http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php Football and soccer discussion forum and friendly chat community. Everything football related, including UK Europe and Worldwide football. Talk about football and your favourite teams all day long!... en Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:27:34 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.thefootballforums.com/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=20 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:11:42 GMT Our attention turns this weekend to the Super Bowl which takes place on Sunday evening between New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts. The... Our attention turns this weekend to the Super Bowl which takes place on Sunday evening between New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts.

The Colts go into the game as the pre-match favourite, but we are selecting the Saints to win in the handicap market. You can get 10/11 that the Saints will win with a 5.5+ handicap advantage.

If you are wanting more great Super Bowl betting, we highly recommend you visit GambleSelect who cover all the major sporting events. ]]> hitmanuk2k http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=20 http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=19 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:27:01 GMT Welcome to this week’s column. As always, this article takes a look at various aspects from the football world each week. Regular visitors are aware... Welcome to this week’s column. As always, this article takes a look at various aspects from the football world each week. Regular visitors are aware that this site is still very much in the growing stage, and therefore is less well populated than we would like at this stage. There are certain aspects in place to try and promote the site, but this is a long process that will no doubt take time. Therefore, I will continue writing for the next couple of weeks, with the view for a change at the end of February. With this said, lets move on to this weeks article.

Different Gravy. With little live football on TV this week, I have taken the time over the last few days to watch a variety of games from other leagues across Europe. Being from England, I feel I am slightly spoiled by the quality of the football constantly on my TV screen. Even in the second tear, the English game is of a decent pace with International players performing at a top level. The coverage the top flight gets it’s huge, and along with Spain and Italy, is easily the best quality in Europe. However, having done the research, there are a number of entertaining leagues across the continent. The Belgium top division features a number of clubs that play highly entertaining football. Couple this with a group of young, exciting players, and you have a whole new world of football. Players like Axel Witsel and Steven Defour, who are yet to become household names, are on show week in, week out. Its great to see players like this before they become big stars, which is the inside tip, and hearing about them first gives you brownie points in pub conversations! I urge you to check out Juliper Pro League (the Belgian top division) if you have time and any opinions you have are free to be aired in the comments section.

Money Well Spent. £40 Million spent in the January transfer window. Another £50 Million plus spent last summer. Unable to get a result against a struggling Portsmouth. Who would be a Manchester City fan? Maybe the big money came too late in the day for this season, or maybe the owners needed a season to understand the league. Whatever the case, this season would have to be considered a failure for the richest owners in football, and with money so hard to come by in all aspects of life nowadays, it may be a case of new manager, new squad in the summer. As I said a few months ago, Hughes deserves a chance to prove himself, but his inability to motivate his big money stars for away games suggests whilst he is manager at City, mid-table is the best the club can hope for.

Out Of This World. A comment I read a few weeks ago made me smile, and is something I would like to share with the visitors of this site. A Tottenham fan wrote ‘Sides like Tottenham should be immune from relegation. Nobody wants to see teams like Stoke and Hull, and instead they should go down ahead of teams like Spurs and Newcastle.” Granted this is the view of one fan, however, is a disgusting and naïve opinion expressed with a level of arrogance that is befitting one of the Premier League’s “Big Clubs”. Tottenham and indeed Newcastle are arguably the two most unprepared and susceptible clubs in this seasons Premier League. Sides like Stoke, Hull and even teams like Sunderland would have expected a difficult season, and brought in a mentality from the very first day of survival. Spurs were expected to flourish under Ramos who left them totally unprepared for a season in this division and as a result, they are struggling. If it weren’t for Harry Redknapp, Spurs would probably be in the relegation zone, whilst Newcastle is still a couple of bad results away from getting into a real dog fight. Both these sides are hardly full of the battling professionals found in Stoke or Hull, and therefore if either or both of these big clubs were to drop down, it would be because of poor planning, poor preparation and a level of arrogance that would please the majority if the ‘little clubs’ still making a go of it in the top flight.

Every Second Counts. Putting myself out there, I would like to invite anyone to get involved and write their player of the season so far. It could be a Premier League star, or a League Two player. I am totally open to discussions and as long as your opinion can be justified, either by stats or well constructed argument, it will be registered and spoken about in next weeks article.

That’s it for this week. If you’re interested in getting in touch, you can do so either via the comments section on this site, or by e-mailing me direct on danbolas@hotmail.com. As I mentioned, the column will continue for the next couple of weeks, so if you are a regular visitor, please let me know of your presence so I know I have at least some readers, which makes the whole process worthwhile.

Thanks for Reading ]]> danbolas http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=19 http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=18 Fri, 13 Feb 2009 19:04:33 GMT Welcome to this weeks article. In a week dominated by international football, there are plenty of talking points to mull over and discuss, and as... Welcome to this weeks article. In a week dominated by international football, there are plenty of talking points to mull over and discuss, and as usual, ‘This Is Roberto Carlos Territory’ will dissect a number of these issues. The site is slowly but surely starting to gain a little more recognition, and gradually, word of mouth is beginning to spread. We are fully aware that this site will never be the same size as the larger, commercial football sites, but we hope with a little bit of support, gradual backing and a strong community, we can make ourselves a decent alternative. As always, my personal e-mail address is listed at the bottom of this column, so feel free to get in touch regarding anything football related.

Top Me Up. The obvious starting point this week would be to look at the Spain vs. England game from last Wednesday night. There are a few things that can be drawn from this showing, but arguably the only real surprise is that ITV managed to show a whole game of football without missing much of the live action. There was one David Villa offside goal that they missed, but let’s not split hairs! The Spanish showed an exceptionally solid technical game, with a defence that never really looked troubled by the various challenges posed by England. Up top, they had to strikers who both are out and out goal scorers; yet at the same time seem to work off each other well. The midfielders Iniesta and Xavi embarrassed both Carrick and Barry with passing and movement of the highest calibre. Overall, it was a dominant display by arguably the best team in the world. Yet both goals would have to go down as English errors, and were utterly avoidable. If you were looking at it from the Point Of View of your own club, the first goal was slack defending with the England defence missing two chances to clear. David Villa never really had control of the ball up until the shot, and whilst there is no denying the quality finish shown by the Valencia man, there was ample opportunity to stop it even getting that far. The second goal, whilst once again being an excellent header, was slack defending my a number of English players, with Matthew Upson looking most at fault as the floated ball sailed inches above his head. If this had happened to your team on a Saturday afternoon, you would have criticised your own players, and it is just proof the importance of when playing against the best, you have to be at your best for the whole match. Yes, Spain were very impressive, but in order to be the best, you have to beat the best.

Old Man River. Last week I spoke about David Beckham’s plans to remain at AC Milan, and how it seemingly made a mockery out of the transfer window. Wednesday night was as good example as any of why the Italian giants want England’s superstar, as he looked the most likely to create anything for the three lions. Whilst maybe you couldn’t justify some of his caps, in particular the last few which had results in four caps for just over 25 minutes game time, there is no denying he is a legend within the English game, and has a full right to be linked with the best of the English game.

Best Wishes. Just a serious point, regarding Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear. I have not been quiet about my views on what’s been going on at St. James Park, and in particular the handling of players by the management. However, I would like to send my best wishes to Mr. Kinnear who is currently having to undergo heart surgery, which can only have been brought on by the stress of top flight management. He had to leave Wimbledon a decade ago with a similar ailment, and it is another fact that whilst the world of professional football management may look the dream job, the physical tolls it takes on those doing it are intensive.

Goodbye Big Phil. I like Scolari; I think a lot of people of the English game have really taken to him. Yet it was pretty obvious he struggled to keep players happy within his camp, something which is a lot easier to do in international management. Chelsea under Mourinho needed a lot of strong characters, it was Jose’s style of coaching and he installed a huge level of self belief in everyone who pulled on a Chelsea shirt. It is no surprise that seemingly less powerful characters, Duff, Wright Phillips and Kezman, failed to make huge impacts under the ‘Special One’ yet players like Drogba and Robben really shined through. Big Phil never seemed to understand club management, especially in England, and never really seemed to get the best out of his stars, bar Mr. Sulk, Anelka! Whilst his personality will no doubt be missed, this once again proves just how good Jose Mourinho was at Chelsea, and just how difficult it is to manage in the English top flight.

That’s your lot for this week. Please feel free to comment on anything you have read
here, either by joining the forums or sending me an e-mail to danbolas@hotmail.com. As always, the next column will be posted next Friday, so remember to check back next week for the latest from This Is Roberto Carlos Territory.

Thanks for Reading ]]> danbolas http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=18 http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=17 Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:07:24 GMT Welcome to this week’s column. The transfer window threw up a couple of last minute shocks on Sunday and Monday, but surprisingly none involving... Welcome to this week’s column. The transfer window threw up a couple of last minute shocks on Sunday and Monday, but surprisingly none involving Manchester City. In fact, the pulling power of the club is looking less and less appealing, which in turn may see Mark Hughes’ days become numbered. But seeing as the last few weeks have predominantly focussed on the blue half of Manchester, this week’s article is going to avoid discussing them, and instead focus on the rest of the footballing world.

There Is Only One. Arguably the best piece of business done in the past few months was Tottenham’s sale and then signing of Robbie Keane. Keane is one of my personal favourite players in the league, as an ex-wolves player, but also a proven asset to any side with goals and link up player. His signing for Liverpool was a shock in the eyes of many for the simple fact the fee was so large, but his track record did in fact speak volumes. The problem with the signing was you felt Rafa never really wanted Keane, and instead he was a purchase by the powers that be, which were concerned with United, Chelsea and City’s big spending. As it happens, Tottenham have the same player back, refreshed from playing half the games he would have if he had stayed at White Hart Lane for a reduced fee. The fact that three players have returned to Spurs since Redknapp took other is a simple indication that Ramos really didn’t have a clue how to manage in the Premier League, and the Spurs board are lucky that they have someone with Harry’s experience to sail what would have been a sinking ship.

Rules, What Rules? I am pretty sure that there was a transfer window in January, which allowed players to move clubs for throughout the course of the month. Come February 2nd however, the window closed and now no players should legally be allowed to move clubs, especially those playing in the top divisions. Once again, this is proof the David Beckham is a law all to himself. I like Beckham, always have and I think he is an excellent ambassador for the sport and the English game. I can see him dropping a free kick in the world cup final 2010 to win the trophy for England, and set up the ending to a storybook career that rivals any Brazilian or Italian. But the transfer window has closed and Beckham is an LA Galaxy player. He has stated he wants to stay and play for AC Milan; a side bound by the transfer window’s regulations and therefore should have to wait to the summer for a move. However, anyone with an ounce of sense will realise that Beckham is too big a star to be bound by a ‘transfer window’ and will use all his clout, both financially and publicity wise to get his move. Yes, it will benefit the majority of parties involved, but should that move be allowed? We’ll have to see what happens, but I am one that believes the rules are there to keep a level playing field, not just for people with too much power to find a way through.

Ferry ‘Cross The Mersey. A truly great game of football on Wednesday night, in all but the goalmouth action. Two sides playing for local and professional pride as well as a place in the next round of the FA Cup. Dan Gosling’s wonder goal was taken as well as anything Mr. Torres has done so far this season, and it was an excellent result for Everton, who played a exceptionally solid tactical game without fielding a single striker in 120 minutes! The point about ITV has been raised by many, with the fact that some regions in the UK missed the goal, replaced with a commercial break. This is just one error in a long line of mistakes by the broadcast company, who can hold their hands up as partly responsible for the shoddy financial state of lower league football. The coverage in my region was constantly interrupted with lag and frozen screens, and a brief advert a minute or so before the goal. This should be punished by the IV standards, as it caused a lot more frustration for individuals than a comment made on a radio show, which saw heads roll! ITV offers very little in the way of anything unique to football broadcasting and the BBC do a much better job with Match Of The Day than anything ITV have ever done. In my opinion Channel 5 would be better suited to having the FA Cup, and ITV should pay the price for poor performance. Again.

The Dragons Den. So, the window has closed. If you had money to back one signing made in the transfer window, who would it be. Bellamy at Manchester City, Heskey at Villa, or the aforementioned Keane back at Spurs? Will the signing be a little less of a high profile one; Mido at Wigan or Jo from Man City might just steal a bit of limelight. Or will the Russian hit man help fire Arsenal back into a top four spot which, throughout the season, they haven’t so far deserved. The bottom line is the majority of signings made in January do very little to impact that club for that season, as has been proven the last few years. Anelka is now playing well for Chelsea, but his first few seasons at the Bridge were less than happy. Before, players like Saha and Reyes enjoyed brief success, only to be sold on a couple of years later. It will be interesting to see who does have the biggest influence as a new signing, and any views on the subject can be posted here, or on the forum!

That’s all for this week. Potentially a new laptop awaits next week’s column, which will mean slightly more research time and depth in each piece. It will also hopefully mean I can add a few more articles to this site and get the whole place buzzing. If you’re interesting in starting your own article, please feel free to get in contact. danbolas@hotmail.com. Otherwise I will be back same time next week for another instalment of This Is Roberto Carlos Territory.

Thanks for Reading ]]> danbolas http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=17 http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=16 Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:00:31 GMT Welcome to this week’s column. In spite of the lack of comments, I am still continuing to enjoy writing each week, and hopefully the site receiving... Welcome to this week’s column. In spite of the lack of comments, I am still continuing to enjoy writing each week, and hopefully the site receiving more publicity will eventually mean a bit more back and forth between community members and some genuine discussion going on. Whether commenters are put off my having to sign up or register may be a valid reason for the lack of feedback, but we shall see. One key point I have stated from the very first column though is that I have big ideas for this column, and would love to implement these aforementioned ideas as soon as a community begins to grow. With that all said, lets get going with this week’s column.

Don’t Buy A Ticket, You Can’t Win The Rafa. There was a time when I used to admire and even like Rafa Benitez. The Spaniard was similar to that uncle you only saw at Christmas or Birthdays, who always carried himself with a certain level of class that made you want to hang out with him. As a manager, I personally saw him as an excellent tactician within the European competitions, and having an incredible ability to pick the perfect line up for the one off game. Getting results against Barcelona and Juventus was proof of such talent. But I always felt he lacked the ability, especially in English football, to motivate his players on a week in, week out basis. Liverpool have arguably the best out and out centre forward in the world, along with one of the most inspirational midfielders playing the game, yet constantly draw games that they should be winning. Benitez seems to need to withdraw these players at inappropriate or crucial times within matches, and has also seemed to lack control of the ‘fringe’ players within his squad. But tactical awareness or managerial decisions aside, the past month has fully changed my opinion of the Liverpool manager, and it is down to the way he has conducted himself with the press. Ferguson, Wenger and Mourinho, the three previous winners of the Premier League title have all had their own unique style of handling the media, sometimes to criticism but always for the greater good of the task at hand. Benitez has proven, over the past few weeks he does not have the mental strength to cope with the English press, and this has come to a head by blaming everyone and everything for Liverpool’s inability to win matches. If United needed a goal, they wouldn’t withdraw Ronaldo, yet Rafa seems to thing taking off Torres is the way to beat Wigan. When you’re at the top of the league, sides do tend to sit off and defend, and the quality players your side have should be able to break them down. Yet every time I turn on a Sports bulletin, I hear a story “Rafa Benitez is unhappy about…” and you start to feel that the pressure may just be getting to him. Any Liverpool fans, please feel free to let your feelings known, or fans of other clubs let me know your opinion.

Top Down. I speak about the above point based on what has happened to my Wolves. Coasting into the New Year, we have, since January 1st, managed only one win (an FA Cup tie) and have started to really struggle to find form. Yet Mick McCarthy isn’t pointing the blame at officials or the opposition’s tactics, he appreciates the buck stops with his squad, his players. It is of course; very frustrating to through away large point leads at the top of the table (just ask Newcastle!) but how your boss reacts will directly influence how your players react, and as a Wolves fan, I have faith in Mick to keep the players honest and keep the results in.

Turn Around. How well has Gianfranco Zola done at West Ham United? He lost his talismanic striker, Mr Bellamy to Manchester City, but has managed to gel his players into a good footballing unit, with the perfect balance of resilience, strength and flair. Ask anyone who comes up from the Championship, or lurks around the lower regions of the Premier League, and they will tell you there are no easy games in the top flight, and the importance of a goal scorer is crucial to survival. Zola has managed to get his side playing well, winning games and has offered some much needed support to ‘full of potential’ hit man, Carlton Cole. The result is a side that can now easily be considered a top ten outfit, and feature a squad of players that would be the envy of many sides within a similar position. Good times indeed for the Hammers.

Signing Time. The latest news as the transfer window etches ever closer to closing is that Mr Arshavin may actually be on his way to Arsenal. The saga, which is more will they, won’t they than the entire last series of the TV show Friends, looks set to be resolved with the Russian joining Wenger’s footballing philosophy, which can only bode well for the Gunners. For the first time in seemingly along time, Arsenal have managed to bring a current highly rated player to the club, something which hasn’t happened since the arrival of Dennis Bergkamp over 10 years ago. Even players like Henry and Pires were not considered world stars until their Arsenal careers took off, so it will be interesting to see if and how the Russian fits into the Gunners ambiance. Other decent business this week includes Heskey to Villa, in a deal which will create as many goals for Ashley and Gabby as it will for the former Wigan and England target man. Hayden Mullins is also quite an interesting signing for Portsmouth. A player who I personally rated many years ago in his Crystal Palace days, has been in the thick of a relegation battle before, and has the experience to help but up a fight, something which at the moment Pompey are lacking. It is also a huge sign of the way Portsmouth are heading, changing flow from the times of buying hot young players like Muntari and Utaka. Granted, this would be considered the Adams influence, but expect to so Krankjaer next out the door from Fratton Park! Finally, the biggest shock of the week, so far would have to be the lack of Goalkeeper arriving at White Hart Lane. Gomes clearly isn’t the multi million superstar who was touted to be my PSV, another piece of Ramos ‘magic’ and now, it would be shocking if Harry didn’t look to strengthen in that department, Joe Hart perhaps?

That’s your lot for this week. If you have enjoyed reading, please make sure you return next week for another instalment. I must also remind you it’s FREE to register for the forums. Your opinions don’t count unless you tell someone, so why not do it on this site. The more the merrier. Finally, you can e-mail me on danbolas@hotmail.com if you have anything you would like to see in a less public environment.

Thanks for Reading ]]> danbolas http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=16 http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=15 Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:49:58 GMT Welcome to this week’s article. The transfer world is buzzing round now with some hot deals being done within the build up to this column. By the... Welcome to this week’s article. The transfer world is buzzing round now with some hot deals being done within the build up to this column. By the time I have finished writing there will probably have been another handful of rumours appear or deals signed, but I am going to try and concentrate on the bigger deals of the week, and not worry too much about those bang up to date. I will do a full round up of the transfer window in a couple of weeks time when it closes. Until that point, the majority of this article will focus on that topic. With so much going on regarding players, contracts and deals it would be foolish of me to ignore this opportunity to talk about them, with other topics taking a bit of a back burner until the beginning of February. With that said let get moving with this week’s column.

And The Little One Said. I have started the last couple of weeks with Manchester City, and that is where I am starting tonight, although not probably at the expected entrance. The signing of the welsh moaner Craig Bellamy may prove to be a bit of smart business for a club looking to move up the table, with Craig’s work rate and talent unquestionable. He has proven this at a great number of clubs of varying sizes and whether or not you can stomach the guy (I can’t) you have to respect him as a player. My point really relates to Hughes’ desire for a target man. In an attacking line that already features two of the smallest players in the Premier League, Robinho and Wright-Phillips, was the introduction of another pint sized forward really the best way to go. An Emile Heskey, a player who posses’ genuine power and can take the brunt of the physical aspect from a defence is arguably more what City requires. It will be interesting to see City’s actions within the final week of the window, and how the mini trio will play together, if they even do!

Blood & Guts. Watching the two Championship teams in the Carling Cup this week, it was a fine showing of how in one off games, the two leagues can be almost equal. Make no mistake about it, either of those sides in the Premier League would be sure fire relegation material, but playing in the kind of environment provided on Tuesday and Wednesday, both sides did themselves and the division proud. Derby definitely showed a spirit that was ever so lacking from their embarrassing season last year in the Premier League, and whilst never really looking like getting back into the tie at 3-0 down, they stuck to their guns and were one bit of magic away from the biggest of cup upsets. Burnley on the other hand actually did the unthinkable and scoring three against Tottenham to level the tie, and indeed be five minutes away from knocking the Londoners out. In the end, a combination of a £30 million strike force and a lot of tired professionals saw their downfall, but the Lancashire outfit walked out of the tie and the entire competition with their heads held high and a vastly improved reputation. My own personal views of the Carling Cup have been expressed before, but there is no one, manager, player or fan that wouldn’t have wanted their side to be part of such exciting games, and therefore the competition as a whole can’t be that much of a pointless one.

Selling You Soul. I don’t think I was alone in the world when I fully expecting Kaka to sign for Manchester City and become the world’s most expensive football, along with the worlds highest paid footballer. So it was a nice surprise to see an element of loyalty within one of the superstars of football and stick with AC Milan. Granted, its hardly staying at a lower league club or even an average club, but as has been spoken about greatly over the past few weeks, the kind of money provided would have been enough to keep Kaka’s family, both current and future, in the life of luxury for years to come. This kind of loyalty is what football should be built upon, the Alan Shearer at Newcastle, the Steve Bull at Wolves and its good to see Kaka at least show some element of soul. Corruption, greed and overall money may own the lives of 90% of the footballing world, but it’s a refreshing change when someone can turn it down flat!

Strange & Beautiful. Finally this week it would crazy not to look at some of the weirder deals going down this week. Jimmy Bullard, a cultured midfielder on the verge of the England squad and reportedly an Arsenal target, signing a new deal at out of form Hull City. Fulham are currently 100% a club on the up this season, and leaving them for a side that are still a long way from an established Premier League team could be career suicide. Mido leaving Middlesbrough is another one. Boro’ are struggling for form and goals, with the Egyptian starting the season like a house on fire, before suffering injuries and becoming out of favour. That deal is definitely a good piece of business by Steve Bruce, especially when you consider his international teammate; Zaki is already at the JJB Stadium. The final one, which is a bit of a rumour and an enigma, is the forgotten man throughout the window, Michael Owen. Newcastle are becoming a less and less fashionable club by the week, with reports of training ground bust ups, player unrest and a manager that only seems to aggravate everyone around him. This is a huge dip from the late 90’s when Newcastle were everyone’s ‘other’ team and played some great football. Owen still has a solid reputation as a goal scorer, but another few months at the St. James Park circus could really do him some serious damage, with a loan move to Everton even being better career move (I joke of course). Michael Owen is a top finisher, and has done it at the highest level his entire career. If England makes it to S. Africa 2010, it would be sheer madness not to have Owen in the squad, but at the current time, the Newcastle factor is one of the main reasons he won’t be picked.

That’s your lot for this week. It is going to be an exceptionally interesting week with regards last minute bids. Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have all been eerily quiet so far, and it would be very rare if Liverpool didn’t capitalise on the opportunity whilst top to bring in a couple of players, even if on loan. Meanwhile, expect City to splash out, and hopefully my Wolves will bring in someone a little better than WBA and Blues reject Nigel Quashie. Whoever your club is, I wish you a good week of transfer activity. Remember it’s free to comment, free to join and free to get involved with this site. Alternatively, just e-mail me on danbolas@hotmail.com to get your views across.

Thanks for Reading ]]> danbolas http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=15 http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=14 Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:08:30 GMT Welcome to this week’s article. A slow start to the year in the form of comments, and I expect this to be the case for the first few weeks, until the... Welcome to this week’s article. A slow start to the year in the form of comments, and I expect this to be the case for the first few weeks, until the word gets out at least. If anyone is reading who feels they could help market the site via forums or their own personal websites, please feel free to get in touch with me on the address below. As I have mentioned before, I do not run this site, but instead simply write a weekly column. However, I want the site and my own personal work to be as successful as possible, which is why my constant pleas for PR are forthcoming. The site is currently non-profit, which means no money for advertising, which in turn means we are relying on the good nature of the visitors to raise awareness. Lets move on to this week’s article.

Ulrikakaka. In spite of the fact that the Swedish TV presenter has been gracing our screens these past weeks in the Celebrity Big Brother, this week’s opening point is not dedicated to the Shooting Stars blonde. It is of course dedicated to the ridiculous amount of money going to be paid by Manchester City in order to bring Brazilian playmaker, Kaka, to the Premier League. It is a hugely controversial move for the player, who has to not only adapt to a more physical and aggressive style of game, coupled with a crowded fixture list, but also must be content playing in a very average football side based upon current form. It is also a gamble, with very few South American players moving to the Premier League and actually becoming/maintaining a superstar status. Players like Veron and Crespo have come and failed to have the impact they did in Italy, and whilst Robinho and Elano have proven that Brazilians are capable of doing a job with in the division, Jo has proven to be somewhat a financial flop. But the biggest, arguably disgusting part of the transfer is the fee involved. £100 Million + in today’s current climate is the sort of money required to bail out entire companies, with thousands of employees, not to bring one new employee into another company. Even by football terms, the fee is stupid. The combined wage bill of the 20 Premier League teams for the entire season tops £1 Billion. Yet 10% of that is going to be spent of the transfer fee for one player. This deal makes the Santa Cruz one, spoken about in last week’s column, seem like sensible business, and whilst I hope the deal does work out for all concerned, the amount of money involved is absolutely absurd!

Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick, BOOM! The Rafa time bomb exploded last week, with the Liverpool manager’s comments regarding Sir Alex Ferguson seemingly fire up United to demolish Chelsea in one of the best technical footballing showings of the season. Steve Bruce made an excellent comment that “You Don’t Play Mind Games With Sir Alex” and that may just be the case. For over 20 years now, the Scot has been plying his trade in the division and has become one of the most successful bosses in any sport ever! Whilst the continental approach has improved the English game on many levels, there are few that have been able to match mentalities with the Manchester United boss, and Rafa has once again shown that to be the case. Whilst the payout for Benitez would have been huge should United have crashed against Chelsea and Liverpool beaten Stoke, but in truth it was almost the worse case scenario and now, the momentum is definitely with the current champions. Any views on the mind games would be greatly appreciated.

Great Goal Scorers. Watching TV over the past couple of days, I caught an article regarding the Premier League’s top ten Hat Trick scorers. Unsurprisingly, the top three read Shearer, Fowler and Henry but it made me think about which players currently in the Premier League are going to be spoken about as all time greats in ten years time. Of course you will hear the names of people like Gerrard and Lampard, along with foreign talents like Torres, Ronaldo and Anelka, but there doesn’t seem to be anyone with the pedigree in front of goal that these players possessed, season in, season out. Taking Alan Shearer as an example may be a bit tough, but here is a man who scored hundreds of goals at a canter, and every week it seemed to be a case of when, not if Shearer scored. With Torres having an injury plagued season, the role for top forward man has to fall to the French sulk, Mr. Anelka, but the lack of competition for that crown begs the question, are goal scoring midfielders or second strikers expected to score more goals than a sides number 9? Anyone with any views on this should e-mail or comment.

Master class. Simply two words, Ryan Giggs. The man is a complete and utter genius, and this was proven again when he ran the show in a midfield, which featured Deco, Lampard and Ballack. For as long as I can remember, Giggs has been putting in performances of the highest nature, and it is a huge testament to him both as a player and an individual that at 35, he can still do it as and when required. There are many people who believe that if Ryan Giggs had played for England, we’d have won something over the past 10 years, as his ability to turn a game is something that England really have seemed to lack, especially on the big stage. Giggs thrives on it, just think about Arsenal, FA Cup Semi Final, 1999, and his footballing brain is as able as any of the mercurial foreigners that have graced the pitches of the UK over the past decade. People will, rightfully, always call him one of the Manchester United greats, and indeed one of the Premier League greats, but he may not get the credit on the world stage he truly deserves. Had he been Brazilian, he would have probably picked up a couple of World Cup winners medals and World Player Of The Year trophies, but due to being Welsh he was unable to flourish as he no doubt would of on the National stage. Many football fans consider themselves lucky to have seen a Henry, a Bergkamp or a Zola at their pomp, but in all honesty, Giggs is one of the best players in the world, and maybe, one of the best ever to play the game.

That’s your lot for this week. As I said, I am keeping these columns relatively short and to the point. If you wish to get in contact, you can do so via danbolas@hotmail.com or by joining this site and leaving a comment. It’s free to do so and gives you access to the forums, both in a posting and viewing capacity. Hopefully you have enjoyed the column, and feel free to return next Friday!

Thanks for Reading ]]> danbolas http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=14 http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=13 Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:37:57 GMT Welcome to the re-launch of This Is Roberto Carlos Territory, a weekly column that is exclusive to thefootballforums.com. Each week, this column will... Welcome to the re-launch of This Is Roberto Carlos Territory, a weekly column that is exclusive to thefootballforums.com. Each week, this column will pick up on talking points from the past week in football, along with looking forward to potential fixtures and games over the coming days. Those of you who hear about this column via my other article, Interfering With Play, on PESGaming.com will be familiar with my writing style and prose, but those new to this column might need brief fill-in. All the opinions expressed within this column are my personal ones, and in no way reflect the views of the footballforums.com community or indeed its webmasters and moderators. This column ran for an introductory period towards the end of last year, and following feedback and market research, the format has slightly changed. Instead of producing topical paragraphs, a bullet point format will be used to express a great deal of points within a short space of time. If any of these points interest you, or fill you with the urge to get in contact, you can do so either by clicking the comments button at the bottom of the article, or by e-mailing me direct. The address is at the bottom of this piece. I will try to e-mail back, but all messages will be read and incorporated into the following weeks column. Finally, I am well aware that thefootballforums.com is a young community, meaning there is still few members but plenty of room for growth. If you enjoy this column, please join the forums and get involved, or recommend it to an online friend. I really hope we can reach other 250 active forum members by the end of June, which I believe is a very realistic target for six months. Anyway, on to the first column of 2009, and some points that will hopefully get you talking.

·The Gambler. With the transfer speculation surrounding Manchester City heating up, it is of great interest to me that Mark Hughes is willing to pay over the odds for Roque Santa Cruz. The fee Blackburn are demanding is in excess of £12 million, which is an awful lot for a striker that has had one good season in the Premier League, and failed to really enforce himself on when playing in a top side like Bayern Munich. I am not for one second saying Santa Cruz is a bad player, because I do rate him, and it is perfectly understandable the Hughes would wish to turn to a player he knows well and believes he can get the best from, however spending silly money on the striker is just going to make everyone add an extra £5 million to every Man City transfer bid in future, and this is something which definitely lacks business sense. I have very little doubt Santa Cruz will move on, and hope for Manchester City’s sake he is a success, but feel a player whose career stats read 31 goals in 155 games prior to joining Blackburn is a considerable gamble at such a fee.

·Stick To The Stuff You Know. Staying with Manchester City, two players who would be seen as decent signings would be Scott Parker and Craig Bellamy. Both players know the Premier League inside out, have been involved at both ends of the table and have already played for members of the ‘Big Four’. Bellamy does posses a questionable temperament but that has been less of an issue as he as matured as a player, and both have considerable talent and offer something different to the current Man City crop. With Wayne Bridge’s capture also meeting criteria of Premier League experience, Mark Hughes is showing a fairly decent level of common sense within the majority of his acquisition. The flip side of this may be that Hughes may simply not be a big enough name in management to acquire some of the superstars the papers and fans would like to see at the club.

·The Real Thing. I personally thought the transfer window was designed to stop players doing business and unsettling players for the majority of the season, yet Real Madrid signed both Huntelaar and Lassana Diarra during the so called inactive period. Granted the players have been unable to move to the club until January, but even announcing them as Real Madrid players would be seen as slightly unethical by many. If the window is in place, surely it is there for a reason, and no deals should be announced outside its barriers, to stop players becoming unsettled.

·Championship Gold. As a Wolves fan, the Coca Cola Championship table makes pretty decent reading. Even when Wolves gained promotion a few seasons ago, it was done via a scrappy play off entry and this is the first time in recent memory we are actually showing a bit of quality. With that said, the teams surrounding Wolves, namely Birmingham and Reading are both more than capable of knocking us off our perch, and the importance of winning games in the winter months is more evident than ever. And with teams like Burnley and Sheffield United showing decent form and building momentum, the promotion places and playoff spots promise to be as closely contested as ever. The quality of football may be a far step away from that played in the top flight of English football, but the passion, entertainment value and unpredictable nature of the league makes it as enjoyable as any in Europe, especially when you have a team involved.

·Making You Mind Up. This column comes on the back of some pretty incredible comments just been made by Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez regarding Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. The majority of newspapers will be picking up the story over the next day or so, and hopefully Ferguson’s reactions will be well documented as well. Instead of merely analysing every segment of Rafa’s rant, I am just going to question his need to even say anything in the first place. Kevin Keegan fell foul to Sir Alex’s mind games in the past, with only Mourinho and Wenger showing enough cool to cope with the verbal battles and win the title in the past decade. Liverpool are currently a fair way ahead of United, and therefore concentrating on that lead should be their only priority. Man United are not playing well, and have to win games to have a chance of catching up with Liverpool. Benitez has proven today that Sir Alex can get to him, and that weapon may become one of the most deadly in the United manager’s repertoire over the upcoming months, especially when March 14th comes along.

·Cup Tied. Another excellent weekend of FA Cup fixtures saw the usual plucky performances by lower league teams against top opposition. Whilst to some it may seem patronising that a side one division below are Premier League team are considered such massive underdogs, the fact of the matter is the gulf in quality between the majority of sides in both divisions is huge. That is proven by the number of sides that fall straight back down after going up, and sides like West Brom, who walked the Championship last year, struggling in the top flight. The FA Cup is a great equaliser though, and no matter how the media like to spin its loss of magic, there is no denying as a competition it’s one of the trophies players want on their CV.

That’s it for this week. Hopefully the new format is easy enough to read and you may have read something here, which provokes you to get in touch. As I said, please join up the forums, and bookmark this site if you have enjoyed reading this column. I will write a new article every Friday afternoon, so feel free to return every week! danbolas@hotmail.com is the place you can e-mail me if you have a topic you would like to discuss, or simply post your own topic on the forum, for instant public interaction.

Thanks For Reading ]]> danbolas http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=13 http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=12 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:43:48 GMT *Give Me A Chance!?!?* In the light of todays news that Paul Ince has been removed of his position as manager of Blackburn Rovers, I have started... Give Me A Chance!?!?

In the light of todays news that Paul Ince has been removed of his position as manager of Blackburn Rovers, I have started to think if manages will begin to think the stress of working in the Premiership is too much.

I have a strong admiration for Ince, he is an honest guy who was not ashamed to take his first job in the lower leagues. He was very successful at Macclesfield and that success continued at MK Dons. It was only a matter of time before he moved on to bigger things, and after many rumours, he took over at Blackburn.

Unfortunately things have not gone right for Ince at Blackburn. He was in charge of a team that finished 7th (I think) last season under Mark Hughes. They lost a top player in David Bentley, but it is essentially the same team.

I dont think it was a case of him not being ready for the top flight. He proved he can do the job at Macclesfield and MKD, the only difference here being the stress and strain of the Premiership. Managers are under so much pressure in the top flight, especially this season when the league is developing into the closest contest for many years.

A guy with the mental strenght of Roy Keane has already walked away, not because of his ability but because he had had enough of the constant scrutiny he was under. Paul Ince has tried at failed, whos next? Both these guys are young homegrown mangers (yes i know Keane is Irish but that counts for me), I would hate it if they disappeared off the football radar. ]]> GCotter http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=12 http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=11 Fri, 28 Nov 2008 16:50:33 GMT Welcome to this weeks column. Due to currently suffering from one heck of a sore throat and headache, the time I can spend staring at a computer... Welcome to this weeks column. Due to currently suffering from one heck of a sore throat and headache, the time I can spend staring at a computer screen is very much limited. Therefore this week’s article will be a tad on the short side. I will be back to my free flowing, long columns next week. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

“Life Is Full, Of Surprises”

Having sat down to watch Portsmouth play the game of their lives against a pretty much full strength AC Milan side on Thursday, I must admit I was surprised with the performance that Pompey displayed. I actually do rate Portsmouth as a side, and feel that with Defoe and Campbell playing, the result may have actually gone the Premier League side’s way, but the game proved an excellent point that once again the League has more than four decent teams within its ranks. It has been spoken by many commentators that the Italian and Spanish leagues have a stronger depth to them that the English one, yet AC Milan, one of the greatest European sides of all time were taken right to the wire by a mid table Premier League side. Factors such as weather and conditions may be looked upon for the reasoning behind the result, but the fact remains that a 2-2 draw was still a mighty fine score line from Portsmouth’s point of view, and a huge hats off should be sent in their direction. Tony Adams still has a lot of work to do if he ever comes close to matching Harry’s achievements at Fratton Park, but the performance turned in by what was a less than full strength Portsmouth side is one which will hopefully send the former Arsenal centre back on a path to managerial success.

“I’m Like A Bird”

One player who currently seems like money well spent this season is the sulk, Nicholas Anelka. Irrelevant of personal opinions of the player, there is no denying that his goal scoring record is one of the best in club football, and not always playing for fashionable or attacking sides makes this feat even more impressive. When a teenager at Arsenal, Anelka was arguably the hottest property within world football, his pace and clinical attitude in front of goal made him a crucial part of their 2007-08 championship winning season, and the truth being that if he had the attitude of staying at a club, or any loyalty, there is a very good chance Thierry Henry never would have happened for the Gunners. His reputation as a sulk may have made him less fashionable within the footballing world, but Chelsea taking a ‘gamble’ on the player, who when on form is a dangerous as any striker in world football has proven to be an exceptionally successful one! Averaging pretty much a goal a game, keeping Drogba out the starting eleven and bringing a great deal more to the team’s overall play than he gets credit for, the press coverage and media attention that should be being heaped upon Anelka is somewhat surprisingly missing. At 29 years old, and with a couple of good seasons left within him at least, the best piece of business done by Chelsea, lost within the big European acquisitions, could well be the deal to bring the Frenchman from Bolton. Providing he stays happy and sulk free, he could be the one to fire Chelsea to domestic and European success for a few seasons to come.

As I mentioned, due to illness, this column is a great deal shorter than my usual offering. You can get in touch via comments, on the forums or simply via e-mail, danbolas@hotmail.com is the appropriate address.

Thanks for Reading ]]> danbolas http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=11 http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=10 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:24:09 GMT Welcome to This Is Roberto Carlos Territory. Each week, this column discusses the latest topics from the football world, some mainstream, and some... Welcome to This Is Roberto Carlos Territory. Each week, this column discusses the latest topics from the football world, some mainstream, and some slightly less orthodox. With this column having been a regular occurrence for the past month of thefootballforums.com, I am hoping it is starting to find a number of regular readers, and hopefully those individuals will start registering, participating in comments and on the forums. A big talking point of this week has involved comments made by William Gallas, but seeing as I have focussed a great deal of attention towards the Gunners over the past couple of weeks, I will leave someone on the forums to run with that story. So lets get going.

‘My Favourite Waste Of Time’

Apparently, the media had been dubbing the international friendlies in midweek a waste of time, although I didn’t read too much about this within the actual build up to the Germany game. My biggest complaint about international matches is that is causes the domestic leagues to miss out on a week or two of action, which means no top flight live football of TV and no highlights shows to warrant discussion in pubs and offices all over the country. With England performing well under Capello, to the extent where we have 20 players fighting for those 11 starting places, and the results flowing quite comfortably, perhaps a game against a German side (albeit a weakened one themselves) was just what the doctor ordered to install some confidence into the majority of squad players that turn up every international match and proceed to warm the bench. The journey to Germany was a lot less taxing than the majority of Champions League away day trips that the modern top players have to contend with, and with the bulk of the players who travelled returning unscathed and brimming with self belief, it was a game that has reaped benefits on all fronts.

Two points spring to mind though, which have been raised in particular following the game against Germany, either of which would welcome your input of views on. The first is the ‘unfortunate’ Scott Carson. I am not one for jumping on a bandwagon following an error made by a player, nor am I totally blaming Carson for the goal. Terry is an experienced centre back who should have hit row Q with the clearance, on a night where the defence as a whole were exceptionally solid. I just feel that Scott Carson is far from ready to be playing international football, and in his two appearances of note for his country, has had a couple of howlers which probably wouldn’t be tolerated at schoolboy level. Looking at the clubs in the Premier League, only seven of these teams field a regular first choice goalkeeper who is English. In my opinion, Carson would fall into the bottom three of that seven, having been rejected by both Liverpool and Aston Villa, who opted to bring in technically better keepers from elsewhere. With James and Robinson to one side, players like Hart, Green and Kirkland are all more than capable of playing international football, with the latter two of the three playing a huge part in keeping their respective sides in the division! I appreciate that injuries may have played a part within this selection, and it is unfortunate that it happened to Carson again, but at what point do these unfortunate errors start being crucial mistakes, and should anything happen to whoever is first choice goalkeeper in 2010, providing England get there, would you feel comfortable seeing Scott Carson donning the sticks for an important knock out game? I know I wouldn’t. If you’re a Villa, WBA or Charlton fan, and have seen Carson on a regular basis, your views would be greatly appreciated.

My second point is regarding Micah Richards. This time last year, it seemed Richards was the future of English defending. His sheer physical form coupled with unbelievable pace made him a key part of Manchester City’s defence and his England performances at right back showed incredible maturity and confidence, both at the back and going forwards. Under McClaren, he was seen as one of the top performers and was deemed hot property within the English game. Nowadays, in spite of still showing decent form at a indifferent Man City, he is struggling to get a substitute appearance for the under 21 squad, never mind the first team, with Championship players seemingly ahead in the pecking order. It was stated that Capello prefers more defensively minded full backs, his justification for playing Wes Brown in that position, and although Glen Johnson has been performing well for Portsmouth over the past few weeks, his defensive game is far from perfect, and Richards would have seemingly been the ideal man to play on Wednesday night. If anyone could shed any light on this issue, it would be greatly appreciated. I do understand Richards is a young man with hopefully a great deal of footballing miles left on his engine, but at some stage, that engine has to start running! Comments or e-mails in the usual way.

‘Sound Of The Underground’

The quality of Sky Sports TV presentation puts the rivals to shame. There is very little doubt about this. Everything from the on screen graphical display, the camera angles and the highlights coverage is streets ahead. Although I enjoy Match Of The Day, and Gary Lineker’s tongue in cheek presenting style, the shoddy, none live commentary is both embarrassing and at times irrelevant. ITV fairs no better, with a punditry panel that is simply a collection of ex players who simply can’t get work elsewhere, and this is no more apparent than when England are playing. The quality provided by the likes of Martin Tyler, Andy Gray and even supporting cast members like Alan Smith is obvious, and it is a poor display by the free to air TV channels, which seem content to fall behind. My question here is simple, of all those TV pundits, commentators and analysts, who is the worse? Is it David Pleat, with his nonsense ramblings about something he has just said five minutes ago, or perhaps its Mark Lawrenson, with his ever-colourful “sense of humour”? Real easy one to get involved with this week, so if your interested in putting your two cents in, do so via comment, or simply start a topic on the forum!

Slightly shorter column this week. Its good to see a number of other columns are starting to pop up and hopefully they will begin to receive some support over the next few days. The difference sometimes between a columnist carrying on and packing in is the feedback he or she receives, and a simple comment, positive or negative, lets them know they are being heard. I’ll be here next week, whatever happens! danbolas@hotmail.com is the place to direct your e-mails to, or alternatively hit pack on a comment. Also, please add thefootballforums.com to your sigs on any forums you currently post on. We will hopefully have some made to order banners available over the next few weeks, with custom ones available on request, for those who are willing to lend a hand promoting and supporting this site.

Thanks for Reading ]]> danbolas http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=10 http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=9 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:00:35 GMT This is my first blog ever. Been around reading peoples for a long time, and now that I have to sit behind a computer every day, I figured this would... This is my first blog ever. Been around reading peoples for a long time, and now that I have to sit behind a computer every day, I figured this would be a good way to keep the originality flowing.

I know I might be behind the times these days but I just got done reading Keane's book about his days as a Manchester Legend. As a blues fan, I'd generally have to just hate him, but as a fan of the sport in general I have no choice but enjoy him. He plays my style of football: 18-to-18, hard working, and demands the best from everyone.

Nowadays when I see him on the Sunderland bench I feel bad for him and good for him at the same time. Good for him becuase I think he'll be an excellent coach, and to start with he deserves a side like sunderland because he needs to learn the hard way. He needs to instill discipline in that side and inspire them every day. The likes of diouf and such aren't going to go out and fight everyday if they don't know they have their coach's full support. I think he has done a great job getting the best out of a pretty sub standard team. I'm pretty worried that they will get relegated this year, but it's very early in the year and the bottom 10 teams are split up by 3 points or so. Anything can happen at this point.

I feel bad for the guy because he has to coach such a sub standard team. I feel like he understands all the tactics and strategies to play every team, but sometimes that just not enough especially when your tactics are geared towards highly talented teams (like the one he played on). I worry that he is trying to use tactics that his team just aren't capable of becuase they don't have the talent of teams like the big four and maybe even Villa (on a good day).

Only time will tell with him, and I don't think it's a stretch to say that he's going to replace ferguson when he leaves (especially with his trusty assistant having moved to portugal). As a blues fan I hope this doesn't happen because i think he is just the type of motivator that can step right into Ferguson's shoes. Truth be told though, I don't see Ferguson leaving Trafford for at least four more years, or until ronaldo leaves. As of now, I couldn't be happier with Chelseas being ahead 8 points (game in hand).

Stay tuned for the next article on Man U having to come from 3-4 games in hand and 20 points back. ]]> Mr. Mark http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=9 http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=8 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:41:36 GMT Welcome to this week’s article. On a quick tribute to the IWP / PESGaming.com posters, I appreciate your support spending your time helping out this... Welcome to this week’s article. On a quick tribute to the IWP / PESGaming.com posters, I appreciate your support spending your time helping out this new venture. I personally post a weekly column, with others responsible for designing and editing the site. Please feel free to comment on anything your read, and also, if you have something you want to talk about, get it off your chest within the forums. Whether it’s a personal opinion, or a talking point between you and your mates down the pub, by turning it towards a potentially worldwide audience, this issue can be discussed on a greater scale. I know those who post regularly on IWP are not shy of getting there voices heard, so whatever your team, whatever your views, get in touch and make yourself known.

“Up For The Cup”

I am starting this week with a topic that has been a huge talking point over the past few years, the league cup. Now known commercially as the Carling Cup, the competition has received some bad press from some sections of the media as not being taken seriously by the bigger clubs in the country, with them fielding ‘weakened’ teams in the tournament. There are two completely conflicting schools of thought on this subject, which I would like to mention, with the ultimate end decision going to you guys out there.

Nowadays, the fixture schedule is as busy as it ever has been. With nearly half of the Premier League being involved in some sort of European football competition before Christmas, along with the muddled fixture list to accommodate the number of TV broadcasters paying huge amounts to other clubs, the bigger sides need to give their star players rest bite in-between the hectic footballing week, especially playing on a lower quality surface could aggravate a niggling injury. With the FA Cup not involving any of the top teams until after January, by which time the European competitions have broken up, and international matches are put on hold, the Carling cup is an ideal opportunity to field these ‘weakened sides’, with the attitude that getting knocked out would only act as another few days rest or spent working on the more important league matches. This can be coupled with the lower league sides, which not only have more fixtures to cram in from their leagues, but also have to take part in the regional Johnson’s Paint trophy, and play first/second round FA Cup matches as well as compete in another, larger cup competition. With the bigger sides reluctant to field their strongest sides, the lure of a Premier League team going to a League Two team may not be enough to entice the locals, and the matches would not be as profitable as they would if they were an FA Cup match, resulting in a greater risk (both to the players confidence and physical states) being posed in these games. If both tears of the footballing world seem these matches as less important that other games, surely the competition itself could be seen as pointless, and its presence not missed in the yearly footballing calendar.

With that said, and the ‘lack of importance’ the competition is adjudged to hold, you only need to look at the winners from the past 4 years to appreciate exactly how the bigger clubs see it. It may simply prove that sides like Chelsea and Manchester United have an exceptionally strong reserve set up, being able to field weaker sides and still brush aside the opposition. But anyone who watched the final last year, between Chelsea and Tottenham would be hard pressed to deny that those two clubs cared about that match! In fact, as both a spectacle and an atmosphere, the game was better than the FA Cup Final, and this is the case for the majority of Carling Cup finals when compared with their FA Cup counterparts (Excluding Liverpool v West Ham, of course!) At the end of the day, it’s a trophy that can be won, a place in European football that can be earned, and the opportunity to take part against a variety of sides that play a different style and tempo to that of those within your own league. This week has produced a couple of outstanding televised matches, and the spirit of the competition for the two north London clubs in particular is very much alive, as I am pretty sure it is for the fans of Burnley!

So I will leave it open to thefootballforums.com public; are you a fan of the Carling Cup? Is it one competition too many in an already hectic footballing calendar? Or is it a desirable trophy for any time, irrelevant of stature? Your views can be left in the form of comments, or e-mailed to me for publishing in next week’s column.

“Backed Against The Wall”

I have received a few comments and e-mails regarding my comments made about Arsenal last week, in particular that they didn’t have enough to win the Premier League this season. Since writing those words, we have seen them play one of the best games of football of the season so far against Manchester United, and then field a virtually unchanged team and outclass a Premier League outfit in the form of Wigan in the Carling Cup. Time for me to eat my words? Or time for me to stick by my convictions?

Well it’s a little from each camp, if I am perfectly honest. I think like most fans of football, I am a huge admirer of the way Arsenal play the game. Rarely a wasted pass or a long ball, Arsene Wenger has not only created a team, but he has created a culture by which the Arsenal side play, and have played for the past 8 years or so. When asked which Premier League team I follow, I openly admit Arsenal, and I look forward to viewing them on TV or on highlights shows, and I think Wenger is a genius, for the simple reason he has managed to keep his job for as long as he has in such a cut throat industry.

But my view remains the same, without the styles of players Arsenal lack, they will always struggle to win major competitions, in particular the Premier League and Champions League. Sides that come up against them, and destroy their style of play directly goes against the Wenger mantra, but they don’t really have a plan B, or an alternative way of mixing it up. Before, they have had players like Adams, Keown, Petit, Viera and to a lesser extent Gilberto Silva, who would put their foot in and take a yellow card in order to mix up a game, which whether is right or wrong, plays a huge part in title winning sides. It may be that as some of these players mature, they will begin to add this two their game, but at the moment, the image of the Stoke City game sits clearly in my mind, saying more about Arsenal’s title chances than the United game did. On their day, they are quite simply unbeatable, and the FA Cup or Carling Cup is definitely well within their due restriction this year, for the simple reason that in the one off game, there are few better. But when it comes to grinding out results and winning scrappy games, I still feel they are a few players off. I am sure most of the Arsenal fans will disagree, and for what its worth I hope they do win something major this year, proving me wrong that playing beautiful football wins in the end, but the truth is much harsher, and I feel for the fans that may have to suffer another 3rd/4th place finish and another exodus of talent in the summer.

“Relegate, Good Times, Come On”

Simple little point here, and an easy one for people to get involved in, who is going down this season? With so many teams tight at the bottom, and no dead wood like Derby were last year, all 3 relegation spots are potentially ‘up for grabs’. Teams like Stoke and Hull were favourites to sink yet have brought different styles of football that many weren’t expecting, and have reaped success as a result. Always ‘struggling’ sides such as Fulham and Wigan have added genuine goal scorers to their sides (Johnson and Zaki), which is always important when push comes to shove. Whilst teams like Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion are playing very decent football, yet are not managing to grind out the points their performances deserve. It’s a total open question, and I ask for all who read to give their opinion, with reasons if you so see fit!

That’s all I have time for this week. A busy weekend both personally and footballer wise waits, and I look forward to both in equal measure. Feel free to express views on anything you have read here, either via e-mail on danbolas@hotmail.com or in a simple comment. It’s a new site, with new readers every day, so get your views in to inspire another to join! If you, yourself are a new reader, feel free to check on previous editions of this blog, as there are a couple of features that you may wish to be involved with!

Thanks for Reading ]]> danbolas http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=8 http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=7 Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:37:46 GMT This Is Roberto Carlos Territory. With the site currently going through a period of growth, I am fully aware that the lack of replies and... This Is Roberto Carlos Territory. With the site currently going through a period of growth, I am fully aware that the lack of replies and communication is down to the lack of human’s actually reading the site! Therefore, I you have read something you enjoyed, disagreed with, found funny or made you angry, please get in touch, or leave a post about said subject on the forum. As I have said for the last few weeks, I have a number of totally unique ideas for this site, and would love to have some people I at the beginning to look back and thank when its all a huge success! The PR machine will begin to also roll into action over the next few weeks, so anyone who is a dab hand at creating banners, video highlights packages or other interesting pieces that could be used to promote the site, make your self known either via e-mail or Windows Messenger, as I am online throughout the day. Lets get started.

‘ What’s Crawled Up Your Arsenal?’

Only a few weeks ago, following the Carling Cup demolition of Sheffield United, everyone was quick to heap praise upon Arsenal and Mr. Wenger. The side, whose average age was something in the region of 21 years old, played with considerable maturity and showed good signs for the future for all Arsenal fans, and indeed neutrals that enjoy watching attacking, free flowing football. Since then, defeats against Hull at home and Stoke away as well as pride booting drawn against Spurs has suddenly seen Arsene’s policy on transfers brought into question, and the quality of the individuals at the club put into doubt. Opinions seem to be unanimous that the goalkeeper isn’t good enough, that Gallas isn’t a captain and that the lack of a ball winner in midfield all equate to the downfall, and Wenger’s list of constant excuses is starting to fall upon deaf ears.

I am personally a great admirer of what Wenger has done at Arsenal. Being one of the first foreign managers of Premier League club, and entering a high profile job always is tricky, but to do it as a relative unknown within this country made the appointment even more perplexing. In his early days, every player he purchased seemed to become a gold mine, both in ability and in the sell on factor. Players like Overmars, Petit and Anelka all had great seasons with the Gunners before being sold on at a healthy profit, and their replacements were issued to be young, hungry, but also equally talented. The Henry, Pires and Ljungberg generation came and won titles, going undefeated but most importantly, played breathe taking football throughout. The problem has stemmed from Arsene not buying that next batch of young and hungry players. Both Hleb and Rosicky showed brilliance in parts, but with the former being sold on for the aforementioned profit and the latter exceptionally injury prone, the other players just aren’t there to cover. The natural replacement for Gilberto Silva, Flamini was let go for nothing, a mistake that Arsenal fans could see to be costly and was replaced by youth, not experience. It would hurt the pride of the fans and Wenger to see Arsenal as a feeder club for bigger sides over Europe, but this is the way they are heading, with Fabregas and Adebayor close to leaving in the summer, and interest sure to be directed towards Nasri, Van Persie and Walcott should another trophy-less season occur.

On their day, Arsenal are devastating, and could pass round 22 players never mind 11, but without a leader and a ball winner, they won’t have possession to do so. Gone are the Viera and Campbell characters that did the job in their title winning campaigns and again they are replaced by inexperience, players like Djourou and Denilson, who quite simply lack the experience and ability to boss a match. Following failures in the English transfer market, most noticeably Jeffers and Richard Wright, Wenger has done all his major dealings with foreign clubs, but now might be the time to look within the UK. A passionate centre back like Steven Taylor, or a grafting midfielder like Reo Coker would fit the bill nicely, not maybe those personally, but the style of player that would allow the others around them to create the brilliance they can provide.

Finally I return to my original point about the youth showing huge amounts of potential. In 2003, which was just before Arsenal had the undefeated season, my side Wolves played the Arsenal ‘youngsters’ in a Carling Cup match. Wolves went on to be promoted that season, but Arsenal thrashed us 5-1, in a similar vain to the way they did Sheffield United this campaign. Of that young side, only Fabregas and Clichy are still at the club, with players like Bentley, Aliadiere and Hoyte all being allowed to leave for relatively small fees. That ‘reserve’ side also featured players like Kanu and Wiltord, established internationals who could be brought off the bench for the first team to change a game. This year’s generation have no such luxury, and whilst the potential is there, the blend needs to be mixed with experience, something that unfortunately for Mr. Wenger, he will have to buy. Arsenal fans, or anyone with an opinion, feel free to get in touch.

‘Flick The Switch’

Good to see everyone’s favourite roll model Joey Barton is back to his old self against Aston Villa on Monday night. I appreciate it was something that was really a none event, but when the telescope is on you, every action becomes enlarged, and unfortunately, Joey is now walking an even finer line that he was a couple of weeks ago. We are watching, and I am sure, judging by Barton’s personality, he won’t disappoint.

‘Money Money Money’

I read this week that John Arne Riise; former Liverpool favourite has had to file for bankruptcy. Those familiar with the player may know that whilst at Liverpool, a copy of his payslip had fallen into media hands, revealing he earned a tidy £139,634 a month. So what would be the averge 5 year earnings for a regualr English household was not enough to keep the Norwegian left back on a monthly basis. The loss of reality doesn’t stop there. Recently, Matthew Etherington of West Ham United was reported to have stacked up £800,000 worth of gambling debts and required help from his club to keep his creditors at bay. In the current economic climate, which sees job losses and repossessions a realistic threat for many families, the proof that footballers are out of touch with the working class could not be more obvious.

The final nail in the coffin goes the way of TV pundit Stan Collymore. The player who had the potential to win games by himself and score wonderful goals on a regular basis made a fair amount of money in his short, wasted career which saw him play for many top flight clubs. Over the last few weeks though, Mr. Collymore has won a court case to the sum of £1.5 million pounds, because he was given bad financial advice and lost his savings. To me, and I am sure many of you out there, this is typical of the blame culture we live in, everything is someone elses fault, and someone should pay. However, as Stan provides his insight on the UEFA cup and BBC radio, I am sure the rest of us will be pleased he has that £1.5 million, just to fall back on!

That’s your lot for this week. Reach me via the forum, I read the majority of the latest posts on there, so any topics you want to raise can be done so in public. If you’re a bit more shy, maybe have a lot to write, or just want to express a topic for next weeks column, feel free to reach me on danbolas@hotmail.com. The same is for Windows Messenger.

Thanks for Reading ]]> danbolas http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=7 http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=6 Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:52:00 GMT Welcome to this week’s column. As always, I will be taking a look at some of the talking points from the previous week’s footballing news, as well as... Welcome to this week’s column. As always, I will be taking a look at some of the talking points from the previous week’s footballing news, as well as starting what will hopefully prove to be a couple of discussion topics for future weeks. If you are reading or visiting the site for the first time, I urge you to take a few minutes and reply to something you have read on here, be it in agreement or in opposition of any of the raised subjects. Alternatively, you can bring up your own discussion topics that can be talked about in later weeks. As with any community column, this piece relies heavily on its contributors, and getting involved is the only way to help it grow.

Harry Potter and The Lure Of The Big Time

Maybe a bit of an obvious starting topic, but 7 days ago it would have seemed almost ludicrous to imagine. Harry Redknapp moving up to London to take control of Tottenham Hotspur and the following matches see Spurs perform well, play good football, and pick up more points than they did in the first few months of the season under Ramos. GCotter pretty much echoes my own personal views on Harry’s situation when it comes to why he left, and they can be found on the forums here, but I will reiterate these points for anyone who hasn’t read these yet.

In the mod to late nineties, Portsmouth were a struggling ‘Division One’ side, that every year, seemed to survive with weeks to spare thanks to playing unfashionable football and scrapping results. Whilst always having exceptionally loyal support showing die-hard commitment to the cause, it was seen among those outside the Premier League that Pompey were one bad season away from slipping into lower league obscurity. They did have some decent seasons, but were never seen as a popular side or even one that was capable of playing decent football. Harry Redknapp arriving in the earlier 21st century coincided with the club having some solid financial backing from chairman Milan Mandarić, and Redknapp brought in players of quality that could influence football matches. Players like Merson and Prosinecki brought much needed class to the side, and thanks to Harry;s know how in the transfer market, the club brought a number of players when in the Premier League to help keep them up there.

At the time of Harry leaving, the club are seen as a established Premier League outfit, with arguably two of the best English strikers available, who when playing well are a constant threat. This is coupled with Harry bringing in quality Premier League stars (Distin, James, Campbell) along with young and hungry talent (Johnson, Kranjaer, Utaka) which results in a squad in healthy shape. Tony Adams, the man taking over has been left a group of players more than capable of holding their own in the top flight and as long as he manages correctly, Portsmouth will a top flight outfit for years to come.

Harry has left for the lure of the big time, his one opportunity to prove himself not just as a domestic manager, but as a top European one as well. Perhaps the England job was the one he really wanted, but a big London club, a media-dubbed sleeping giant is the next best thing. Harry is an ambitious individual, a trait that has aided him greatly when it comes to taking Portsmouth to their current level, and whilst questions will always be asked about a manager leaving to pursue a career at another club of similar rank, the Portsmouth fans should be looking back on the Redknapp area with gratitude and thanks as opposed to disloyalty and anger. The time Harry Redknapp spent at Portsmouth has been beneficial to all parties, now it’s the opportunity to see if Harry can work his magic over White Hart Lane. If you are a Portsmouth fan or have any views on this, feel free to vent them in the comments section of this article.

Unsung Hero: Number One

As a regular, not weekly, feature, I am running the opportunity for fans to give their praise to an unsung hero, be they at their club or just in football in general. It could be your teams rock solid centre back, who plays no matter how injured or fatigued they are and always performs well. It could be your journeyman midfielder, who week in week out dies for the cause and give 100% when everyone else is drained. It really is an open situation. As I said, its an unsung hero, so there is no place for the Ronaldo and Torres in this section, just the regular players who turn performances in, and don’t get the credit they deserve. If you have a nomination for this feature, feel free to write it down and send it via e-mail, to the address at the end of the article. A description of this player would also be appreciated, along with what they mean to your club.

As I am a Wolves fan, I think its only fair I start the ball rolling with a player who I feel is very much under appreciated within our side, Karl Henry. Those of you who follow the Championship may already know that over the first few months of the season, Wolves have been the form side. Playing attractive football, scoring goals and even grafting out results away from home have started to become the norm, and players like Ebanks Blake and Kightly are starting to attract big club attention along with the headlines. But Henry, who is captaining the side at the moment, is the glue to holds all these flair players together. Last season, he was target of the boo boys at Molinuex and instead of letting it effect his game negatively, he buckled down to what he does well, the 5 yard passes and the crucial interceptions, in other words the dirty work. This season, its much of the same, and whilst the papers and press aren’t singing his praises, a Wolves side without him holding things together is a much easier side to play against. He is not a holding midfielder, but plays box to box, always puts in a shift and rarely makes mistakes, the sign of a crucial cog in any successful machine. Karl Henry is my unsung hero for Wolves. If you have one, e-mail can be sent to the address below.

That’s you lot for this week. As numbers start to pick up on the site, and the forum starts to become a beehive of interaction, there are a number of quizzes, games and challenges I have lined up which are sure to get people involved, and may even be too much for some to handle. danbolas@hotmail.com is the e-mail address to get in touch, about anything you have read here, or just football related. Please include an appropriate subject heading to avoid being treated as junk mail.

Thanks for Reading ]]> danbolas http://www.thefootballforums.com/index.php/blog.php?b=6