It has been a pretty good year for me football-wise so what better way to end it then with a run down of some of the best moments...
1. Daggers 3 Rotherham 2 League Two Play Off Final May.
Does football get any better then this? To see the Daggers get into the league three years ago was unreal but this was something else. Not only was it one of the most exciting games I have ever seen but it included great goals from Benno and Greeny plus a winner from Nursey right in front of our end! Not only the highlight of 2010 but quiet possibly my greatest football memory of all time!
2. Sheffield Wednesday 2 Daggers 0 League One August.
Okay so not the result we wanted for our debut in League One but everything else about the day was magical. For me it was my first experience of the press box, covering the match for the official Daggers website, and that just was the icing on the cake. Overall we gave a good account of ourselves but to just see the Daggers play at a ground like Hillsborough in a league fixture was just amazing.
3. Carlisle 0 Daggers 2 League One December.
After a tough start to the season this game saw our young side come of age. A terrific
performance from start to finish and it was the day we finally looked like a bone-fida League One side. Late goals from Medy Elito and Greeny sealed the win but we could have scored four or five in our best performance of the year.
4. Daggers 6 Morecambe 0 League Two Play Off Semi Final 1st Leg May.
Not even the most optimistic of Daggers fans could have predicted this as we gave one of our greatest ever performances in front of the live TV cameras. It is a day Josh Scott will never forget as his 4 goals made the difference and virtually sealed our place at Wembley. Not a bad way to end our home fixtures for the season!
5. Hull 1 Arsenal 2 Premier League March.
A dramatic injury time winner from Nicklas Bendtner sent us top of the table and made us all believe we could win the title. In truth it was not the greatest performance against the ten men of Hull, who would go on to be relegated, but there is very little that can beat scoring a last gasp winner at your end! It proved to be a false dawn though as within three weeks the dream was over...but it was fun while it lasted!
6. Morecambe 2 Daggers 1 League Two Play off Semi Final 2nd Leg May.
Another defeat but almost the perfect night as we booked our place at Wembley. It was also the last ever match at Morecambe's Christie Park ground and the scenes on the pitch at the end, as we celebrated reaching the final and they said farewell to their old home, will stay with me forever. With the job done in the first leg it was a match I was more then happy to lose and was pleased when their last minute winner went in.
7. Arsenal 4 Bolton Wanderers 2 Premier League January.
We needed to win by two clear goals to go top but it was not looking likely when Bolton led 2-0 in the opening twenty minutes. However Tomas Rosicky pulled one back just before the break and that changed everything. Second half goals from Cesc and the Verminator put us in front and the night was sealed by a late Andrey Arshavin goal that sent us, briefly at least, to the top. Well worth the long journey down even if I did miss the last train back and did not get home until 5am!
8. Arsenal 0 Newcastle 1 Premier League November.
It might seem strange to include a drab home defeat in my best of the year but for me it was one the highlights, my first experience of the Emirates press box! The whole day, except the result, was amazing and even now I can't quiet believe I spoke to Arsene Wenger! Amazing!
9. Darlington 0 Daggers 2 League Two May.
After missing out on the play offs on the final day last year I was taking nothing for granted against the worst side in the league. In the end it was not a great game but we got the job done thanks to a goal in each half from Nursey and Josh Scott while Robbo's dancing at the end capped a great day! Yes, we were finally in the play offs...
10. Darlington RA 3 Deneside WMC 3 Over 40's League Division Three May.
A little self indulgence to finish with. I scored a late goal, putting us 3-2 up in this exciting draw, just two weeks after my father had passed away, and I have to say I have never felt more emotional on a football pitch. It would have been perfect had my goal been the winner that sealed our promotion but they equalised in the dying moments. However the point was enough for us to clinch the final promotion place anyway so it was a fitting tribute to my dad, who had always said I should forget football and use my time more wisely!
So that's it, my best football moments from 2010. Here's to more of the same in 2011...
Thursday 30 December 2010
All change for Arsenal as late Squillaci own goal denies them a place at the top
WIGAN ATHLETIC 2 ARSENAL 2
by Ricky Butler from the DW Stadium
Arsenal blew the chance to go level on points with both Manchester clubs at the top of the table as a late own goal from French defender Sebastien Squillaci gave ten man Wigan a surprise point from a thrilling encounter at the DW Stadium last night.
With the Gunners seemingly in control thanks to fine strikes from Andrey Arshavin and Nicklas Bendtner just before the break, the hosts found themselves reduced to ten men when Charles N'Zogbia head-butted Jack Wilshere in an off-the-ball incident twelve minutes from time.
That appeared to have put the seal on an important win for Wenger's side but they almost immediately switched off from a Ben Watson corner and Squillaci headed the ball into his own net in a desperate attempt to stop Gary Caldwell scoring.
Wenger had made eight changes from the side that had beaten Chelsea in such impressive style just two nights earlier and it led to a disjointed opening from his side. Hugo Rodellega should have give the hosts an early lead following an inviting left wing cross from Manchester United loanee Tom Cleverley but the Honduran was unable to get his head to the ball when any contact would surely have been enough to beat Lukasz Fabianski.
But slowly the Gunners settled into their passing rhythm and Arshavin fired over from 10 yards after stand-in skipper Tomas Rosicky had picked him out with a fine cross-field pass, while the Russian then saw a volley blocked by home defender Ronnie Stam.
However it was the Latics who went in front in controversial fashion after seventeen minutes. Referee Lee Probert ruled that Laurent Koscienly had clipped the heels of N'Zogbia just inside the area and pointed to the spot, although the Arsenal defender appeared to have pulled out of the challenge at the last minute. But Watson was unconcerned about the legitimacy of the award and coolly drilled the kick into the bottom left-hand corner of the net to leave Arsenal with it all to do.
But they responded in the manner of a side who believe they can win the title. Despite having to reorganise when Abu Diaby limped off inside half an hour they showed their class with two goals of real quaility before the break. Arshavin, who had seen very little go right for him until then, scored with a spectacular scissors kick after Wigan keeper Ali El Habsi had pushed out a shot from Bendtner, while the Dane then slotted home with half time approaching after great build up play from the rejuvenated little Russian.
Arsenal looked in total control for much of the second period and they should have sealed the points twenty minutes from time. A lovely move ended with substitute Wilshere putting Arshavin clear inside the Wigan penalty area with a beautiful clipped pass but the Russian's left footed finish was weak and El Habsi was able to block.
It looked to be a crucial miss when N'Zogbia burst into the Gunners area five minutes later but Fabianski stood firm to deny him while Squillaci then cleared the lose ball off the goalline. However N'Zogbia then showed the other side of his game with a needless butt on Wilshere, after the two had clashed near the halfway line, and the hosts had to try to get back in the game with a one man disadvantage.
But just two minutes later they did just that. Rodellega headed a corner from Watson back across the face of the goal and Squillaci got the final touch ahead of Caldwell to send the DW wild.
Wenger immediately threw on Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott in a desperate attempt to rescue the situation and it almost paid off in the closing stages. Bendtner was brought down on the edge of the area by Antolin Alcaraz and Nasri's free kick appeared to be deflected behind by the raised arm of Watson. However Probert was unimpressed and merely awarded a corner meaning the Gunners had to settle for just a point when they know they should have left with all three.
Wenger was far from happy at the end. 'We were 2-1 up playing against ten men and we dropped two points. Overall, it was a difficult game with high levels of commitment from Wigan. They caught us a bit at the start but after that we came back into it a little bit. In the second half we didn’t do enough and we conceded two goals from two set pieces.' he said.
When asked about the eight team changes he responded by saying 'We had a disadvantage that Wigan played three days ago and only 48 hours ago we played a big game in the evening. I had to change it because we play on Saturday and again on Wednesday so we can't always play with the same team. But I don’t think that was a problem at all.'
It was a case of deja-vu for the Frenchman after he had seen his side's title challenge come to end here in April when they threw away a two goal lead in the last ten minutes. Whether this will prove quiet as fatal remains to be seen but unless the Gunners can learn to defend set pieces with more conviction the ultimate prize may well escape them again.
WIGAN ATHLETIC; El Habsi 8, Stam 7 (Figeroua 75mins 6), Caldwell 7, Alcaraz 6, Gohouri 7, Cleverley 8, Diame 6 (McArthur 73mins 7), Watson 8, Thomas 7, Rodellega 7, N'Zogbia 8.
ARSENAL; Fabianski 7, Sagna 7, Koscielny 5, Squillaci 6, Eboue 7, Diaby 7 (Wilshere 27mins 7) (Walcott 83mns 6), Denilson 6, Rosicky 7, Bendtner 7, Chamakh 6, Arshavin 6 (Nasri 83mins 7).
Referee; Lee Probert 7.
Attendance; 17,014.
by Ricky Butler from the DW Stadium
Arsenal blew the chance to go level on points with both Manchester clubs at the top of the table as a late own goal from French defender Sebastien Squillaci gave ten man Wigan a surprise point from a thrilling encounter at the DW Stadium last night.
With the Gunners seemingly in control thanks to fine strikes from Andrey Arshavin and Nicklas Bendtner just before the break, the hosts found themselves reduced to ten men when Charles N'Zogbia head-butted Jack Wilshere in an off-the-ball incident twelve minutes from time.
That appeared to have put the seal on an important win for Wenger's side but they almost immediately switched off from a Ben Watson corner and Squillaci headed the ball into his own net in a desperate attempt to stop Gary Caldwell scoring.
Wenger had made eight changes from the side that had beaten Chelsea in such impressive style just two nights earlier and it led to a disjointed opening from his side. Hugo Rodellega should have give the hosts an early lead following an inviting left wing cross from Manchester United loanee Tom Cleverley but the Honduran was unable to get his head to the ball when any contact would surely have been enough to beat Lukasz Fabianski.
But slowly the Gunners settled into their passing rhythm and Arshavin fired over from 10 yards after stand-in skipper Tomas Rosicky had picked him out with a fine cross-field pass, while the Russian then saw a volley blocked by home defender Ronnie Stam.
However it was the Latics who went in front in controversial fashion after seventeen minutes. Referee Lee Probert ruled that Laurent Koscienly had clipped the heels of N'Zogbia just inside the area and pointed to the spot, although the Arsenal defender appeared to have pulled out of the challenge at the last minute. But Watson was unconcerned about the legitimacy of the award and coolly drilled the kick into the bottom left-hand corner of the net to leave Arsenal with it all to do.
But they responded in the manner of a side who believe they can win the title. Despite having to reorganise when Abu Diaby limped off inside half an hour they showed their class with two goals of real quaility before the break. Arshavin, who had seen very little go right for him until then, scored with a spectacular scissors kick after Wigan keeper Ali El Habsi had pushed out a shot from Bendtner, while the Dane then slotted home with half time approaching after great build up play from the rejuvenated little Russian.
Arsenal looked in total control for much of the second period and they should have sealed the points twenty minutes from time. A lovely move ended with substitute Wilshere putting Arshavin clear inside the Wigan penalty area with a beautiful clipped pass but the Russian's left footed finish was weak and El Habsi was able to block.
It looked to be a crucial miss when N'Zogbia burst into the Gunners area five minutes later but Fabianski stood firm to deny him while Squillaci then cleared the lose ball off the goalline. However N'Zogbia then showed the other side of his game with a needless butt on Wilshere, after the two had clashed near the halfway line, and the hosts had to try to get back in the game with a one man disadvantage.
But just two minutes later they did just that. Rodellega headed a corner from Watson back across the face of the goal and Squillaci got the final touch ahead of Caldwell to send the DW wild.
Wenger immediately threw on Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott in a desperate attempt to rescue the situation and it almost paid off in the closing stages. Bendtner was brought down on the edge of the area by Antolin Alcaraz and Nasri's free kick appeared to be deflected behind by the raised arm of Watson. However Probert was unimpressed and merely awarded a corner meaning the Gunners had to settle for just a point when they know they should have left with all three.
Wenger was far from happy at the end. 'We were 2-1 up playing against ten men and we dropped two points. Overall, it was a difficult game with high levels of commitment from Wigan. They caught us a bit at the start but after that we came back into it a little bit. In the second half we didn’t do enough and we conceded two goals from two set pieces.' he said.
When asked about the eight team changes he responded by saying 'We had a disadvantage that Wigan played three days ago and only 48 hours ago we played a big game in the evening. I had to change it because we play on Saturday and again on Wednesday so we can't always play with the same team. But I don’t think that was a problem at all.'
It was a case of deja-vu for the Frenchman after he had seen his side's title challenge come to end here in April when they threw away a two goal lead in the last ten minutes. Whether this will prove quiet as fatal remains to be seen but unless the Gunners can learn to defend set pieces with more conviction the ultimate prize may well escape them again.
WIGAN ATHLETIC; El Habsi 8, Stam 7 (Figeroua 75mins 6), Caldwell 7, Alcaraz 6, Gohouri 7, Cleverley 8, Diame 6 (McArthur 73mins 7), Watson 8, Thomas 7, Rodellega 7, N'Zogbia 8.
ARSENAL; Fabianski 7, Sagna 7, Koscielny 5, Squillaci 6, Eboue 7, Diaby 7 (Wilshere 27mins 7) (Walcott 83mns 6), Denilson 6, Rosicky 7, Bendtner 7, Chamakh 6, Arshavin 6 (Nasri 83mins 7).
Referee; Lee Probert 7.
Attendance; 17,014.
Tuesday 28 December 2010
Not Alotti Christmas cheer for Chelsea
ARSENAL 3 CHELSEA 1
by Ricky Butler at The Emirates
Arsenal piled more pressure on Carlo Ancelotti as three goals in a devastating nine minute spell either side of the break saw the Gunners re-ignite their title charge in emphatic style at The Emirates last night.
Having lost the previous five meetings between the sides, Arsene Wenger had stated how important it was for his team to put in a big performance against one of their title rivals, and his young guns did not disappoint.
With the threat of Didier Drogba looming large the Gunners boss added the physical presence of Swiss international Johan Djourou to his defence in a bid to nullify the Ivorian and it could not have worked out any better.
Apart from an early chance, where the Chelsea front man dragged a shot wide from the edge of the area after just seven minutes, he never looked like adding to his 13 goals against Wenger's side and they were finally able to end the champions hoodoo over them.
After a low-key opening 20 minutes, in which both sides appeared weighed down by the tension of the occasion, Arsenal soon grabbed the initiative. Samir Nasri was inches away from breaking the deadlock five minutes before the interval with an audacious chip from the edge of the area that Petr Cech was only just able to tip over the bar with a strong left hand. But the Gunners did get the reward they deserved in the final minute of the half.
Alex Song played the ball into Jack Wilshere just inside the Chelsea penalty area and he in turn rolled it into the path of the rampaging Cesc Fabregas. The Arsenal skipper appeared to be pulled down by Branislav Ivanovic as he was about to burst clear but referee Mark Clattenberg allowed play to continue and Song was able to sweep the ball past Cech with an emphatic left footed finish from 15 yards.
Just like at Tottenham a fortnight earlier, Ancelotti made a change at the break - with Ramires again replacing the ineffective John-Obi Mikel - but it was the Gunners who took control at the start of the second period.
Wenger had said how important the opening goal would be and he was proved right as Arsenal scored twice more in quick succession within seven minutes of the restart, although the Blues were the architects of their own downfall.
Michael Essien was forced into a mistake by Robin van Persie, recalled to the starting line up in place of Marouane Chamakh, and Theo Walcott found himself one-on-one with Cech. The England winger could probably have gone for goal himself but he unselfishly squared the ball for Fabregas to roll into the empty net instead.
Two minutes later it was game over. Walcott robbed Flaurent Malouda on half way and Fabregas returned the compliment with a neat ball over the top for the 21-year old to drill first time into the far corner of the net.
It was looking set to be a rout at this stage as the champions were all over the place but the Gunners defensive frailties reared their head again just seven minutes later. Drogba floated an inviting free kick into the Gunners six-yard box and Ivanovic got the wrong side of Laurent Koscienly to head past Lukasz Fabianski from close range.
With more then half an hour still to play there was plenty of time for the visitors to get back into it but Arsenal never really looked in trouble after that and Nasri should have made it safe for them in the 68th minute.
Substitute Gael Kakuta's weak back header only presented the ball to the in-form Frenchman but his attempted flick lacked the necessary power and Cech was able to save with ease.
So, after a long wait to beat one of the big two at home, Wenger was understandably full of praise for his young side. '"It was a disciplined and mature performance against a good Chelsea team. They worked for each other for the entire 90 minutes and we always looked sharp and determined to get the job done." he said.
Meanwhile Ancelotti was damning of his own sides efforts. He said: "We need to wake up as were sleeping on occasions. It is difficult to understand what has gone wrong but we need to change our attitude immediately. It was a good response from us at 3-0 but it was not good enough."
Roman Abramovich is not known for his patience and with Chelsea now outside the top four the future of the Italian at Stamford Bridge is now hanging very much in the balance.
In contrast, things could not be better at The Emirates. A late Birmingham equaliser against Manchester United means the Gunners will go level on points at the top should they win at Wigan tomorrow night and with a Carling Cup semi final to come in the New Year, maybe that long wait for some silverware is about to be over.
ARSENAL; Fabianski 7, Sagna 8, Koscienly 6, Djourou 9, Clichy 7, Song 8, Fabregas 8 (Rosicky 88mins 6), Nasri 7, Walcott 8 (Diaby 73mins 7), van Persie 8 (Chamakh 76mins 7), Wilshere 8.
CHELSEA; Cech 7, Ferreira 6 (Boswinga 60mins 6), Ivanovic 6, Terry 6, Cole 6, Essien 5, Mikel 4 (Ramires 46mins 6), Lampard 6, Kalou 5, Drogba 5, Malouda 5 (Kakuta 56mins 6).
REFEREE; Mark Clattenberg 7
ATTENDANCE; 60,112
by Ricky Butler at The Emirates
Arsenal piled more pressure on Carlo Ancelotti as three goals in a devastating nine minute spell either side of the break saw the Gunners re-ignite their title charge in emphatic style at The Emirates last night.
Having lost the previous five meetings between the sides, Arsene Wenger had stated how important it was for his team to put in a big performance against one of their title rivals, and his young guns did not disappoint.
With the threat of Didier Drogba looming large the Gunners boss added the physical presence of Swiss international Johan Djourou to his defence in a bid to nullify the Ivorian and it could not have worked out any better.
Apart from an early chance, where the Chelsea front man dragged a shot wide from the edge of the area after just seven minutes, he never looked like adding to his 13 goals against Wenger's side and they were finally able to end the champions hoodoo over them.
After a low-key opening 20 minutes, in which both sides appeared weighed down by the tension of the occasion, Arsenal soon grabbed the initiative. Samir Nasri was inches away from breaking the deadlock five minutes before the interval with an audacious chip from the edge of the area that Petr Cech was only just able to tip over the bar with a strong left hand. But the Gunners did get the reward they deserved in the final minute of the half.
Alex Song played the ball into Jack Wilshere just inside the Chelsea penalty area and he in turn rolled it into the path of the rampaging Cesc Fabregas. The Arsenal skipper appeared to be pulled down by Branislav Ivanovic as he was about to burst clear but referee Mark Clattenberg allowed play to continue and Song was able to sweep the ball past Cech with an emphatic left footed finish from 15 yards.
Just like at Tottenham a fortnight earlier, Ancelotti made a change at the break - with Ramires again replacing the ineffective John-Obi Mikel - but it was the Gunners who took control at the start of the second period.
Wenger had said how important the opening goal would be and he was proved right as Arsenal scored twice more in quick succession within seven minutes of the restart, although the Blues were the architects of their own downfall.
Michael Essien was forced into a mistake by Robin van Persie, recalled to the starting line up in place of Marouane Chamakh, and Theo Walcott found himself one-on-one with Cech. The England winger could probably have gone for goal himself but he unselfishly squared the ball for Fabregas to roll into the empty net instead.
Two minutes later it was game over. Walcott robbed Flaurent Malouda on half way and Fabregas returned the compliment with a neat ball over the top for the 21-year old to drill first time into the far corner of the net.
It was looking set to be a rout at this stage as the champions were all over the place but the Gunners defensive frailties reared their head again just seven minutes later. Drogba floated an inviting free kick into the Gunners six-yard box and Ivanovic got the wrong side of Laurent Koscienly to head past Lukasz Fabianski from close range.
With more then half an hour still to play there was plenty of time for the visitors to get back into it but Arsenal never really looked in trouble after that and Nasri should have made it safe for them in the 68th minute.
Substitute Gael Kakuta's weak back header only presented the ball to the in-form Frenchman but his attempted flick lacked the necessary power and Cech was able to save with ease.
So, after a long wait to beat one of the big two at home, Wenger was understandably full of praise for his young side. '"It was a disciplined and mature performance against a good Chelsea team. They worked for each other for the entire 90 minutes and we always looked sharp and determined to get the job done." he said.
Meanwhile Ancelotti was damning of his own sides efforts. He said: "We need to wake up as were sleeping on occasions. It is difficult to understand what has gone wrong but we need to change our attitude immediately. It was a good response from us at 3-0 but it was not good enough."
Roman Abramovich is not known for his patience and with Chelsea now outside the top four the future of the Italian at Stamford Bridge is now hanging very much in the balance.
In contrast, things could not be better at The Emirates. A late Birmingham equaliser against Manchester United means the Gunners will go level on points at the top should they win at Wigan tomorrow night and with a Carling Cup semi final to come in the New Year, maybe that long wait for some silverware is about to be over.
ARSENAL; Fabianski 7, Sagna 8, Koscienly 6, Djourou 9, Clichy 7, Song 8, Fabregas 8 (Rosicky 88mins 6), Nasri 7, Walcott 8 (Diaby 73mins 7), van Persie 8 (Chamakh 76mins 7), Wilshere 8.
CHELSEA; Cech 7, Ferreira 6 (Boswinga 60mins 6), Ivanovic 6, Terry 6, Cole 6, Essien 5, Mikel 4 (Ramires 46mins 6), Lampard 6, Kalou 5, Drogba 5, Malouda 5 (Kakuta 56mins 6).
REFEREE; Mark Clattenberg 7
ATTENDANCE; 60,112
Wednesday 22 December 2010
Wenger's frugal approach may just give him the last laugh
Arsene Wenger has said that he does not want to get his club into debt to compete with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea in the transfer market and he should be applauded for such a stance. However he is painted as a villain who lacks ambition in many quarters and that just sums up an attitude that has ruined the once beautiful game over the last few years.
Despite working with a budget far less then all of his main competitors Wenger has managed to keep the club in the top four of the Premier League and reach the latter stages of the Champions League for the last five seasons.
So while City have spent obscene amounts of money trying to break into the top four Wenger has maintained his position while building a talented young side who have been regularly challenging for the major honours.
Of course success is often based on trophies won but that depends on your perspective. The game has changed since Wenger won seven major trophies in his first 8 years at the club and despite not lifting any silverware since 2005 you could not say Arsenal have been unsuccessful.
Consecutive top four finishes, regular title challenges, a Champions League final, a Carling Cup final, numerous cup semi finals and all achieved playing a wonderful brand of attacking football that only Barcelona can match. 99% of clubs in this country would be more then happy with that.
Wenger quickly dismantled the Invincibles team in the wake of a poor showing in the 2005 FA Cup final and replaced them with younger, cheaper talent. Yes the trophies have stopped but while Liverpool have slipped out of the top four Arsenal remain the only serious challengers to Chelsea and Manchester United despite both having spent much more in the transfer market and, crucially, on wages.
Wenger realised early on that with the move to the Emirates looming he was unable to keep up with the spending power of Chelsea under Abramovich, and to a lesser extent United under the Glazers, so he changed his approach. Yes it has meant that titles and cups are now harder to come by but anything he does win in the future will be so much more worthy as he will have built it on the cheap.
With wealthy foreign owners now popping up all over the place it will be even harder for Wenger to maintain the level of results he has enjoyed in recent years, and many fear Arsenal will be left behind, but it would be foolish to write them off just yet. Wenger has faced these challenges head on in the past and he will continue to do so. Splashing the cash does not guarantee success, as we are currently seeing at City, so while others are risking the very future of their clubs Arsenal may just benefit from Wenger's frugal approach when the financial bubble finally bursts. And who will be laughing then??
Despite working with a budget far less then all of his main competitors Wenger has managed to keep the club in the top four of the Premier League and reach the latter stages of the Champions League for the last five seasons.
So while City have spent obscene amounts of money trying to break into the top four Wenger has maintained his position while building a talented young side who have been regularly challenging for the major honours.
Of course success is often based on trophies won but that depends on your perspective. The game has changed since Wenger won seven major trophies in his first 8 years at the club and despite not lifting any silverware since 2005 you could not say Arsenal have been unsuccessful.
Consecutive top four finishes, regular title challenges, a Champions League final, a Carling Cup final, numerous cup semi finals and all achieved playing a wonderful brand of attacking football that only Barcelona can match. 99% of clubs in this country would be more then happy with that.
Wenger quickly dismantled the Invincibles team in the wake of a poor showing in the 2005 FA Cup final and replaced them with younger, cheaper talent. Yes the trophies have stopped but while Liverpool have slipped out of the top four Arsenal remain the only serious challengers to Chelsea and Manchester United despite both having spent much more in the transfer market and, crucially, on wages.
Wenger realised early on that with the move to the Emirates looming he was unable to keep up with the spending power of Chelsea under Abramovich, and to a lesser extent United under the Glazers, so he changed his approach. Yes it has meant that titles and cups are now harder to come by but anything he does win in the future will be so much more worthy as he will have built it on the cheap.
With wealthy foreign owners now popping up all over the place it will be even harder for Wenger to maintain the level of results he has enjoyed in recent years, and many fear Arsenal will be left behind, but it would be foolish to write them off just yet. Wenger has faced these challenges head on in the past and he will continue to do so. Splashing the cash does not guarantee success, as we are currently seeing at City, so while others are risking the very future of their clubs Arsenal may just benefit from Wenger's frugal approach when the financial bubble finally bursts. And who will be laughing then??
Saturday 18 December 2010
Big Four to Average Six?
I remember the good old days (well 6-7 years ago anyway!) when the matches between Arsenal and Manchester United were always THE matches of the season. Apart from going along way to deciding the destination of the title they were always incident packed games that lived long in the memory.
Who can forget the infamous match at Old Trafford in 2003 where van Nistelrooy blasted a last minute penalty against the bar before being set upon by Keown and Parlour? Or a year later when United brought an end to Arsenal's record-breaking 49 match unbeaten run where pizza was allegedly thrown at Sir Alec? Or the tunnel incident involving Vieira and Keane at Highbury in 2005?
Of course there were many others in the period between 1998-2005 and I am sure you all have your own favourite memories from the matches that really encapsulated all that was great about the Premier League.
However last week at Old Trafford we saw the end of an era. Yes, the clubs are currently occupying the top two places in the Premier League, but that is where the similarities end. In short the game on Monday was awful. Two once great teams stripped of all the style and charisma that made these matches extra special. A drab game that was even lacking in controversy. The biggest talking points were probably Rooney missing a second half penalty and a total lack of attacking ideas from either side. Not exactly a glowing tribute to the game in this country was it?
Of course United won to reclaim top spot ahead of Arsenal, but if these two really are the best we have to offer then the game in this country has far greater problems then we first thought. Both suffered early Champions League exits last season and I can see a similar scenario again this time. Neither are in the same class as Barca, Real or Bayern, and Chelsea are not much better either. In fact if recent form is anything to go on then they are even worse, but I guess we will find out over the next week or so as their next two games are against...United and Arsenal!
Don't expect fireworks though. Be prepared for more dross where not losing is more important then trying to win, and all the managers involved will consider a draw a decent result. As much as I detest Mourinho and everything he stands for, at least he has some charisma and does try to win games by whatever means necessary.
So the 'Big Four' is no more and what are we left with? An 'Average Six?' The great players like Ronaldo, Henry, Alonso and Robben have all left and been replaced by the likes of Nani, Arshavin, Maxi Rodriguez and Anelka. Our league has gone from the best in the world to a pale shadow of its former glories and if you need further evidence of how far that decline has come then just watch a re-run of Monday nights game at Old Trafford...
Who can forget the infamous match at Old Trafford in 2003 where van Nistelrooy blasted a last minute penalty against the bar before being set upon by Keown and Parlour? Or a year later when United brought an end to Arsenal's record-breaking 49 match unbeaten run where pizza was allegedly thrown at Sir Alec? Or the tunnel incident involving Vieira and Keane at Highbury in 2005?
Of course there were many others in the period between 1998-2005 and I am sure you all have your own favourite memories from the matches that really encapsulated all that was great about the Premier League.
However last week at Old Trafford we saw the end of an era. Yes, the clubs are currently occupying the top two places in the Premier League, but that is where the similarities end. In short the game on Monday was awful. Two once great teams stripped of all the style and charisma that made these matches extra special. A drab game that was even lacking in controversy. The biggest talking points were probably Rooney missing a second half penalty and a total lack of attacking ideas from either side. Not exactly a glowing tribute to the game in this country was it?
Of course United won to reclaim top spot ahead of Arsenal, but if these two really are the best we have to offer then the game in this country has far greater problems then we first thought. Both suffered early Champions League exits last season and I can see a similar scenario again this time. Neither are in the same class as Barca, Real or Bayern, and Chelsea are not much better either. In fact if recent form is anything to go on then they are even worse, but I guess we will find out over the next week or so as their next two games are against...United and Arsenal!
Don't expect fireworks though. Be prepared for more dross where not losing is more important then trying to win, and all the managers involved will consider a draw a decent result. As much as I detest Mourinho and everything he stands for, at least he has some charisma and does try to win games by whatever means necessary.
So the 'Big Four' is no more and what are we left with? An 'Average Six?' The great players like Ronaldo, Henry, Alonso and Robben have all left and been replaced by the likes of Nani, Arshavin, Maxi Rodriguez and Anelka. Our league has gone from the best in the world to a pale shadow of its former glories and if you need further evidence of how far that decline has come then just watch a re-run of Monday nights game at Old Trafford...
In praise of local grassroots football.
While most people sing the praises of the Premier League, the Football League and even the Blue Square League, I would like to highlight the joys of my passion; local, grassroots football.
Every weekend between August and May thousands of young men and women are playing football, not for money or fame but for the shear enjoyment of the game. The facilities are often terrible but nothing stops them doing the thing they love.
But its not just about the players. For every squad of 15 there are another 3-4 people behind the scenes making it happen. The secretary, the treasurer, the manager, the kit washer. These people do these jobs for nothing and quiet often get nothing but grief for their trouble, yet without them there would be no match at the weekend.
Then you have the people who run and organise the leagues. Again without them there would be no matches. These are not paid six figure salaries like their counterparts at the FA. No, these guys do it for nothing except a love of the beautiful game. And most of them do a far better job then those at the top level...
Of course even with all that in place there is still one thing missing; the referee. There has been a fall in the number of officials in local football over the last 15 years and it has led to many leagues not being able to continue, and if you have ever witnessed a match at the local park it is easy to see why.
Paid only expenses, often something like £20 a match, these guys take all manner of stick off the players and officials of the clubs and have been threatened, and even worse, attacked, just for doing a job no one else wants to do. Is it any wonder the game is struggling to attract new referees?
Now I have been involved in local football for the best part of 25 years and I know how frustrating it is when they make mistakes but, along with the other guys I have already mentioned, without them there would no match.
So, these are the people that make it happen but what about the games themselves? Well I have to be honest and say it is often far more enjoyable then the football you see on the TV these days. Yes, the skill level is nowhere near as high but for entertainment value you cannot beat it. 0-0 draws are a rarity and in fact most games have something like 4-5 goals each minimum. Mistakes are prevalent but that simply adds to the fun!
I watch a lot of local football for my job with the local newspaper and very rarely do I come away from a game disappointed. I have seen some great goals, some great players and I have also had many laughs. The own goals, the fights, the goalkeepers who can't catch the ball, the referees who never leave the centre circle...this is what real football is about, not the pampered, watered down version you see on the TV. No need for video replays here, no rolling around on the floor pretending to be injured, no imaginary yellow cards being waved. None of that would not be tolerated.
So next time you are at a loose end on a Saturday afternoon or a Sunday morning instead of staying in and watching Sky take a trip to your local park and see some real people enjoying the beautiful game as it was intended all those years ago. Believe me you'll be glad you did...
Every weekend between August and May thousands of young men and women are playing football, not for money or fame but for the shear enjoyment of the game. The facilities are often terrible but nothing stops them doing the thing they love.
But its not just about the players. For every squad of 15 there are another 3-4 people behind the scenes making it happen. The secretary, the treasurer, the manager, the kit washer. These people do these jobs for nothing and quiet often get nothing but grief for their trouble, yet without them there would be no match at the weekend.
Then you have the people who run and organise the leagues. Again without them there would be no matches. These are not paid six figure salaries like their counterparts at the FA. No, these guys do it for nothing except a love of the beautiful game. And most of them do a far better job then those at the top level...
Of course even with all that in place there is still one thing missing; the referee. There has been a fall in the number of officials in local football over the last 15 years and it has led to many leagues not being able to continue, and if you have ever witnessed a match at the local park it is easy to see why.
Paid only expenses, often something like £20 a match, these guys take all manner of stick off the players and officials of the clubs and have been threatened, and even worse, attacked, just for doing a job no one else wants to do. Is it any wonder the game is struggling to attract new referees?
Now I have been involved in local football for the best part of 25 years and I know how frustrating it is when they make mistakes but, along with the other guys I have already mentioned, without them there would no match.
So, these are the people that make it happen but what about the games themselves? Well I have to be honest and say it is often far more enjoyable then the football you see on the TV these days. Yes, the skill level is nowhere near as high but for entertainment value you cannot beat it. 0-0 draws are a rarity and in fact most games have something like 4-5 goals each minimum. Mistakes are prevalent but that simply adds to the fun!
I watch a lot of local football for my job with the local newspaper and very rarely do I come away from a game disappointed. I have seen some great goals, some great players and I have also had many laughs. The own goals, the fights, the goalkeepers who can't catch the ball, the referees who never leave the centre circle...this is what real football is about, not the pampered, watered down version you see on the TV. No need for video replays here, no rolling around on the floor pretending to be injured, no imaginary yellow cards being waved. None of that would not be tolerated.
So next time you are at a loose end on a Saturday afternoon or a Sunday morning instead of staying in and watching Sky take a trip to your local park and see some real people enjoying the beautiful game as it was intended all those years ago. Believe me you'll be glad you did...
Sunday 12 December 2010
Carlisle...the greatest away trip of all?
I have been lucky enough to be given the opportunity of reporting on the Dagenham and Redbridge away matches for the official club website this season, and my latest assignment was to cover the trip to Carlisle United on Saturday.
Thankfully for me it was not the 6 hour journey it was for the majority of the 109 Daggers fans who made the trip, so me and my 7 year old son Emerson were able set off from our home in County Durham at midday. An uneventful journey along the A66 saw us pass Junction 43 of the M6 just after 1pm so we decided to carry on up to Gretna for a spot of lunch. Whilst there we went though our usual pre-match routine of predicting the score; I went with a 3-1 Carlisle victory while Emerson was far more confident, going for 2-1 to the Daggers! Now you need to understand that for a 7 year old he does have a happy knack of getting the results right and is usually spot on with the score too. The previous match we had attended together, Arsenal's recent trip to Everton, saw him correctly predict a 2-1 Gunners victory and before that a 2-3 Daggers defeat at Rochdale!
After a nice Scottish lunch we turned around, headed back over the border and were outside Carlisle's Brunton Park ground at 2.15pm, leaving us plenty of time to get prepared for the work ahead.
We picked up my press pass from the main entrance and were let in through a side gate, up a flight of stairs and into the upper tier of the Main Stand where we were shown to our seat. The press box at Carlisle is a tiny affair at the very back of the stand and was fairly cramped, while the view of the pitch was partially obscured by the TV gantry!
As for the ground itself, well it is a strange mixture of old and new. The stand we were in had the old style wooden seats and behind the goal to our right was a covered terrace. Opposite us was a new stand which looked, what we could see of it anyway, to be fairly modern, while behind the other goal was an empty, open terrace with, bizarrely, a small section of white, plastic seats that appeared to serve no purpose whatsoever!
Within five minutes of arriving a lad came round handing out team sheets for the match and asked us if we would like a cup of tea. After boring Emerson with tales of how I had been given free food and drink all day on a recent trip to the press box at Arsenal he was thrilled to be given a free cup of tea of his own this time! And even better, we were asked to put our half time orders in too! Good work Carlisle! The service certainly put bigger clubs like Sheffield Wednesday to shame, even if the facilities were lacking in finesse...
After writing my introduction the teams came out and the action could begin. From our position we could not see the travelling Daggers fans in the corner of the opposite stand, but we could certainly hear them. Emerson noticed that the drum was very much in evidence and he was singing along to himself in time with the beat!
Out on the pitch the Daggers were performing very well. After surviving an early scare, when Robbo made a terrific save to deny their lively No. 14 (Ben Marshall as my team-sheet reliably informed me), we were soon on top and playing some good football. But, in what has become typical of the season to date, we were unable to take any of the good chances we created and it remained 0-0.
Big Bas Savage up front was causing them all sorts of problems but it was wingers Kayleden Brown and Medy Elito who looked the main danger. Both went close to giving us the lead while Romain Vincelot shot into the side netting just before the break. It was not all one way traffic though and they also looked dangerous whenever they went forward, particularly through on-loan Stoke winger Marshall, but at half time we were more then satisfied with what we had seen.
After a quick toilet break we returned to our seat to find our half time cuppa was waiting for us and once again Emerson was chuffed to bits! 'Two free cups' he kept saying.' This is just like you got at The Emirates!'
If we thought the first half was exciting it was nothing compared to the second. The Daggers went close time and time again in a performance that was as good as anything I could ever remember, but still the goal would not come. We could not relax as Marshall forced Robbo into another fine save but as time ticked away we looked the more likely winners.
I thought our chance had gone when defender Will Antwi was just unable to turn a drilled cross from Brown into an unguarded net with fifteen minutes left but that was a mere appetiser for a thrilling conclusion. Now you are meant to be neutral in the press box but when Elito slid in to score from a Brown cross in the 82nd minute we could help but jump out of seat and yell in delight! It led to a few funny looks from around us but we didn't care..what a result this would be!
With time running out Savage decided to play keep-ball down by the corner flag, almost dancing with the ball as Carlisle defenders took turns trying to kick him! It was hilarious to watch and when Brown decided to get involved too it did lead to one or two wild hacks by the frustrated home players.
It would have blown up in our faces had Carlisle equalised but in the end it was us who added a second in the final minute. More great work from Brown, a lovely dummy from Elito and Danny Green finished it all off in style. Even the home fans in the Main Stand applauded in admiration!
Emerson was now desperate for Carlisle to score to make his prediction come true but I was more then happy with the clean sheet and a superb away victory.
All was left now was for the post match interviews, normally fairly boring. John Still was called first and he made his way up to the top of the Main Stand to be interviewed for local radio but it did not quiet go to plan. Midway through the interview and amazing incident occurred when the Carlisle manager came up the stairs to do some work for the press. He was clearly in a bad mood and pushed his way past me and Emerson before just barging past John, knocking his headphones clean off his head! John was shocked and asked him, 'What are you doing?' but his Carlisle counterpart just turned and said 'Well you should have got out the way then...' John was now raging. 'Well I would have done if you'd f**king asked me!' he said. Who said press conferences were boring?
After finishing his interview John noticed that Emerson had witnessed the whole incident and came over to shake his hand. 'Sorry young man.' he said, 'I apologise for swearing.' Emerson just nodded his head and smiled.
We then followed John down to the changing room area and Emerson was about to walk straight in when he was stopped by a steward. 'I want to see the dancing man' he protested!
First out was Mark Arber and he was led back up to the stand to do an interview. While he was waiting he said hello to Emerson, who could have said anything, in reply but went with 'Have you got gel in your hair?' Arbs just laughed and said, 'Yes!'
I had a little chat to him about the team performance, and he said it was the best of the season, while also saying that he was not looking forward to the 6 hour trip home! He was then kind enough to have his picture taken with Emerson which brought a great end to a great day.
Following the Daggers has not always been easy this season but it is days like this that make it all worthwhile, and we now can't wait to do it again with the trip to Walsall just after Christmas. Wonder what fun and games that will have in store for us??
Thankfully for me it was not the 6 hour journey it was for the majority of the 109 Daggers fans who made the trip, so me and my 7 year old son Emerson were able set off from our home in County Durham at midday. An uneventful journey along the A66 saw us pass Junction 43 of the M6 just after 1pm so we decided to carry on up to Gretna for a spot of lunch. Whilst there we went though our usual pre-match routine of predicting the score; I went with a 3-1 Carlisle victory while Emerson was far more confident, going for 2-1 to the Daggers! Now you need to understand that for a 7 year old he does have a happy knack of getting the results right and is usually spot on with the score too. The previous match we had attended together, Arsenal's recent trip to Everton, saw him correctly predict a 2-1 Gunners victory and before that a 2-3 Daggers defeat at Rochdale!
After a nice Scottish lunch we turned around, headed back over the border and were outside Carlisle's Brunton Park ground at 2.15pm, leaving us plenty of time to get prepared for the work ahead.
We picked up my press pass from the main entrance and were let in through a side gate, up a flight of stairs and into the upper tier of the Main Stand where we were shown to our seat. The press box at Carlisle is a tiny affair at the very back of the stand and was fairly cramped, while the view of the pitch was partially obscured by the TV gantry!
As for the ground itself, well it is a strange mixture of old and new. The stand we were in had the old style wooden seats and behind the goal to our right was a covered terrace. Opposite us was a new stand which looked, what we could see of it anyway, to be fairly modern, while behind the other goal was an empty, open terrace with, bizarrely, a small section of white, plastic seats that appeared to serve no purpose whatsoever!
Within five minutes of arriving a lad came round handing out team sheets for the match and asked us if we would like a cup of tea. After boring Emerson with tales of how I had been given free food and drink all day on a recent trip to the press box at Arsenal he was thrilled to be given a free cup of tea of his own this time! And even better, we were asked to put our half time orders in too! Good work Carlisle! The service certainly put bigger clubs like Sheffield Wednesday to shame, even if the facilities were lacking in finesse...
After writing my introduction the teams came out and the action could begin. From our position we could not see the travelling Daggers fans in the corner of the opposite stand, but we could certainly hear them. Emerson noticed that the drum was very much in evidence and he was singing along to himself in time with the beat!
Out on the pitch the Daggers were performing very well. After surviving an early scare, when Robbo made a terrific save to deny their lively No. 14 (Ben Marshall as my team-sheet reliably informed me), we were soon on top and playing some good football. But, in what has become typical of the season to date, we were unable to take any of the good chances we created and it remained 0-0.
Big Bas Savage up front was causing them all sorts of problems but it was wingers Kayleden Brown and Medy Elito who looked the main danger. Both went close to giving us the lead while Romain Vincelot shot into the side netting just before the break. It was not all one way traffic though and they also looked dangerous whenever they went forward, particularly through on-loan Stoke winger Marshall, but at half time we were more then satisfied with what we had seen.
After a quick toilet break we returned to our seat to find our half time cuppa was waiting for us and once again Emerson was chuffed to bits! 'Two free cups' he kept saying.' This is just like you got at The Emirates!'
If we thought the first half was exciting it was nothing compared to the second. The Daggers went close time and time again in a performance that was as good as anything I could ever remember, but still the goal would not come. We could not relax as Marshall forced Robbo into another fine save but as time ticked away we looked the more likely winners.
I thought our chance had gone when defender Will Antwi was just unable to turn a drilled cross from Brown into an unguarded net with fifteen minutes left but that was a mere appetiser for a thrilling conclusion. Now you are meant to be neutral in the press box but when Elito slid in to score from a Brown cross in the 82nd minute we could help but jump out of seat and yell in delight! It led to a few funny looks from around us but we didn't care..what a result this would be!
With time running out Savage decided to play keep-ball down by the corner flag, almost dancing with the ball as Carlisle defenders took turns trying to kick him! It was hilarious to watch and when Brown decided to get involved too it did lead to one or two wild hacks by the frustrated home players.
It would have blown up in our faces had Carlisle equalised but in the end it was us who added a second in the final minute. More great work from Brown, a lovely dummy from Elito and Danny Green finished it all off in style. Even the home fans in the Main Stand applauded in admiration!
Emerson was now desperate for Carlisle to score to make his prediction come true but I was more then happy with the clean sheet and a superb away victory.
All was left now was for the post match interviews, normally fairly boring. John Still was called first and he made his way up to the top of the Main Stand to be interviewed for local radio but it did not quiet go to plan. Midway through the interview and amazing incident occurred when the Carlisle manager came up the stairs to do some work for the press. He was clearly in a bad mood and pushed his way past me and Emerson before just barging past John, knocking his headphones clean off his head! John was shocked and asked him, 'What are you doing?' but his Carlisle counterpart just turned and said 'Well you should have got out the way then...' John was now raging. 'Well I would have done if you'd f**king asked me!' he said. Who said press conferences were boring?
After finishing his interview John noticed that Emerson had witnessed the whole incident and came over to shake his hand. 'Sorry young man.' he said, 'I apologise for swearing.' Emerson just nodded his head and smiled.
We then followed John down to the changing room area and Emerson was about to walk straight in when he was stopped by a steward. 'I want to see the dancing man' he protested!
First out was Mark Arber and he was led back up to the stand to do an interview. While he was waiting he said hello to Emerson, who could have said anything, in reply but went with 'Have you got gel in your hair?' Arbs just laughed and said, 'Yes!'
I had a little chat to him about the team performance, and he said it was the best of the season, while also saying that he was not looking forward to the 6 hour trip home! He was then kind enough to have his picture taken with Emerson which brought a great end to a great day.
Following the Daggers has not always been easy this season but it is days like this that make it all worthwhile, and we now can't wait to do it again with the trip to Walsall just after Christmas. Wonder what fun and games that will have in store for us??
Thursday 9 December 2010
Jittery Gunners make it through to last 16
ARSENAL 3 PARTIZAN BELGRADE 1
by Ricky Butler at The Emirates
NERVOUS Arsenal made it through to the last 16 of the Champions League last night but it was hardly a performance to savour on a bitterly cold North London evening.
Needing a win against the whipping boys of Group H to be assured of a place in the knock-out stage, Wenger's men looked edgy from the start and they rarely got into their stride against the hard working but limited Serbians.
In fact with less than 20 minutes remaining, and the game delicately poised at 1-1, qualification was very much in the balance and the crowd were starting to get restless. But cool finishes from substitute Theo Walcott and man-of-the-moment Samir Nasri ensured they extended their Champions League campaign into the spring for the 11th year in a row.
Having opened with three wins and 14 goals, failure to reach the last 16 did not look a possibility for the Gunners when these sides last met in September. But two consecutive away defeats had changed the whole complexion of the group.
Arriving in snow-bound London without a point it would have been a major surprise if the Gunners had not got the result they required against the Serbian league leaders, but if the 58,000 fans who had braved the conditions thought they were in for a repeat of the eleven goals they had put past Braga and Shaktar in their previous home matches in this competition, they were very much mistaken.
A slow start was compounded by an early injury to Kieran Gibbs, who landed awkwardly on his ankle in the 14th minute, and apart from a header from Mauroane Chamakh, which landed on the roof of the net, and a Robin van Persie effort that was prodded wide from close range, Wenger men rarely threatened in the opening half an hour.
But just as the tension was beginning to build amongst The Emirates faithful, Arsenal were given a helping hand. Alex Song's deflected cross from the right found van Persie with his back to goal and as he turned away from Milan Jovanovic the Partizan captain, who had been sent off for conceding a penalty in the first meeting between these sides in September, sent him sprawling.
Although the contact appeared minimal Italian referee Paolo Tagliavento pointed to the spot and the Dutchman, making his first Champions League start for more then a year, confidently drilled the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic.
However the expected floodgates never opened and if anything the visitors seemed to grow in confidence. As their small band of fans in the south-west corner of the stadium began to bounce up and down, to keep warm as much anything else, they were really given something to celebrate with a shock 52nd minute equaliser. Brazilian Cleo found space on the edge of the Gunners penalty area and his shot was sent looping over Lukasz Fabianski via a deflection off the unfortunate Sebastien Squillaci.
Wenger now had the look of a worried man but he quickly sent on Walcott in place of the ineffective Andrey Arshavin and it was a move that paid off in style 17 minutes from time. Bakary Sagna whipped the ball in from the right and, when Aleksander Krstajic could only head it straight to Walcott, the Arsenal substitute showed great composure to control it with his chest before hitting a dipping volley with his right foot that looped into the bottom left hand corner of the net.
The tension suddenly lifted and the hosts finally clicked into gear to score a goal of real quality five minutes later. Song played a neat one-two with substitute Nicolas Bendtner and after side-stepping two challengers he fed Nasri just inside the Partizan area. The Frenchman, who had been relatively quiet up until then, fained to return the pass which created just enough space for him to place a powerful shot beyond Stojkovic to make it 3-1.
But the night ended on a unsavoury note for the Gunners when Sagna was shown a straight red card by Tagliavento for bringing down Alekander Lavevski right on the edge of the area and he will now miss both legs of the next round.
So job done but improvements will be needed if the Gunners are to progress much further, especially as failure to win the group means that either Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Schalke will be awaiting them in draw next Friday.
Wenger said afterwards; "I was never nervous, a little worried yes, but I always felt we would qualify and believed we had the resources to score. It was a low key game and was difficult for us but praise must go to them as they defended very well."
When asked who he would prefer in the next round the Frencchman replied; "There is a 50% chance we will travel to Germany and a 50% chance we will travel to Spain! Barcelona are super favourites at this time but we will see."
ARSENAL; Fabianski 7, SAGNA 7, Koscienly 6, Squillaci 6, Gibbs 6 (Eboue 24mins 7), Nasri 7, Denilson 5, Song 7, Arshavin 5 (Walcott 67mins 7), van Persie 7, Chamakh 6 (Bendtner 76mins 6). Subs not used; Szechezny, Rosicky, Vela, Wilshere.
PARTIZAN BELGRADE; Stojkovic 6, Medo 7, Pertovic 7, Jovanovic 7, Savic 7, Lavevski 6, Krstajic 6, Babovic 6 (Davidov 81mins 6), Cleo 7, Moreira 6, Ilic(S) 7. Subs not used; Ilic(R), Stankovic, Brasanac, Kizito, Iliev, Smiljanic,
REFEREE; Paolo Tagliavento (Italy)
ATTENDANCE; 58,845
by Ricky Butler at The Emirates
NERVOUS Arsenal made it through to the last 16 of the Champions League last night but it was hardly a performance to savour on a bitterly cold North London evening.
Needing a win against the whipping boys of Group H to be assured of a place in the knock-out stage, Wenger's men looked edgy from the start and they rarely got into their stride against the hard working but limited Serbians.
In fact with less than 20 minutes remaining, and the game delicately poised at 1-1, qualification was very much in the balance and the crowd were starting to get restless. But cool finishes from substitute Theo Walcott and man-of-the-moment Samir Nasri ensured they extended their Champions League campaign into the spring for the 11th year in a row.
Having opened with three wins and 14 goals, failure to reach the last 16 did not look a possibility for the Gunners when these sides last met in September. But two consecutive away defeats had changed the whole complexion of the group.
Arriving in snow-bound London without a point it would have been a major surprise if the Gunners had not got the result they required against the Serbian league leaders, but if the 58,000 fans who had braved the conditions thought they were in for a repeat of the eleven goals they had put past Braga and Shaktar in their previous home matches in this competition, they were very much mistaken.
A slow start was compounded by an early injury to Kieran Gibbs, who landed awkwardly on his ankle in the 14th minute, and apart from a header from Mauroane Chamakh, which landed on the roof of the net, and a Robin van Persie effort that was prodded wide from close range, Wenger men rarely threatened in the opening half an hour.
But just as the tension was beginning to build amongst The Emirates faithful, Arsenal were given a helping hand. Alex Song's deflected cross from the right found van Persie with his back to goal and as he turned away from Milan Jovanovic the Partizan captain, who had been sent off for conceding a penalty in the first meeting between these sides in September, sent him sprawling.
Although the contact appeared minimal Italian referee Paolo Tagliavento pointed to the spot and the Dutchman, making his first Champions League start for more then a year, confidently drilled the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic.
However the expected floodgates never opened and if anything the visitors seemed to grow in confidence. As their small band of fans in the south-west corner of the stadium began to bounce up and down, to keep warm as much anything else, they were really given something to celebrate with a shock 52nd minute equaliser. Brazilian Cleo found space on the edge of the Gunners penalty area and his shot was sent looping over Lukasz Fabianski via a deflection off the unfortunate Sebastien Squillaci.
Wenger now had the look of a worried man but he quickly sent on Walcott in place of the ineffective Andrey Arshavin and it was a move that paid off in style 17 minutes from time. Bakary Sagna whipped the ball in from the right and, when Aleksander Krstajic could only head it straight to Walcott, the Arsenal substitute showed great composure to control it with his chest before hitting a dipping volley with his right foot that looped into the bottom left hand corner of the net.
The tension suddenly lifted and the hosts finally clicked into gear to score a goal of real quality five minutes later. Song played a neat one-two with substitute Nicolas Bendtner and after side-stepping two challengers he fed Nasri just inside the Partizan area. The Frenchman, who had been relatively quiet up until then, fained to return the pass which created just enough space for him to place a powerful shot beyond Stojkovic to make it 3-1.
But the night ended on a unsavoury note for the Gunners when Sagna was shown a straight red card by Tagliavento for bringing down Alekander Lavevski right on the edge of the area and he will now miss both legs of the next round.
So job done but improvements will be needed if the Gunners are to progress much further, especially as failure to win the group means that either Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Schalke will be awaiting them in draw next Friday.
Wenger said afterwards; "I was never nervous, a little worried yes, but I always felt we would qualify and believed we had the resources to score. It was a low key game and was difficult for us but praise must go to them as they defended very well."
When asked who he would prefer in the next round the Frencchman replied; "There is a 50% chance we will travel to Germany and a 50% chance we will travel to Spain! Barcelona are super favourites at this time but we will see."
ARSENAL; Fabianski 7, SAGNA 7, Koscienly 6, Squillaci 6, Gibbs 6 (Eboue 24mins 7), Nasri 7, Denilson 5, Song 7, Arshavin 5 (Walcott 67mins 7), van Persie 7, Chamakh 6 (Bendtner 76mins 6). Subs not used; Szechezny, Rosicky, Vela, Wilshere.
PARTIZAN BELGRADE; Stojkovic 6, Medo 7, Pertovic 7, Jovanovic 7, Savic 7, Lavevski 6, Krstajic 6, Babovic 6 (Davidov 81mins 6), Cleo 7, Moreira 6, Ilic(S) 7. Subs not used; Ilic(R), Stankovic, Brasanac, Kizito, Iliev, Smiljanic,
REFEREE; Paolo Tagliavento (Italy)
ATTENDANCE; 58,845
X Factor...Don't believe the hype!
So, the latest series of the X Factor draws to it's long, drawn out conclusion this weekend with the 'Grand Final' and if you believe Simon Cowell you would think it has been the best series yet. However strip away all the hype and what are you actually left with? Some decent-ish karaoke singers and four judges! Oh and Dermot O'Dreary!!
Of course with the final approaching the show has been in the news this week, with beaten semi finalist Mary claiming the voting is rigged. Really?? Now I am one of the shows biggest cynics but even I cannot believe the vote has been fixed. After all the controversy over phone-in competitions in the past I cannot believe that Cowell would run the risk in his biggest show. However if anyone actually thinks the public decides who goes through then think again...
Right from the beginning the producers and the judges had already decided who they wanted to see in the final and they have used the show and the media to influence the public vote. It is exactly the same trick that goes on with shows like Big Brother and I'm A Celebrity. Edited to suit them. Subtle brainwashing of the public to get them to vote the way they want. Throw in a sob story or two, tell everyone certain acts are 'great' or 'fragile', get them in the papers all the time, speak to their ex-partners. All one big trick to manipulate the voting.
Of course Mary was upset she didn't make the final, but there can be no doubt it was the right decision. The one thing she did not have was the X Factor, which is meant to be what the show is about. Yes she could hold a tune, but surely you need something different, something extra, to win the show? At least that is how it should be.
And what was all that about her being an 'ordinary' woman? Why? Because she was overweight and worked in Tescos?? Is Rebecca not just an ordinary girl from Liverpool? Or Cher just an ordinary teenager from Worcestershire? Yet none of the judges ever mentioned that. Yes it was just about the way she looked and if Mary really wanted to be in the final then she had 12 weeks to lose a bit of weight and start looking more like a pop star. But she didn't and got voted off. Now back to the check out you go, unless your job has been taken by someone who has actually turned up for work over the last 12 weeks!
Simon Cowell obviously sees her as the next Susan Boyle, but Boyle (I refuse to call her Su-Bo) was a contestant on Britain's Got Talent not the X Factor, and the two shows are meant to be looking for something completely different. But no doubt Mary will get a recording contract anyway, which defeats the object of the show, when the best she deserves is probably singing on cruise ships...or in her shower!
But back to the actual finalists and the title has to be between Matt and Rebecca. Personally I don't like Rebecca. She is very one dimensional and sounds like her nose is constantly blocked. Plus she is far too similar to last years winner Alexandra Burke and Leona Lewis, who won it three years ago. I want to see something different for a change.
Matt was easily the best in the original auditions but he has suffered in recent weeks with a bad throat and poor song choice. However he has a huge female following so will always pick up plenty of votes. Of the other finalists One Direction surely only appeal to 12 year old girls while Cher is just annoying. The media describe her as a rapper but she clearly is not. Missy Elliot is a rapper not Cher. She is just a bad singer who talks with a snarl! Plus as her only ambition is to become the new Chery Cole she clearly does not deserve to win anything let alone the X Factor!
Talking of the judges how can anyone actually take their comments seriously? Danni?? A singer?? Don't make me laugh. Kylie, yes but not Danni. And as for the aforementioned Cole? Didn't she mime on the X Factor the other week?? Then she didn't want to vote off one of her acts...is that not what she paid an awful lot of money to do?? No credibility at all. And don't even get me started on the 'rows' between Louis and Simon...what a joke that is. No wonder the show has become a parody of itself...
But for family entertainment on a Saturday and Sunday night you have to say it is genius. Like or or hate it, everyone has an opinion on it and no doubt the final will be watched by millions. Yes, enjoy it but don't kid yourself it is a talent show or that you have any say over who wins. The only thing you can be sure of is that the real winners will be Simon Cowell and his cronies...
Of course with the final approaching the show has been in the news this week, with beaten semi finalist Mary claiming the voting is rigged. Really?? Now I am one of the shows biggest cynics but even I cannot believe the vote has been fixed. After all the controversy over phone-in competitions in the past I cannot believe that Cowell would run the risk in his biggest show. However if anyone actually thinks the public decides who goes through then think again...
Right from the beginning the producers and the judges had already decided who they wanted to see in the final and they have used the show and the media to influence the public vote. It is exactly the same trick that goes on with shows like Big Brother and I'm A Celebrity. Edited to suit them. Subtle brainwashing of the public to get them to vote the way they want. Throw in a sob story or two, tell everyone certain acts are 'great' or 'fragile', get them in the papers all the time, speak to their ex-partners. All one big trick to manipulate the voting.
Of course Mary was upset she didn't make the final, but there can be no doubt it was the right decision. The one thing she did not have was the X Factor, which is meant to be what the show is about. Yes she could hold a tune, but surely you need something different, something extra, to win the show? At least that is how it should be.
And what was all that about her being an 'ordinary' woman? Why? Because she was overweight and worked in Tescos?? Is Rebecca not just an ordinary girl from Liverpool? Or Cher just an ordinary teenager from Worcestershire? Yet none of the judges ever mentioned that. Yes it was just about the way she looked and if Mary really wanted to be in the final then she had 12 weeks to lose a bit of weight and start looking more like a pop star. But she didn't and got voted off. Now back to the check out you go, unless your job has been taken by someone who has actually turned up for work over the last 12 weeks!
Simon Cowell obviously sees her as the next Susan Boyle, but Boyle (I refuse to call her Su-Bo) was a contestant on Britain's Got Talent not the X Factor, and the two shows are meant to be looking for something completely different. But no doubt Mary will get a recording contract anyway, which defeats the object of the show, when the best she deserves is probably singing on cruise ships...or in her shower!
But back to the actual finalists and the title has to be between Matt and Rebecca. Personally I don't like Rebecca. She is very one dimensional and sounds like her nose is constantly blocked. Plus she is far too similar to last years winner Alexandra Burke and Leona Lewis, who won it three years ago. I want to see something different for a change.
Matt was easily the best in the original auditions but he has suffered in recent weeks with a bad throat and poor song choice. However he has a huge female following so will always pick up plenty of votes. Of the other finalists One Direction surely only appeal to 12 year old girls while Cher is just annoying. The media describe her as a rapper but she clearly is not. Missy Elliot is a rapper not Cher. She is just a bad singer who talks with a snarl! Plus as her only ambition is to become the new Chery Cole she clearly does not deserve to win anything let alone the X Factor!
Talking of the judges how can anyone actually take their comments seriously? Danni?? A singer?? Don't make me laugh. Kylie, yes but not Danni. And as for the aforementioned Cole? Didn't she mime on the X Factor the other week?? Then she didn't want to vote off one of her acts...is that not what she paid an awful lot of money to do?? No credibility at all. And don't even get me started on the 'rows' between Louis and Simon...what a joke that is. No wonder the show has become a parody of itself...
But for family entertainment on a Saturday and Sunday night you have to say it is genius. Like or or hate it, everyone has an opinion on it and no doubt the final will be watched by millions. Yes, enjoy it but don't kid yourself it is a talent show or that you have any say over who wins. The only thing you can be sure of is that the real winners will be Simon Cowell and his cronies...
Monday 6 December 2010
Hughton sacking defies belief
I was going to write about the up coming final round of Champions League group matches this week but the events at Newcastle United today have taken over the agenda!
Living in the North-East for the past ten years I have developed a soft spot for Newcastle and I was priviliged enough to meet Chris Hughton after their 1-0 win at The Emirates last month. He came across as a thoroughly decent chap and was clearly passionate about the club. But more importantly he had been doing a remarkable job.
When the club were relegated out of the Premier League in May 2009 it was widely expected that they would follow Leeds into oblivion. A once big club in freefall. But Hughton stepped in and despite having no money to spend he not only got the club promoted at the first attempt but won them the Championship.
Back in the Premier League, and still with very little money at his disposal, Hughton kept faith in the players who had won promotion and was rewarded with a solid start to the season. Not only had they enjoyed that fine win 1-0 at Arsenal but had also beaten neighbours Sunderland 5-1 and held champions Chelsea to a 1-1 draw. Meanwhile Andy Carroll was being capped by England as the improvements at the club were being recognised in higher places.
So, despite losing 3-1 at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, a fifth match without a win, the club were lying comfortably in 11th place in the table, far better then even the most passionate Geordie would have predicted back in August.
So why has Hughton been sacked? It just does not make any sense. Rumour has it that owner Mike Ashley had wanted Martin O'Neill in charge for some time and the recent run of results has perhaps forced his hand.
But will O'Neill, or anyone else, do a better job? It seems unlikely. Where does Ashley seriously see the club? Champions League challengers? Top six? Not a chance. Just avoiding the drop would be considered a success and Hughton was going a long way towards achieving that.
We have always known that no manager is safe, with the possible exception of Sir Fergie and Arsene Wenger, but surely you would have expected someone who had saved the club from the abyss to be treated with far more dignity. Hughton certainly deserved that much at least. But with clowns like Ashley running our clubs it seems anything is possible...
Living in the North-East for the past ten years I have developed a soft spot for Newcastle and I was priviliged enough to meet Chris Hughton after their 1-0 win at The Emirates last month. He came across as a thoroughly decent chap and was clearly passionate about the club. But more importantly he had been doing a remarkable job.
When the club were relegated out of the Premier League in May 2009 it was widely expected that they would follow Leeds into oblivion. A once big club in freefall. But Hughton stepped in and despite having no money to spend he not only got the club promoted at the first attempt but won them the Championship.
Back in the Premier League, and still with very little money at his disposal, Hughton kept faith in the players who had won promotion and was rewarded with a solid start to the season. Not only had they enjoyed that fine win 1-0 at Arsenal but had also beaten neighbours Sunderland 5-1 and held champions Chelsea to a 1-1 draw. Meanwhile Andy Carroll was being capped by England as the improvements at the club were being recognised in higher places.
So, despite losing 3-1 at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, a fifth match without a win, the club were lying comfortably in 11th place in the table, far better then even the most passionate Geordie would have predicted back in August.
So why has Hughton been sacked? It just does not make any sense. Rumour has it that owner Mike Ashley had wanted Martin O'Neill in charge for some time and the recent run of results has perhaps forced his hand.
But will O'Neill, or anyone else, do a better job? It seems unlikely. Where does Ashley seriously see the club? Champions League challengers? Top six? Not a chance. Just avoiding the drop would be considered a success and Hughton was going a long way towards achieving that.
We have always known that no manager is safe, with the possible exception of Sir Fergie and Arsene Wenger, but surely you would have expected someone who had saved the club from the abyss to be treated with far more dignity. Hughton certainly deserved that much at least. But with clowns like Ashley running our clubs it seems anything is possible...
Nasri's dancing feet sends Arsenal to the top.
ARSENAL 2 FULHAM 1
by Ricky Butler at The Emirates
TWO moments of magic from in-form Samir Nasri sent Arsenal to the top of the Premier League on Saturday afternoon but it was another worrying home performance from Arsene Wenger's side.
After a bright opening, during which they could have scored three times, the Gunners struggled to break down a determined Fulham and were only spared further home disappointment by the quick feet of Nasri.
The Frenchman skipped past the challenges of Matthew Briggs, Aaron Hughes and Brede Hangeland to smash the ball beyond Mark Schwartzer for a superb 14th minute opener, before grabbing an even better second fifteen minutes from time.
Racing into a pass from substitute Robin van Persie, he wrong-footed John Pansil, rounded the Fulham goalkeeper and pirouetted with the grace of ballet dancer to clip the ball home from the tightest of angles.
But even then the Gunners very nearly blew it. Defender Johan Djourou headed narrowly past his own post, van Persie was forced to clear a header from Zolton Gera off his own goal-line before Lukasz Fabianski kept out another effort from the Hungarian as the hosts suffered a nervous end to what should have been a comfortable afternoon.
The Gunners began with a swagger in their step and they were soon into their slick, passing rhythm. Schwartzer showed exactly why Wenger had pursued him last summer with a fine reaction save to deny the lively Andrey Arshavin inside three minutes while Nasri then poked the ball wide after more clever play from the Russian.
But once in front, Arsenal seemed to be weighed down with tension and they could have fallen behind before the break. The equaliser arrived just past the half hour when the defensive frailties that have blighted their season returned with avengence. Centre backs Laurent Koscienly and Sebastien Squiallci clashed heads as they both went for the same ball and, with the former staggering around in a concussed state, Clint Dempsey threaded a neat pass for Diomansy Kamara to calmly slot beyond Fabianski.
Then, in the final minute of the half, Dickson Etuhu sent the Senegalese striker clear of an awful Arsenal offside trap but the Polish keeper, who has had his fair share of critics, was out quickly to block with his feet.
A goal for Mark Hughes' side right on the stroke of half time might well have knocked the stuffing out of the Gunners but instead they came out for the second half looking to regain their earlier control.
Tomas Rosicky, only in the starting XI due to the absence of skipper Cesc Fabregas, volleyed just wide while Schwartzer then denied Arshavin at the near post after the little Russian had shown neat control inside the Fulham area.
The introduction of substitutes Theo Walcott and van Persie showed Wenger was determined not to drop more points at the once fortress-like Emirates, but just as they looked to have run out of ideas Nasri and his dancing feet came to the rescue.
Hughes was in a philosophical mood at the end. he said: "That is what happens when you play the big sides. They have individuals who can win the game when they are not functioning at their best."
Meanwhile Wenger was relieved to have ended a run of two consecutive home defeats in the Premier League. "We showed quality and resilience. I believe we are capable of going on to win the title but it will be down to consistency. I know we have the desire and spirit to fight all the way for it.," he said.
When questioned about his sides defensive weaknesses, the Frenchman replied. "It's true we looked vulnerable in the air, but I expected us to suffer at corners and in the end we held on."
So maybe not the performance of potential champions, but in a season where none of big names are showing any sort of consistency, it is a win that could prove crucial in the final analysis.
ARSENAL; Fabianski 7, Sagna 6, Koscienly 6 (Djourou 33 mins 7), Squillaci 6, Clichy 6, Wilshere 6 (Walcott 73 mins 6), NASRI 9, Song 7, Rosicky 6 (van Persie 64 mins 7), Chamakh 6, Arshavin 8. Subs not used; Szcezeny, Denilson, Gibbs, Bendtner.
FULHAM; Schwartzer 8, Pansil 5, Hughes 6, Hangeland 7, Briggs 4 (Baird 28 mins 6), Davies 7, Murphy 7 (Johnson(E) 88 mins 5), Etuhu 7, Dempsey 8, Gera 7, Kamara 6 (Johnson(A) 73 mins 6). Subs not used; Stockdale, Kelly, Duff, Greening.
REFEREE; C. Foy 7
ATTENDANCE; 60,049.
by Ricky Butler at The Emirates
TWO moments of magic from in-form Samir Nasri sent Arsenal to the top of the Premier League on Saturday afternoon but it was another worrying home performance from Arsene Wenger's side.
After a bright opening, during which they could have scored three times, the Gunners struggled to break down a determined Fulham and were only spared further home disappointment by the quick feet of Nasri.
The Frenchman skipped past the challenges of Matthew Briggs, Aaron Hughes and Brede Hangeland to smash the ball beyond Mark Schwartzer for a superb 14th minute opener, before grabbing an even better second fifteen minutes from time.
Racing into a pass from substitute Robin van Persie, he wrong-footed John Pansil, rounded the Fulham goalkeeper and pirouetted with the grace of ballet dancer to clip the ball home from the tightest of angles.
But even then the Gunners very nearly blew it. Defender Johan Djourou headed narrowly past his own post, van Persie was forced to clear a header from Zolton Gera off his own goal-line before Lukasz Fabianski kept out another effort from the Hungarian as the hosts suffered a nervous end to what should have been a comfortable afternoon.
The Gunners began with a swagger in their step and they were soon into their slick, passing rhythm. Schwartzer showed exactly why Wenger had pursued him last summer with a fine reaction save to deny the lively Andrey Arshavin inside three minutes while Nasri then poked the ball wide after more clever play from the Russian.
But once in front, Arsenal seemed to be weighed down with tension and they could have fallen behind before the break. The equaliser arrived just past the half hour when the defensive frailties that have blighted their season returned with avengence. Centre backs Laurent Koscienly and Sebastien Squiallci clashed heads as they both went for the same ball and, with the former staggering around in a concussed state, Clint Dempsey threaded a neat pass for Diomansy Kamara to calmly slot beyond Fabianski.
Then, in the final minute of the half, Dickson Etuhu sent the Senegalese striker clear of an awful Arsenal offside trap but the Polish keeper, who has had his fair share of critics, was out quickly to block with his feet.
A goal for Mark Hughes' side right on the stroke of half time might well have knocked the stuffing out of the Gunners but instead they came out for the second half looking to regain their earlier control.
Tomas Rosicky, only in the starting XI due to the absence of skipper Cesc Fabregas, volleyed just wide while Schwartzer then denied Arshavin at the near post after the little Russian had shown neat control inside the Fulham area.
The introduction of substitutes Theo Walcott and van Persie showed Wenger was determined not to drop more points at the once fortress-like Emirates, but just as they looked to have run out of ideas Nasri and his dancing feet came to the rescue.
Hughes was in a philosophical mood at the end. he said: "That is what happens when you play the big sides. They have individuals who can win the game when they are not functioning at their best."
Meanwhile Wenger was relieved to have ended a run of two consecutive home defeats in the Premier League. "We showed quality and resilience. I believe we are capable of going on to win the title but it will be down to consistency. I know we have the desire and spirit to fight all the way for it.," he said.
When questioned about his sides defensive weaknesses, the Frenchman replied. "It's true we looked vulnerable in the air, but I expected us to suffer at corners and in the end we held on."
So maybe not the performance of potential champions, but in a season where none of big names are showing any sort of consistency, it is a win that could prove crucial in the final analysis.
ARSENAL; Fabianski 7, Sagna 6, Koscienly 6 (Djourou 33 mins 7), Squillaci 6, Clichy 6, Wilshere 6 (Walcott 73 mins 6), NASRI 9, Song 7, Rosicky 6 (van Persie 64 mins 7), Chamakh 6, Arshavin 8. Subs not used; Szcezeny, Denilson, Gibbs, Bendtner.
FULHAM; Schwartzer 8, Pansil 5, Hughes 6, Hangeland 7, Briggs 4 (Baird 28 mins 6), Davies 7, Murphy 7 (Johnson(E) 88 mins 5), Etuhu 7, Dempsey 8, Gera 7, Kamara 6 (Johnson(A) 73 mins 6). Subs not used; Stockdale, Kelly, Duff, Greening.
REFEREE; C. Foy 7
ATTENDANCE; 60,049.
Friday 3 December 2010
Is a return to the Home Internationals the way forward?
After our failure to get the 2018 World Cup I think it is time we withdrew from all future FIFA competitions and went back to basics. I mean it's not like we will ever win anything anyway and seriously, is anyone really interested in international football anymore? So instead of playing round after round of pointless qualifying matches against the likes of Andorra and Macedonia why don't we bring back the Home Internationals?
For those of you not old enough to remember, England used to play Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland every year in a mini league with the winners lifting the prestigious Home International trophy. Lets not forget this was a competition England used to win on a regular basis...
I accept that times have changed which is why I am suggesting a slight tweak to the old format. The new competition would run every summer and include the Republic of Ireland and possibly France, making it like a football version of the rugby Six Nations. Each country would play the others on a home and away basis making for a ten game competition, with the group winners lifting the trophy. The matches could be played between May and July every year. Surely these games would attract far more interest then the current qualifiers?
The blank dates in the calendar, which are currently filled with these qualifiers, could see us play some of the African or South American nations in friendlies to prepare the squad for the big competition in the summer.
So while the rest of the world go off to Brazil, Russia and Qatar we could be travelling no further then across the channel to play in a tournament we just might have a chance of winning...
Yes, I understand the counter argument is that unless we are playing competitive football against the best nations in the world our players will not develop, but how much has playing in these tournaments helped them develop over the last 15 years? If anything they have gone backwards.
Our last decent tournament was Euro '96 while our last decent one on foreign soil was Italia '90; twenty years ago! The so-called 'Golden Generation' have failed in every tournament from 1998-2010 and if they really have been our best group of players in a generation then what hope do we have for the future?
Back in the days before FIFA the only international football we played was amongst ourselves. Because of that we regarded ourselves as the best in the world and it was not until Hungary beat us at Wembley in 1953 that we realised others had not only caught us up but left us behind. We have never really learnt from that and I doubt we ever will so maybe the time has come to accept defeat. The rest of world football hates us anyway so we won't be missed. So lets stick our two fingers up to them and show that we don't need them. The new Six Nations competition would be a great way of doing that...and it might just revive our interest in international football again...
For those of you not old enough to remember, England used to play Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland every year in a mini league with the winners lifting the prestigious Home International trophy. Lets not forget this was a competition England used to win on a regular basis...
I accept that times have changed which is why I am suggesting a slight tweak to the old format. The new competition would run every summer and include the Republic of Ireland and possibly France, making it like a football version of the rugby Six Nations. Each country would play the others on a home and away basis making for a ten game competition, with the group winners lifting the trophy. The matches could be played between May and July every year. Surely these games would attract far more interest then the current qualifiers?
The blank dates in the calendar, which are currently filled with these qualifiers, could see us play some of the African or South American nations in friendlies to prepare the squad for the big competition in the summer.
So while the rest of the world go off to Brazil, Russia and Qatar we could be travelling no further then across the channel to play in a tournament we just might have a chance of winning...
Yes, I understand the counter argument is that unless we are playing competitive football against the best nations in the world our players will not develop, but how much has playing in these tournaments helped them develop over the last 15 years? If anything they have gone backwards.
Our last decent tournament was Euro '96 while our last decent one on foreign soil was Italia '90; twenty years ago! The so-called 'Golden Generation' have failed in every tournament from 1998-2010 and if they really have been our best group of players in a generation then what hope do we have for the future?
Back in the days before FIFA the only international football we played was amongst ourselves. Because of that we regarded ourselves as the best in the world and it was not until Hungary beat us at Wembley in 1953 that we realised others had not only caught us up but left us behind. We have never really learnt from that and I doubt we ever will so maybe the time has come to accept defeat. The rest of world football hates us anyway so we won't be missed. So lets stick our two fingers up to them and show that we don't need them. The new Six Nations competition would be a great way of doing that...and it might just revive our interest in international football again...
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