580273066906730312009-11-29T14:43:00.000-08:002009-11-29T14:50:22.977-08:00Silverspare for Arsenal?Arsene Wenger has become famous for not seeing the obvious on a football pitch but even he would have failed to miss Arsenal’s title ambitions sink even further thanks to the blue tidal wave that is becoming Chelsea.<br /><br />Before the match, Wenger had talked of how his players now looked forward to the big matches with a readiness about them but his words proved to be totally redundant as his young Arsenal team capitulated under the brute strength and experience of Chelsea particularly striker, Didier Drogba.<br /><br />At times Arsenal were fluid and attractive with their football as they dominated possession and territorial advantage but they seemed to suffer from their chronic problem of failing to depict a cutting edge or the ability to grind out a result. Although Wenger has publicly backed his team to the hills even he must wonder about the character of this team as they continue to resemble a poor man’s version of Barcelona.<br /><br />In Two trips to Manchester this season they came away with no points from either, in games they dominated and really should have won but lacked that steel and workman like performance that Chelsea displayed so effectively at the Emirates.<br /><br />Ancelotti’s men were by no means head and shoulders above Arsenal today but they showed Wengers boys why they will most probably lift silverware at the end of the season. They came, they grafted and they conquered with all the efficiency that was so prominent under the Mourinho era. Surely the Italian is banishing all memories of the Portuguese man as he has passed every test put forward his way this season. <br /><br />The Chelsea boss now boasts a 100% record against the other big three while sitting top of the premier league as well as progressing in the Carling cup and the champion’s league all before Christmas – the perfect present to the board and fans alike.<br /><br />Arsenals on the other hand have some serious problems with today’s result only adding to their misery. With Robin Van Persie ruled out for up to five months and Niklas Bendtner also injured, they seem to be missing a cutting edge in the final third which has now been highlighted for the second week in a row. Van Persie in particular is a huge loss to Wenger. Up until now, the Dutchman was a sure contender for player of the year as he was enjoying being the ‘main man’ since the departure of Emmanuel Adebayor. Both Gael Clichy and Kieran Gibbs are also injured leaving an already lightweight squad bordering featherweight.<br /> <br />These are testing times for the gunners and not what Wenger needs with the most hectic part of the season to come. How the remainder of Arsenal’s season fairs will be down to what happens in January. As players will depart to Angola for the African cup of nations coupled with injuries, surely Wenger will be forced into the transfer market to save what hopes he has left for the season.<br /><br />That is of course if he does not intend on talking up his young teams chances of silverware for next year instead.Van Steffanroyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691669156852455679noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350257592131379989.post-29823880910643520012009-11-28T04:30:00.000-08:002009-11-28T04:38:01.115-08:00El gran classicoSundays el gran classico promises to be a spectacular occasion in this glorious sport we love. If not for the football on show then certainly for the records it will break and create. This match will pit the first Spanish team to win the prestigious treble versus the most expensive Spanish team ever assembled. It will also produce the most costly amount of players ever to grace a football pitch – over £500 million worth of talent.<br /><br />After the summer arrival of new Madrid president, Florentino Perez – a return that heralded a summer of unprecedented spending at the Bernabeu – Madrid sit top of la liga going into this huge clash at the Camp Nou but things have not been as straightforward as the table suggests. Firstly it should be said that Coach Manuel Pellegrini has done a fantastic job of guiding his newly formed team to the top of the table finding consistency in a very short space of time. Coupled with the fact that he has done this without his best player, Cristiano Ronaldo is even more amazing. You would think the Madrid fans would be happy with the new coach but this is Madrid after all.<br /><br />Pellegrini has led this Madrid side to, statistically, one their best-ever starts to a Spanish league season. Not since three points were introduced for a win in the 1995/96 season have Madrid picked up 28 points from their opening 11 games. Yet despite that, the former Villarreal coach has found himself dangerously close to the Bernabeu exit on a few occasions already this season.<br /><br />Thankfully Perez did not do what he has been famous for in the past and give in to temptations of being knee jerk in reaction, instead continuing to back his coach and allow him time to continue and grow the project that has been started.<br /><br />Madrid are not producing the performances the money they spent warranted but then Rome was not built in a day. Pellegrini is still yet to perfect his formation and system of playing. They are still not able to dominate and control games with possession properly instead relying on the use of the direct counter attack. Given time however and pellegrini will look to perfect this problem. It should be remembered that it was this same coach who perfected with great success a tactic to suit Villarreal.<br /><br />The Chilean has taken some bold decisions to resolve some of the problems that the team encountered earlier in the season. Guti and Raul, two of the biggest personalities in the dressing room, have been marginalised to bring about greater cohesion both tactically and psychologically – ever since the pair found themselves on the sidelines, Madrid have gone unbeaten. The return of Ronaldo from injury is vital to any hopes of a Madrid win too. With him they are a far more efficient and successful team as the stats would favour. Seven wins out of seven with him, four out of nine without him.<br /><br />While Madrid are going through a period of transition right now, so is Barcelona. The team that blew everything out of their way last season to claim a historic treble look a different animal this. Some might say a weakened one. <br /><br />Barcelona are no question the favourites to beat Madrid because they are the more settled team and the complete antithesis of Madrid. There is no better team at controlling and dominating a game than the Catalan club but they are with their problems as well.They are not as fluid and dominant as they were the previous but then again how do they top last season? To win the treble was a great effort and after the confederations cup in the summer maybe a few of their players are running out of steam this year. <br /><br />Swapping Eto’o for Ibrahimovic was a bold move. It has certainly changed their style of play and certainly slowed down their speed of play which has probably suited opposition rather than the kamikaze attack Barca possessed last season. It will also be the first time the two best players in the world come up against each other since the European cup final and this will definitely add that extra incentive and spice to proceedings.<br /><br />Sundays match between these two will not tell us who will win the league but it will be a great indicator of where both these teams are. A repeat of the 6-2 last season might not be on the cards but you can be sure that the eyes of the world will be on this box office clash that will not cease to disappoint. When has it ever?Van Steffanroyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691669156852455679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350257592131379989.post-29409666284480583982009-11-27T16:27:00.000-08:002009-11-27T18:04:00.507-08:00Vide(n)o technology. I say yesAfter that, now infamous, handball by some Frenchman in Paris last week, calls for video technology to be introduced to football were heavily re ignited and debated as possibly being the saviour of salvaging what little integrity football has left to keep. <br /><br />With football way ahead in the popularity stakes of sports in this country, it is ironic then that it seems to drag behind the other big sports in England when it comes to how the game is administered and officiated. Week in week out fans sit and debate about the numerous amounts of contentious decisions that take place whether it is English football, European football or in the case of Ireland last week, international football. It could be said that video technology would put an end to this and while this may please many fans who watch decisions go against – and sometimes for – their team, it could end what we love talking about on a Monday morning at work or school.<br /><br />Now is the time for Fifa and Uefa to concentrate more on the idea of implementing video technology instead of just making sounds about it because of what is at stake in football these days. The sport has become more like a business, with the amount of money involved at the top end of the game, seemingly obscene. Decisions cost teams matches therefore costing them money. Imagine if technology had allowed the referee to spot the Henry handball and Ireland had in turn won the match. Their players would have enjoyed a once in a lifetime opportunity while the FAI would have reaped the commercial benefits. Instead they don’t. Possibly this is a reason why football’s governing body continue to abstain from using the technology, if we are led to believe conspiracy.<br /><br />With the ante in football so crucial today, Fifa have to step up and look at ways of introducing video technology to the sport. Mind you, they have to be very careful of how they would operate it because like any great idea, if dispatched wrongly it could cause great problems and set very dangerous precedent. Rugby, tennis and cricket have used technology to their advantages to the point where you could say it has evolved the sport. <br /><br />The recent decision to introduce the referral system in cricket was met by some derision but in reality, will improve the game as it will erode the number of mistakes made by match officials. One thing should be made clear however. The technology is not there as a way, as people have suggested, of undermining match officials, it is simply there to aide and ease the pressure on them. After all, they are just human. <br /><br />Fifa should certainly look at how other sports have used video technology to their advantage and like tennis or cricket possibly allow the two teams a certain number of challenges per match. It would also increase the fairness of competition, something that seems to be dying in today’s game as the Irish would advocate.<br /><br />There is no easy answer to how it should be done but as other sports have proved, it can be done. It has to be introduced soon though because as long as the controversy continues and the stakes in football rises it could prove detrimental to the livelihoods of someone as high as the manager of a club right down to the longstanding tea lady.Van Steffanroyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691669156852455679noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350257592131379989.post-13128024236641322032009-11-24T15:34:00.000-08:002009-11-25T05:29:20.467-08:00SOS (Save our season)Liverpool are out. Out of the champion’s league. Out of the title race and after tonight, running out of excuses. After finally succumbing to the unthinkable possibility of getting knocked out in the group stages, Rafael Benitez’s men find themselves in real danger of letting the remainder of their season implode.<br /> <br />In a cruel twist of irony Liverpool had not won in their last five games but the one game they did win turned out to be as pointless as most of Benitez’s signings. What was more worrying however, was how devoid of ideas and creativity the team were against group whipping boys Debrecen. <br /><br />Liverpool, again without the injured Torres, certainly seemed to miss their leading striker with stand in N’gog not having the presence required, despite scoring. Although Gerard was back in the team after a lengthy injury, the talismanic midfielder did not have the desired impact he is notorious to have had in the past, leading to questions about his overall fitness and once again, the reserve of the team. <br /><br />Times have never looked so bleak for Benitez and how he must wonder if letting some of the players he has let go in the past is coming back to bite him. Peter crouch, Craig Bellamy, Robbie Keane and Xabi Alonso, to name but a few, are just a selection of players he could have done with at his disposal tonight let alone this season. In Torres and Gerard, Liverpool possess two players of absolute world class ability but compare that to the other top three and they seem to be lacking in the creativity and match winning department. With the premier league and Europe more competitive contests this year all the top four have struggled more than usual but while the others have adapted to the difficulty of games, Liverpool are finding it very hard to cope. At this same stage last season Liverpool had lost only twice in all competitions compared to the 8 games they have already lost this season. <br /><br />Attentions must now desperately turn to securing a spot in the top four at the least but that is no formality as they trail occupants of 3rd and 4th Arsenal and Tottenham by 5 points and you can be damn sure that an emerging club in Manchester with money Benitez can only sit and envy, will be looking to square up to the Merseyside club for that elusive champions league place. Failure to reach next seasons champions league would not only be seen as a failure on the pitch. You can be sure right now two yanks are sitting somewhere seriously worrying about the financial implications of failing to reach Europe next year. <br /><br />Liverpool are sure to miss out on a certain £10 million by failing to reach the knockout stages and as a team who regularly reaches the quarter or semi finals that will mean they miss out on a further approximate £20 million windfall. Falling short of reaching the competition next year would be nothing short of a crisis at the cash strapped club and would almost dissolve what little hope they have left for plans about Stanley park. It would also be damaging to Rafael Benitez’s transfer plans with the boss admitting already he has to sell before he can buy. With the talent he has at his disposal already surely the only two who could rake in some serious money are the two he has to build his team around. <br /><br />This season so far must feel like a drunken bloody fight in a dark alley for Benitez and his players. They have swung punches but have not had the balance to put up a decent battle. If they are to save their season before it collapses into a total calamity, they had better sober up.Van Steffanroyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691669156852455679noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350257592131379989.post-25269432974253452582009-11-23T06:42:00.000-08:002009-11-23T09:46:44.372-08:00Two more lions who should be going to South AfricaSpurs amazing 9-1 win over Wigan confirmed two things. Many had doubts about Spurs credentials to challenge for a top four spot but with Liverpool’s continuing frailties and Man City's inconsistency, it seems a real possibility that Harry Redknapp's men could cement a top four finish. It also confirmed that it maybe time for England boss, Fabio Capello, to cross two more names off his list of possible players going to South Africa next year. <br /><br />As Spurs pummelled Wigan with all the swagger and pizzazz of a Floyd Mayweather master class in the ring, it was two performers in particular who really stood out and gave the England boss something to be positive about. Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon's performance yesterday should've done enough to convince Capello that taking the pair would not represent as big a risk as some have suggested. <br /><br />The pair were in menacing mood with Lennon creating three of the nine goals and even scoring one himself. In this frame of mind, the spurs winger would present a huge problem for any left back and his actions this season are certainly louder than any words he can speak. After Shaun Wright-Philips dismal performance against Brazil last weekend It would seem that the form of the former Leeds player has certainly put him into top contention for the berth of the troubled right wing. <br /><br />The stats would certainly seem to back him up as well. Already this season he has six assists – as many as he had in the previous two seasons – and has scored three goals already scoring over half of the total of his previous best of five last season. Lennon has had to suffer much questioning and criticism about his form and level of consistency in the past but with the managerial merry go round he has endured during his career it is not difficult to understand why. Lennon has now settled and the reason could be down to Harry Redknapp who looks to have given the speedy wide man a new lease of life. It is also important to remember that Lennon is only 22 so he is still improving all the time. <br /><br />After making his Premier league bow at the age of 16, Lennon has become a fixture in the premier league already but he himself has admitted the transition of moving from Leeds to the bright lights of London at the age of 18 was a difficult one but it seems as though Redknapp's appointment as boss with his tough line approach has revitalised Lennon and his final ball and eye for goal looks to be improving with every game and should see him secure a World cup place. <br /><br />The same could be said of Defoe. The striker’s five goals yesterday led his manager to declare him the 'best finisher in England', and he may have a very valid point. Defoe is another player who is flourishing under the Redknapp regime having scored 11 goals in 11 games this season leading his manager to suggest that he could finish the league’s top goal scorer. <br /><br />His performance yesterday showed all of his great qualities that should ensure his place in the World cup squad. All of his finishes were of the finest quality and were indicative of his form so far this season and his movements in the final third were straight from the Michael Owen, how to be a striker, guide. <br /><br />There is still much debate as to whom Mr Capello should pick as his striking options. With Wayne Rooney and Peter Crouch virtually guaranteed, Defoe would be baffled as to what more he has to do, to go to the tournament. <br /><br />In 2006, he was in the provisional squad for Germany but was dropped once Rooney regained fitness and a certain Theo Walcott was picked ahead of him in the pecking order – even though the young Arsenal forward was untried and tested at the highest level of English football. At the time, England manager, Eriksson said that he felt Walcott would make more of an impact at the tournament than Defoe despite the young star eventually not playing a single minute and the rest is history. <br /><br />Defoe has had his fair share of problems at club level as well with his previous managers not appreciating his ability, but the one man that has always been a fan is his current boss who has managed him at West ham and Portsmouth, which could explain his form right now. If his form continues right through the season even the most ardent of his detractor’s would have to concede something is a miss at the FA. <br /><br />Many fans have called on Harry Redknapp to be a future England boss. He may only be spurs boss just now but in a twist of irony he could yet play an important role for the three lions by continuing to develop and get the best out of his two lions.Van Steffanroyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691669156852455679noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350257592131379989.post-73362429946622768302009-11-20T15:32:00.000-08:002009-11-21T17:19:27.447-08:00Out with the old.. In with the PremiershipSince Wednesday night’s, media run, did he/ didn’t he saga, regarding Thierry Henry’s supposed purposeful handball against the Irish, we finally return to the less controversial, better governed, Barclays Premier league. Too much sarcasm? <br /> <br />Since the international break began with a Hollywood friendly between Brazil and England in Qatar to boost the country's chances of staging the 2022 World cup right through to the drama and controversy that took place in the Stade De France on Wednesday night, the Premier League has had to settle for supporting role in the prevalence of world football. Funnily enough, I have a sneaky feeling that English footballs governing body, the FA, would have been supporting Monsieur Henry’s action with gleeful delight. After all, the pressure was starting to mount before the break so Fifa’s policy of anything you can do, we can do worse, must have brought a huge sigh of relief to FA chief, Lord Triesman.<br /> <br />The FA were starting to kop flak because once again they folded when given the usual every season chance they have to properly reprimand Manchester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, for his regular bringing the game into disrepute. Fergie was slapped with a two match touchline ban and a £20,000 fine for his rant on refs. To be fair, days later he had every right to feel aggrieved against Chelsea, after a few baffling decisions by ref martin Atkinson cost United the game but chose to be more selective in his words.<br /> <br />Fifa of course topped this by handing Argentina boss a two month ban from football after his foul mouth expletive filled rant live on television. Considering Argentina does not play games on a regular basis this ban should ensure that El Diego doesn’t miss too much action. 1-0 to Fifa. Sorry, sarcasm again.<br /> <br />This weekend, attentions will once again turn to the premiership and the issues that are fast becoming regularity like, when will Liverpool actually mount a serious title challenge again let alone win a game? And the other strong topic. How will Manchester United ever win a trophy again without Cristiano Ronaldo? <br /><br />It promises to be an action packed weekend and I can only wish football fans up and down the country they get the results they want for their team but as the age old saying goes. You can’t please’em all.Van Steffanroyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691669156852455679noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350257592131379989.post-42786829080441879442009-11-19T16:16:00.000-08:002009-11-20T00:51:40.973-08:00Le main de DieuLet’s get one thing clear. Ireland should and deserve to feel very aggrieved and hard done by after being denied a place by the French at the world cup next year. Some may say that they were not good enough but the sheer fact is, they were robbed of a place in South Africa 2010 because of Thierry Henry using his hand to control the ball and assist William Gallas who scored the winner in extra time. In the post match reaction in the sports pages as well as front in some places, Henry is painted as the villain who has committed the most heinous of crimes and maybe deservedly so. Without his intervention France would not have scored leaving the two teams to carry on contesting the match. Instead, it was Raymond Domenech’s side who qualified albeit with as much dignity as some c-list celebrity auditioning themselves for reality television. There is obvious anger about Henry’s deception because of the consequences but it should not be forgotten that Ireland had a few chances themselves to win the match and a place at the finals. Henry’s “Main de dieu” was a shameless act that once again brings the sportsmanship of football into question but the fact is all sport is open to cheating and I cannot think of one player who would not have done the same. In a sad indictment of the sport of football maybe Ireland were possibly guilty of not trying enough to con the referee as such. There will be those who will not shed too many tears at the injustice against the Irish, mainly the television broadcasters and Fifa. Both look to make enviable profits by being able to present and show the best teams and players in the world. Imagine a world cup with no Cristiano Ronaldo or no Lionel Messi compared to one with no Robbie Keane. Hardly a commercial nightmare for Mr Blatter or the broadcaster bosses. While Henry will continue to receive much of the attention and criticism because of his actions some of the notice surely needs to be put towards Fifa for the need of video technology to make sure that injustices like these can be wiped out of the game. In today’s money and business orientated football industry if something as small as a hand can create huge and catastrophic repercussions, as FAI (football association Ireland) Chief John Delaney will be finding out now, then surely Fifa should look to limit the damage some bad officiating can cause. One thing is certain, if Wednesday’s match is anything to go by then the World cup next year should certainly throw up its fair share of incidents, Unless Fifa take action. I wouldn’t count on it though.Van Steffanroyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691669156852455679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350257592131379989.post-16646024545379630752009-11-18T16:06:00.001-08:002009-11-19T16:18:52.466-08:00No luck for the IrishSo the last team from the group belonging to the so called’ big nations’ has made it through albeit with a helping hand. France stumbled across the finish line after beating, an at best, mediocre Irish team 2-1 after extra time thanks to Thierry Henry’s blatant cheating to gift William Gallas an easy tap in for the winner after the Irish gave them a minor scare by taking the lead. While Les Bleus deserve to revel in their success of making it to South Africa 2010, manager, Raymond Domenech has some deep thinking to do ahead of the World cup finals next year if he is actually serious about building upon their solitary win in this competition in 1998. France has struggled throughout this qualifying campaign and it was no different tonight against Ireland with Thierry Henrys arm being the difference between the two sides in the Stade De France. After being placed in a group containing the likes of the Faroe Islands, Austria and Lithuania – all teams ranked outside the top fifty according to Fifa’s ranking system – it was expected the path to South Africa, for the French, would be a smooth ride instead of a bumpy short cut across the plains of Africa. The main competition for them in the group was predicted to be either Serbia or Romania, ranked according to Fifa 20th and 36th, respectively. Serbia stunned everyone by winning the group ahead of France leaving Raymond Domenech slightly embarrassed as well as hated in the country and fighting to keep his job despite the proverbial backing from the powers that be at the French FA. By winning tonight Domenech has ensured the safe keep of his job until next year for sure but will he really mastermind a good tournament for France so that he will keep his job beyond. History suggests he could. Domenech had a poor qualifying campaign prior to the 2006 World cup just about making it to the tournament with the help of the golden generation of Zidane, Makekele and Thuram. With that in mind he led the 1998 world champions to the final of that tournament only losing out on penalties to a solid Italian team. Monsieur Domenech would be the luckiest coach in my era to steer his team to a second successive final but the possibility can never be ruled out. After all, I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who thought ‘there’s no way back into this match for Liverpool’ in Istanbul 2005. Domenech will sleep easier tonight safe in the knowledge that he will be in South Africa and with better talent at his disposal in the form of Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema and hopefully a fit Thierry Henry minus the deception. This qualifying campaign has certainly shown France’s deficiencies but with fears allayed about their world cup dreams, maybe the squad will grow from this experience stronger and readier than ever and ready to show that they will be the kings of the jungle and the world in South Africa.Van Steffanroyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691669156852455679noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350257592131379989.post-44207821913464856252008-01-28T04:30:00.000-08:002008-01-28T05:13:42.705-08:00Action plan on how to be a good online journalistStrengths<br /><br />As this is a fairly new form of journalism for me there are certain skills I need to acquire to be a good online journalist but there are certain abilities I have already which could make me a good online journalist. One of my strengths is that I am literate with computers thus allowing me to operate a computer with minor trouble. This is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">obviously</span> important for an online journalist as they will be working mainly with computers and need to be able to operate them. Another skill I possess is the ability to find out and keep up to date with the latest news. I do this by regularly scouring the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Internet</span> for news to make sure I am up to date with sporting and current affairs. Another important necessity I have is the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ability</span> to research news which can be used to generate stories. I have already had brief practice as an online journalist by submitting a piece of work on the FA website regarding the FA cup while doing work experience at a sporting agency.<br /><br />Weaknesses<br /><br />The skills I need to ascertain to be a good online journalist are writing quickly as it is essential to get a point, view or story <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">across</span> to audiences as quickly as possible. Keep up to date with what the audience or target audience require and understand their needs and interests. To understand the trends of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Internet and to react as fast as possible to news to therefore get the stories across as fast as possible.</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected">A website I have analysed</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected">A website I have looked at is the BBC football website. I chose this as I am a regular viewer of the website and have always been a fan of the way it is layed out and presented. I think it is very easy to use as it has its list of contents on a left hand margin and has its main headline in the centre of the page so it can be easily seen accompanied by the other headlines to the right of the main headline. The service the BBC provides during match days are also very comprehensive as you can watch a vidiprinter of your teams matches witch updates of what is happening in the match every two minutes. The layout and presentation of the website is very simple with the background colour white with black text. The only other main colours are red and yellow therefore allowing for simple viewage. The stories are always accompanied with a picture with prominence in relation to the story making it more interesting to readers maybe as well as drawing readers. </span>Van Steffanroyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691669156852455679noreply@blogger.com0