Tittle-Tackle #2

Roy Hodgson explains his managerial reputation to Nick Townsend:

Of course, my track record, if people bothered to study it, would put me in the same category as [Sir Alex] Ferguson enjoys today, but people don't talk about what I've done outside England," he says. "Here, they just talk about Blackburn Rovers, but that's just a very small part of a 26-year career. To most English journalists it's the only part. I've got an excellent track record in Sweden, Switzerland, Italy and in Denmark, where FC Copenhagen was my last job before I went to Udinese. We won the league there by seven points. Admittedly, the fact that I walked out and went to Italy to some extent tarnished that reputation...

Tittle-Tackle #1

Carol Midgley recalls the Spirit of Istanbul:

My husband confessed that he plea-bargained with God at half time in Istanbul when Liverpool were trailing 3-0 in the Champions League final. If there was a miracle and Liverpool won he’d shape up and go to Mass every week, he said. Well, they did win. And is his church attendance now nice and regular? Well put it this way — is the Pope a druid?

I expect he pleaded for an extra-time win. You can't commit to Mass every week for a penalty win.

Highlights: The Football League, Maniche and the BBC

A couple of minutes ago, I saw the BBC's trailer for their coverage of The Championship, League 1 and League 2. The Football League Show looks set to be broadcast after MOTD -- Saturday evenings will be getting later. Further, ten games will be shown live, beginning with West Brom v. Newcastle on the 8th August. Our writer, Josh Hortin recently summed up the attraction of The Championship (you can read the article here: http://bit.ly/13RC4p) and it seems that this piece was a fitting precursor to the energy that the BBC trail seeks to convey.

There are a few reasons that the BBC's transmission of these highlights/games is a good thing:

1. The BBC's presentation of football is vastly superior to ITV's. The bungled, time-changing efforts of ITV's coverage of the second tier will be warmly forgotten. As will their penchant for just plonking a correspondent on a pitch to do some links -- always awful.

2. If the initial 11.10 timeslot is taken as a guide, we can hope/presume that the Beeb will be placing the highlights directly after MOTD. If so, the BBC would attract Premier League fans who may not have followed the lower tiers before. I generally never want MOTD to end, watching some competitive Championship/League 1/League 2 football would definitely quench my thirst for more football late on Saturday nights.

3. The relegation of Boro and Newcastle was deserved, they didn't get the points. But, it was a shock for the fourth hotbed of football in the UK (after the North West, Birmingham and London). These highlights will ensure that the wider population remain aware of the fantastic footballing community in the North East.

4. Unlike MOTD, these highlights will be available on iPlayer.

5. Maniche gets to anchor the highlights show. Legend.


I think we'll all be tuning in.

The YNWAWK 2008/2009 Review: Part 6

GoonerDale:

Bentley's effort against Arsenal.

http://bit.ly/iEKH2.

Jo$shuwaa:

Carlton Cole for West Ham.

http://bit.ly/dehJb

Enough said.

Robbie:

Glenn Johnson. This goal was voted the goal of the season on Match of the Day and have to agree. Johnson takes the ball on his chest in a running motion and delivers an expertly driven, left footed strike that whistles into the top corner. What makes this goal even more special is the fact that Johnson is predominately right footed.

http://bit.ly/X3Rgr

Jack:

Giovanni against Arsenal. Almost as unpredictably brilliant as Hull's start to the season.

It's #7 on this countdown: http://bit.ly/12csv0.

Hoxey:

Fabio Aurelio versus Chelsea. Great free kick, catching Petr Cech flat footed. Shame it was in the end irrelevant, but what can you do?

http://bit.ly/NJmZl

Tom:

Fernando Torres for Liverpool versus Blackburn at Anfield. A great individual goal showing great control on the turn, coupled with a smart finish from a tight angle. It's on YouTube but the best* quality video i could find is here:

http://bit.ly/X3Rgr.

*Best = least shit.

The YNWAWK 2008/2009 Review: Part 5

GoonerDale:

Stevie Ireland. He made Robinho look average in what was a pretty good break out season.

Jo$shuwaa:

Fedorico Marcheda of Manchester United. His crucial goal against Aston Villa was reminiscent of Rooney's entry into the Premier League imagination versus Arsenal in 2002.

Robbie:

Ashley Young. He has been awesome this season, providing assists and a few goals for the Villa. Also, the fact that he had his full international debut for England this season reflects the good season he had, and the bright future that he has ahead of him.

Jack:

I have to agree with Robbie (and the PFA), Ashley Young was arguably the best player on a successful Villa side in 2008-2009. He plays with composure and a good understanding of his abilities, and at times we saw glimpses of a world class playmaker. His contribution could have even led Villa to a Champions League spot if they'd brought in the appropriate support in the January transfer window -- as thousands of Villa fans would say: 'Arsenal got Arshavin, we got Heskey'.

Hoxey:

Cesc Fabregas. I can't believe this guy is still so young -- unreal. Not his best season, but still more consistent than Ashley Young. He should move to Liverpool, then maybe we could consider selling Alonso...

Tom:

Marouane Fellaini. Great pick up for Everton. His skill in the air is his main asset, but his ability to win the ball in midfield with either head or foot strengthened Everton's midfield no end. A nuisance in the opposition penalty area, Fellaini scored a lofty eight league goals.

Mr Hoxey: The Best Premier League Captures Ever

Over the last week or so, since the capture of Michael Owen on a free by Manchester United, I have decided to consider and list my all time favourite bargain buys and free transfers in the Premier League.

First up on my list is Sami Hyypia. The big Finn cost Liverpool a cool £2.5million, and after 10 years service as a pretty solid centre back, you simply can't complain. Unbelievably, Newcastle United could have signed him 2 years earlier. Perhaps they wouldn't have been in the pickle they are now if they had seen the ability. He has now left Liverpool after 10 years of pretty solid service. For the real stat freaks, spreading his transfer fee over his appearances equates to a pitiful cost of 7k per game. What a bargain.

Moving away from Liverpool (rather neatly I must add...) is Brad Friedel to Blackburn Rovers on a free transfer, and it must be said he is pretty handy (okay I'll stop with the puns). After being a fantastic servant to Blackburn with 287 appearances, they sold him on to Aston Villa for somewhere around the 2.5million mark. A nice bit of business.

Dimitar Berbatov was another great bit of footballing business. 10.9million to bring him to Spurs for 2 years, and a sell on value of 30million. the Tottenham accountants must have been loving that little nugget. Just to sweeten it for Spurs, he hasn't really delivered the same goods at Manchester United. Perhaps this season, with Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen doing a bit more of the hard work, Berbatov may just start swanning around the right parts of the pitch for goal scoring.

Whilst researching other players to add to my already impressive list, I learnt that Nicolas Anelka cost Arsenal a meagre 500k before he went to Real Madrid on a sulk for 23million. Enough said.

And to finish, here is my list of free transfers or cheap buys which have been so brilliant that they don't really need any explanation.

Gary MacAllister to Liverpool
Kevin Davies to Bolton
Eric Cantona to Manchester United (1.2m)
Jurgen Klinnsmann to Spurs (1m)
Ashley Cole - What a Drama!

That is as much rattling onto my Blackberry as I can do on the topic. Let me know your views on great Premier League signings that could be described as a bargain.

(And yes, I realise that I have left out Ronaldo).

Football and Literature #1: 'Wildlife' by Joe Stretch

I've just finished reading Wildlife by Joe Stretch. It's a freshly sharpened novel that takes on social networking and blogging, and the blur that occurs between these spheres and reality. The characters are on the trail of an upcoming mass change in society that will result in the introduction of a 'Wild World'. These characters bleed into internet and technology, whilst the web and technology squats on/in them.

The various extremes and conventions of Wildlife are worthy of lengthy discussion, and if you do read it, ring me for a pint and a discussion. I'll turn up. But, the concern here is the arrival of football in literature, and in Wildlife, the narrative dumps the characters into a banqueting suite at Stamford Bridge for the conclusion of their journey. The windows of the room where Ian The Dickhead begins to introduce the 'Wild World' provide a view of an ongoing Chelsea match.

Inside the suite, one bloke shouts 'Come on, Chelsea' whilst another responds with 'Fuck off, Chelsea.' There is a glass barrier between the insanity of the Wild World intro and the clash of teams occurring on the pitch, but the two elements are connected. The attendees to the football match create an intense community, momentary and anonymous. They might know the season ticket holder two seats across from them or their mate from work, who's come down, but in the large part, they don't know anyone -- but, they have to act as a community for ninety minutes. The anonymity and short lived commune is similar to the nature of web communities, where Joe Stretch sees fleeting moments and relationships between people with no real-life avatar. The difference lies in the fact that the 20/30/40/50/60/70,000 fans at a Premier League game all have a destination and a desire: 90 minutes of play and a win for their team. The characters who sit down in the banqueting suite of Stretch's novel, Joe, Life and Sam the Man, amongst others, have no destination and no real desire. By placing his protagonists within the environment of a tightly fought football match, Stretch forces us to realise their lack of place within a false community.

This point is further intensified by the escape of El Rogerio and Anka, from the madness of the banqueting sweet, to the magnificence of the pitch. As a goal hungry Frank Lampard closes in on the penalty box, Anka rides El Rogerio in pursuit. Quickly, the moment collapses with a large exclamation (I'll leave it for you to read), and the exultant connection between the web-based, life-hungry couple and the football match is over. Over, it seems, but the ref awards a free kick and they carry on. The football match continues because reality (and football) cannot cease under the pressure of a big/unusual event. Servers, websites and blogs however, will overload when the moment becomes too large to manage.

Next, El Rogerio and Anka accomplish ultimate communion in the Chelsea changing rooms and their conclusion is completely separate from the Dickhead's 'Wild World'. They've participated, albeit fantastically, in the game, and consequently the technology that has seeped into and influenced them, falls away. This occurs because they have broken the glass windows of the banqueting suite and burst into a real-life community. The entirely human moment of the football match emancipates them, and it is consequently a crucial, and well chosen, pivot for Stretch's novel.

Ups and Downs: A Fan's Perspective of Ronaldo's Time at Manchester United

As a fan of Manchester United, I have loved and hated Cristiano Ronaldo, the player who has become the most expensive footballer of all time. He had a great career at United, being one of the most successful players to wear a red shirt, but now, it is clear that there will always be blemishes on his time at OId Trafford.

At the start of his United career, signing from Sporting Lisbon for around £12 million, he looked extremely talented and showed massive promise. Eventually, he exceeded all expectations and developed into an outstanding all round player. Ronaldo struggled early on due to his inexperience, and opposition crowds struggled to respect a player who continuously dived. Many players dive but he was one of, if not, the worst in the Premier League and his reputation was growing in the wrong direction with fans and referees.

Gradually, he grew ever more confident (and/or cockier) and developed parts of his game which he hadn’t previously displayed, like strength on the ball and aerial ability. He seemed to dive less, I know a lot of people will disagree with this statement, but in comparison to his earlier antics, he cleaned up his over reliance on simulation. His reputation as an arrogant player and person was well established amongst opposition fans, and this led to me having to defend him often. The main incident that comes to mind is the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where Rooney was sent off for a stamp on Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho. here were shots of Ronaldo pleading with the referee to send off his club teammate, and after Rooney was given his marching orders, a camera cut to Ronaldo who seemed to be winking to his bench. A lot of people thought that he was suggesting ‘I made that happen’, but if you watch the action properly, you can quite clearly see Rooney stamping on the defender and any referee, well maybe with the exception of Graham Poll, would give that a straight red card. The ‘wink’, and Ronaldo’s talk to the referee, were irrelevant.

After all this, speculation indicated that Real Madrid were coming to test United’s resolve, with rumours that they were going to bid 50m for the young winger. Instead, he denied wanting to leave United and signed a new contract which made him the highest paid player in the team’s history. With this behind him, Ronaldo probably had the best season of his career. He scored 42 goals, whilst helping United to secure the Premier League and Champions League double. That season earned him a spot as one of the best players in the world, alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Kaká. At this stage, I still loved this man, and believed that he was the driving force that United needed.

Once this season was over, the speculation started again, and my likening for Ronaldo started to decrease. Reports from Sky Sports were suggesting that Ronaldo had expressed an interest in moving to Real Madrid. United filed a complaint to FIFA over the illegal pursuit of Ronaldo, but nothing was done. Ronaldo stated that he would stay for another season and that he was committed to United.

Some say that I should stop complaining about Ronaldo, as he was still our top goal scorer once again this season. I recognise this, but it was the way he was going about it. When he was coming back from an injury at the beginning of last season, he didn’t look like he wanted to play and sulked more than before. Being at Manchester United should be an honour as we are one of the biggest teams and in my opinion (obviously biased) are the best team there is. Ronaldo loves to win trophies and awards for himself, so why not keep winning these things at United. Take Wayne Rooney for example, I believe that Rooney will want to stay the distance at United. This is the sort of loyalty that Ronaldo did not and will not show.

Reports prior to the Champions League final, were suggesting that Ronaldo was already telling the players that he was leaving in the summer. The timing was awful; an awareness that they would be losing their best player in the summer must have affected the confidence of the other players. Not to discredit Barcelona, who totally outplayed United, but I believe these rumours affected them in the final. What made things worse was another report indicating that Ronaldo made a deal with Real Madrid last season, telling them that he would wait one year before coming out and expressing his desire to leave United. This sort of dealing is totally illegal and is essentially worse than tapping up.

Now Ronaldo has signed for Real Madrid, at a cost of £80million, and United have done a great bit of business, making a £68million profit. I now have a substantially decreased liking for Ronaldo, and it has grown from the increasing show of selfishness that occurred over the course of this season. He was a great player for United and I will admit I loved him, but now I couldn’t care less about him. I can now see what other people saw in him when I had my biased view.

I would put some money on United meeting Real Madrid in the Champions League at some point, either in the group stages or in the early rounds. It will be interesting to see how Ronaldo will be greeted at Old Trafford if this scenario occurs.


Robbie Morrison

To suggest that players joining City lack ambition is about as ludicrous as suggesting that John Terry leaving Chelsea will cost England the World Cup

Manchester City’s summer spending spree has prompted many to suggest that their new acquisitions are motivated by money alone. I couldn’t disagree more. To state that the likes of Gareth Barry, Emmanuel Adebayor and Carlos Tevez lack footballing ambition is ridiculous. Barry, Adebayor and Tevez have joined a club with a short term plan to break up the Big Four’s monopoly on the Champions League places and with a mid term plan to challenge for the Premier League and the Champions League titles. I shudder to think at what the long term plan is, sounds ambitious enough to me. Barry, Adebayor and Tevez have also joined a club who, through the signing of Premier League players such as Barry and the attempt to secure a deal for Terry, have weakened the teams around them. If offered the opportunity to work for a club who have had bids rejected for the England captain John Terry, and as he was in January, World Player of the Year, Kaka, most ambitious players would jump at the chance. Manchester City’s pursuit of John Terry signals a real intent, although Chelsea dismissed reports that Terry might be on his way, I’m positive that we will see a forth approach this week topping £40 million.

There seems to be a widespread ‘how dare they’ attitude to the John Terry bid. Many have pointed out that because Terry wouldn’t immediately be playing Champions League football at City, and that this drop in level would effect his ability to perform as a player and captain of the national side. This simply isn’t the case. To suggest that by playing Champions League football Terry faces world class players week in week out is ridiculous. If we presume that Chelsea will be semi-finalists again this year (because they generally are), let's count the world class opposition. As a top seed Chelsea’s group invariably includes two rubbish teams, from rubbish leagues, with rubbish strikers and one half decent German/Italian/Spanish team, not world class opposition. As group winners they will play the mediocre team who finish second in a group with a similar structure in terms of quality, and again, Terry wouldn’t face world class opposition. Then we have Chelsea’s annual encounter with Liverpool, a team that Terry faces in domestic competition. So a semi-final, and two games against world class opposition -- not really the ‘week in week out’ challenge he needs in a World up year. I’m sure that Terry’s ability will not magically disappear because he doesn’t play two games against Real Madrid or Barcelona. Our national side might even benefit from a captain who isn’t burned out.

So, we come to Adebayor, it has been a week since Arsenal sold him and I seem to be the only disappointed Gooner. Every Arsenal fan I have spoken to seems to think that we have offloaded a poor, lazy player for a huge amount. Let's deal with the facts Adebayor scored 62 goals in 114 starts for Arsenal. Last season Adebayor scored 10 league goals in 21 starts, and 6 in 8 in the Champions League, so that’s 16 in 29 last year, not that bad at all. He scored one less than Robin Van Persie in the Premier League, and Robin was voted Arsenal’s best player last season. Granted Van Persie hit the woodwork 16 times and created the most Premier League goals with 11 assists, but, it has to noted that Adebayor, who was out for a long spell only scored two less than Wayne Rooney, and created the same amount with 7 assists. Wayne Rooney is regarded as the exact opposite of Adebayor by many people, a team player who works hard, as opposed to Adebayor a selfish and lazy individual. Is this the same selfish Adebayor who created as many goals for team-mates as the selfless Wayne Rooney? Is this the same lazy Adebayor who missed a long spell after pulling a hamstring desperately trying to reach a misplaced pass in the North London derby?

In the past four seasons only three players who currently play in the Premier League have scored over 20 league goals in one season. Adebayor is joined on this list by Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres, the two best strikers in the league. If Owen stays fit he is capable of scoring 20+ too, so realistically there are four players who can score over 20 goals this season, and until last week the ‘Big Four’ all had one each. Adebayor has been called a one season wonder by many but he was plagued by injuries last season, as was Torres, yet he was still awarded the plaudits he deserved last term. On paper, Adebayor’s 16 in 29 looks better than Torres’s 17 in 38 last year, if we add to that Adebayor’s 7 assists against Torres’ 5 then Adebayor was worth more goals in less games last season. I am not suggesting that Adebayor is a better striker than Torres, as I feel that Torres is the best in the world, but in the past two years they have had similar scoring records. It’s all there in black and white, yet Torres is lauded whilst Adebayor is criticised. Torres' £25 million fee is regarded as a snip, yet Adebayor has been deemed to be overpriced in an increasingly inflated market. In this market, if Rooney and Torres were to be sold they would cost around £50 million, so is Adebayor really 'over priced' at half this amount?

GoonerDale

The YNWAWK 2008/2009 Review: Part 4

GoonerDale:

The fact that Hull stayed up after winning one of their last twenty-one games.

Jo$shuwaa:

For me, the biggest shock was Manchester City's deadline day swoop for Robinho, that day was a whirlwind one in football, with City takeover only just confirmed they went after everyone, literally everyone. But, when they actually captured him it was a coup of coups, especially when you consider the fact that they beat Chelsea to his signature.

Jack:

The prominence/success of Rory Delap's throw ins was a big surprise. As was the calamity that they caused in many defences, especially at the start of the season. Eventually, keepers were putting the ball out for corners instead of throw ins.

Hoxey:

Robbie Keane. Not much to say except, 20million? And the eventual conclusion, 'Why don't we send him back?'

Tom:

Hull City avoiding the drop. Before the season started they were pencilled in to go straight back down, with a squad that looked way too weak for the Premier League, but a series of shock wins, built upon attacking football, assisted by the odd Giovanni wonder goal made Hull the real surprise package early in the season. Then there was the awful run of form, where they looked to be going straight down. But, through early brilliance and then last gasp fortune, Hull escape the drop in a memorable maiden top flight season.

The YNWAWK 2008/2009 Review: Part 3

GoonerDale:

King Kev 'The Messiah' bottled it yet again.


Jo$shuwaa:

Kevin Keegan of Newcastle United, when King Kev left, NUFC took a nose dive that they never recoverd from. His departure showed just how much the Geordie fans love their idols.

Robbie:

Scolari's arrival at Chelsea wasn't good news for the rest of the Big Four. His track record in management was amazing - he was won countless trophies and knows what it takes to get the best out of his stars. After starting the season well, it seemed that Chelsea had found a replacement for Jose. This wasn't to be the case, and Scolari's form as manager slopped, with Chelsea dropping points they wouldn't have dropped under Mourihno.

Jack:

It began with a feud with FIFA Vice President Jack Warner, and ended with a clash with the ownership and the chairman, Roy Keane's departure was a shock considering his decent performance the season before. To a large extent though, it was the element of self-destruction that made his exit more memorable than any other last season.

Hoxey:

Kevin Keegan. Oh! To be a geordie, especially when King Kev leaves. Nothing made me laugh more than those passionate Geordies "boycotting" their beloved football team.

Tom:

Juande Ramos' sacking was almost inevitable for three reasons:

1. He performed pooly in the league, despite having proven quality throughout the squad.
2. He spoke little English and was kept hidden from the fans and media.
3. Spurs are notorious for prematurely sacking managers.

The YNWAWK 2008/2009 Review: Part 2

GoonerDale:

Got to be Roy of the Rovers (Fulham Rovers). He took a team who were dead cert for relegation and turned them into a side who beat the top four sides and challenged for, and attained (pending qualification), entry into the Europa League.

Jo$shuwaa:

Roy Hodgson. I've gone for Roy because in 12 months he has turned a relegation candidate into a top seven team, and moreover, he has done it all on a small budget.

Robbie:

In 07/08, Fulham managed 'The Great Escape' with Roy Hodgson at the helm, and this year he propelled them into seventh position, almost leading them to automatic European qualification. The transformation that he has conducted at Fulham is phenomenal.

Jack:

Roy Hodgson. A great turnaround, from a fascinating English manager. Fulham played an authentic brand of Premier League football, fast and physical. They also played with a higher technical ability than the mid-tablers who finished above them last year, and this can largely be attributed to Roy.

Hoxey:

Roy Hodgson. The manager of the season simply has to be this man. He walks the walk and talks the talk. "At the start of the season if someone told us we would get 50 points we would have given them a funny look." How much more motivational can he be?

Tom:

After pulling off 'The Great Escape' in 07/08, Hodgson built upon this, taking The Cottagers to a very respectable seventh, earning them a place in the Europa League qualifiers. It was their highest Premier League finish to date. Hodgson, something of a football purist, played positive attacking football, and also led Fulham to the top of the Fair Play league.

The YNWAWK 2008/2009 Review: Part 1

GoonerDale:

Apart from his shocker at Old Trafford against Liverpool, it has to be the monster Vidic. I know his life is made easier by playing beside Rio but he was superb last term. Van Der Sar owes the clean sheet record to him.

Jo$shuwaa:

Steven Gerrard of Liverpool. I hate to admit it, but he had a truly inspirational season, captaining Liverpool to second place, whilst also motivating his team to produce a sustained challenge for the title. They missed him dearly when he was injured.

Robbie:

Stephen Ireland had a great season. He provided Manchester City with goals and assists, whilst also helping out defensively -- a genuine all-round team player. Having spent time on the fringes in recent seasons, he excelled within his new first team role. Despite the money, he has been there most influential player.

Jack:

Edwin Van Der Sar. When they're both fit, central defences don't get much better than Rio and Vidic, however Van Der Sar was the linchpin of United's terrific defensive run during in the spring. A run that would prove decisive in their title victory.

Hoxey:

You will probably laugh, and rightly so, but super Nicky Barmby delivered some important games that helped to keep Hull up and, to quote Mr Motson, "It had to be Nicky Barmby".

Tom:

Ronaldo. When at his best, he was the most talented attacking player in 2008/2009. He will be very difficult to replace. Man Utd will certainly be less likely to win the league without him, even if they spend their £80m very wisely.

No Surprise: Sven and Notts County

A lot of the talk surrounding the appointment of Sven Goran Eriksson as Director of Football at Notts County has been focused upon the oddness of the situation. A languishing League 2 club, who've been stuck in the bottom tier of the Football League for five years, have attracted large foreign investment and have brought a former Mexico, England and Lazio manager into a senior role. However, when you analyse the two aspects of English football represented by this event, you begin to realise that it really isn't that shocking.

Firstly, it is the sort of strangeness that we are accustomed to in England. Whether it be Wimbledon moving to Milton Keynes, or Frank Lampard phoning up a radio show, English football is full of weirdness. The eccentric enigma of Sven is based in equal measure on his managing ability and his (unexplainable) womanising/inexplicably interesting appearance. It follows that Sven's post-Mexico return to English football would be unusual. The two can't help but act strangely in one another's company.

Secondly, these events display the role of tradition in English football. Notts County are an attractive prospect because of their history (they've been at it since 1862). They have had spells in the top flight but they've been in decline since their last departure from the old Division One in 1992, but, the tradition remains. As one of our writers Josh likes to remind me, Juventus' strip is derived from Notts County's. You can imagine the new owners celebrating their return to Premier League in several years time with a friendly match in Turin -- the storied, lengthy heritage of The Magpies must have been a crucial catalyst for the investment from the Middle East.

So, the logic of the interest in Notts County is clear, and when combined with the traditional peculiarity of English football, it really is no surprise that Sven Goran Erikkson is now Director of Football for a League 2 club.

Why we should be proud of the Coca-Cola Championship

England, as the birthplace of football, should be excited to have such a strong second tier of football. No other second tier country in Europe can claim to be as strong financially or competitively when you start down the footballing leagues. The facts are there to be seen; the revenue generated by clubs in the Championship of £306 million reaffirms it as Europe's sixth biggest league. This means that the likes of Blackpool are helping their league to financially rival the Eredvisie and Ligue 1 and to beat Portugal's Primera Liga.

In football today, money is highly influential, and with the Premier League persisting as the richest domestic competition in the world, and with the Big Four having remained in the top ten of The Deloitte Football Money League since 2004/2005, money was bound to trickle down to rest of the English divisions. Take James Beattie at Sheffield Utd, for 18 months the former England striker plied his trade in the Championship, he was able to do so because of the parachute payment system that stabilised United after their relegation. He was earning a reported £40,000 a week. That is a staggering amount when you consider that the average wage for most players at Championship clubs is less than £6000 per week.

But, it isn't just the money that makes the Championship such an attractive league for footballers to play in and for fans follow. Unlike the Premier League, Championship clubs are spread evenly across the country with four in the South West and Wales (Plymouth Argyle, Bristol City, Cardiff and Swansea), four in the Greater London area (Reading, QPR, Crystal Palace, and Watford), five in the West and East Midlands (West Brom, Coventry, Leicester, Notts Forest and Derby), two in East Anglia (Peterborough and Ipswich), five in Yorkshire (Sheff Wed, Sheff Utd, Barnsley, Doncaster and Scunthorpe), two in the North West (Preston and Blackpool), and Newcastle and Middlesbrough in the North East. Furthermore, the average ticket price for a Championship game is £21 for an adult and £12 for concessions. This means that the Championship, in contrast to the Premier League, is fan friendly. Wigan and Sunderland's half full stadiums spring to mind. The high levels of support in the Championship speak for themselves; 17 of the 24 teams in the Championship boast all-seated stadia with a 20,000 capacity or higher. All but two (Blackpool and Scunthorpe) have capacities of over 15,000. Fifteen have Premier League experience, with Swansea, Scunthorpe, Plymouth, Peterborough, Doncaster, Cardiff, Bristol city, Blackpool and Preston being the exceptions. It is also worth noting that ten League One clubs have spectator capacities of 15,000 or higher, and six teams have Premier League experience, how many other third tier leagues across Europe can boast such a record? None.

For the 09/10 season, Plymouth are charging their fans £450 for an adult season ticket and newly promoted Leicester are requesting £320, but QPR are bucking the trend by charging £650. It is possible that the era of sold out stadiums in the Championship about to end, as clubs become even more desperate to make money.

With the Premier League mostly consisting of the footballing powerhouses of Greater Manchester and Greater London, there is little left for much of the country in the way of a local top flight side, this is where the appeal of some the Championship teams comes into play. The rivalry and sheer competition that exists within the Championship is so intense because every section of every club, from the fan to the chairman, strives for the dreamland of the Premier League. Recently promoted Burnley, for example, are now financially set for the next ten years. This security, alongside the prestige of playing in the Premier League, is what fuels the competition of the Championship.

It becomes clear, when watching the football of the Championship and experiencing the stadia that it is played within, that we should be happy to have such a diverse and strong league helping to make the Premier League, and ultimately England, a stronger force in the world of football.

When a player joins for money, he'll want to leave for football

As Beckham faced the boos last night at the Home Depot Centre, we witnessed a stand off that was in contrast to the majority of player vs. fan disputes that have occurred this summer. Here we have a player who's allegiance to his team is based on money, and money alone, this allegiance rubs against Beckham's other commitment, his wish to remain a high level player for as long as possible. This is where the problem lies, any fan of the LA Galaxy must realise that Beckham's commitment to their club is non-footballing, he came with ideas of image and marketability swimming in his head, and as such, it is clear that a footballing commitment to the MLS never did exist.

The problem here, is that any description of Beckham as disloyal is solely monetary, he came for money, and if he remains, it'll be for the money. It is obvious that Beckham should honour his contract, but, his desire to leave, if it exists, is to do with football. This is much harder for a fan to argue against than a player leaving for more money. Yes, Beckham put himself in this position, but, it's difficult to criticise a player for wanting to play at a higher level, even if he chose to drop down a level in the first place. When a player gets business and football confused, we should probably support them when they begin to put football first again.

Sorry LA fans.

Points on the Sale of Xabi Alonso

As a Liverpool fan, it would be churlish of me to ignore the ongoing story of Xabi Alonso’s future at the club. Real Madrid’s spending spree has been incredible since the transfer widow opened and with oligarchic amounts of money having been spent on some of the world’s top attacking talent, and their sights are now set on a central midfielder. Alonso would be a perfect acquisition for them in this second Galactico era. A deep lying playmaker, capable of setting up attacks for the likes of Ronaldo and Kaka to finish off, and as such, could be the final ingredient in their Champions League push.

Last year, Alonso was clearly upset when Benitez touted his services to Europe’s top clubs in order to raise the cash to sign Gareth Barry. Alonso managed to put the affair behind him, having one of his best campaigns in a red shirt. But a repeat scenario emerged this year and it now looks as though Alonso has decided that his future lies away from Anfield. The new stadium project and the financial problems of the American co-owners have left Benitez with limited funds, and consequently a sell-to-buy approach is required, and after the £17 million signing of Glen Johnson, it is likely to be instituted. A bid in the region of £35 million is what Benitez is rumoured to be holding out for. If Madrid were to offer this figure, then Alonso, despite Benitez’s public statements insisting that no first team regulars are for sale, would in all likelihood leave Anfield.

In his time at Liverpool, Alonso has provided the passing finesse in a hard-working midfield. But could his departure be beneficial? The £35 million would be put to good use but it is not enough money to make a marquee signing of David Villa proportions. Some of it would have to be spent on a replacement in the middle; Lee Cattermole and Roma’s Alberto Aquilani have been suggested at around £6 million and £15 million respectively. In other areas of the pitch, Valencia’s David Silva and Ashley Young also appear to be realistic targets for the money that the sale of Alonso would create. Anything leftover would have to be spent on squad building, as there is a well-documented lack of quality cover, with the midfield and attack being particular areas for concern. If no central midfielders are signed, Lucas will have to make a big improvement. Towards the end of last season he looked to be improving, and for me, some of the fans’ criticism is unjustified when we consider Lucas as a player who is capable of filling the role of a squad player.

Would it be worthwhile for Liverpool to trade Alonso’s skill for a better all round squad? A midfield reshuffle could give Liverpool more options against the teams that caused them their well-documented problems last term. Against teams who make up what they lack in funds and with technically ability, with tenacity and teamwork, Liverpool often lacked the cutting edge. Alonso was Rafa’s key man in a five-man midfield, the playmaker, providing Gerrard and Torres with the sort of passes they needed to create chances. The biggest problem here was that the reliance upon Alonso made Liverpool play narrow, making it easier for defences to cope. If Liverpool were to play a 4-4-2, and the rumours regarding the signing of Silva and Young would seem to support this view, Steven Gerrard could either be deployed in central midfield or as a second striker, allowing other attacking players such as Kuyt, Benayoun and Riera more opportunities in the wide areas.

The problem here would be that against the rest of the top four, where Liverpool, and Alonso played fantastically last year, the defence could be exposed without two holding midfield players. Against attacking opposition, Benitez’s preferred a 4-5-1 formation, which offered balance between attack and defence, but against less ambitious play it didn’t offer enough going forward, especially if Gerrard or Torres were not selected. Despite remaining unbeaten at home, the seven home draws recorded last season were not good enough, with Arsenal, Everton, Man City, West Ham, Hull, Stoke and Fulham all earning a point at Anfield. Whilst the Arsenal and Everton matches were even games, Liverpool weren’t positive enough against the others. Manchester United’s home record of two home draws and one loss was a far better achievement, and it was attained with an attacking philosophy. All season long United seemed to be able to find what they needed to win at home, meanwhile at Anfield, opponents seemed to have enough to hang on. Benitez’s cautious approach is nothing to do with Alonso but his absence from the team could force Liverpool into a more adventurous style of play. On the other hand, without Alonso, Liverpool’s 4-4-2 could prove to be ineffective away from home.

It would be a shame to see Alonso go, but if the price was acceptable then his sale could allow Liverpool to take a forward step. However, any successes without Alonso would be dependent upon the signings made with the funds his transfer would create and the implementation of a more positive philosophy.

Beckham vs. Donovan - The Emails

David Beckham is returning to action with the LA Galaxy tonight, and it seems that the recent spat with Landon Donovan regarding his commitment to the Galaxy is over. But, I've happened upon (made up) a sample of the emails that were flying between the two giants of the LA soccer scene during the tenser moments of DB23's time at AC.


FROM: lan-don@usasoccer.com
TO: db23@milan.europeanfootball.com

DAVEYY,

You're totally smoking that Italian league, but please make sure you're back here dude, we need you, I mean, you're worth twenty times what they're paying you man. Grass goes away, astro turf lasts forever! Munich let me go, but man, I was out of there anyway, cos me and the LA Galaxy go way back. Me and the franchise. You're lucky that you aren't in NYC, the fans of the New York Red Bulls wouldn't stand this, it's easy going in Cali, you picked right. This league's about commitment. Get committed.

On three.....WIN!

Lan-don



FROM: db23@milan.europeanfootball.com
TO: lan-don@usasoccer.com

Landon,

I miss LA mate, just loving Milan right now. Sorry to hear about Munich. Well I'll be back to play the Metrostars, the NJ, the New York, erm, the New York Red Bulls. They changed their name didn't they, haw haw. Their fans are scary though. We'll take the league and all that, no problem.

See you at training.

123....Do it.

DB

PS. I saw your wife in 'Bring It On' the other day.

The You'll Never Win Anything With Kids 2008/2009 Premier League Review

Over the next two weeks, the neatly crafted, spherical heads of YNWAWK will be introducing themselves via a review of the 2008/2009 Premier League season. We've got various categories, and you should (wildly) anticipate The Serhei Revbrov Award for Worst Signing of the Season and The Jacqui Oatley Trophy for Best Commentator/Pundit of the Season especially.

So, keep an eye out for the first category and the first set of opinions.

Ripe For Investment

On the way back from some temporary work, work that has been shortened in length by swine flu (do not ask), but work for two more weeks, two fellow YNWAWK contributors (Robbie and Josh) and myself began to discuss the ripeness of teams for foreign investment. This is to say, how well the nucleus of a team could adapt to an influx of new, expensive players. The nucleus was important, because we were judging the ripeness with regard to the potential for immediate, staggering success. The conversation fell to the difference between a team who have received the overwhelming foreign investment post-Abramovich (Manchester City) and a team who have not (Everton).

Both teams have a large, loyal fanbase and exist within the contemporary heartland of Premier League football, the northwest. But, when you scroll through the Everton team and their yearly successes under David Moyes, you begin to realise that this is a team that could provide instant results (more instant that City, whose overhaul seems to cover nearly every position) if provided with instant money for the right signings. In the car, we imagined that Lescott could move to left back, with a big arrival joining Jagielka in central defence and that Howard would be more than capable of providing a Premier League winning standard of keeping. You can imagine Arteta thriving with a selection of world-class grinders/deep playmakers around him. Fellaini/Cahill would become the spark of the bench, with Yakubu working hard (if fit) with £30m wingers either side of him and a new mystery arrival from Barcelona in behind.

Imaginary/speculative teams – always worth a discussion.

But, after these suppositions, and the realisation that if the money that went to City had arrived at Goodison Park, Everton could’ve challenged quickly and strongly, it became clear that this would butcher an element of Everton’s presence in the league. To move from silky dogfighters to the silky expectations of big investment would deny Everton fans and David Moyes, the rewards that the nature of their achievements provides. After several years on the fringe of The Big Four, Everton fans may wish for the investment that would push them over the edge, and if spent well, it definitely could. But maybe, the style of play that they love (and others despise) in Cahill, Fellaini and even their manager, would go.

Here, I came to the conclusion that a team’s current nucleus and mentality is irrelevant, and that in reality, every team is ripe for large (whether foreign or domestic) investment. There is no turning down investment on this scale.

Outside of the boardroom, we are left to consider whether the Abu Dhabi Group were looking at The City of Manchester Stadium and shirt sales, or Stephen Ireland and Michael Johnson. And what do you think Everton fans, should they have been looking a bit further west?


Thanks to Josh and Robbie for their role in the original discussion.


Jack Burston


GoonerDale had this to add:

'Very interesting, the stadium part is the most valid point, because this is why Roman opted for Chelsea. Initially, he was buying Spurs, but his helicopter journey over London passed by Stamford Bridge and he decided that he wanted Chelsea because the hotel and the Chelsea village complex attached to it looked like 'a more attractive prospect'. He didn't care that they had Champions League football, he didn't consider the huge debt, the stadium was the deciding factor!'

Do Chelsea stick or twist this summer?

After Chelsea made their opening move by signing Yuri Zhirkov in what has become the most exiting transfer window since its controversial inception, the question must be asked, do Chelsea need to strengthen this summer?

If we consider all of the weaknesses of The Big Four it is easy to pinpoint where Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are likely to struggle in the upcoming season.

A Championship Manager amateur would have noted that Arsenal lacked the muscle and experience in the middle of the park needed to challenge for the major honours last term. The professor has already addressed the need to strengthen his defence with the signing of Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax, and his pursuit of Blaise Matuidi and the protracted Felipe Melo transfer saga would suggest that he is looking for midfield general to enable Cesc Fabregas to flourish as he did beside Matthieu Flamini two seasons ago. Two signings and The Gunners are seemingly sorted.

Liverpool lacked the strength in depth needed to challenge last season and it would seem that Rafa has solved a ‘problem’ at right back by signing Glen Johnson for over £17m. The need to have adequate back up for the world’s best striker, rather than David Ngog is obvious for all to see and Xabi Alonso will have to replaced if sold. If Alonso is sold to Real Madrid for the £35m being quoted I can’t see Rafa having any problems finding players in these key areas, with that sort of cash to play with. And that’s a facht.

So, we move to the champions Manchester United, whose squad looked deeper than a clown's pocket before their outing in Rome, but now looks depleted with the departures of Carlos Tevez and the World Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo. The way in which Manchester United’s midfield was outclassed at every turn during that night in Rome is something that will have concerned Fergie and it will be an area in which he will be keen to strengthen if Owen Hargreaves cannot prove his fitness. The arrivals of Luis Valencia (who simply is not fit to lace Ronaldo’s boots), Michael Owen (who was on Hull City and Stoke City’s radar) and Gabriel Obertan (who couldn’t find a place in the Bordeaux team and was subsequently loaned out) has not stopped the grumblings of discontent from United fans. A lot has been made of the ‘gamble’ on Owen, yet isn’t a gamble at all, a free transfer on performance related pay is far less of a gamble than say, a punt at David Villa for £45m plus the £120k a week he would demand.

Chelsea’s main problem it would seem, is that they do not have an obvious problem to fix. The front three included Nicolas Anelka the league's top scorer, the frightening Didier Drogba and the Premier League's most improved player Florent Malouda, add to this the return of Joe Cole and new boy Yuri Zhirkov, who can play as a wing back or in attack, and impressive starlet Daniel Sturridge, and Chelsea seem to have the full compliment up front. The middle of the park has never been a problem the always impressive Frank Lampard scores 20 goals a season and with the likes of Ballack alongside him with Essien and Mikel as anchors they surely posses the best midfield in the Premier League. With a sound defence, including four top class centre backs and full backs who are as impressive going forward as they are in defending, in Boswinga and Cole, Petr Cech has as much insurance as he needs.

Perhaps Chelsea need to be patient. If Liverpool don’t provide back up for Stevie G and Torres, then one injury could end their challenge and even see them behind Manchester City in fifth. In North London, if no midfield enforcer is found, the impressive attack of Arshavin, Nasri, Van Persie, Fabregas, Walcott, Adebayor and ‘new signings’ Rosicky and Eduardo won't have the defensive insurance required to mount a serious challenge. Manchester United simply have to replace Ronaldo, they probably wouldn’t have won their last two titles without him, but with Kaka and Benzema opting for Madrid, it seems as though Fergie’s £80m will stay in the bank for now.

The question is, are Chelsea’s signings dependant on how the rest of The Big Four move? It would seem that Ancelotti only needs to make the kinds of signings which announce his arrival as Chelsea boss and signal his intentions. This may have already come as his first duty as Chelsea manager was to announce that John Terry was going nowhere, news that will have delighted Chelsea fans more than any announcement about Owen, Valencia, Obertan, Vermaelen, or even Kaka or Benzema for that matter. I can't see any players who will come in and improve the Blues dramatically, and this squad is far stronger than the rest, so why would anyone take the risk of unsettling the squad, I for one cannot see past them this term if the others don’t strengthen.

GoonerDale.

Opening Credits

In the opening credits of ITV’s 2008/2009 FA Cup coverage, a bunch of Britons ended up in a field, where they ended up building a giant replica of the FA Cup Trophy – you know, because they were from all sections of life and they came together to build up this symbol of great tradition, and, in the end, it was a really massive trophy. I doubt they had planning permission and I expect that Sepp Blatter accused the builders of outrageousness in the face of an economic downturn.

In full investigative mode, I managed to track down one of the people involved in the construction of the massive replica, and here’s what he, David Pimpleson, had to say:

“We weren’t paid, we weren’t given safety harnesses, me and the boys like to say that we built a massive cup for the Football Association and got sweet FA for it.”

I mean that’s an awful joke – but, I’ve heard rumours that Andy Townsend and Robbie Earle were running the construction site, so it is pretty believable.

So, in the aftermath of the opening credits offered by ITV over the past year, we at YNWAWK would like to assure you that we will never chase you up with a request to build a replica of the Jules Rumet Trophy out of forty metre tall girders and chewing gum – we will not do this to you, but we will try to bring you some interesting opinions/comments/parody/illustrations from our footballing minds.

We are now a going concern.

The Editor