The board room battle at Liverpool football club has been a main talking point among football for recent years now and with the High court battle saga just unravelling into tortoise and hare race with New England Sports Ventures patiently waiting on the fence for their inevitable congratulations and gratitude from the Liverpool fans who will welcome them.
Behind the scenes at Liverpool is no doubtingly a complete mess because of two men who were seeking to own a football club with no interest in football, something any good businessman straight away would say is a bad idea. But luckily enough for the players whilst they have been playing some appalling football, the media have not been picking up on this as the high court battle makes a much better read. Players like Torres, Gerrard and Carragher would usually be the players to come under heaps of pressure by the press in asking why the bad form. But football of today is much more than the football now.
Roman Abromovich was the first big money chairman that helped a club on the verge of champions league qualification places to now the best established team in England at this moment in time. He has managed to govern his club well in the essence he got all of the dead wood out straight away and brought in the players from the start he thought would give him the best squad, in which he was succeeded with minor debt. The Glazer family were the next big money family to take control of a football club and the first big money Americans. As any Englishman knows no football fan agrees with Americans associating themselves with football... let alone running one of the biggest clubs in Manchester United. They have never gained respect from their fans and in the past years protests from fans have resulted in a blast from the past bringing in the true colours of Manchester United of yellow and green scarfs. But somehow they are managing to cope with the substantial debt around £700m. However not to far away the same can not be said for the Liverpool owners.
Tom Hicks and George Gillett bought Liverpool football club each having equal shares, and its not in any Americans nature to be on equal terms, they always want that one better than each other, so squabbling started from the very beginning with each one trying to weasel there way into more shares into the club to gain further control. The Board room battle has resulted in jobs behind the scenes at the club lasting around 3 months for anyone working there who disagrees with the owners. But fortunately the first sight of a silver lining came in the appointment of Martin Broughton as the new chairman to look for the best sale of the club, and while the fans grew inpatient with a man who is a season ticket holder at rivals Chelsea, the fans lack of patience was kicked to the side of the road when compared to the fans hatred for the owners.
The Liverpool fans are most likely the most loyal and passionate fans in the country in the essence that they care for the club they love. Almost like a loving Auntie or Uncle, they visit them on weekends and are always in high spirits when seeing their nephews, but care for them enough to be able to tell them off occasionally. And that's what the club needs to always remember and where Tom Hicks and George Gillett went wrong from the start. They were fighting with each other for ownership of the club when all along everyone knows its the fans that run a football club, especially Liverpool Football Club.
This ongoing high court battle was brought to a close on the 15Th October and since then Liverpool football club have endured a turbulent, yet promising run of form with a 2-0 win against Chelsea bringing Fernando Torres out of his scoring duck and in that same week we saw heroics at Anfield that Liverpool only seem to get on European nights, albeit the Europa league. Steven Gerrard came off the bench at half time against Napoli to score a hat-trick in a memorable European night not only for fans but also the new Owner John W Henry and his wife who embraced the warm atmosphere by singing along to the infamous "You'll Never Walk Alone."
That song has always been the body and soul of Liverpool Football Club, but for this moment in time has it never been so relevant to the clubs predicament. The fans will be chanting the song in hope that their team will now not walk alone but with owners with whom they can trust upon to salvage their club.
Friday, 15 October 2010
Thursday, 14 October 2010
The swinging 60's, The 'peace' 70's, the punk 80's... our era may not be about music, but it seems a lot more important than that now for the teens
You often hear people questioning what type of music typified the Noughties decade, but i see it as an obvious answer as there was no type of music that typified the Noughties. What typified the Noughties was the fact that everything that was leading teenagers into adulthood was not met with the help teens seek, but the complete opposite of stopping them grow.
Knife crime, young offenders, teenage pregnancy. Just a few of the things that were labelled on teenagers during the Noughties. And many questions are asked why this is? And as there is no excuse for any of this juvenile behaviour the adults of today aren't exactly consulting it in the right manner. Yes, they lock them away. Yes, they think they give the best help for them. But what about the teenagers who are safe and good with a promising career ahead of them. How are they going to pay £5,000 insurance on their first car or pay interest at university when they have to get a student loan in the first place?
The government today seem to crack down on all the teenagers going into adulthood like a secondary school teacher does on a class with one bad student in it. "If you do one bad thing then the rest of the class will suffer" Is a phrase i heard on more than one occasion during school and it is now being copied by the government in the fact that a few crashes by young drivers result in the good drivers, who don't go out racing, who may just drive for the fun of driving sensibly have to suffer with them.
"When are you going to get your life sorted and on track son" A phrase no doubt nearly every son has heard from their dad at some stage. We always hear about how our older generation were the 'good' generation in getting jobs at the tender age of 11 and gaining independence from a young age. How are the kids of today supposed to gain independence when there is no way of a teen getting a job under the age of 16 without health and safety laws preventing them. How are we supposed to gain Independence when if we do manage to scrape a job in today's recession that all the money they earn still won't be enough to pay for insurance AND University? The answer is basically they can't. We hear about people living with their parents until they are in there 30's this is because of the ridiculous debt people are in from finishing university. And now the same party that PROMISED to cut down university tuition fee's are now THREATENING to increase them massively in the coming years piling on more debt for the students when they leave and no doubt an extra 20 odd years at home with their parents.
It seems as though the teenagers and young adults are in an impossible war to win. 'Back in the days...' you would hear about a strike here and a strike there to get what they want. Adults always telling us you don't always get what you want or even deserve, "just get what your given." Not something every adult listens to as we hear moaning all the time in newspapers about this business going on strike for a pay rise or that one over there. But one thing to note is that the teenagers do not go on strike, they take all the grief on the chin, have a chuckle, maybe a drink and "Get what there given and live with it."
What I'm trying to say in this article is that since the turn of the decade it seems like there has been a turn in respect to teenagers, we may have only been around since 1955 but we still deserve the same respect as our elders. No we did not fight in a war, no we did not express free love and peace... But no we didn't live in what seemed an easy route to adulthood. University tuition fee's didn't exist, insurance on a car would be 50 smackers at a push never mind the petrol prices.
The youth of today have it tough because the adults of today make it tough for us. The pressure we are under for A levels because apparently every ones getting 'Easy A's' is a load of ****. The fact car insurance for young drivers is souring because not everyone is a safe driver is again a load of ****. But what probably is the most heart-wrenching thing that that adults are doing is stopping teenagers furthering there education by making university all about the money. We get criticised for getting into University to easily and then the next week there's an article about how many people missed out on places at university... as a result of government cutting down on places. WHY? So that teens with the only plan going to university ruined now can be on the streets?
The whole system works around in a circular narrative in the fact we start off as the bad guys and then the story unravels itself through the reasons why we are the bad guys but because of the stubborn nature of "We're your elders, we know best and respect us" makes us still the seem the bad guys. If teenagers and adults are ever going to coincide then there has to be a line drawn where adults accept us into their world and help us along the way, instead of creating a brick wall that the adults seem to sit on top of with us scrambling at the bottom with debt holding us down.
So the era's before the Noughties were all created by the teenagers in the essence through music. This however is a new decade which the adults seem to think they can rule from the start and are now undermining the teenagers. So the Noughties are not remembered for a type of music, them decades have come and past...
...The Noughties are remembered by the teenagers for feeling let down by the older generation in stopping us grow but one phrase that we all do learn that the adults may want to listen to a bit more is "Get what your given and live with it."
Knife crime, young offenders, teenage pregnancy. Just a few of the things that were labelled on teenagers during the Noughties. And many questions are asked why this is? And as there is no excuse for any of this juvenile behaviour the adults of today aren't exactly consulting it in the right manner. Yes, they lock them away. Yes, they think they give the best help for them. But what about the teenagers who are safe and good with a promising career ahead of them. How are they going to pay £5,000 insurance on their first car or pay interest at university when they have to get a student loan in the first place?
The government today seem to crack down on all the teenagers going into adulthood like a secondary school teacher does on a class with one bad student in it. "If you do one bad thing then the rest of the class will suffer" Is a phrase i heard on more than one occasion during school and it is now being copied by the government in the fact that a few crashes by young drivers result in the good drivers, who don't go out racing, who may just drive for the fun of driving sensibly have to suffer with them.
"When are you going to get your life sorted and on track son" A phrase no doubt nearly every son has heard from their dad at some stage. We always hear about how our older generation were the 'good' generation in getting jobs at the tender age of 11 and gaining independence from a young age. How are the kids of today supposed to gain independence when there is no way of a teen getting a job under the age of 16 without health and safety laws preventing them. How are we supposed to gain Independence when if we do manage to scrape a job in today's recession that all the money they earn still won't be enough to pay for insurance AND University? The answer is basically they can't. We hear about people living with their parents until they are in there 30's this is because of the ridiculous debt people are in from finishing university. And now the same party that PROMISED to cut down university tuition fee's are now THREATENING to increase them massively in the coming years piling on more debt for the students when they leave and no doubt an extra 20 odd years at home with their parents.
It seems as though the teenagers and young adults are in an impossible war to win. 'Back in the days...' you would hear about a strike here and a strike there to get what they want. Adults always telling us you don't always get what you want or even deserve, "just get what your given." Not something every adult listens to as we hear moaning all the time in newspapers about this business going on strike for a pay rise or that one over there. But one thing to note is that the teenagers do not go on strike, they take all the grief on the chin, have a chuckle, maybe a drink and "Get what there given and live with it."
What I'm trying to say in this article is that since the turn of the decade it seems like there has been a turn in respect to teenagers, we may have only been around since 1955 but we still deserve the same respect as our elders. No we did not fight in a war, no we did not express free love and peace... But no we didn't live in what seemed an easy route to adulthood. University tuition fee's didn't exist, insurance on a car would be 50 smackers at a push never mind the petrol prices.
The youth of today have it tough because the adults of today make it tough for us. The pressure we are under for A levels because apparently every ones getting 'Easy A's' is a load of ****. The fact car insurance for young drivers is souring because not everyone is a safe driver is again a load of ****. But what probably is the most heart-wrenching thing that that adults are doing is stopping teenagers furthering there education by making university all about the money. We get criticised for getting into University to easily and then the next week there's an article about how many people missed out on places at university... as a result of government cutting down on places. WHY? So that teens with the only plan going to university ruined now can be on the streets?
The whole system works around in a circular narrative in the fact we start off as the bad guys and then the story unravels itself through the reasons why we are the bad guys but because of the stubborn nature of "We're your elders, we know best and respect us" makes us still the seem the bad guys. If teenagers and adults are ever going to coincide then there has to be a line drawn where adults accept us into their world and help us along the way, instead of creating a brick wall that the adults seem to sit on top of with us scrambling at the bottom with debt holding us down.
So the era's before the Noughties were all created by the teenagers in the essence through music. This however is a new decade which the adults seem to think they can rule from the start and are now undermining the teenagers. So the Noughties are not remembered for a type of music, them decades have come and past...
...The Noughties are remembered by the teenagers for feeling let down by the older generation in stopping us grow but one phrase that we all do learn that the adults may want to listen to a bit more is "Get what your given and live with it."
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Oh how the mighty have fallen... and how rich and fortune conquers all
Liverpool V Manchester City - One side a wounded force that are struggling to take their first steps back into the glory days of their past; the other a side filled with pampered stars and a chairman willing to grab any player the manager is whinging to try and buy.
Liverpool are now very much a fading shadow of their glory days from the 70's and 80's. A side that once put fear into any side when looking at the team sheet, now a wounded lion that any heir to the throne is willing to pounce on. Manchester City seem to be that team hoping to pounce at any opportunity with the wealth at Roberto Mancini's expenditure he is able to build up a dream team of his choice, its daunting for any other club even attempting to go for the same player. As much as everyone hates to admit, there is now definitely a second team from Manchester threatening to dominate the premier league.
Now to the game. Leading up to the game we have a Liverpool side which has a new self-found confidence thanks to the appointment of Roy Hodgson and the safety line of having Torres and Gerrard commit to Liverpool for the future; and we have a Manchester City continually growing in depth creating a one of the most competitive squads.
Unfortunately the confidence of Liverpool struck a blow tumbling to a 3-0 defeat by a rampant Manchester City side. The wounded force that is Liverpool showed how far off the pace they are with the premier league elite at this moment in time as the new boys of Manchester City, encouraged by the wealth that comes with playing for the team were able to pick off Liverpool players with ease. The first goal being a wonderful passing display with the Liverpool players standing and watching as Milner's run down to the touchline was cut back to his former Aston Villa team-mate Gareth Barry to set the big-spenders flying. The second somewhat a contrast of the slick movement of the first goal with a goal-line scramble, mainly to claim who got the final touch be it Richards or Tevez. The second half came and a little spring seemed to be in the Liverpool players steps as Gerrard had a shot hit the post which then cannoned back into Torres' path to then see Joe Hart make an astonishing save down at his feet ending Liverpool's only real threat in the entire game. Carlos Tevez all but wrapped up the 3 points near the end when Martin Skrtel brought down Adam Johnson in the box.
Manchester City seemed last year to be a team with all the potential and no reason to fail because of the vast money spent, but with more sensible buys this time around and still having the same real spine to the team enabled Mancini to build up a wonder team of his choice and having spent £130m this summer on players playing Liverpool was their chance of showing their statement of intent, and they much obliged.
Liverpool last year had a torrid season, injuries, lack of a good squad and all the problems lurking behind the scenes at Anfield all seemed to be have put behind them this summer with arguable the transfer coup of the summer in Joe Cole on a free and then being able to snatch up an established England manager was very much what Liverpool fans wanted to see. But the Manchester City game proved how long they still have to go to fight off these demons holding back a once strong force. Torres still fighting his way back to fitness; Joe Cole missing through suspension; still no real back-up to Torres; and the players getting used to a whole new style of football under Roy Hodgson all held back a Liverpool side that on their day will be able to be contesting once more, but these first few games will be building blocks once again for Liverpool in which they hope to sort out the backroom mess, get an established starting 11 ft and playing regularly and have them playing the magical football that saw them get trophies galore in the past.
But for now we have seen a statement of intent from Manchester City. Just like Chelsea did some 6 years ago, they too were able to build up a team of giants that now leave them challenging every season. But throw in a very consistent Manchester United side and a unpredictable young gunner's side into the mix then we have a fierce mix that doesn't have one true leader. Making this season even more exciting than the last.
Liverpool are now very much a fading shadow of their glory days from the 70's and 80's. A side that once put fear into any side when looking at the team sheet, now a wounded lion that any heir to the throne is willing to pounce on. Manchester City seem to be that team hoping to pounce at any opportunity with the wealth at Roberto Mancini's expenditure he is able to build up a dream team of his choice, its daunting for any other club even attempting to go for the same player. As much as everyone hates to admit, there is now definitely a second team from Manchester threatening to dominate the premier league.
Now to the game. Leading up to the game we have a Liverpool side which has a new self-found confidence thanks to the appointment of Roy Hodgson and the safety line of having Torres and Gerrard commit to Liverpool for the future; and we have a Manchester City continually growing in depth creating a one of the most competitive squads.
Unfortunately the confidence of Liverpool struck a blow tumbling to a 3-0 defeat by a rampant Manchester City side. The wounded force that is Liverpool showed how far off the pace they are with the premier league elite at this moment in time as the new boys of Manchester City, encouraged by the wealth that comes with playing for the team were able to pick off Liverpool players with ease. The first goal being a wonderful passing display with the Liverpool players standing and watching as Milner's run down to the touchline was cut back to his former Aston Villa team-mate Gareth Barry to set the big-spenders flying. The second somewhat a contrast of the slick movement of the first goal with a goal-line scramble, mainly to claim who got the final touch be it Richards or Tevez. The second half came and a little spring seemed to be in the Liverpool players steps as Gerrard had a shot hit the post which then cannoned back into Torres' path to then see Joe Hart make an astonishing save down at his feet ending Liverpool's only real threat in the entire game. Carlos Tevez all but wrapped up the 3 points near the end when Martin Skrtel brought down Adam Johnson in the box.
Manchester City seemed last year to be a team with all the potential and no reason to fail because of the vast money spent, but with more sensible buys this time around and still having the same real spine to the team enabled Mancini to build up a wonder team of his choice and having spent £130m this summer on players playing Liverpool was their chance of showing their statement of intent, and they much obliged.
Liverpool last year had a torrid season, injuries, lack of a good squad and all the problems lurking behind the scenes at Anfield all seemed to be have put behind them this summer with arguable the transfer coup of the summer in Joe Cole on a free and then being able to snatch up an established England manager was very much what Liverpool fans wanted to see. But the Manchester City game proved how long they still have to go to fight off these demons holding back a once strong force. Torres still fighting his way back to fitness; Joe Cole missing through suspension; still no real back-up to Torres; and the players getting used to a whole new style of football under Roy Hodgson all held back a Liverpool side that on their day will be able to be contesting once more, but these first few games will be building blocks once again for Liverpool in which they hope to sort out the backroom mess, get an established starting 11 ft and playing regularly and have them playing the magical football that saw them get trophies galore in the past.
But for now we have seen a statement of intent from Manchester City. Just like Chelsea did some 6 years ago, they too were able to build up a team of giants that now leave them challenging every season. But throw in a very consistent Manchester United side and a unpredictable young gunner's side into the mix then we have a fierce mix that doesn't have one true leader. Making this season even more exciting than the last.
Monday, 23 August 2010
Now we're talking...
The opening weekend was somewhat a distant memory thanks to the grit and determination from Hangeland; the class put on show by Newcastle and such class a finish by Gareth Bale we are already talking about a goal of the season contender.
It was almost easy to forget in the midst of a hat-trick by an otherwise unknown english forward in Andy Carroll that another young English player had netted three the day before in a 6-0, crash back down to earth, spectacular display put on by arsenal with Theo Walcott getting his just rewards with his three goals. It was a weekend where all it needed was a big clash like say... Liverpool versus Manchester City to leave the fans licking their lips at the prospect of what this season has to offer... oh wait theres still that game for monday night football!
The 2009/10 season was renowned for its spectacular unpredictable nature where the top four was dropping like flies to 'lesser' teams where Liverpool had lost 11 games in total in the league, Arsenal lost 9 and even Manchester United, a team renowned for its ability to grab any chance of luck for a win, lost 7 times in total last year. Even eventual champiosn Chelsea lost 6 times and all these drop in points led to Tottenham breaking into the top four in what was the closest fought battle for the fourth place in a long while. This unpredictable nature of last season lay down the stepping stone to prove the premier league is definately the best league in the world, not only for the best football or best footballers but for its ability to provide shocks where bookies are left scratching there head at say how Blackpool managed to net four past Wigan perhaps. We have seen signs of that unpredictable nature reappearing this season with Fulham's Brede Hangeland showing the character of a Premier league star making up for an unfortunate Own Goal to put Mancherster United in the lead, only to come back into the United box, with spring in his step and all his neck muscles tensed up he unleashed a powerful header past Edwin Van Der Sar to level the game for a well deserved point. We are early days into the season and can't read to much into it, but sides like Bolton, Birmingham and even Wolves are yet to drop a point as Owen Coyle seems to be re-working his magic at a struggling bolton side into the sort of side he moulded at burnley to get them promoted last year. In Birmingham we are seeing a slow progression that now have become a regular top ten team on the verge of pushing for europe. Wolves are proving to be a surprise package as yet with a win against a stoke team that the top four sides find hard to beat and then gaining a point away from home at a daunting Goodison Park.
There is also no denying the amount of goals being scored aswell, already we've had four 6-0 wins, a 4-0 win and a 3-0 win, and only two bore goalless draws, one of which thankfully did not set the tone for the season by Tottenham and Manchester City. But the increase in goals can only be a good thing for the league in making it more exciting to watch and making a big name for yourself, say like Andy Carroll has with his heroic hat-trick, another super number 9 perhaps on the border for the St James Park faithful?
So here's hoping Liverpool and Manchester City provide a show of class, provide the goals which have been ever present, and hope the many talent on show by both sides play to their full potential to provide a gut-busting encounter which will leave fans licking their lips at what else the season may provide.
It was almost easy to forget in the midst of a hat-trick by an otherwise unknown english forward in Andy Carroll that another young English player had netted three the day before in a 6-0, crash back down to earth, spectacular display put on by arsenal with Theo Walcott getting his just rewards with his three goals. It was a weekend where all it needed was a big clash like say... Liverpool versus Manchester City to leave the fans licking their lips at the prospect of what this season has to offer... oh wait theres still that game for monday night football!
The 2009/10 season was renowned for its spectacular unpredictable nature where the top four was dropping like flies to 'lesser' teams where Liverpool had lost 11 games in total in the league, Arsenal lost 9 and even Manchester United, a team renowned for its ability to grab any chance of luck for a win, lost 7 times in total last year. Even eventual champiosn Chelsea lost 6 times and all these drop in points led to Tottenham breaking into the top four in what was the closest fought battle for the fourth place in a long while. This unpredictable nature of last season lay down the stepping stone to prove the premier league is definately the best league in the world, not only for the best football or best footballers but for its ability to provide shocks where bookies are left scratching there head at say how Blackpool managed to net four past Wigan perhaps. We have seen signs of that unpredictable nature reappearing this season with Fulham's Brede Hangeland showing the character of a Premier league star making up for an unfortunate Own Goal to put Mancherster United in the lead, only to come back into the United box, with spring in his step and all his neck muscles tensed up he unleashed a powerful header past Edwin Van Der Sar to level the game for a well deserved point. We are early days into the season and can't read to much into it, but sides like Bolton, Birmingham and even Wolves are yet to drop a point as Owen Coyle seems to be re-working his magic at a struggling bolton side into the sort of side he moulded at burnley to get them promoted last year. In Birmingham we are seeing a slow progression that now have become a regular top ten team on the verge of pushing for europe. Wolves are proving to be a surprise package as yet with a win against a stoke team that the top four sides find hard to beat and then gaining a point away from home at a daunting Goodison Park.
There is also no denying the amount of goals being scored aswell, already we've had four 6-0 wins, a 4-0 win and a 3-0 win, and only two bore goalless draws, one of which thankfully did not set the tone for the season by Tottenham and Manchester City. But the increase in goals can only be a good thing for the league in making it more exciting to watch and making a big name for yourself, say like Andy Carroll has with his heroic hat-trick, another super number 9 perhaps on the border for the St James Park faithful?
So here's hoping Liverpool and Manchester City provide a show of class, provide the goals which have been ever present, and hope the many talent on show by both sides play to their full potential to provide a gut-busting encounter which will leave fans licking their lips at what else the season may provide.
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
And the season begins in.... well not quite style, more like an ethiopian racing in a marathon... you pretty much know the end result
Well the summer didn't quite provide the red carpet to the start of the premier league season as other sports didn't seem to take off as much as most people hoped. Which brings us now to the start of the premier league where we all get kitted out in our new overly-priced replica kits and with hopes from our new signings for the season to commence in a spectacular fashion... But the weekend followed suit of the dull summer of sport with not really any big talking point.
Other than Blackpool's miraculous introductory into life in the premier league there wasn't much to talk about for the highly anticipated opening weekend of the season. For all Manchester City spent again, their keeper who they signed from Shrewsbury Town 4 years ago for a mere £600,000 was the one to save their blushes.
When the fixture list was released and we saw Tottenham and Manchester City were going to face each other to kick-off the campaign football fanatics were jumping around in glee anticipating what should be a great start to one of the most open premier league seasons to date. Tottenham broke into the infamous top four last year and Manchester City are a growing force that cannot be ignored so everyone was right in thinking they were going to be in for a treat on that afternoon with both teams renowned for their attacking prowess and there lack of defensive qualities so all the money was on goals galore. But a game where we thought we'd see to giants battle it out hammer and tong, we ended up seeing a a scrap between some tired old men. Be it most had come back from the World cup somewhat two months ago that's no excuse for player on average earning £80,000 a week to moan they didn't have a long enough break.
So the game finished 0-0, it wasn't quite the fairytale start everyone dreamed of but a lot of neutral fans were encouraged soon after to see Blackpool later that day knock four goals past an established premier league side in Wigan. Blackpool haven't exactly been lively in the transfer window but a real bargain buy that will do great for both club and player is the capture of Marlon Harewood. He has established himself time and time again as a goal scorer, his best spell being at West Ham under then manager Alan Pardew but after looking for a bigger challenge in Aston Villa he found himself right down the pecking order and sat on the bench. After being released from Villa Ian Holloway managed to snap him up on a free and he didn't disappoint in getting a deserved brace in the midst of a 4-0 hammering against Wigan.
Now despite that miraculous result there was no much else to talk about, not even a top four clash between Arsenal and Liverpool on the Sunday provided much headlines other than them picking at a uncharacteristic mistake by Pepe Reina and a tackle by Joe Cole that got him a straight red. The clash, much like the Tottenham and Manchester City game was obviously a big talking point for the opening weekend as there hadn't been a top four clash like this for a while. The game started off in a slow tempo which was mirrored by the unusually quiet Kop and it wasn't until he final 5 minutes of the first half they did start singing, but words that cannot be repeated towards a ref that was probably influenced by the travelling arsenal fans and Koscielny rolling around in 'agony' which ended in Joe Cole's debut in a red shirt ending with him seeing a red card. The first half was very much dominated by arsenal for possession but as we saw from the arsenal from last year there was very much little going forward with new signing chamakh not really getting a sniff at goal. The second half came and fan were getting ready for Arsenal to take the initiative over their numerical advantage, but it was Liverpool who caught Arsenal napping when the transfer target Javier Mascherano picked up a loose ball and slotted the ball nicely into David N'gog's path in the 18 yard box to blast it past an unconvincing Almunia at his near post. David N'gog looked more hungry and determined this time around already than last year under new manager Roy Hodgson, trying to fend off critics who question if he's a good enough understudy to the injury-prone Fernando Torres. He should have doubled moments later though with a Steven Gerrard free-kick whipped into the 6 yard box where N'gog fluffed his header wide. Pepe Reina pulled out a few stops to keep Arsenal at bay in the dying minutes, one of which an unbelievable reach to tip over Rosicky's firing shot, but then the equaliser came in what was the most unlikely of events. An arsenal free-kick was swerved in which Reina had fluffed at and after that the ball started playing pinball with Chamakh, then the post, then Reina until the ball ended up in the back of the net. It was the most unfortunate of ways to ruin what could have been a dream start to Roy Hodgson's reign at the Kop but the final 10 minutes of the game showed promise to Liverpool's defensive qualities and willingness to put bodies on the line which lacked last year, and Arsenals promise to provide more shots in the final third.
So the weekend took until the final 10 minutes of the last game to give fans a taster of what to come this season.
Where most football fans probably won't remember this opening weekend as the most enjoyable, Joe Cole may want to forget his Liverpool debut swiftly and Wigan may take a while to get over being hammered by a bunch of tangerines. But with 37 premier league matches left to be played there is sure to be some drama that will make this season an exciting campaign.
Other than Blackpool's miraculous introductory into life in the premier league there wasn't much to talk about for the highly anticipated opening weekend of the season. For all Manchester City spent again, their keeper who they signed from Shrewsbury Town 4 years ago for a mere £600,000 was the one to save their blushes.
When the fixture list was released and we saw Tottenham and Manchester City were going to face each other to kick-off the campaign football fanatics were jumping around in glee anticipating what should be a great start to one of the most open premier league seasons to date. Tottenham broke into the infamous top four last year and Manchester City are a growing force that cannot be ignored so everyone was right in thinking they were going to be in for a treat on that afternoon with both teams renowned for their attacking prowess and there lack of defensive qualities so all the money was on goals galore. But a game where we thought we'd see to giants battle it out hammer and tong, we ended up seeing a a scrap between some tired old men. Be it most had come back from the World cup somewhat two months ago that's no excuse for player on average earning £80,000 a week to moan they didn't have a long enough break.
So the game finished 0-0, it wasn't quite the fairytale start everyone dreamed of but a lot of neutral fans were encouraged soon after to see Blackpool later that day knock four goals past an established premier league side in Wigan. Blackpool haven't exactly been lively in the transfer window but a real bargain buy that will do great for both club and player is the capture of Marlon Harewood. He has established himself time and time again as a goal scorer, his best spell being at West Ham under then manager Alan Pardew but after looking for a bigger challenge in Aston Villa he found himself right down the pecking order and sat on the bench. After being released from Villa Ian Holloway managed to snap him up on a free and he didn't disappoint in getting a deserved brace in the midst of a 4-0 hammering against Wigan.
Now despite that miraculous result there was no much else to talk about, not even a top four clash between Arsenal and Liverpool on the Sunday provided much headlines other than them picking at a uncharacteristic mistake by Pepe Reina and a tackle by Joe Cole that got him a straight red. The clash, much like the Tottenham and Manchester City game was obviously a big talking point for the opening weekend as there hadn't been a top four clash like this for a while. The game started off in a slow tempo which was mirrored by the unusually quiet Kop and it wasn't until he final 5 minutes of the first half they did start singing, but words that cannot be repeated towards a ref that was probably influenced by the travelling arsenal fans and Koscielny rolling around in 'agony' which ended in Joe Cole's debut in a red shirt ending with him seeing a red card. The first half was very much dominated by arsenal for possession but as we saw from the arsenal from last year there was very much little going forward with new signing chamakh not really getting a sniff at goal. The second half came and fan were getting ready for Arsenal to take the initiative over their numerical advantage, but it was Liverpool who caught Arsenal napping when the transfer target Javier Mascherano picked up a loose ball and slotted the ball nicely into David N'gog's path in the 18 yard box to blast it past an unconvincing Almunia at his near post. David N'gog looked more hungry and determined this time around already than last year under new manager Roy Hodgson, trying to fend off critics who question if he's a good enough understudy to the injury-prone Fernando Torres. He should have doubled moments later though with a Steven Gerrard free-kick whipped into the 6 yard box where N'gog fluffed his header wide. Pepe Reina pulled out a few stops to keep Arsenal at bay in the dying minutes, one of which an unbelievable reach to tip over Rosicky's firing shot, but then the equaliser came in what was the most unlikely of events. An arsenal free-kick was swerved in which Reina had fluffed at and after that the ball started playing pinball with Chamakh, then the post, then Reina until the ball ended up in the back of the net. It was the most unfortunate of ways to ruin what could have been a dream start to Roy Hodgson's reign at the Kop but the final 10 minutes of the game showed promise to Liverpool's defensive qualities and willingness to put bodies on the line which lacked last year, and Arsenals promise to provide more shots in the final third.
So the weekend took until the final 10 minutes of the last game to give fans a taster of what to come this season.
Where most football fans probably won't remember this opening weekend as the most enjoyable, Joe Cole may want to forget his Liverpool debut swiftly and Wigan may take a while to get over being hammered by a bunch of tangerines. But with 37 premier league matches left to be played there is sure to be some drama that will make this season an exciting campaign.
Friday, 23 July 2010
Back to British Best
Formula 1; Forever dominated by Michael Schumacher before his first retirement back in 2006 where he won 5 championships on the bounce from 2000-2004; is now home of two proud Englishman doing their country proud in a working team... Something that just recently couldn't have been said for another English team.
As great a driver Michael Schumacher was, the sport somewhat died under his reign at the top of the sport. But then his retirement came in 2006 and we saw the sport take alight when Michael Schumacher's team mate Felipe Massa shone in his first season along side the seven-time world champion. But it wasn't Felipe Massa that took Michael off his throne. It was Fernando Alonso. His composure that he brought to the sport in 2005 to de-throne Michael Schumacher from what seemed to be a never-ending reign was the kick in the teeth other up and coming drivers needed to get that confidence that they too can now win the Formula 1 championship.
Since Michael's last championship win in 2004 we have had a new winner each year, except for Fernando Alonso's double in 2005 and 2006. The finales to each season keeps getting better and better. There's no holding back with teams, all the drivers are pushing their cars to the best of their abilities and fighting every corner like a savage beast chasing its prey, taking the perfect line and ready to pounce on any driver getting in their way to the top.
What's great for British fans though is the current Mclaren team of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. Both very much at different ends of their careers: Jenson Button a respected driver around the Formula 1 circuit and Lewis Hamilton a feared driver among the circuit making his presence a dominant one each coming year. The past two years we've seen both of them pick up the glorious drivers championship, reminiscing past British winners such as Damon Hill and Nigel Mansell. It was 2008 when Lewis Hamilton proved his credentials with winning the drivers championship, and like any Englishman, he kept us on our toes! In what has strongly been debated as the most exhilarating finish to a formula season we say Lewis Hamilton win his championship on the very last turn in the Brazilian grand prix. Jenson Buttons championship win in 2009 was somewhat a fairytale considering months before the season had started he was without a team and then winning 6 of the first 7 races in the calender almost guaranteed him the drivers championship in what was seen more as a controlled drive by an experienced man on the circuit finally getting his just rewards for his efforts in formula 1.
Now in the same team together they sit firmly at the top of the leader board halfway through the season. Unlike the Red Bulls who are spitting their dummies out in every race we have seen a great partnership and rivalry build between two great British drivers. In the race we saw Vettel and Webber battle it out too hard enforcing a bust up between the two we saw almost the same happen with Jenson and Lewis but proving they have respect for each other they put on a great show battling it out as hard as any other competitor, within an inch of touching rubber.
It's something we as Brits aren't accustom to see of late: a team of Brits working well together and being on top of the world. Its refreshing for the sport as well though as the team doesn't have a favourite, just two drivers that are able to drive at the best of their ability to battle for the championship and its working a treat at the moment both of them looking pretty at the top of the leader board ahead of what seems to be a field of unhappy families. Red Bull and the strongly denied (but blatantly obvious) rivalry between Vettel and Webber; Mercedes and Michael Schumacher back to his schemey ways of pushing to the head of the queue on his team-mate and Ferrari with two drivers that have no respect for each other as team-mates and constantly under-performing on race days.
The sun seems to be shining brightly over the Mclaren garage then whilst in contrast a storm is brewing in teams following and lets hope the storm blows away and lets hope the lads can get to the end of that rainbow in Dubai on the 14Th November... You never with the English weather.
As great a driver Michael Schumacher was, the sport somewhat died under his reign at the top of the sport. But then his retirement came in 2006 and we saw the sport take alight when Michael Schumacher's team mate Felipe Massa shone in his first season along side the seven-time world champion. But it wasn't Felipe Massa that took Michael off his throne. It was Fernando Alonso. His composure that he brought to the sport in 2005 to de-throne Michael Schumacher from what seemed to be a never-ending reign was the kick in the teeth other up and coming drivers needed to get that confidence that they too can now win the Formula 1 championship.
Since Michael's last championship win in 2004 we have had a new winner each year, except for Fernando Alonso's double in 2005 and 2006. The finales to each season keeps getting better and better. There's no holding back with teams, all the drivers are pushing their cars to the best of their abilities and fighting every corner like a savage beast chasing its prey, taking the perfect line and ready to pounce on any driver getting in their way to the top.
What's great for British fans though is the current Mclaren team of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. Both very much at different ends of their careers: Jenson Button a respected driver around the Formula 1 circuit and Lewis Hamilton a feared driver among the circuit making his presence a dominant one each coming year. The past two years we've seen both of them pick up the glorious drivers championship, reminiscing past British winners such as Damon Hill and Nigel Mansell. It was 2008 when Lewis Hamilton proved his credentials with winning the drivers championship, and like any Englishman, he kept us on our toes! In what has strongly been debated as the most exhilarating finish to a formula season we say Lewis Hamilton win his championship on the very last turn in the Brazilian grand prix. Jenson Buttons championship win in 2009 was somewhat a fairytale considering months before the season had started he was without a team and then winning 6 of the first 7 races in the calender almost guaranteed him the drivers championship in what was seen more as a controlled drive by an experienced man on the circuit finally getting his just rewards for his efforts in formula 1.
Now in the same team together they sit firmly at the top of the leader board halfway through the season. Unlike the Red Bulls who are spitting their dummies out in every race we have seen a great partnership and rivalry build between two great British drivers. In the race we saw Vettel and Webber battle it out too hard enforcing a bust up between the two we saw almost the same happen with Jenson and Lewis but proving they have respect for each other they put on a great show battling it out as hard as any other competitor, within an inch of touching rubber.
It's something we as Brits aren't accustom to see of late: a team of Brits working well together and being on top of the world. Its refreshing for the sport as well though as the team doesn't have a favourite, just two drivers that are able to drive at the best of their ability to battle for the championship and its working a treat at the moment both of them looking pretty at the top of the leader board ahead of what seems to be a field of unhappy families. Red Bull and the strongly denied (but blatantly obvious) rivalry between Vettel and Webber; Mercedes and Michael Schumacher back to his schemey ways of pushing to the head of the queue on his team-mate and Ferrari with two drivers that have no respect for each other as team-mates and constantly under-performing on race days.
The sun seems to be shining brightly over the Mclaren garage then whilst in contrast a storm is brewing in teams following and lets hope the storm blows away and lets hope the lads can get to the end of that rainbow in Dubai on the 14Th November... You never with the English weather.
Saturday, 17 July 2010
Thought I'd join in bringing up the brave issue on Englands poor world cup.
Why did England endure a poor World Cup Campaign? Why didn't our big names step up to the occasion? Just two of the questions that rolled through every English fan after having to cope with a world cup worthy of being branded the worthless cup judging on how the players played.
Now i realise that this issue has time and time again been brought up after nearly every world cup since 1966 and its not right to be compared to that team, but when you have a generation of players nicknamed 'the golden generation' you can't help but think this time around should have been special. It was all set for a magical stage for our golden generation to make their final mark on the worlds biggest stage. A country full of cheers and renowned for its upbeat atmosphere; most players' last world cup; an almost faultless qualifying campaign... How could they ruin this chance?
As England fans we've come accustom to knowing that are team doesn't play 'the beautiful football' but as that's what we see from the best teams in the world like Brazil, Spain, Argentina we can't help but pile on the pressure to produce magic moments like they do. The way England approached each game in the world cup was totally wrong in the fact that all the lesser sides were playing counter attacking football and the better sides were playing in what seemed to be an open field of play. England however seemed to just play with the four defenders; an occasional burst from one midfielder when they felt like it and then absolutely nothing at the front. The football they played represented an almost metronome type illusion where passes would go back and forth between defenders and soon the fans start to go in a sort of hypnotise state resulting in the fans to get slightly angry... no one likes falling asleep at a football game!
I can sit here gladly talking about how Fabio Capello got his team completely wrong like every other pundit... and i think i will considering they did shocking. The dropping of Walcott from the squad was pretty much the main talking point as we then looked at our team he had chosen and new he wouldn't play Joe Cole as he had reluctantly done so in the past, there was only Aaron Lennon and Shaun Wright-Phillips to count on for any attacking prowess down the wing. Even though Theo Walcott did have a season hit with injury he has still proven himself at international level to be a great threat to any wing-back facing his rapid pace. Yes James Milner was probably our one player we look back on and think 'he did us proud' but how many great teams have wingers that can attack: Brazil and Robinho; Argentina and Lionel Messi; Germany and Ozil... the list goes on for these sides and Walcott can prove himself as this type of player for England. A player that must feel devastated as anyone to be excluded from the squad had to be Adam Johnson. His club form was electrifying since his move to Eastlands and had every right to stake a claim for his spot in the England squad. Players like these we missed big time to try and go down the wings, attacking that full-back, getting into the box and into a dangerous position.
For whats probably been the most argued debate for an England midfield duo the Gerrard/Lampard partnership didn't disappoint in relation to our expectations in how they will most likely not work together. The USA game was the one game where we thought 'hey there looking pretty good' but as soon as Barry got fit and somehow replaced Gerrard in the middle of the park things went to pot for the England midfield. Gerrard, as loyal as he says is for England just cannot play on the left wing, not because he's not left footed but because hes not a winger. Simple enough for every one to see apart from Fabio Capello. We all know Gerrard's at his best like he is for his club when he links with the front man as a very attacking midfielder and we know Lampard is also known for that but when we ever see Gerrard link up with Rooney there is always a little spark that comes to life in the two of them producing some scintillating football at times. But when Gerrard was shoved over to the left wing there was no real width on that side as he'd drift in looking to work a partnership leaving any side willing to exploit the whole that is then created.
So obviously, we had a world cup worth very much forgetting about: The players, no matter how much they say the put the effort in, did not show the desire we expect from footballers earning heaps of money going after footballs biggest prize; The manager had made mistakes in his squad as many past managers for England have done and the fans have a wasted a few bob in the process.
Next up is the Euro 2012 qualifiers and only time can tell for what waits over the horizon for this current crop of England players and will change among the squad.
Now i realise that this issue has time and time again been brought up after nearly every world cup since 1966 and its not right to be compared to that team, but when you have a generation of players nicknamed 'the golden generation' you can't help but think this time around should have been special. It was all set for a magical stage for our golden generation to make their final mark on the worlds biggest stage. A country full of cheers and renowned for its upbeat atmosphere; most players' last world cup; an almost faultless qualifying campaign... How could they ruin this chance?
As England fans we've come accustom to knowing that are team doesn't play 'the beautiful football' but as that's what we see from the best teams in the world like Brazil, Spain, Argentina we can't help but pile on the pressure to produce magic moments like they do. The way England approached each game in the world cup was totally wrong in the fact that all the lesser sides were playing counter attacking football and the better sides were playing in what seemed to be an open field of play. England however seemed to just play with the four defenders; an occasional burst from one midfielder when they felt like it and then absolutely nothing at the front. The football they played represented an almost metronome type illusion where passes would go back and forth between defenders and soon the fans start to go in a sort of hypnotise state resulting in the fans to get slightly angry... no one likes falling asleep at a football game!
I can sit here gladly talking about how Fabio Capello got his team completely wrong like every other pundit... and i think i will considering they did shocking. The dropping of Walcott from the squad was pretty much the main talking point as we then looked at our team he had chosen and new he wouldn't play Joe Cole as he had reluctantly done so in the past, there was only Aaron Lennon and Shaun Wright-Phillips to count on for any attacking prowess down the wing. Even though Theo Walcott did have a season hit with injury he has still proven himself at international level to be a great threat to any wing-back facing his rapid pace. Yes James Milner was probably our one player we look back on and think 'he did us proud' but how many great teams have wingers that can attack: Brazil and Robinho; Argentina and Lionel Messi; Germany and Ozil... the list goes on for these sides and Walcott can prove himself as this type of player for England. A player that must feel devastated as anyone to be excluded from the squad had to be Adam Johnson. His club form was electrifying since his move to Eastlands and had every right to stake a claim for his spot in the England squad. Players like these we missed big time to try and go down the wings, attacking that full-back, getting into the box and into a dangerous position.
For whats probably been the most argued debate for an England midfield duo the Gerrard/Lampard partnership didn't disappoint in relation to our expectations in how they will most likely not work together. The USA game was the one game where we thought 'hey there looking pretty good' but as soon as Barry got fit and somehow replaced Gerrard in the middle of the park things went to pot for the England midfield. Gerrard, as loyal as he says is for England just cannot play on the left wing, not because he's not left footed but because hes not a winger. Simple enough for every one to see apart from Fabio Capello. We all know Gerrard's at his best like he is for his club when he links with the front man as a very attacking midfielder and we know Lampard is also known for that but when we ever see Gerrard link up with Rooney there is always a little spark that comes to life in the two of them producing some scintillating football at times. But when Gerrard was shoved over to the left wing there was no real width on that side as he'd drift in looking to work a partnership leaving any side willing to exploit the whole that is then created.
So obviously, we had a world cup worth very much forgetting about: The players, no matter how much they say the put the effort in, did not show the desire we expect from footballers earning heaps of money going after footballs biggest prize; The manager had made mistakes in his squad as many past managers for England have done and the fans have a wasted a few bob in the process.
Next up is the Euro 2012 qualifiers and only time can tell for what waits over the horizon for this current crop of England players and will change among the squad.
Friday, 16 July 2010
My enthusiasm of sport expressed through one mindless rant
I guess my enthusiasm for sport came like any normal boy and mine came abouts in 1996 sitting around the house probably running into walls with a siv bowl on my head as most 4 year olds do when Liverpool played newcastle. It was probably the first time i had sat still without pestering my dad about pokemon or some other 90's craze and just sat in amazement at this showpiece of a match. Needless to say i chose Liverpool as my team to support after that 4-3 memorabilia game. However at the time, and being four years of age, i had no sense on how i would get to see liverpool games... considering i live 4 hours away in Kent. However i am still very much a die-hard Liverpool fan with passion... and a lot of patience, something no liverpool fan can do without.
So even though i havent had to thank liverpool fc on countless trophies over the years i can say thank you for bringing me into the glorious sporting industry and have a love for it so much i am willing to pursue it as a career.
Time for a little insight to who i actually am for anyone interested. My names Stuart Ballard. I'm 17 years of age and have somehow along the years at cornwallis academy school developed an interest in actually writing as a career. Im a budding sports journalist with my brain stored with useless facts about many sports that i care to write about, enjoying the challenge of say commentating on an intense match of boules. I currently am writing sport articles for my school (The Cornwallis Academy) magazine, and have recently had a double page spread article published in the schools magazine that goes around Maidstone (The Vibe). Hoping for more chances to just write about what i love in the future for newspapers, clubs... Anything as i enjoy writing so much.
I realise my blogs are able to be commented and am very open to constructive critism... I can't constantly have reviews from my mum! So feel free to comment and help out a young journalist willing to learn his ways.
I tend to have a main focus on football as i have spent my life almost worshipping the sport, no matter how frustrating it can be, it has to be one of the most addicitive drug as it slowly becomes a huge part of your life. Having such a love of football did lead me onto many other sports in swimming, golf, tennis and athletics, other sports like rugby or cricket i saw more as an enjoyment to be a part of the school team yet still with the passion i have for my wide range of sport im willing to learn what i need to about any sport i have to write about which is why i shall be aiming to provide a vast range of reviews on any sport im able to give an opinion on.
Being at the end of a pretty much forgetful world cup (not only for England but for its lack of actual flowing football played) and the pre-season in the football calender, football won't be on the agenda for a while so giving me a chance to take a crack at such sports as formula 1, tennis, golf, athletics anything really i think i know enough about to give a fair review on.
Here's hoping that you enjoy the start of many more mindless rants on sport and any feedback is welcomed. :)
Cheers for flicking through.
Stuart Ballard
So even though i havent had to thank liverpool fc on countless trophies over the years i can say thank you for bringing me into the glorious sporting industry and have a love for it so much i am willing to pursue it as a career.
Time for a little insight to who i actually am for anyone interested. My names Stuart Ballard. I'm 17 years of age and have somehow along the years at cornwallis academy school developed an interest in actually writing as a career. Im a budding sports journalist with my brain stored with useless facts about many sports that i care to write about, enjoying the challenge of say commentating on an intense match of boules. I currently am writing sport articles for my school (The Cornwallis Academy) magazine, and have recently had a double page spread article published in the schools magazine that goes around Maidstone (The Vibe). Hoping for more chances to just write about what i love in the future for newspapers, clubs... Anything as i enjoy writing so much.
I realise my blogs are able to be commented and am very open to constructive critism... I can't constantly have reviews from my mum! So feel free to comment and help out a young journalist willing to learn his ways.
I tend to have a main focus on football as i have spent my life almost worshipping the sport, no matter how frustrating it can be, it has to be one of the most addicitive drug as it slowly becomes a huge part of your life. Having such a love of football did lead me onto many other sports in swimming, golf, tennis and athletics, other sports like rugby or cricket i saw more as an enjoyment to be a part of the school team yet still with the passion i have for my wide range of sport im willing to learn what i need to about any sport i have to write about which is why i shall be aiming to provide a vast range of reviews on any sport im able to give an opinion on.
Being at the end of a pretty much forgetful world cup (not only for England but for its lack of actual flowing football played) and the pre-season in the football calender, football won't be on the agenda for a while so giving me a chance to take a crack at such sports as formula 1, tennis, golf, athletics anything really i think i know enough about to give a fair review on.
Here's hoping that you enjoy the start of many more mindless rants on sport and any feedback is welcomed. :)
Cheers for flicking through.
Stuart Ballard
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