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