Penny for your thoughts?
Filed under: Articles by akvbcfc, General Football, Penny for Your Thoughts
Another article from Arun. A special mention to the Luton section. A work colleague is a Luton fan, those fans are a credit to their side. Kev.
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The Damned United…and the Mercurial Magician
Being a youngster, my first hand knowledge of Brian Clough is non-existent, which is one of the reasons why I felt compelled to watch The Damned United. However, unlike many youngsters, I did my background reading beforehand. I have always been fascinated by the figure that was Brian Clough and the aura around the man which has lasted long after his passing.
I watched the documentaries, researched on the internet and read a book by Duncan Hamilton (Provided You Don’t Kiss Me – 20 Years With Brian Clough), a journalist who followed Brian Clough for nigh on 20 years in his job as a writer.
I was intrigued and excited to see how Michael Sheen would act in the role of Clough and I was interested to see how Clough’s inner psyche would be presented to the audience.
I must say, that I was not disappointed.
The film was nothing if not humorous and nostalgic. Clough is portrayed as cocky yet charming and his ability to pull one liners out of the hat is displayed expertly by Sheen.
There were gems such as the “chuck all your medals and all your caps and all your pots and all your pans into the biggest dustbin you can find, because you’ve never won any of them fairly” speech on his first day at work at Elland Road which stunned Leeds players, to say the very least.
The truth was well and truly stretched at times when we see Clough not even coming out to the dug-out during some games but this was all done for the right reasons; to heighten the tension and show the audience what effect life was having on the then Derby manager.
The one point that I would make is that I felt that the film was too much about Clough and Revie and not enough about Old Big ‘Ead himself.
Having said all of that, The Damned United is a truly fascinating insight into the complex mind that is Brian Clough…while they may have overdone the links between Brian Clough and Don Revie, this film is still one that you have to see.
Honesty…Don’t You Just Love It?!
Craig Bellamy delivered a damning verdict on the latest defeat for Wales, saying that the viewing public had just seen “two poor sides” who do not have even a “glimmer of hope of qualifying”. He said that he could not understand how the first scorer for Finland managed to score, because he doesn’t think that he is a “good enough player” to do so.
Bellamy is a much maligned figure but I could not help but to find his latest outburst refreshing and insightful. Here is a player who would do anything for his national side, and he is devastated by the fact that another chance to reach the World Cup Finals has been blown by a team who never looked anywhere near good enough to get there.
Who says that players don’t care?
Is That…Team Spirit?
It is a good time to be an England international. Not only are the team playing well, but there has been a flux of personal achievements to go with this new lease of life under Fabio Capello. While Emile Heskey brought up 50 caps in the last England World Cup qualifier, John Terry reached his half century in the 4-0 victory over Slovakia and if all goes to plan, Wayne Rooney will chalk up his 50th appearance against Ukraine on Wednesday night. Oh, and there is the little matter of David Beckham becoming the most capped outfield player to represent England…ever.
It seems as if Fabio Capello is finally collecting together a group of players who are starting to resemble a real team. The defence are starting to play as if they have actually met and played with each other before, whilst the midfield area is now the home to creativity, strength and (the right sort of) aggression. Up front, while they may lack strength in depth, the first choice frontline which includes the likes of Heskey, Rooney and Gerrard is now a menacing unit that goes after teams and attacks them right from the off.
Capello has laid down his marker on this side and he has brought in a discipline which for so long has been missing from the side. However, at the same time, Capello has once again made it fashionable to play for the national team.
Not only do players want to play for their national side, the fans also want to go and watch England play. There is an atmosphere which is returning to England matches because the crowd have seen this Capello revolution and they have responded.
Wembley has not been the fortress that one would like it to be since the 1950s when Hungary came and showed the English how to play their own game, but the atmosphere at England games now is becoming as good as it has ever been.
Now, I’m not saying that we are going to win the World Cup next year, but it is clear that Fabio Capello really is making his mark on the English game – and good luck to him.
Against All Odds
You have to reserve some special praise for Luton Town and their fans. Starting the season on -30, they didn’t have a hope in hell of getting anywhere near safety, but 4 victories in the last 5 has left fans dreaming of the greatest of great escapes. Granted, the side are still 11 points off survival, but with 7 games to go, you get the feeling that anything is possible. Without their points deduction, they would be sitting comfortable in 12th place. Luton have scored more goals this season than the leaders and as many goals as second place Bury.
I have the utmost respect for the poor fans of Luton who have stuck by the side all season, come what may.
Surely they can’t stay up…well…stranger things have happened.
Too Good To Go Down
Newcastle United, a club with a stadium capacity of over 50,000 and a following like no other. A club with internationally renowned players such as Michael Owen, Damien Duff, Obafemi Martins, Fabricio Coloccini and…Habib Beye.
Too good to go down? Don’t make me laugh.
By akvbcfc
The International Scene
Filed under: Aylesburyblue Articles, General Football
With the important business of the promotion chase taking a two week break I thought I’d take a look at the prospects of the home nations in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. I was going to focus on Blues players representing their country but there’s only really the Northern Irish boys and Seb Larsson these days. Sweden do have a massive game coming up against Portugal which you would normally think would be a group decider but it’s actually between the sides in 4th and 5th. The loser will have a lot of catching up to do to qualify. Good luck Seb but most importantly, don’t get injured.
England
England only have one qualifier this week but do play Slovakia in a friendly on Saturday evening. As one squad is selected for both games this should mean that Capello will play his expected starting eleven for the Ukraine game to give them an opportunity to play together. It would be good to watch an England friendly without all the injury withdrawals, mass substitutions and pointless experimentation that usually makes them not worth watching. I expect Gerrard to be given the role of the second striker with Lampard dropping deeper. Could the old Gerrard/Lampard question be finally put to rest?
The Ukraine game is of course more important and I believe that a win will see us put one foot in the finals. England have made their best start to a qualifying tournament that I can remember and should qualify comfortably but they will have to be careful against a useful Ukraine side. The days of the great pairing of Shevchenko and Rebrov terrorising opposing defenders may have gone but they should not be taken lightly. My prediction England to win 2-1.
Tickets are still available for both games but I’ve just tried to get one through the FA site and after registering it wouldn’t recognise my details so I gave up. Maybe that’s why there are still plenty available.
Scotland
Scotland, deprived of Faddy, are in 2nd place in their group but have to travel to Holland on Saturday to play the group leaders. Their bigger game though will be on Wednesday when the face Iceland at home. Second and a place in the playoffs will be their target and victory over the 3rd place team will be a big step towards that goal. I predict that they will lose 3-0 to Holland but secure a 1-0 victory over the Icelandics.
Wales
Wales have a decent young team but with them being in the same group as Germany and Russia their chances of qualification are slim. They have two home games coming up but will fancy their chances more in the first game against Finland (I wonder if Forssell will play) than against Germany. They have beaten Germany in Cardiff before, an Ian Rush goal gave them a 1-0 victory on the way to them just missing out on qualification for the 1994 tournament. My predictions Wales 1-1 Finland, Wales 0-1 Germany.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland are in a good position in a very even group, only two points cover five teams. This week they have two home games against the sides just around them, Poland and Slovenia. It’s crunch time for Nigel Worthington’s men. Good results this week could lead to their first World Cup since 1986. They will of course have two Blues players to help them. Maik Taylor is first choice in goal but Damien Johnson may miss out due to his lack of match practice. I’d love them to get two wins but I have a feeling they’ll slip up in one of the games, probably against Poland.
Republic of Ireland
The Republic are stuck in a two horse race with Italy for the group eight title. This week they have to travel to Italy but first up they have a home game against Bulgaria. Bulgaria are 3rd in the group but are yet to win a game and will be missing Dimitar Berbatov for this one. This should be three points but they will probably struggle in Rome. I would expect them to finish 2nd but having missed out in the playoffs a few times in the past they would love to top the group this time. On loan Stoke defender Stephen Kelly is the only Blues player involved along with half of Reading’s team. Let’s hope they have a couple of tiring games. My predictions Ireland 2 -1 Bulgaria, Italy 1-0 Ireland.
Good luck to all the home nations in their upcoming games.
Penny For Your Thoughts?
Filed under: Articles by akvbcfc, General Football, Penny for Your Thoughts
Here is this week’s article from akvbcfc
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What a Difference a Week Makes?
Isn’t it amazing? A week ago, Liverpool was a club in turmoil, but in the space of a mere 7 days, they have been transformed. Now, Liverpool is a club with a chance of doing the double. Wins over Madrid, United and Villa (don’t you just love it) couple with the signing of a new contract by Rafa Benitez has given the club a massive shot in the arm.
It is amazing what a week can do. Suddenly the outlook upon Merseyside has changed massively.
Could the title race be back on?
United’s team costs more than £180 million, and their wage bill is over £100 million. You think that anyone can topple them? Get real.
The Flawed Genius?
I can’t work it out. It doesn’t add up. Whenever United have one of their awful days where they lose games and things don’t go for them, it is always the same culprits who lose their marbles. Rooney and Ronaldo always go off on a strop and temp the referee to pull his red card out of his pocket. But why is it them? O’Shea, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra, Fletcher, Giggs, Park, Tevez and Berbatov all managed to keep their tempers under control, but Rooney and Ronaldo could not do the same. Both went off on temper tantrums, and while Rooney was eventually given a red card, Ronaldo probably deserved one for his petulant and at times aggressive behaviour. It doesn’t matter whether Rooney’s red card was deserved or not for the foul he committed, he deserved it for his behaviour overall. The pair sulked and queried every decision made by the referee and they were constantly shouting in the referee’s ear to try and point out how decisions had supposedly gone the wrong way when being awarded to Fulham.
These two need to grow up. They need to become a lot more mature and they have to take defeat on the chin. They are no longer school children playing games against other children. This is supposedly the adult world of professional football. These two need to learn how to become gracious in defeat…or is that too much to ask?
The Special One Is At It Again…
Jose Mourinho is at it again. The Inter manager has alleged that numerous managers in Italy are very strongly influenced by their club presidents when it comes to the time for making team selections for upcoming matches. Mourinho said,
“When I mentioned coaches that lose their own dignity, what I wanted to state is that while I choose the team that goes out on the pitch, other coaches don’t do that, and in the world of football it’s full of them. If anyone told me what to do with my line-up, the next day my office would be empty and I would have my suitcases packed.”
Priceless…simply, priceless.
Magic Harry
Their position in the table is surprising and unflattering but Harry Redknapp has performed some minor miracles since his arrival at Spurs. Not only has he dragged them away from the dreaded relegation places, he has reinvigorated the club and the players. He has got the team playing exciting football, he has got the likes of Lennon and Modric playing their best football, and heck, he’s even got Ledley King playing games!
If you want proof of his achievements as Spurs boss, just look at their record against the top 4 this season. Under Redknapp’s stewardship, Spurs have drawn 4-4 at the Emirates, beaten Liverpool 2-1 at home, drawn with both the Red Devils and the Gunners at home before beating their rivals Chelsea at the weekend. It is a quite astounding statistic that one team has gone the whole season unbeaten against the top sides. Granted, with trips to Anfield and Old Trafford to come, this record may not last, but Redknapp must be awarded respect for the job he has done.
Good ol’ Harry.
What a Surprise!
“It is a great honour to be selected for your country and, although I know it will be difficult to break into the actual team, I’m looking forward to the experience”
These were the words of Everton left back Leighton Baines after he was awarded with a shock call up to the England side after his impressive form for Everton in recent weeks and months. It was utterly refreshing to read his views on his selection. Baines said that it was a great honour to be selected for his country and he says that he is looking forward to the experience. Now, when is the last time you heard a player talk about representing his country with such enthusiasm?
Brilliant.
Time For The Dress-Rehearsal
It appears that there is a very good chance that the IPL could be staged in South Africa this year, due to security fears in India. Why am I mentioning this in an article about football?
If the IPL is given to South Africa, then this will be the perfect warm up for the security measures which will be put in place for the World Cup in 2010, and this will provide an effective dress-rehearsal for the country to see if they are up to the challenge of hosting the most prestigious football competition in the world. Do I think that they can do it? Is the sky green? Thought not.
By akvbcfc
Big Nation/Small Nation
Filed under: Articles by Czech-Mate, Blues News, General Football
Here is a first article from another forum regular Czech-Mate
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During a recent discussion at work, something dawned on me. If you scratch the surface of the so called “Beautiful game” you’ll notice that a hell of a lot isn’t exactly…shall we say “Up to scratch”.
Lets start from the top, none other than the FIFA World Cup.
All participating teams bar the hosts have to qualify, and quite rightly so. With so many European teams battling for places at the prestigious competition many feel that the lower, shall we say…lesser developed countries shouldn’t be participating in these Qualification groups, why shouldn’t they? I beg you for a GENUINE answer…
The main argument against the likes of Liechtenstein, Moldova, San Marino & Azerbaijan is that they rarely win football matches, and their place in the group is purely to make up the numbers. Lets look into this in detail. How are the above countries, and others of that ilk going to improve, and progress without playing against tough opposition?
Answer: They can’t.
There are a number of ways to get these nations improving. I’ll give credit where its due, FIFA Goal projects that are being developed in some smaller nations WILL make a difference, but surely there must be other ways of helping these nations. UEFA’s 6+5 rule just isn’t the way forward in my honest opinion. In no way am I insinuating that I know more about these lesser nations than the UEFA representatives, but I do take genuine interest in these obscure footballing nations, and often find myself thinking of how to get them up to the next level.
UEFA’s 6+5 rule states that 6 of the 11 players on the pitch for a team must be from the country the team is from. The general thinking is good, to an extent. While more home grown & young players will be getting 1st team football which will help them to develop, it puts a strangle on club managers. Lets look at Arsenal as an example. Their main players are as follows; Almunia (ESP) Fabregas (ESP) Arshavin (RUS) Adebayor (TOG) Van Persie (NED) Nasri (FRA) Toure (CIV) Gallas (FRA). This is a team that Arsene Wenger has built. I may not like him, but why should he then have to ruin the team he’s built for the benefit of a UEFA ruling? He shouldn’t have to. He should be able to pick players that he WANTS to pick for HIS team. The primary goal is for the 6+5 rule to assist smaller nations, people earning huge salaries put their heads together, and came up with this shambles. You’re probably reading this thinking “Go on then smart arse, you come up with something” for those thinking that, I have!
UEFA have clearly categorised between their “developed nations” and their “undeveloped” nations. Here is my main idea that can save the game in these smaller nations…
Teams from the so called Developed Nations have a minimum transfer fee to be paid to clubs from lesser developed nations for their home grown stars. This pumps money into the smaller nations, which can be used to improve training & playing facilities, and get the home grown players of the smaller nations valuable experience in playing at a higher level.
Of course, there are many more ways to help the lower countries. One of which is to re-vamp the Champions League. The clue is in the title. The UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, meaning the league for the champions of the UEFA nations. Why are Arsenal in the competition? Why are Liverpool in this competition? The same can be said for Villareal, Barcelona, Chelsea and many more. The teams just mentioned aren’t actually champions of their domestic leagues.
Do we see a flaw here? I do.
How would you feel if you won your domestic league, were chuffed to bits that your players were going to be able to compete in the Champions League only to have that bubble burst? It happens EVERY year. It may sound like I’m being bitter here, but Slavia Prague were eliminated from this years competition in the qualification stages, I’ve come to expect this so it wasn’t such a bitter blow for me, what hurt was the fact that Fiorentina eliminated Slavia. Fiorentina are 1 hell of a good side, but I can’t for the life of me believe that they should be a Champions League side. They finished 4th, yes FOURTH in their domestic league, yet enter the Champions League qualification….Something just isn’t right here.
It obviously hasn’t sank in with Michel Platini that the smaller nations he governs are “smaller” nations because of him. If all countries were treated equally then we wouldn’t be in our current state. Why can’t Mr Platini give EACH European countries CHAMPIONS a spot in the competition? After all, that’s what the competition is meant for. That way, 1 club from each nation is netting themselves a tidy sum for participating in the tournament, therefore, as previously stated, the money can be used to improve the training facilities which can only lead to improvements all around.
If you take a look at these “Smaller nations” and watch their domestic leagues, you’ll see players with passions and pride, not greed and arrogance. These leagues are often a joy to watch, and they’d be even better if UEFA wouldn’t constantly let them down by making out that they are trying to help. The sooner someone with sense becomes head of UEFA the better.
Feel free to add comments and ask questions, if I can I will gladly answer them.
Thanks for reading!
Czech-Mate
View From The South – Birmingham City vs Norwich City
Bazza’s match report from the weekend game.
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Spring has sprung and bright sunshine greeted us on Saturday for the visit of the Canaries to St Andrews. I felt a little apprehensive about this fixture as my mind couldn’t help going back to the same match just over two years ago when on a midweek evening in the first few weeks of the season Blues contrived to dish up the worst performance I had witnessed in over 35 years! We lost 1 – 0 that night in a dire match fully contributed in good measure by our opponents just in case any were running away with the idea that Blues were wholly culpable.
Rather than just describe events as they unfolded I thought I’d seize upon the comments of the respective managers since their views make for a more interesting slant on matters. Firstly Alex McCleish stated that Blues had got off to a slow sluggish start despite everything that had been discussed in the dressing room. He is dead right there! Sadly the temper of the performance was dictated by the sort of opening that we have witnessed far too often this season. There was I thinking that Blues were at last getting it together at just the right time after encouraging matches against Bristol City, Nottingham Forest and Doncaster last week. Norwich had conceded 32 goals away from home this season almost two per game on average and there is no doubt that they are where they are because of their defensive frailties. I was surprised that Big Eck did not start with the side he fielded last week at Doncaster. 4-5-1 can be attacking providing the wide players get up quickly to support the lone striker. He instead opted for 4-4-2 sacrificing Fahey for the extra attacker, O’Connor up front. I feel this was a mistake since Norwich, despite their lowly position, play neat attractive football and of course proceeded to out pass us in the early stages in midfield as we had got rid of the one really creative midfielder to accommodate the extra forward.
Bryan Gunn said that he was disappointed to be 1 – 0 down at half time since his team had dominated the game for 44 minutes, created the better chances and the goal should not have stood since Jerome had clearly impeded the keeper and the goal would have been disallowed 99.9% of the time. He concluded that the officials had been poor. Let’s take these points one at a time:
Dominated the game for 44 minutes? I don’t think so but he is partially right in that Norwich had far more easy possession than a side sitting in the promotion places should have allowed them. The game over the whole period was more evenly balanced than Gunn suggests but he would say that wouldn’t he?
Created better chances? Certainly! Alan Lee missed a sitter in the first couple of minutes from four yards when it was easier to score and a couple of minutes later Norwich had the ball in the net from a far post header only to have the effort disallowed. This decision although correct was very tight and we were extremely fortunate to get away with it. Gow also produced a scare pulling a cross shot across the line only a yard out. It needed a touch from a colleague to seriously wreck the afternoon.
Jerome’s goal should have been disallowed? Not on your life! I’ve looked at the replay numerous times on the recording I took from this morning’s Championship programme on ITV. Jerome gets in front of the Norwich keeper, Marshall and jumps to head the ball cleanly. The keeper tries to snatch the ball off the forward’s head. He’s on the wrong side of him and he’s too late. The ball drops down in front of Cameron Jerome who nets from two yards – appeal denied! Bryan Gunn can have no complaints. The bloodied nose sustained by his goalkeeper was apparently caused by his player accidentally catching Jerome’s studs as he went to ground. Jerome is facing away from the keeper concentrating on the ball; there is little argument for a disallow; goalkeepers get far too much protection as it is!
The officials were poor? Yes they were but for different reasons than those given by the Norwich manager. In the first few minutes of the game Lee catches Ridgewell in the face with a flailing elbow. I’ve once again studied this incident several times and I’m prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt. Nevertheless, a yellow card should have been produced – no action was taken. What happened just before half time to Franck Queudrue perpetrated by the same player can have no such excuse. He clearly glances towards his target and smashes his elbow into Queudrue’s face! The assistant flags straight away, the referee gives the free kick and delivers a tame yellow card! That was a definite red card offence but of course Bryan Gunn conveniently glosses over that one doesn’t he? It maddens me that managers can find it within themselves to justify the unjustifiable when it suits – disgusting! The game would have been very different had the referee acted properly. He should at least have consulted his assistant who saw the incident clearly as we all did from the terraces.
The second half started a little better for Blues and I felt that we would go on to confirm the win. Norwich were still playing neat tidy football but Blues seemed to be in control. An unfortunate free kick 25 yards out was conceded by Carsley who was a little unlucky when he clipped the heels of Sammy Clingan as he was running away towards the wing. Clingan deftly clipped the free kick over the wall just inside Maik Taylor’s right hand post. It was an absolute beauty; a truly cracking finish and one that one has to admit, deserved. It is not possible to legislate for the perfect strike from a free kick in that position other than to station a full back on the line but this invites opposition forwards to stand in front of the keeper blocking his view and making a thorough nuisance of themselves.
Norwich’s equaliser filled them and their massed supporters with confidence and it was time for several more scares including a timely header off the line from Larsson which prevented a winner for the Canaries. Blues regained some modicum of control and huffed and puffed rather disjointedly to re-establish the lead. Sinclair was brought on for Bouazza, Murphy for Queudrue and Phillips for the largely ineffective O’Connor. The big chance arrived in time added on when Murphy dinked a cross from the left; Phillips leapt up like a salmon connecting well with his header. A reaction save from the keeper parried the effort over the bar as the effort was unfortunately too close to him. A couple of feet either side and an undeserved win would have been assured. The chance was gone and with it two points.
Another thing that Bryan Gunn said was that he felt his team should have been leaving with all three points. We could not have complained if that had been the case but on balance the result was probably fair. This was overall a bad day at the office but it could have been worse. We have to work harder, press the ball and establish a much higher tempo similar to the matches that preceded this one if we are to make any impression on some team called Wolverhampton Wanderers who are next up.
No problem there then!
KRO SOTV
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