Posts Tagged ‘Michael Owen’

Inspired Red Devils Have Turned Troubled Season Around

February 16th, 2010 Dean Saliba


Manchester United knew that retaining their Premier League crown was going to be harder than it had been the previous seasons. The loss of Cristiano Ronaldo would have been a kick in the teeth to any club’s ambition.

To make matters worse Tevez left for bitter rivals Man City which meant that Rooney was the sole survivor of the famous ‘Holy Trinity’ which led United to phenomenal success in the past two terms. As the season progressed, the set-backs came thick and fast for Sir Alex’s men but they have done brilliantly to reach the position they currently find themselves in.

Problems

United’s results against Burnley, Bolton and Liverpool were ample proof that they were finding it hard to break teams down and maintain any sort of consistency in their performances. While Valencia seemed too one-dimensional, Obertan was still recovering from an injury and Owen’s performances were ineffectual (except the Man City winner of course).

To add to this, the form of two key players, Nemanja Vidic and Michael Carrick was underwhelming to say the least. Scholes too admitted to the press that he was not satisfied with the performances he was putting in. Both Nani and Anderson failed to live up to the huge expectation surrounding them when they arrived and were frustratingly inconsistent for most of the campaign.

With Edwin van der Sar injured, Ben Foster (initially tipped for England’s World Cup squad by some) put in one disastrous performance after another and was ultimately replaced by Kuszczak who later received praise from both, the manager and van der Sar.

By December, United were faced with an almost unprecedented injury crisis. United had 8-9 defenders injured for some matches in that month and at one point against West Ham their back four read – Fletcher Carrick Evra Giggs. Expectedly, the team dropped points with poor results against Fulham, Villa and Birmingham affecting their League campaign while the loss to Leeds ending their pursuit of the F.A. Cup.

Further gloom surrounded Old Trafford when the true state of United’s finances were brought to the public fore. This was followed by a series of media speculations about solutions and takeovers. The despondent fans started the Green and Gold Movement to protest against the Glazers. Green and Gold scarves are a common sight in ‘Theatre of Dreams’ now.

Turn-around

Although there doesn’t seem to be an immediate end to the financial issues, United’s misfortunes have retracted in the past couple of weeks. The credit for that, as for all the right things United have done this season, goes to Wayne Rooney. It was his injury time goal to send United through to the finals of the Carling Cup and silence the ‘noisy neighbours’,(for the time-being) that galvanized the team and electrified the fans. From then on the team put up the ‘performance of the season’ to completely outclass Arsenal and then drubbed Portsmouth by five goals.

Also, the new 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation Sir Alex has deployed for the big games seems to be working wonders. Nani has put in some astonishing performances in the past few games. In fact his form has been so good he has kept Valencia out of the team, probably their most consistent performer after Rooney this season. Equally important is the fact that Michael Carrick seems to have regained his form and confidence, both lacking since the Barcelona game. Not only is Rio Ferdinand fit again after a long injury lay-off he has also been handed the national team’s captaincy, certain to invigorate a player whose place in the team was being questioned by some critics.

The news is good not just from within the club. As unfortunate it may be for football in general, it’s a blessing for United that while Terry is facing a personal life crisis, Ashley Cole is out with an injury for at least 3- months. Arsenal’s back to back losses to United and Chelsea mean that they are out of the title race. Chelsea’s loss to Everton handed United a chance although they couldn’t fully capitalize as they drew their match against Villa, however putting up an excellent performance despite having a player sent off, the results further closed down the gap on the top of the table.

Tipped as favorites by many in their clash against Milan, United head into the tie high on confidence while Milan have had some poor domestic results off late. One point behind leaders Chelsea but with a home game against them, the players must feel good about their chances heading into the time of the season that really matters, especially since United seem to he hitting top form now.

“Inspired Red Devils Have Turned Troubled Season Around” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.



Posted in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , No Comments »

England’s World Cup Chances: The Class of 2010 v The Golden Generation

January 25th, 2010 Dean Saliba


Whilst we are used to (endlessly irritated by?) the hype surrounding every build-up to an England World Cup campaign, it’s fair to say that in 2006 much of the hype held water. Here was the ‘Golden Generation’; players who were worthy of standing shoulder to shoulder with the best that rocked-up in Germany.

Yes, we have come to expect the over the top approach of the English media (the set them up, then tear them down mentality), and the fans (understandably) are always optimistic and expect the best. But the real barometer in 2006 was the view of the international media and fans. England were a real chance!  With quality all over the pitch and looking at the potential opposition………they could go all the way couldn’t they?  

Hindsight is 20:20 vision as they say. England never really performed and, as usual, a modicum of bad luck played its part. Rooney started the tournament injured, came on as a sub in the 2nd game and then went for an early bath in the QF….does anyone need reminding of the Portuguese winker?

Michael Owen ‘did himself’ in the most bizarre circumstances at the start of game 3 and so the dynamic duo at England’s spearhead, they who were expected to wreak so much havoc, never really got out of the blocks. And let’s not forget that Lampard and Gerrard still looked like a couple of ballroom dancers wearing bovver boots, bruised toes all round.

Then there was the conductor of that particular orchestra …… the one and only Sven (he who selected a player in his squad who had never kicked a ball in anger in the Premier league). Yes, once again hindsight is 20:20 but in both the summer of 2006 and in just about everything that he has touched since, it’s probably an understatement to say that Sven was/has been about as effective as a wet lettuce.  

The potential was definitely there but in the final analysis, yet again, circumstances conspired to deliver another major disappointment to the country who likes to think it ‘owns’ the game. 40 years of hurt…and counting!

So as England approach South Africa 2010 how do the current squad compare and is there genuine hope to go with the inevitable hype? Can they do it and what are the key factors? Unquestionably the biggest factor of all is the team itself. I’ve previously argued that it’s all about the best 11 at a World Cup http://soccerlens.com/englands-world-cup-chances-23-into-11-doesnt-go/39030/ . Some squad players may make a difference but choosing your best 11 and sticking with it is clearly the best policy.   And on that note let’s revisit the England squad of 2006:

No.         Player

1              Robinson

2              Neville

3              Cole

4              Gerrard

5              Ferdinand

6              Terry

7              Beckham

8              Lampard

9              Rooney

10           Owen

11           Cole

12           Campbell

13           James

14           Bridge

15           Carragher

16           Hargreaves

17           Jenas

18           Carrick

19           Lennon

20           Downing

21           Crouch

22           Carson

23           Walcott

 

All of you reading this are already dedicated followers of fashion football, meaning that your sharp minds will have quickly distilled the fact that England’s key players in 2006….are STILL England’s key players in 2010. Indeed, depending on your own choice for England’s best 23, it may only vary by 4 or 5 players from last time round! To a large extent the ‘Golden Generation’ is still in tact. The question is have they lost some of their shine or are they still worth their weight in gold?

So let’s break it down position by position.

GK: Robinson may have fallen from grace since 2006 but at the time he was the best England had and was well established, unlike now when the position has become a total lottery. Capello will make his choice in the coming months but does that inspire anyone with confidence? You’ve got to score this position as a negative versus 2006.

RB: Gary Neville owned this position last time round with years of experience behind him and great leadership qualities (just ask Tevez!). Now it has passed to Glen Johnson who’s having an injury prone season, is good going forward but (sometimes) suspect defending, and has no real competition for his place. Another negative v 2006 I’m afraid. (Yes, Neville missed 3 games through injury in Germany but the very competent Carragher and Hargreaves filled–in.)

LB: Ashley Cole again and certainly playing as well as ever! Bridge continues to deputise (Gibbs is now out of the picture) so let’s hope he’s not needed. I’d say a plus here. More experience and possibly at his peak is Ashley.

CB: This is a worry! Capello badly needs Rio fit and back to his best. He’s due to return soon and with Terry, who continues to be a top defender, the formidable duo can resume where they left off 4 years ago.  It’s a tough one comparing the pair now to then. Have both lost a little edge at this stage or will experience make up for that. Let’s call that one a draw. (But if either is missing then the alternatives are a worry. None measure up to Sol last time round.)

DM: Barry is little better than average in my view but he generally gets the job done. I’d go with Hargreaves every time if fit but he looks less and less likely to make it now. A minor negative here if Hargo fails to recover. (Note: In 2006 England preferred to go without a DM for the most part.)

CM: Gerrard and Lampard four years on? The former continues to be hampered by injury and his absence would be a disaster. And even when fit is his form suffering? Lampard is getting on with business as usual but it is certainly a plus factor that under Capello the two have finally found the formula to playing together…..or finally found their dancing shoes….as it were.  Let’s call this one equal too.

RM/LM: Joe Cole and Beckham started all 5 games in Germany. There is now a debate as to whether Becks will even make the squad, never mind the team. A purple patch with Milan over the next 4 months could sort that out but, even if included, there’s no doubt that the Beckham of 2010 is a lesser being.

And the news on Joe Cole is not much better. Ongoing struggles with injury, Cole needs a big ‘end of season’ to get back on board. Neither may start in SA as part of England’s first 11….and that’s bad news from the point of view of who may take their place.

Lennon, Walcott, Wright-Phillips, Milner, Young, Downing…..it’s a lottery, and the endless debates just underline the lack of convincing candidates. Possibly Lennon if he can continue his form of the last year but a fit and on form Joe Cole would be a much better option in my opinion in a team that should dispense with orthodox wingers. Negative v 2006…..no question!

Strikers:  2006= Rooney/Owen, 2 world class strikers. 2010= Rooney + 1 other, 1 world class striker. Personally, I’d dispense with the need for a 2nd striker and play Gerrard off Rooney but we know that Capello won’t do that. One of Heskey, Defoe, Bent, Cole, Agbonlahor, Crouch…..an inferior Owen even?….no chance! The truth is that whoever it will be will not be worthy of the stage and that’s a negative versus 2006. However, on the plus side, Rooney is on fire this season. He has stepped-up in quality and has added goals to his endless work rate and outstanding talent so maybe, at a stretch, we can call this one evens.  

Looking at the back-up in the squad, much of which is still under intense debate, there’s no need for me to bore you with an analysis. Certainly no better than 2006!

The overriding feeling you get when you analyse the subject is that the forbearers of doom who claim that the English game (in terms of developing talent) is being ruined by too many foreign players, poor coaching, poor acadamies etc. etc. could find no more fertile ground than this to conduct their exercise. Not a single major talent has emerged in the England camp in the past four years and several ‘great hopes’ (Richards, Wright=Phillips, Walcott and Lennon) have failed to stake their claim. So If England are to go close in SA 2010 or (whisper) even win the World Cup, then the key protagonists will be exactly the same as those that created so much expectation last time around. In evolutionary terms this ape hasn’t changed at all….in fact it has regressed.

It was reasonable to expect in 2006 that Walcott and Lennon (both in that squad) would have evolved into essential players for England by 2010. Both have been dogged by injury. Both have impressed in cameos but neither has staked an irrepressible claim. And the lack of challenge in other positions is frightening.

All that said, if Capello has all of his best players fit then there is still hope of a 1966 repeat. I can’t find any way in the analysis to conclude that England are better off, playing wise, than they were in Germany four years ago or that the ‘Golden Generation’ hasn’t loss some of its gloss but they’re still a decent unit with everyone available and, of course, though a major factor, that’s not all that will determine the issue.

How about the quality of the opposition v 2006? How about the influence of the manager? Just what is England’s best 11? And what about luck…..surely England have to get a break in a penalty shoot-out sometime soon?  

Good questions, even if I say so myself…..and all will be dealt with as I continue the build-up to SA 2010!

How do you compare the current England team/squad to the ‘Golden Generation’ of 2006?

“England’s World Cup Chances: The Class of 2010 v The Golden Generation” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.



Posted in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

England’s World Cup Chances: 23 into 11 Doesn’t Go

January 11th, 2010 Dean Saliba


For the mathematicians out there you’ll instantly recognise the numbers 11 and 23 as ‘prime numbers’, meaning of course that they are only divisible by themselves and 1.

For the football fans out there you will recognise 11 as the number of players you can have on the pitch at any one time and 23 as the number of players included in a World Cup squad.

So what?…. I hear you ask. Isn’t it about time Condell got back to work and left the Christmas spirit alone? Absolutely right of course, but bear with me and I’ll attempt to make some sense of that introduction.

Let us start with the England WC squad of 2002. These are the statistics for player appearances and starts.

No. Player App Starts
1 Seaman 5 5
2 Mills 5 5
3 Cole 5 5
4 Sinclair 4 3
5 Ferdinand 5 5
6 Campbell 5 5
7 Beckham 5 5
8 Scholes 5 5
9 Fowler. 1 0
10 Owen 5 5
11 Heskey 5 5
12 Brown 0 0
13 Martyn 0 0
14 Bridge 2 0
15 Keown 0 0
16 Southgate 0 0
17 Sheringham 4 0
18 Hargreaves 2 2
19 Cole. 1 0
20 Vassell 3 1
21 Butt 4 4
22 James 0 0
23 Dyer 3 0

The first thing of note here is that 9 players started every one of England’s 5 games in the tournament. 5 players saw no action whatsoever. Butt started 4, Sinclair 3 and Hargreaves 2. The rest fed off the scraps of a few limited substitute appearances.

On to 2006 and this was the picture:

No. Player App Starts
1 Robinson 5 5
2 Neville 2 2
3 Cole 5 5
4 Gerrard 5 4
5 Ferdinand 5 5
6 Terry 5 5
7 Beckham 5 5
8 Lampard 5 5
9 Rooney 4 3
10 Owen 3 3
11 Cole 5 5
12 Campbell 1 0
13 James 0 0
14 Bridge 0 0
15 Carragher 3 2
16 Hargreaves 4 3
17 Jenas 0 0
18 Carrick 1 1
19 Lennon 2 0
20 Downing 3 0
21 Crouch 3 2
22 Carson 0 0
23 Walcott 0 0
  • 7 players started every game. If Rooney, Owen, Gerrard and Neville had been fit throughout the tournament that would probably have been 11.
  • 5 players saw no action at all and, again, others fed off the scraps of a few substitute appearances while the lucky ones got a couple of run-outs to cover for injuries.

Put another way, in 5 games or 55 starting opportunities, England’s 1st eleven filled 47 of those slots while the remaining 12 players in the squad amassed just 8 starts between them, covering for injuries.

The point is this. No manager worth his salt rolls-up to a World Cup without being absolutely clear in his mind as to what his best team is, what his preferred formation is, and what his tactics will be.

And make no mistake, no country ever wins the World Cup using a ’squad’ system. It’s all about having a quality 11 and playing your best team every game. To win the WC you have to play 7 games in 4 weeks. Half the teams in the competition will only play 3 games, some 4, some 5 etc……so it’s no place for fannying around with tactics and formations and he who does is dead.

Hence my bemusement at the endless ongoing debates amongst England fans ever since they qualified! Fair enough, the goalkeeper position is up for grabs but Capello will make his choice in the coming months and stick with it through the tournament. Johnson, if fit, will be RB….because right now there’s no competition. But it’s the endless debates about wide players, back-up centre- backs and 2nd strikers that are so superfluous!

If England were to reach the Holy Grail in SA 2010 it will be Ferdinand, Terry, A.Cole, Gerrard, Lampard and Rooney who take them there. If fit and on form I would add J.Cole and Hargreaves to that list. The rest will make-up the numbers.

England need Ferdinand and Terry at their best. Lescott, Brown, Upson, Woodgate, King, Cahill etc etc? Yes, 2 or 3 of those names will travel but Capello will hope not to need any of them….and if he does then England’s chances will diminish.

Beckham, Lennon, Walcott, Milner, Wright-Phillips, Young, Downing? If someone was actually good enough….demanding the shirt as it were, would we have all this speculation? Again 3 or 4 of those names will be on the plane. Lennon or even Beckham, if he has an outstanding time at Milan in the coming months, will get the nod. The others are irrelevant, and even if they travel will see no major action at the finals.

Rooney is England’s one world class striker. Capello must light a candle every night before he goes to bed imploring the powers that be to keep him fit! Heskey, Defoe, Crouch, Bent, Cole, Agbonlahor….Owen even!? Personally I’d dispense with the need for a 2nd striker by doing what Benitez does at Liverpool…..more of that in a later article, but Capello won’t so he’ll make his choice and stick with it. The rest, whether on the plane or not will have little or no influence.

It’s all about the best 11 in a World Cup, so stop all the hand wringing and biased touting of your preferred club’s ‘possibles’ and concentrate on just that!

But determining England’s best 11 and formation, and comparing the 2010 squad with the ‘golden generation’ of 2006 are interesting exercises, not to mention having a look at the quality of the opposition versus 4 years ago.

In the coming weeks I’ll be discussing all of the above but…… in the meantime……… just remember that 23 into 11 doesn’t go!

“England’s World Cup Chances: 23 into 11 Doesn’t Go” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.



Posted in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

The Biggest Winners of 2009: Barca, Blanc, Benitez (?) and More

December 21st, 2009 Dean Saliba


Once again it’s that time of year when we like to kick-back and ask “where did that one go?”, break out the Christmas spirit, and reflect on the football year that was. What were our highs and lows? Who stole the headlines and, more importantly, who won the prizes and is most deserving of our applause, however begrudging an exercise that may prove to be at times.

But credit where credit is due! After all, doesn’t each of us like to see praise heaped upon our own team(s) when they do the business, and as the season of ‘goodwill to all men’ approaches (yes that even applies to scousers!), it is high time we handed out the plaudits.

So I’ve come-up with my Top 11 winners for 2009 and some honourable mentions. Why 11? Well why not? If you’ve got a better number then let’s have it, but Giggs wears number 11 and that’s a good enough reason for me!

The starting place is obvious this year but maybe there are one or two surprises and no doubt you’ll highlight my oversights…..which is 49% the point of the exercise anyway (I like to keep a controlling interest in these things!)

1. Viva Barca!

fc barcelonaYes, the Catalans were irresistible this year! It used to be a case of ‘the peasants were revolting’ down in Catalonia….now they’ve become European royalty! The first time the ‘Treble’ was achieved by a Spanish team; Barca swept all before them, scored goals for fun, and in Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Henry and Eto’o presented one of the most formidable attacking units ever to grace a football pitch.

Add to that the 6-2 ‘tonking’ they gave to bitter rivals Real Madrid in ‘El Clásico’, the ease with which they won the CL Final (ouch! that hurt!), and the fact that seven of their starting eleven in that game came through their academy…… and it doesn’t really get much better than that!

So it’s hats off to ‘L’equip blaugrana’ on an outstanding year!

2. Guardiola

josep-guardiolaNow there’s a man with pep in his step (a comment as irresistible as his team)! Has any young manager ever had such a meteoric start to his career? Pep guided his team past all obstacles (Didier Drogba included) and carved himself a place in Spanish footballing history, regardless of what happens from here on in.

Add to that his charismatic media persona…..magnanimous, modest and congenial in equal measure, and here is a man born to the job. Could this be the start of an iconic career in football management? If ever there was a contrast to Mourinho, Sir Alex or Benitez then Pep is it.

Kudos for a truly magnificent first season Pep!

3. Lionel Messi

messiNot much to say that doesn’t repeat the above except…51 games, 38 goals, 18 assists (2008/9 season, as opposed to the calendar year) and:

• UEFA Champions League Top Scorer: 2008–2009
• Trofeo Alfredo Di Stéfano: 2008–2009
• UEFA Club Forward of the Year: 2008–2009
• UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2008–2009
• LFP Best Player: 2008–2009
• LFP Best Striker: 2008–2009
• Onze d’Or: 2009
• Ballon d’Or: 2009

Need I say more? Pure class and luckily we’ll also see him on the World stage next year….despite the best efforts of Diego!

4. Wolfsburg

wolfsburgThe German ‘Wolves’ sprang from nowhere to upset the elite of the Bundesliga and claim a first ever title. Lead by former German international Felix Magath, Wolfsburg infiltrated the top table of German football with some style.

Along the way they equaled the longest winning streak in a Bundesliga season with 10 successive victories. They also became the only team in the Bundesliga to have had two strikers score more than 20 goals in one season with Brazilian Grafite and Bosnian Edin Džeko achieving this feat, scoring 28 and 26 goals respectively. As a result of their title win Wolfsburg qualified for the CL for the first time in their history.

Unfortunately, they went out at the group stages when a win in their final game would have ensured qualification as group winners. But a magnificent achievement all the same!

5. Ryan Giggs

giggsLike a fine wine Giggsy seems to get better with age! An eleventh Premier League title (see there’s that number 11 again), a third League Cup winners medal, a 1st PFA Player of the Year award and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award (modestly accepted….as always.)

Giggsy also beat Bobby Charlton’s long standing record for most games played by a United player (in the CL Final of all places!…. it’s now at 821 and counting), and became the first United player to score 100 Premier League goals. Add to that the fact that he has never been sent-off playing for United, is the consummate professional and the ultimate role model, and you could say Giggsy has it all.

A truly outstanding year for Sir Ryan!

Vintage!

6. Laurent Blanc

laurent-blancIn only his 2nd year in management Blanc guided Bordeaux to the Ligue 1 title, finally breaking Lyon’s seven year domination in France. Motivated by Blanc, Bordeaux delivered eleven wins from eleven games in the run-in, setting a new French record in the process. Blanc’s team also scooped the French League Cup (Coupe de la League) and the French equivalent of the Charity Shield (Trophée des Champions).

He has since guided Bordeaux to top their Champions League group with an impressive total of 16 points from a possible 18, leaving both Bayern Munich and Juventus trailing in their wake.

How far can they go? Who knows, but with Blanc at the helm they look like a well organised and talented outfit.

Well done Laurent….some ‘big names’ may be sniffing around very soon!

7. Rubin Kazan

rubin-kazanRubin who? we all asked when these Russian ‘minnows’ first appeared on our radar. In 2008 they became only the 3rd team outside of Moscow to win the Russian League and followed that up by winning it again in 2009.

Delivered into the ‘Group of Death’ in the Champions League when matched with Barcelona, Inter Milan and Dynamo Kiev, these plucky Russians had the audacity to take four points off Barca, including a memorable win at the Camp Nou, and while they ultimately came-up short, they made it more than interesting (anyone who makes Mourinho sweat scores points with me!)

Rubin, geographically the most eastern team in Europe, were a breath of fresh air in 2009!

8. Real Madrid Fans

kaka-ronaldo-benzemaWell OK, they didn’t actually win anything and they were humiliated by Barca so why are they on the list? Well all of the above was the catalyst for the return of Florentino Perez (their 3rd President in 2009 by the way) and the promise of a new ‘Galacticos’.

And he duly delivered: Ronaldo…Kaka…Benzema…Alonso…………all for obscene money!

Perez may be about as cultured as a junk yard dog but he delivers what the Real fans want, regardless of the cost. Will it get Real back to the top in Spain and Europe? Maybe, but I hope not!

A big win for Real fans though….no question!

9. Michael Owen

michael-owenWho would have thought? Certainly few Man Utd fans that’s for sure. Even fewer Liverpool fans! Owen’s career had been careering out of control ever since he picked-up that injury at the 2006 World Cup. Newcastle relegated…where was he to go? Hull? Stoke?….indeed was anyone prepared to take the risk?

Enter Sir Alex Ferguson and Michael must have thought, in the words of Bette Davis “I’ve been lucky….. I’ve been lucky again!” In the prelude to a World Cup year Owen surely can’t resist dreaming a little these days. Seven goals from a handful of starts and a number of substitute appearances and his star is slowly rising. If he stays fit he may just get 15 to 20 goals for the season….and would/could Capello ignore that?

Then again, it may all go pear shaped but Owen couldn’t have dreamt of a bigger opportunity than this, and that qualifies him as one of this year’s winners!

10. Raymond Domenech

domenechFollowing France’s recent world dominance, 17 wins in 33 games just doesn’t cut it for a French manager, given the talent available….but that’s been Domenech’s record to date.

After failing to top Group 7 in the qualifiers (Serbia took the honours) one of the most reviled managers in recent French history found himself in the play-offs. ‘No problem’ was probably his sentiment when he saw his team paired with the Republic of Ireland….and no problem it certainly was after they won 1-0 in Dublin.

But after Robbie Keane scored in Paris it took ‘the hand of Thierry’ and a couple of optically challenged officials to save Domenech from the dreaded guillotine. He might be like a cat with nine lives but considering his balls have been dangling before the butcher’s knife all year you have to reward him with a place on the winners’ rostrum….…non?

11. Rafa Benitez

rafael-benitezBefore you choke on your porridge…read on! Rafa is a man who knows how to play the game….if not on the pitch, then certainly off it.

As Liverpool’s best ever challenge for the PL title started to wilt in the first months of the year, Rafa was making moves with the dexterity of a pole dancer down to her g-string.

He’s clearly been there (watching I mean….as the alternative interpretation is just too….!) You tweak it here and tweak it there, but when the ultimate moment comes make sure all of your best assets are showing. And so Rafa publicly ‘tweaked’ the nuances of his new contract to get his loyal fans salivating, waited for the ‘purple patch’ to be revealed to a frenzied audience and was off to the boardroom like someone had shoved an onion up his ass, to sign a new five year deal.

A £20m pound insurance policy you might call it….and based on what has gone down since at Anfield who could deny that it was the shrewdest move of the year?

Stand tall on the podium Rafa! A win is a win in any man’s language…and that’s a fact!

Honourable Mentions

Real Salt Lake

RSL-LogoNobody’s tip to take the MLS title this year, it was a backs to the wall exercise for this young club.

The ‘big city’ glamour boys may not have taken them too seriously but they came-up trumps, digging out results and beating the ‘pretty boys’ of LA Galaxy in a penalty shoot-out to win the final.

You’ve got to love the underdog…and they certainly were that!

Liga De Quito

Losing finalists against Man Utd in the Club World Cup last year, in 2009 Liga added the Copa Sudamericana and Recopa Sudamericana titles to their 2008 Copa Libertadores win, making it three continental titles in two seasons.

LDU_Quito_LogoFor those who missed the Copa Sudamericana final, it was a thrilling affair with Liga winning the 1st leg 5-1 before falling 3-0 down (to Fluminense of Brazil) in the 2nd leg and finding themselves with only 9 men. But they held out and continue to strike a blow for the ‘little guy’ as representatives of one of South Amreica’s smaller nations.

And finally…..

Go ANZACS

As a now resident of the southern hemisphere how could I not acknowledge the qualification of both Australia and New Zealand for South Africa 2010? The first time both have qualified together; thanks to the Aussies decision to go via the Asian qualifiers.

Both have tough groups but if the ultimate were to happen….a meeting of these great rivals on football’s biggest stage….. then the ‘All Whites’ and the ‘Socceroos’ will both have to make the semi-finals.

And with that (and considering that!) the only thing left to say is…..Goodnight Irene!

Also See:

The Biggest Losers of 2009
The Biggest Winners of 2008
The Biggest Losers of 2008

“The Biggest Winners of 2009: Barca, Blanc, Benitez (?) and More” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.



Posted in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

Ferguson keeps the faith in Berba…but do we really not need a new striker?

December 20th, 2009 Dean Saliba


News emerged recently suggesting that Ferguson will not spend money in January on another striker; choosing instead to place his faith in the goalscoring of Berbatov to complement Rooney’s.

The article was quick to pounce on Ferguson’s rationale; highlighting ignorant yet pivotal stats about Dimitar’s goalscoring: ‘18 goals in 58 games and just five in his past 28 matches for the club.’ They also contradicted their statement by highlighting United’s interest in Ajax’s Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, again throwing those unavoidable goalscoring stats in an attempt to whet our apetites – 70 goals in 104 appearances – alongside a suggested, cool £45million price tag.

Dimitar Berbatov

It made for interesting and very thoughtful reading, and although I hate to say it, you have to agree that a new striker in the upcoming transfer window, especially a 22-year-old with such an impressive scoring rate, appears to be nothing less than a necesity for our often goalshy side.

It is not however a matter of Berbatov’s potential and quality at United. Do I have faith in his ability? Unquestionably. With Rooney alongside him we surely have one of the most talented strike partnerships on the planet; although unfortunately not the most prolific. And that is the main issue United fan’s feel needs sorting when it comes to having the money and in turn the ability to spend in January.

At the moment, we are (as usual) competing to retain our Title and Carling Cup, as well as hoping to reach a third European Cup final in as many years and a first FA cup in six. All this with only the two senior strikers I have mentioned.

One thing that has been apparent this season more than any other – as Oliver Kay pointed when I interviewed him for my blog – is that there was a great deal of complacency amongst the top four in the summer.

The signings of Obertan, Owen and Valencia in the summer have barely scratched the £80 million we received for Ronaldo

United didn’t capitalise on the money received by Ronaldo’s sale, with Ferguson assuming our resources were solid and assured enough to compete; thus only adding one alright (Valencia), promising (Obertan) and no-risk (Owen) player to the squad. But we weren’t the only ones to underestimate the challenge and improvement occurring from below, as our fellow top 4 members have also sat back and somehow allowed the likes of Villa, Sunderland, Tottenham and of course city to step-up and become a more than serious threat to that much adorned Champions League place.

Liverpool lost perhaps their most influential playmaker only to replace him with a £24million injury prone (and yet to start a game) Aquilani rather than bringing in a competent partner for Torres…now look what’s happened. Chelsea and Arsenal were also clumsily quiet in the transfer market (well, that will never change with tight-arsed Wenger), choosing to also rely on their competent and largely brilliant squad; however they have also dropped points and been made to look at times inferior against weaker sides.

To have the opportunity and rather bulging pocket that we have as we enter the season’s second and final transfer market opening is a blessing and surely a perfect opportunity for us to capitalise and get ahead of the pack.

Our performances this season, which if you read my reviews and rants week-in-week out will tell you are largely unsatisfactory and definitely warrant a signing. United’s long-term priorities will focus towards a new goalkeeper and a possible replacement for our injury-prone and pre-occupied celebrity centre back; however I also constantly highlight our lack of clinical finishing, ability to reach an extra gear and goal scoring ability in general as a more pressing matter.

For Ferguson to place faith in Berbatov is a given, as although currently crocked (does anyone know when he will be back??), he has been immense this season and one of our key performers. But to rule out the signing of another striker and thus suggest that Owen, Macheda and Wellbeck complete our attacking line-up and are capable to help us win the league and European Cup (as that is of course always our goal) is a bit naïve.

I don’t want to sound as though I doubt the great man’s judgement, and I certainly don’t want to disrespect him, as he knows a thing or two about building teams and winning things; but our often battling and less-than comfortable performances this season suggest we need a change.

Luis Suarez of Ajax

Is a £45million rated striker from the Dutch league really the answer? I’m not entirely sure, mainly because I don’t know a great deal about the fella. However what is undoubted is that an injection of class and somebody of capability and conviction is needed to complete this side; a side full talent and ability, but one that has more than often this season struggled to convince and answer post-Ronaldo questions.

“Ferguson keeps the faith in Berba…but do we really not need a new striker?” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.



Posted in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , No Comments »
« Older Entries
Twitter Delicious Facebook Digg Stumbleupon Favorites More