Yesterday the game in the champions league between Manchester United and Lille highlighted a contentious issue and area concerning the area of free kicks.
The ref apparently allowed Giggs to take the kick quickly, thus catching the Lille keeper at his near post lining up his wall. Some have said that this is a scandalous action...I disagree. The game has become ever faster in the many years I have been watching football, the back pass to the keeper has been made illegal and other areas of the game have been addressed in order to keep the sport as a viewing entity.
Why should the game now stop so that the defending team can slow the pace of the game down and get set for a free kick? What advantage does the attcking team gain from this?
The skill involved in taking the quick free kick is something that should be preserved in the game. Why not give the advantage to the attacking team.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Friday, February 16, 2007
Henry's misplaced passion.
I have noticed over the last year in particular that a certain outstanding and world class player has not always acted in the most ambassadorial manner. In my opinion this is largely due to the veteran status which has been placed upon him in this youthful Arsenal side.
Whilst some may argue that he should not have been made captain of the club, I find it hard to believe that there really was many other options. There were surely options available at the time but Wenger had by this time formulated his new planand was busy constructing a new side which in time would be able to challenge the new Chelsea. There were candidates such as Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell, a distinctly native influence but for various reasons one was not of sound character and the other was coming to the end of his career in the top tier of the top flight in the premiership. Henry was the right age and coming into his prime and was the only real choice for captain. Gilberto Silva has proved an able deputy in the times Henry has not been available due to injury or other reasons. Henry was the talisman who would bring Wengers kids through to their prime years. Nobody can question Henrys love for Arsenal. He has spurned many overtures to leave the club, not all moves away from Arsenal have been outstanding successes and many pundits feel the football in other parts of europe can be more lucrative and appealing.
However, (and Henry may take the lead from Wenger somewhat in this area) the way in which Henry has conducted himself in certain situations has been less than admirable. As an Arsenal fan I have been somewhat bemused at Wengers constant and erratic behaviour towards match officals and opposing managers. Wenger is impatient for the kids to develop their potential and has become a talking point in the football world. The usual calm demeanour has been replaced by a man sometimes possessed and consumed by the tactics of other teams and managers. Whilst fans and media dont like it, teams will try to waste time and will try to gain an edge in the course of a game. Wenger has become distracted by the other teams tactics as they look to gain an edge against an Arsenal team which may be bullied now but soon will be the best around and able to handle all situations. Being an older brother it is like when I realised I could no longer harrass my younger brother as he grew up into a man.
Henry has at times been a great captain, giving credit to teammates that have done well, but like Wenger he has been impatient for potential to turn into fruition. While he is still in his prime he wants to win more trophies the champions league being the top prize on his wish list. He has frowned at teammates who have tried to do the right thing but it has not come off. I am sure his fellow players have been in awe of him as he is the finished product while they learn the game. Last year was the worst season Arsenal has had and is likely to have for many years to come, it was a tense time and Henry did not cover himself in glory, I could excuse last year but this year and particularly recently Henry's behaviour has mirrored that of Wenger's taunting Gary Neville in a rousing come from behind victory and most recently the Wigan keeper. This is Henry's misplaced passion.
It should be realised that teams who waste time only serve to hinder their own game and very often pay a heavy price for not playing in the proper manner. Henry doesnt need to get involved, he should watch tape of how Gilberto Silva conducted himself during his tenure as captain. Arguably playing much better than he has ever done and leading by example. Passion is always in the game but it has to be channelled in the right way.
Whilst some may argue that he should not have been made captain of the club, I find it hard to believe that there really was many other options. There were surely options available at the time but Wenger had by this time formulated his new planand was busy constructing a new side which in time would be able to challenge the new Chelsea. There were candidates such as Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell, a distinctly native influence but for various reasons one was not of sound character and the other was coming to the end of his career in the top tier of the top flight in the premiership. Henry was the right age and coming into his prime and was the only real choice for captain. Gilberto Silva has proved an able deputy in the times Henry has not been available due to injury or other reasons. Henry was the talisman who would bring Wengers kids through to their prime years. Nobody can question Henrys love for Arsenal. He has spurned many overtures to leave the club, not all moves away from Arsenal have been outstanding successes and many pundits feel the football in other parts of europe can be more lucrative and appealing.
However, (and Henry may take the lead from Wenger somewhat in this area) the way in which Henry has conducted himself in certain situations has been less than admirable. As an Arsenal fan I have been somewhat bemused at Wengers constant and erratic behaviour towards match officals and opposing managers. Wenger is impatient for the kids to develop their potential and has become a talking point in the football world. The usual calm demeanour has been replaced by a man sometimes possessed and consumed by the tactics of other teams and managers. Whilst fans and media dont like it, teams will try to waste time and will try to gain an edge in the course of a game. Wenger has become distracted by the other teams tactics as they look to gain an edge against an Arsenal team which may be bullied now but soon will be the best around and able to handle all situations. Being an older brother it is like when I realised I could no longer harrass my younger brother as he grew up into a man.
Henry has at times been a great captain, giving credit to teammates that have done well, but like Wenger he has been impatient for potential to turn into fruition. While he is still in his prime he wants to win more trophies the champions league being the top prize on his wish list. He has frowned at teammates who have tried to do the right thing but it has not come off. I am sure his fellow players have been in awe of him as he is the finished product while they learn the game. Last year was the worst season Arsenal has had and is likely to have for many years to come, it was a tense time and Henry did not cover himself in glory, I could excuse last year but this year and particularly recently Henry's behaviour has mirrored that of Wenger's taunting Gary Neville in a rousing come from behind victory and most recently the Wigan keeper. This is Henry's misplaced passion.
It should be realised that teams who waste time only serve to hinder their own game and very often pay a heavy price for not playing in the proper manner. Henry doesnt need to get involved, he should watch tape of how Gilberto Silva conducted himself during his tenure as captain. Arguably playing much better than he has ever done and leading by example. Passion is always in the game but it has to be channelled in the right way.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Rooney can thank Lee for his athlethicism.
During the Tottenham-United game about widway through the first half and with united getting annoyed by the way the game was going, Wayne Rooney adopted a familiar shape and the red mist decended. He had just been fouled in his estimation and the ref gave nothing. With the fury he had, he launched himself full throttle into Lee and but for Lee's awareness to jump out of the tackle and run down the left sideline where Ronney did catch up to him and did foul him and did get a yellow card for his troubles. However if Lee had not been able to jump out of it Rooney would have connected with him full on and surely would have received a red card. Just like to old days. It seems Rooney has not learned from his mistakes and is certain to be sent off again in the near future. When the red mist decends...
EPL referees are playing for their jobs.
The standard of officiating in the english premier league is at best, average, maybe above average.
Last Sunday I watched a key premiership game Tottenham at home to Manchester United, the day before the game Chelsea had just cut the gap to 3 points with a facile victory at Charlton. I settled down to the game not really knowing who I wished to win the game. There are many factors related to this in my own personal world. First and foremost I am an Arsenal fan and wish any/all results to help the cause of the gunners. I have become tired of the Chelsea show for the last 2 years and after Ashley Cole's departure to Chelsea to "win trophies" as he put it, I had been hoping for one of two things to happen... either Arsenal surge to the top of the league with a fantasticly weird combination of results which would see Man Utd and Chelsea lose an extraordinary amount of points over the next 12 games or LET MAN UTD WIN IT. The latter being the more likely given their huge points and goal difference advantages.
Marc Clattenburg had been a referree I had a lot of time for. Almost every game I had seen him take charge of I had marvelled at the extreme amount of control mixed with calming of the players to diffuse flash points which can all too often occur in the premiership. Such calmness was immediately taking out yellow cards when the crowds in the stadiums wanted blood red cards. Talking to players asking them to play football and not go over the top.
The game started out fast and furious but controlled, Scholes fouled in the first minute and was excused, he would later foul three more times and each one on their own warranted a yellow. Had the referree lost his memory? Scholes was a lucky boy and escaped the whole game without a card. Later in the half Larrson was taken from behind and went down in the penalty area, Clattenburg said No Penalty, immediately after the incident and for many moments after the united players charged up to him and went to work on the referree. They constantly questioned his decisions and when one of the united players got booked they pointed back to where a Tottenham player had tackled a united player and wondered why they did not get a card. After previously watching Clattenburg be strong in other games I felt sure that he would remain that way, but on the stroke of half-time a united cross was half cleared and it fell to Ronaldo. He took the ball in full flight just as he had done at Middlesboro and forged between Malbranque and Lee, just like boro moving at such speed there was negligible contact and Ronaldo was only too happy to fall to the floor. Clattenburg was not strong enough to deny United a second penalty appeal and as Ronaldo got up to take the spot kick he gave his fellow professional player a look as if to say "it wasnt me...it was the ref who gave it". Ronaldo knew it was not a penalty, united needed to win to maintain the gap to Chelsea and in the end united won 4-0, pundits will say that they won so handsomely that the penalty decision was not the game breaker. I am not so sure about that. We will never know the answer to that.
Every referree is assessed on his performance by an official of the referrees, we know that it is a hard job to do with the speed that a full blooded EPL game brings and with the stubborness of the footballing powers to implement video replays of controversial incidents. All that I ask is that the referrees stay impartial and dont allow big named players to influence their judgement. Uriah Rennie used to be a premier league referree and after some high profile mistakes he is now in the championship taking games like West Brom and Preston. Be warned Mr. Clattenburg.
Last Sunday I watched a key premiership game Tottenham at home to Manchester United, the day before the game Chelsea had just cut the gap to 3 points with a facile victory at Charlton. I settled down to the game not really knowing who I wished to win the game. There are many factors related to this in my own personal world. First and foremost I am an Arsenal fan and wish any/all results to help the cause of the gunners. I have become tired of the Chelsea show for the last 2 years and after Ashley Cole's departure to Chelsea to "win trophies" as he put it, I had been hoping for one of two things to happen... either Arsenal surge to the top of the league with a fantasticly weird combination of results which would see Man Utd and Chelsea lose an extraordinary amount of points over the next 12 games or LET MAN UTD WIN IT. The latter being the more likely given their huge points and goal difference advantages.
Marc Clattenburg had been a referree I had a lot of time for. Almost every game I had seen him take charge of I had marvelled at the extreme amount of control mixed with calming of the players to diffuse flash points which can all too often occur in the premiership. Such calmness was immediately taking out yellow cards when the crowds in the stadiums wanted blood red cards. Talking to players asking them to play football and not go over the top.
The game started out fast and furious but controlled, Scholes fouled in the first minute and was excused, he would later foul three more times and each one on their own warranted a yellow. Had the referree lost his memory? Scholes was a lucky boy and escaped the whole game without a card. Later in the half Larrson was taken from behind and went down in the penalty area, Clattenburg said No Penalty, immediately after the incident and for many moments after the united players charged up to him and went to work on the referree. They constantly questioned his decisions and when one of the united players got booked they pointed back to where a Tottenham player had tackled a united player and wondered why they did not get a card. After previously watching Clattenburg be strong in other games I felt sure that he would remain that way, but on the stroke of half-time a united cross was half cleared and it fell to Ronaldo. He took the ball in full flight just as he had done at Middlesboro and forged between Malbranque and Lee, just like boro moving at such speed there was negligible contact and Ronaldo was only too happy to fall to the floor. Clattenburg was not strong enough to deny United a second penalty appeal and as Ronaldo got up to take the spot kick he gave his fellow professional player a look as if to say "it wasnt me...it was the ref who gave it". Ronaldo knew it was not a penalty, united needed to win to maintain the gap to Chelsea and in the end united won 4-0, pundits will say that they won so handsomely that the penalty decision was not the game breaker. I am not so sure about that. We will never know the answer to that.
Every referree is assessed on his performance by an official of the referrees, we know that it is a hard job to do with the speed that a full blooded EPL game brings and with the stubborness of the footballing powers to implement video replays of controversial incidents. All that I ask is that the referrees stay impartial and dont allow big named players to influence their judgement. Uriah Rennie used to be a premier league referree and after some high profile mistakes he is now in the championship taking games like West Brom and Preston. Be warned Mr. Clattenburg.
Monday, February 5, 2007
Carling cup final represents the contrast between the present and the future.
In a sense the carling cup final of 2007 represents and highlights a classic discussion point in the different philosophies of the clubs.
In the one corner you have the mighty Chelsea a club which in large measure has been transformed from a top six side to now be the elite in the premiership having won the major trophies for the last 2 years. A club that has had a limitless (until recently) financial backing which enabled Mourinho to buy players in the manner similar to a gamer would assemble his side in a video game. Chelsea play a very tight defensive game which is based on their defense and built on keeping clean sheets and conceeding very few goals and on the other side getting that 1 goal that will give them victory. Mourinho is an inspirational coach and his players will follow his results orientated approach.
Then on the other side of the carling cup final there is Wenger and his Arsenal, who until Abramovich came seemed to be taking on the mantle of the dominant side of the new century. They had gone an entire season unbeaten in 2004 and looked to be a team that would remain strong for 3-5 years. It remains a debatable point if Chelsea's new found power forced Wenger's hand or not. It is unclear if at this point Wenger came to change his vision due to the new Chelsea that had come about. However and this part is factual, Wenger knew that he could no longer bid against Chelsea if they wanted the same player. During his time at Arsenal Wenger rarely got into bidding wars with any other clubs. And so whether by design or otherwise Wenger relinquished the next 2 or more years to the "stronger" clubs and set about deconstructing his existing side (casting off Vieira,Edu,Keown and numerous others) and assembling his new aquisitions. Fast tracking the footballing education of such players as Fabregas and Van Persie and signing relatively unknown players who over the last 2 years have grown up the hard way in the premiership. They have lost a lot of games away from home and indeed Arsenal and Wenger were very lucky last season to finally grab 4th place and a champions league berth. This was the lowest league finish Wenger and Arsenal had ever achieved and now with players fast maturing and mixed with some experienced players they will face Chelsea a team that could be called the finished product. It is the classic established versus the young upstarts.
For Wenger the beauty of all this is that time seems to be on his side. He will play a very youthful team, a team that has gotten to the final beating West Brom,Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham. The onus will be on Chelsea to see off the younglings, to show them who is top dog and to send the message that they will not relinquish their crown of top team just yet.
However as they square up to each other just before the whistle blows to start the game, they will recognise the reality of what is to come, the future of english football.
In the one corner you have the mighty Chelsea a club which in large measure has been transformed from a top six side to now be the elite in the premiership having won the major trophies for the last 2 years. A club that has had a limitless (until recently) financial backing which enabled Mourinho to buy players in the manner similar to a gamer would assemble his side in a video game. Chelsea play a very tight defensive game which is based on their defense and built on keeping clean sheets and conceeding very few goals and on the other side getting that 1 goal that will give them victory. Mourinho is an inspirational coach and his players will follow his results orientated approach.
Then on the other side of the carling cup final there is Wenger and his Arsenal, who until Abramovich came seemed to be taking on the mantle of the dominant side of the new century. They had gone an entire season unbeaten in 2004 and looked to be a team that would remain strong for 3-5 years. It remains a debatable point if Chelsea's new found power forced Wenger's hand or not. It is unclear if at this point Wenger came to change his vision due to the new Chelsea that had come about. However and this part is factual, Wenger knew that he could no longer bid against Chelsea if they wanted the same player. During his time at Arsenal Wenger rarely got into bidding wars with any other clubs. And so whether by design or otherwise Wenger relinquished the next 2 or more years to the "stronger" clubs and set about deconstructing his existing side (casting off Vieira,Edu,Keown and numerous others) and assembling his new aquisitions. Fast tracking the footballing education of such players as Fabregas and Van Persie and signing relatively unknown players who over the last 2 years have grown up the hard way in the premiership. They have lost a lot of games away from home and indeed Arsenal and Wenger were very lucky last season to finally grab 4th place and a champions league berth. This was the lowest league finish Wenger and Arsenal had ever achieved and now with players fast maturing and mixed with some experienced players they will face Chelsea a team that could be called the finished product. It is the classic established versus the young upstarts.
For Wenger the beauty of all this is that time seems to be on his side. He will play a very youthful team, a team that has gotten to the final beating West Brom,Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham. The onus will be on Chelsea to see off the younglings, to show them who is top dog and to send the message that they will not relinquish their crown of top team just yet.
However as they square up to each other just before the whistle blows to start the game, they will recognise the reality of what is to come, the future of english football.
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