April 15 – featuring career management advice from Louis van Gaal
By Alberta Gooner | April 11th, 2011 | Category: Daily Links, English Premier League, Featured Posts, Lead Article, Soccer | 38 commentsYou have to admire somebody with the stones to suggest that the people who can hire and fire you should read your autobiography so they can “learn something about football.” That’s the brilliance of Louis van Gaal, master tactician on the field. Off the field, well not so much. Raphael Honigstein lists the sins of the Dutchman that led to his departure from Bayern Munich.
van Gaal should serve as a cautionary tale to Andres Villas Boas, one of Europe’s most promising young coaches whose career arc is headed in the opposite direction. David Hynter profiles the promising young Porto manager, who is part of the Sir Bobby Robson coaching tree.
Daniel Taylor interviews Paul Scholes and gets the normally reserved midfielder to open up about playing in the winter of his career.
David Conn sees the families of the Hillsborough disaster continue their fight to get police to admit the coverup.
And finally, a revealing look by Ed Ballard at the cost of the likely starting XIs in El Classico, where Cristiano Ronaldo cost Real Madrid more than the entire Barca starting XI.
GOSSIP
Manchester United tried to sign Raul this season, according to the Spanish striker’s Schalke team-mate Christoph Metzelder. (Daily Mail)
Such a move hardly surprises given Fergie’s public admiration of Raul and the fact that he has form with such purchases (see Larsson, Henrik)
Manchester City skipper Carlos Tevez may have played his last game for the club after injuring his hamstring as there is uncertainty over his future at Eastlands. (The Times)
Carlitos have seemed unsettled ever since Mancini’s arrival. If the Italian is ousted in the summer, it will be interesting to see whether his position softens or whether they both leave.
Marseille are keen to take Arsenal’s Marouane Chamakh back to France after he failed to earn a regular first-team place in his first season in England. (talkSPORT)
Not. Going. To. Happen.
Full-back Stephen Warnock is set to leave Aston Villa in the summer after talks with manager Gerard Houllier broke down. (Daily Mail)
Warnock has been high on Houllier’s merde list for sins real and imaginary.
Aston Villa and Sunderland could both be interested in former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, who will be allowed to leave Wigan in the summer. (Daily Mirror)
I could see Villa going for him but Sunderland already have plenty of keepers and would need to shift Craig Gordon before buying another.
Paris St Germain defender Mamadou Sakho has distanced himself from reported interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, saying: “I plan to stay with PSG for a long time.” (Metro)
I’m sure his position will change once he sees the size of the pay package. Wenger has long admired him and he looks like he might be ready to make the journey across the channel. Stay tuned.
Manchester United have signed promising Wales Under-18 defender Declan Dalley after the central defender impressed on trial at Old Trafford. (talkSPORT)
No idea about this kid. Anybody seen or heard of him?
Thursday
I trolled around looking for something — anything — of interest to put up and there was the grand sum of SFA (ed’s note: not the Scottish Football Association) of interest. I could have put up a couple of links to mock the mindlessless of halfwits but why increase Paul Hayward’s readership?
Any predictions for the weekend? How will the omelet maker approach EL Classico? Will Szczesny, Djourou and Song (please God) return for the Liverpool match? How will City cope without Tevez and with Mancini? Will Mario Balotelli make headlines for the right or wrong reasons? Or both? This thread is now a blank canvas, gents. ‘ave it!
Wednesday
Apparently lip readers employed by the Daily Mail had a field day with some of the reaction shots of an enraged Pat Rice on the Arsenal bench to some of Abou Diaby’s work in midfield against Blackpool. Let’s hope the FA doesn’t review that tape, which is apparently a good deal more scandalous than anything that has emerged from the curled lips of young master Rooney.
With two Champions League ties deader than Charlie Sheen’s career and many of Fleet Street’s truth troops — see here and here — chalking the outline around Carlo Ancelotti, there’s a very thin gruel for daily links.
Tony Barrett sees Liverpool take a page from Real Madrid’s Zidanes and Pavons template. Young Jonathan Flanagan did play well against City but Holloway Road Properties PLC supporters will point out Denilson looked pretty damn good at times when he first arrived in north London, too. It would be a spectacular success to see two or three of the names bandied about by Barrett turn into first-team regulars for Liverpool.
With the dearth of insightful punditry, let’s see what’s exciting the Fleet Street sewing circle these days.
GOSSIP
Courtesy of our good friends at the BBC.
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has insisted there is no deal in place to sell Spanish full-back Jose Enrique to Liverpool. (Evening Chronicle)
If you believe Liverpool old boy Phil Thompson, this deal is all but done. It makes sense given this is an area of real need and the fullback’s excellent form this season.
Aston Villa, Fulham and Sunderland could all be in the hunt for Tottenham defender Alan Hutton, who is set for a summer exit after a bust-up with manager Harry Redknapp. (Goal.com)
Spurs are looking to trim their squad so there’s no surprises the former Rangers defender — who looks much more comfortable going forward — is on the block.
Manchester United have agreed to sign Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David de Gea for 20m euros (£17.8m) on a five-year contract, according to Spanish radio station Onda Cero. (AS)
No real surprises here as de Gea has been linked as one of possible successors to Edwin van der Saar. The other much mooted name is Manuel Neuer, who is apparently off to Bayern Munich in the summer.
Chelsea are set to sign Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku from Anderlecht for 30m euros (£26.7m) at the end of the season. (Marca)
According to the Belgium club, Barca bid eight million euros for one of Europe’s hottest prospects. I still don’t know how Chelsea can swing this kind of bid with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules coming in unless there is a massive clearout of high wage earners in the summer that goes beyond the two or three names who are out of contract (Bosingwa and Paulo Ferreira).
Inter Milan will step aside and allow Manchester City to buy Udinese star Alexis Sanchez, provided City accept Inter’s offer of £25m for striker Carlos Tevez. (Talksport)
While moving Tevez and bringing in Sanchez makes sense, this is really one for the conspiracy theorists.
Porto coach Andre Villas Boas is reported to have signed a pre-contract agreement to become Liverpool manager next season. (caughtoffside.com)
He’s one of the most promising young coaches in Europe but I don’t know how the Kop would react to this rumour given all the good feelings ushered in by Dalglish’s return.
Tuesday
Some legends bear their status with good grace and an easy smile. Look at Kenny Dalglish, for example. Brought into a sticky situation, he smiled and made sure Christian Poulsen and Paul Konchesky never saw the pitch in a meaningful match. He also got the Yanks to pay for Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez by selling rap star/bench decoration Ryan Babel and Fernando Torres. Really common sense stuff.
Other legends, well, don’t age as gracefully. Just ask Ajax of Amsterdam, one of Europe’s most storied and decorated clubs who happen to have to live with the burden of Johan Cruyff. And Gabriele Marcotti doesn’t think the Dutch legend is doing his old club any favours with his public vitriol.
Talking of graceless behaviour, Manchester City is never far away from that conversation, what with such solid pros as Craig Bellamy and Mario Balotelli on their books. After watching them get gutted by Liverpool like a freshly caught salmon at the fishmongers, Rory Smith sees Edin Dzeko’s only shield being the poor form of Fernando Torres right now.
Did anybody else see Balotelli try to volley in a ball from 40 yards last night? Dear God. I’d love to know what passed through his mind at that moment. And Mancini’s.
The permablonde, hairstrung Chelsea striker doesn’t escape the attention of tactics guru Jonathan Wilson, who tries to solve the mystery of his failure to fire for the west London rent boys.
Chelsea are not out of the tie, though, and I’d be careful before writing them off. If I were picking the Chelsea side, I’d go with 4-3-3 with Drogba, Malouda, Kalou, Lampard, Ramires, Essien, Cole, Terry, Alex, Ivanovic and Cech.
Monday
Stan Kroenke has a sharp eye for value — the man married a Wal-Mart heiress for God’s sakes. So it really wasn’t all that surprising that the plainspoken Midwesterner with dual interest in middling sports franchises and property development would eventually pitch up in north London, seeking another vehicle with positive cash flow and a customer base used to disappointment. It’s almost like a marriage made in heaven. Without a pre-nup.
After his overtures were first spurned by HRP chairman Mr. Peter Hill-Wood, who dismissed Silent Stan as “not our sort”, the colour of Mr. Kroenke’s billionscharacter seemed to change the minds of directors, who welcomed him with open arms. They did, however, decide to freeze out onetime club majordomo David Dein, who had previously pushed for Mr. Kroenke’s admission to the club.
With the club stumbling like drunks out of a bar at closing time making their usual late-season push for honours, Mr. Kroenke has pledged to continue to support Arsene Wenger “a wonderful manager” who has delivered quality, quality results at the end of every fiscal quarter. And what with the names of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri now being grist for the many rumour mills around Europe, it seems like Stan has got some solid, solid advice about buying at the right time.
Less clear is how he is paying for his purchase. While he seems to enjoy an enviable reputation compared to some recent American investors in English football, comparing him to the Glazers or Statler & Waldorf is sort of like using Jens Lehmann as a benchmark for your mental health.
Kroenke’s means of purchase are beyond the ken of Matt Scott.
And, somewhat worryingly, Henry Winter gives his approval and suggests Kroenke could push Wenger to open up the wallet and blow the dust off the Queen’s eyes. I’d actually love to send this link to Carmelo Anthony’s agent.
Let’s move the discussion beyond the usual standards of lantern-jawed, tooth-sucking halfwittedness, shall we? And what better way to gain insights on football and finances than the excellent Swiss Ramble, so here’s an analysis from his archives about Holloway Road’s new owner.
To the chief rivals and Alan Hansen explains why his good buddy sits Dimitar Berbatov in games that matter. Rob Hughes, meanwhile, praises the enlivening effect of Antonio Valencia on the league leaders.
Michael Cox looks at the proficiency of Peter Crouch (yes, really!) and Daniel Sturridge, who has scored twice as many goals as Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Fernando Torres combined since going out on loan to Bolton.
Blog regulars will know I’ve been quite taken with Udinese and touted them for the Scudetto, but their hopes took a real blow when they lost 2-1 to Roma and their shy, understated c(obscene gerund bounced off the sturdy Sofaball firewall) of a captain Francesco Totti. Cox gives a through explanation as to why.
Remaining on the Continent, Raphael Honigstein lauds Hannover 96’s unexpected push for a Champions League place at the expense of Bayern Munich, who finally ended their protracted divorce with Louis van Gaal, whose brilliance with tactics on the field are only surpassed by his brittle people skills and career management. “Recommending his autobiography to the board “so that they can learn something about football” was also not the smartest move in the world.” Indeed.
Back to Hannover 96 and I must say they look like a team transformed from last year’s glassy-eyed bunch who seemed to sleepwalk around the pitch but they have a couple of quality players in that side. One of them is Didier Ya Konan, who looks like a very useful striker and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him linked with bigger clubs during the summer.
When it comes to burning bridges, van Gaal is rivalled by Emmanuel Adebayor and Ben Lyttleton examines whether the striker has finally found a club to call his own at Real Madrid.
James Horncastle chronicles a couple of high-profile meltdowns in France as Lyon and then Lille come unravelled. Just for kicks, here’s the video of the Adil Rami row.
While I know there’s been a lot of links today, I had to include this comparison between Wayne Gretzky and Lionel Messi by Gabriele Marcotti because I had a front-row seat for the Oilers dynasty in the 80s growing up in Edmonton (I even ran into a few them in bars back at that time). Greatness usually gets overused in sport but Messi’s accomplishments — as Gretzky’s — will ring out well after his playing days are done. One note of caution, though. The Oilers didn’t win the Stanley Cup during Gretzky’s greatest season — the New York Islanders did. Barca supporters will hope that trend isn’t repeated in the next three weeks.
Very simple approach from United…get the ball wide, cross it, and counter attack whenever possible. A well executed game plan that continues to cause teams problems. Each player seemed to know there roles tonight and rarely stepped out of what they do best.
I might have to change the name to Ever Won The Treble Twice c;)
When did Fern have a ponytail? He wears a head string just like Luis Garcia, Forlan, and a bunch of other players.
Thanks for all the continental links!
Rafa made it onto Football Focus again. I’ve already heard derisive comments about it amongst the punditry. Guess it’s OK for Mini-Wheeler-Dealer but not a CL champion manager.
“I might have to change the name to Ever Won The Treble Twice”
Ugh, that may well possibly be the death of me.
@gorn
Nice catch and I’ll correct that. I don’t know what I was thinking there.
@ewtt
Are you going to stick a few shekels on the double or the treble? I’d imagine you’d still get decent enough odds that it would pay for a few months of your cable package or buy a ticket to catch a game.
Here you go AG
@rdm
lol — that’s a classic!
Christ, I thought they said he was “ill”…. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/906586/arsenal-director-danny-fiszman-dies?cc=5901
I like waffles.
You think that your mustache is trendy
You think your kicker boots are too.
With your kangol and your fleece
Bensherman on for weeks
We know that you’re a f****** Blue!
Manchester United 2 Stockport Massive 0
@gorn
“I like waffles.”
I’m not wild about Ignatieff myself.
@ewtt
“Manchester United 2 Stockport Massive 0″
Love that — much better than Abu Dhabi FC. Who do have in El Classico? I’m leaning towards a scoring draw myself with the omelet maker getting sent to the stands.
Salford Minor vs. Stockport Major: is a few straight red cards & a coupla injuries each too much to hope for? Without Carlitos, I cannye see MCFC pulling this one out. ManUre yet again profit from another club’s untimely misfortune.
AG:
Waffles, not wafflers. You cannye spin me, Dr.! Besides, someone had to say sommut around here….
Big weekend for Les Gauls. Feels like 2 scoring draws in the cards, but mebbe Johnny’s return will be the difference; I don’t think they need Song to beat either LFC nor the Spuds. Also, be interesting to see if there’s any kind of kick-on effect from the ownership resolution. Mebbe a little excitement @ Le Voyeur possibly being pressured into a buy or two, perhaps? *crosses fingers* If they could get 6pts, boy oh boy would that help the run-in!
AG:
I’m with you on a scoring draw for El Clasico. If Real Madrid get a clue they’ll see Barca aren’t playing with a proper center half which is just screaming out to be exposed. I think a more measured approach might suit them better. Sit back and break out when possible. The Madristas won’t like it but it will save them from being turned over once again.
—
Anyone see the Portland Timbers match? That’s a proper crowd even if their team is shite. Gorn you’re over in that region if I’m not mistaken. What’s the supporter response to having three clubs all within the same relative area?
EWTT:
Early doors. We’re not all close like, say, Maine/MA/PA. And there hasnye been a ‘derby’ match yet.
I suspect that the biggest match for the Whitecaps will always be TFC; most BC residents resent Toronto for either political or sporting inferiority-complex reasons. TFC being the senior club will probly also produce some ‘older brother’ animosity too.
But once the ‘Caps actually play the Timbers or Sounders, it’ll probly hot up a bit, but it’ll be more like Newton Heath v. Everton, rather than LFC or even Citeh.
@gorn
I expect a tight match on Sunday. Fingers are crossed that Szczesny, Djourou and Song pass their fitness tests — we’ll need all of them.
@ewtt
I’ve got absolutely nothing concrete to back this up but I’ve got a nagging feeling that Stockport Massive will give your lot a real go on Saturday.
Toure was immense in the last derby and presented a real match-up problem for United’s midfield. Rooney will also be a big miss.
Will Fergie go 4-4-2 with Berbatov and Hernandez up top or drop one and pack the midfield to try to deal with the big Ivorian? I’m going to guess 4-5-1 with Park starting on one of the wings with defensive duties in my mind. He’s such a reliable performer in big games.
If that’s the case, will he go with Valencia or Nani? And who gets picked in the centre of the park. On form, you’d have to say Carrick, Giggs and Scholes.
For City, the big test is who starts up top. Dzeko has looked off the pace and Balotelli has looked off his rocker. At times, he’s genius and the jaw-dropping ability shines through but there’s long periods of anonymity and occasional insanity and some WTF decision making (trying to volley a ball past Pepe Reina. From 40 yards. Dear. God). Still I’d be tempted to start Balotelli. He’ll either score a brace or give cleat imprints on Vidic’s chest before strangling the assistant with Mancio’s scarf. Or possibly both.
Well I guess I should kick myself for not indulging my hunch and placing a few shekels on City. Toure dictated the final 60 minutes of the match and Balotelli managed to hold his powder until the final whistle, when he clearly wound up Rio Ferdinand.
Berbatov’s failure to take two gilt-edged chances during United’s early supermacy probably changed the game. There can be no complaints about Scholes’ red either.
I’ll leave the final word to the ever-excellent LiterallyJamie:
“Hard to see United getting back into this, in fairness. Berbatov has looked ineffective since he hurt his vagina in the first half.”
Goonz – Keep in mind that Rooney is always “paired” with Chicharito from the start while Fergie threw on Berba as a lone striker with two wingers when everyone knows Berba’s strength is clever sequences in tight spaces and not as an out and out striker who relies on his aerial prowess.
Mancini still has to fend off either Bolton or Stoke. Mancini will probably go into the final with his usual cautious tactics. Should Bolton go out to enjoy the game and score early against Man City, both Roberto and Mario may well have to “put on an England jersey and paint their faces with the St. George’s flag” to get out of England safely!
Watching Mad vs Barca on GolTV, how many time is that idiot Ray Hudson gonna yell “He’s in!!!!!” only to look like a fool where the play wasn’t developing into squat?
The guy is truly a moron who uses every soccer cliche or asinine metaphor in the book.
@SL
Turning down the volume solved the Ray Hudson problem for me. I find I don’t miss Phil Schoen that much, either.
Hard fought draw. A little dirty but then Madrid are a Mourinho side.
I will take the point at the Bernabeu for this stage of the season.
Perhaps now El Traductor (that’s what Barca fans call Mourinho, “The Translator” as he was never going to manage the club, only be Robson’s interpreter) will find the courage to face the Madrid media unlike he could the other day when he walked out of a press conference fearful of too many pointed questions. He’ll be back in England soon anyway as he needs the media to adore him and kiss his ring, as you do in England.
Mourinho should have started Ozil.
Wretched officiating. I thought Villa should have had a PK in the first half when Casillas tackled him in the box, Villa did not simulate a dive and his card was undeserved. Nice bunny hop dive by Marcelo for the unwarranted Ronaldo PK. Oh well, two Brazilians go down in the box, one of them has to dive, right! Besides now the media can say that Messi scored against Mourinho and CR scored against Barca.
Pep had his tactics spot on until he brought on Keita for Pedro and Barca started playing keep away, that is not their game.
Looking forward to Wednesday for the CDR Final.
I find Ray Hudson as good as any other color guy besides he has forgotten more about international football than most people will ever know.
Whenever City have beaten United my mother (a MASSIVE City fan) has always done something over the top to console me as a young lad. I’m all grown up but the instincts are still there and true to form, without any mention of the scoreline, I’ve been informed she’s making my favorite for Easter. Fantastic…
A few texts from apparent family and friends:
“You’ll do what you’re told” (Got about 10 of these)
“Rags 0 Only Football Club to Come From Manchester 1
“Manchester la la la”
“We’re the Pride of Manchester” (5 of these in various forms)
I would rather have been beaten 5-1 twice this year than have to be subjected to this for the next 35 years if they go on to win it.
Clear out on the blue isle of Milan…
I would like to remind everyone that Leonardo began the change over at AC Milan and I still believe he will come good for Inter. We need players with desire and not just a large paycheck.
@futbolistaviva
Completely agreed with you right up unitl your comments on Ray Hudson, who is just as bad as the English media is with Mourinho when it comes to his favourites. He’s an over-the-top clown whose phrase-making and nonstop slurping of certain players distracts from the commentary. Yeah, mate, Messi is good on the ball, Xavi can pick a pass and Casillas can stop shots. Stating the bleeding obvious while sounding like a schoolgirl gushing about Justin Bieber doesn’t enhance his credentials as a serious commentator.
@CIAO
FWIW, Gabriele Marcotti was touting a rumour about Ancelotti moving to Inter over the summer. Can’t see it happening myself.
@ewtt
Ah, family and friends, eh? I’m sure I’ll hear from a few friends — both Liverpool and United supporters – if Arsenal lose tomorrow.
I caught the Barca – Real match online and listened to the Spanish commentary. It was glorious. I didn’t understand a damn word and just watched the game.
Some thoughts
1. I agree Villa should’ve been awarded a penalty in the first half but barring that, no way does he take a card. He was looking for it, but definitely brought down by Casillas.
2. Marcello’s penalty was justly awarded, no question. That’s a foul outside the area, that’s a foul inside the area, full stop. Alves didn’t even touch the ball, bunny hop or no bunny hop.
3. As soon as Adebayor came onto the field I wondered why he hadn’t been subbed on earlier. He brought some much needed height and ability to win balls against the Barca back line plus a target for a lot of Real’s “clearances”.
4. Madrid looked good in the first half and arguably even better than that after they went down to 10 and brought on Adebayor for the final 15 minutes.
Very entertaining game regardless and I’m continually impressed with how well Barca turn and find the open pass into space.
@ futbolista & goonz
Maybe it’s just me but I thought the actual game is supposed to be the main attraction and not a “color commentator”.
For a former pro with vast knowledge of the game and experience, Hudson sure does pander to the audience like a shameless clown. The disturbing part is that occcasionally his fellow commentator will ask Ray a question or to give an opinion and Ray ignores his partner and dismisses the question as stupid, leading to dead silence on the air. Seems like Hudson has a high opinion of himself and thinks he is the Howard Cossel of soccer.
AG & SL, I don’t take Hudson that seriously. You are right, he is a clownish figure and but I think can sometimes be funny and he does know the game. I tune out most announcers because I am so into the match. It is nice to hear an Englishman compliment Spanish footballers without saying former (insert Premiership side that they played for,etc.) and all the rubbish that ensues, albeit Ray and Schoen call their matches from a phone booth in Miami.
The next three matches will be very demanding of both sides. If Puyol is hurt again it will be a real problem as Barca lack height in their CB’s unless Pep chooses to use Busquets in the back line. Adebayor can cause problems.
Not sure if you guys watched the Shaktar away match. Mascherano played CB and was outstanding.
Mourinho was whinging at the post match press confab about the ref. Then he shook a lot of journalist’s hands.
Mourinho was howling at the post match press conference at the officials.
AG &SL,
Most sports have a color commentator so I guess football is no different. I can understand that you guys don’t like him though.
Do you mean Howard Cosell? I think the days of that type of broadcaster are long gone.
How can I edit my posts? Sorry for the repetition above. It was hilarious to watch Mourinho whinge and some of his players as well, while Iniesta simply said, “i don’t comment on referees and the game is over”.
EWTT:
Well, cheers for showing up, mate. There’s always Runners-Up in the PL & CL to look forward to!
“You’ll do what you’re told” OK, what I know about chants/songs can fill a thimble. Any chance you can fill me in on what the background on this one is?
Also, yer Mum’s Citeh. Does that mean yer Da’s ManUre? How does that work, does he/you give her the berries after darby wins? How did you decide whom to support? Not trying to pry, just find it fascinating. If you please. (c:
—
AG:
See the pre-match with Wenger? Gaud he’s the best. They’re going to try to ‘keep Carroll quiet’. Good luck with that, but I’d be more worried about keeping him scoreless. (c; And, personally, I want more rage from The Voyeur on S1TV; some of the funniest material was when he & TSO were going at it ‘hammer & tongs’ over the phone….
Do you know how the Europa spots in the PL are decided? I’ve heard that there may only be one for 5th (presumably another will be Fair Play). Is that so? I gotta figger out whom I need to ‘cheer’ for/against in the run-in. Oc:
bah, 3 more things:
1. Start Drogba upfront by himself, score 3 goals and win easily. Whodathunkit??? Brought Fern on late and he had some chances. This is what they shoulda done from the start. Carlo cost himself a shot @ the PL *&* the CL over this issue. Looks like he’s figgered it out, just a little too late.
2. When did everyone become Fern fans?? I’ve never heard sympathy for him anything like this when he played for LFC. Now he’s everyone’s lovable loser. Even John Motson’s got into the act, during the action FFS. Mebbe that’s why he moved – everyone loves you when you play for Chelsea, as long as you don’t dive. Or mebbe all you need is to be transferred for 50m GBP to get everyone on your side. We’ll see how Carroll gets treated during his 1st dry spell.
3. Has anyone watched much of Seb Larsson? From what I’ve seen, and what little I know, he seems to have some pace, can really whack a free kick, and can pass a bit. What about him as the Xabi replacement instead of Charlie Adam? Should be cheaper & quicker than Adam, at any rate. Dunno if he can tackle worth a damn, mind you….
Well done, Andre Marriner! Please time the rest of my life.
@gorn
Fifth place, League Cup champions and FA Cup champions get spots. So Birmingham have one spot and because Stoke City are in the finals against City, they’ll get the second spot regardless of the result.
@gorn
Adam looks too slow to play at Liverpool’s tempo.
I think games like today’s will ultimately play a part in the future for Arsenal stars. How many times have Fabregas and others feel that they’ve done enough (along with the rest of the team) only to have someone else on the team make a boneheaded mistake that costs them a win or tie? And while looking in the mirror should result in some critical reflection (both Fab and RvP have made big mistakes in recent history), you have got to think that without change, they will want to move to a club that embraces a higher level of expectation or performance in all players.
It’s funny, in many ways I really like Eboue and overall I thought he played very well today with his biggest mistakes being his (expected) theatrics. But what a way to end a game…
“Wenger bemoans penalty call”
- So use the cash under your mattress to buy a few needed players and you won’t “BEMOAN” a bad call with a few games left which cost you the title by a few points!
No links today as I’m travelling — I’ll try to get something up tomorrow or Wednesday!
Gorn:
Being the very humble supporters we are, United have started a chant that says “we do what we want” (to the tune of Sloop John B) in response to Rooney demanding to be transferred and then quickly apologizing and retracting any statements regarding being transferred. Its sung after goals or any controversial calls that go United’s way so you can imagine how little play it gets in the stands.
Anyways, after a rather embarssing display at Anfield, the scousers were the first to tell the traveling fans “you’re Man United, you’ll do what your told.” City of course followed suit. Always a day late and a dollar short, that lot.
—
“Also, yer Mum’s Citeh. Does that mean yer Da’s ManUre? How does that work, does he/you give her the berries after darby wins? How did you decide whom to support? Not trying to pry, just find it fascinating. If you please. (c:”
Shut up Voyeur! lol…
No, Dad’s a flash Cockney blah, blah, blah as Mum’s brothers constantly remind him. Jokingly of course and he supports QPR. My mother has three brothers one of which supports City and the other two are United. One of my uncles used to take me to Old Trafford when it was OK to actually come from Manchester and sing in the stands. Never really saw any need to support City thereafter much to my mother’s chagrin. Right now I’d say we’re about even in terms of United/City support on Mum’s side.
Hearing stuff like that is fascinating to me and so entirely foreign. ; )