Liverpool have told Juventus that they will not be able to make Alberto Aquilani’s loan deal permanent for cheap – according to a report in the Daily Mail.
Reports last week claimed that Juventus had no intention of paying the entirety of his initial fee, and needed to renegotiate the £10million buy-out clause should he join the Turin giants in the summer, as they suggested that a mere £5million would suffice to acquire the Italian’s services.
Aquilani joined the Reds for £17m plus bonuses two summers ago, yet failed to make his impact on Merseyside following a string of lengthy injuries. However, the 26-year-old carried a large weight on his shoulders with Rafa Benitez confirming that he was a replacement for the £30m departure of Xabi Alonso.
Although with new manager Kenny Dalglish back at the helm, Aquilani could be subject to a disfavoured return to Liverpool but previously revealed his concern over his high transfer fee and problematic £85,000-a-week wages.
“There is a loan where they [Juventus] have a right, but it is a very high option. In football today the option to buy me is a high one, and so I know it will not be easy,” said Aquilani, according to Sky Sport Italia.
“I knew coming here would not be easy, but I am tranquil, and I don’t want to think about it, I have never thought about it.
“I want to end the year by giving everything as [Juventus] gave me the chance to come back to Italy and play an important role in the team.”
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Beppe Marrota, Juve’s general manager, told the Daily Mail of Aquilani’s need to maintain professional composure.
‘Aquilani must remain calm. We believe in him and he has shown he deserves to be at Juve.’
It has been reported that Liverpool will only consider listening to offers around the £11million mark.
Netherlands star Arjen Robben has emerged as a major World Cup doubt after limping out of a warm-up game with a suspected hamstring problem.
The injury-plagued winger fell to the ground clutching the back of his leg during the second half of Saturday's 6-1 thrashing of Hungary in Amsterdam.
The Bayern Munich wideman was a half-time substitute in the friendly but failed to see out the game.
He was helped to his feet before gingerly walking off the Amsterdam Arena pitch with help from the team's medical staff.
Coach Bert van Marwijk has confirmed that Robben will undergo scans in Amsterdam on Sunday rather than travel out to South Africa with his international team-mates.
"I would rather lose this match and have Arjen stay fit," said van Marwijk at full-time.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
"He felt a sharp pain. That does not bode well. But I do not lose hope."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Everyone’s been loving the London 2012 Olympics, watching our nation finally enjoy some long overdue sporting success as every new day brings a gold medal in a sport you probably didn’t even known competed in the Olympics. The athletes have been an absolute credit to themselves and to sport in general and the talent on show has been simply amazing. Obviously, the football didn’t go according to plan though.
After seeing former Chelsea, Reading and Dagenham and Redbridge trainee Adam Gemili fly through his Olympic heat with a time of 10.11, just behind the third fastest man of all-time, Asafa Powell, it shows that the 18-year-old clearly made the right decision about switching sports. His career looks a promising one and he impressed in his semi final heat as well, just missing out on a place in the final. However, it left us thinking who else in the footballing world could transfer their skills into Olympic sports and we came up with 10 footballers who should consider taking up Olympic events.
Click on Eric Cantona to unveil the top 10
[divider]
[divider]
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Liverpool make the short trip to Goodison Park on Saturday lunchtime to take on fierce rivals Everton in the 185th Merseyside Derby.
An indifferent start to the campaign has seen David Moyes’ side struggle at home but excel on the road and he’ll be hoping that at won’t hinder the Toffee’s of victory. They were unlucky in last week’s 2-0 defeat at Manchester City with Moyes placing the onus on snuffing out the Citizens attack sacrificing his teams attacking capabilities in the process. That won’t be the case at Goodison on Saturday as the Scotsman becomes only the third boss to manage in 10 consecutive Merseyside derbies joining Harry Catterick and Bill Shankly. His players also have the edge on experience each member of last week’s starting lineup having played in this fixture before. Defender Sylvain Distin insisted it ‘just another football game’ but that is sure to change when the game kicks off. Tim Cahill could miss the game though after suffering a bruised shin at the Etihad Stadium.
Theres no doubt Kenny Dalglish will politely disagree with the Frenchman’s assessment having played in 24 derbies and managed in a another 21. The Reds got back to winning ways against Wolves last week at Anfield after a minor blip and will be looking to put one over on their Mersey adversaries. Taking all three points will be high on Dalglish’s agenda as he takes a Liverpool team across Stanley Park for first time since 1991. With six players expected to take part in this fixture for the first time the Scot will be relying on Jamie Carragher to take care of them on the field with the defender having played in 24 Merseyside Derbies in the Premier League – more than any other player. It will be a tough task though with the Reds having won only two of their last seven league games away from Anfield. Captain Steven Gerrard is expected to retain his place on the bench whilst Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger are still out.
Key Players
Phil Jagielka – A marvellous showing at Man City last week was testament to the defenders calibre as he held the rearguard together before being broken with 20 minutes to go. A similar performance will be expected from the Toffee’s skipper against Liverpool.
Luis Suarez – The Uruguayan was at his industrious best last week with his constant running and movement making him a handful for the Wolves back line. With pride on the line at Goodison there is no doubt that Suarez will be be more eager than usual to put the Toffee’s to the sword.
Verdict: 1-1
Jagielka also has one Barclays Premier League goal this season and has won every one of the eight tackles he has entered in to this season. Jagielka has also made five clearances and six interceptions for the Everton cause already this season The Liverpool players covered a total of 112,645m (69.99miles) during their 2-1 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend Liverpool’s Charlie Adam is the player from either side to be currently ranked highest on the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Adam is currently in 23rd place while Everton’s highest ranked player is Phil Jagielka in 75th place
Fancy winning a million pounds??
Take up our exclusive offer with Goaldash below to be in with a chance – what have you got to lose?
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Anderlecht increased their lead at the top of the Belgian First Division to six points on Saturday with a 1-0 home win over Cercle Brugge.
They were made to work hard, however, with Morocco international midfielder Mbark Boussoufa scoring the winner with just two minutes to play. The result moves his side six points clear of second-placed Genk, who meet Standard Liege on Sunday.
Elsewhere on Saturday, KV Mechelen climbed to fifth with a 3-1 home win over 10th-placed KVC Westerlo.
Evariste Ngolok gave the visitors the lead after 12 minutes, but goals from David de Storme and Ebrahim Saveneh put Mechelen 2-1 up on the 22-minute mark and a third from Pan-Pierre Koulibaly six minutes from the end made sure of the result.
Club Brugge remain in fourth place after goals from Frenchman Wilfried Dalmat and Joseph Akpala handed them a 2-0 home win over Zulte-Waregem, while Lokeren stay in sixth after being held to 1-1 draw at home by bottom side Charleroi.
Charleroi had looked on track for just their fourth win of the season when Dudu Biton gave them the lead after 57 minutes, but an Alfred Finnbogason goal eight minutes from full-time secured a point for the hosts.
Lierse are still second from bottom but managed to secure a point at home to Germinal Beerschot thanks to a last-minute leveller from towering Hungarian striker Peter Kovacs.
Beerschot had taken the lead through a Guillaume Francois goal after eight minutes, but defender Kenny Thompson equalised for Lierse just before half-time.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Faris Haroun restored Beerschot’s advantage 10 minutes after the break and they looked to be heading home with all three points before Kovacs’ intervention.
St Truiden played out a 1-1 draw with Eupen at Staaienveld after Vincent Euvrard cancelled out Abderazak Jadid’s opener for Eupen.
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson recently conceded on the club’s pre-season tour of Asia that the current squad has a few ‘issues’ which need addressing, namely in the central midfield area, but the way in which he spoke about Michael Carrick and his importance to the side this season just further highlight what a pivotal figure he is at Old Trafford these days – with that in mind, has he been cruelly underrated in the past?
The main criticism often levelled at Carrick is that he often lets big games pass him by, and he appeared to fall out of favour with Ferguson in the aftermath of the 2009 Champions League final where he was given the runaround by Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets in midfield. You could call it something of an English fascination that we expect our players to run all day long while being destructive in the tackle and graft is almost always rated higher than craft, with Carrick the latest in a long line of players to have fallen foul of this common misconception.
Ferguson waxed lyrical last week about the Geordie, stating: “In the modern day game, you don’t need tacklers the same way you used to. There’s no call for it. It’s about anticipation and reading the game. The refereeing is also of such a standard now that you can hardly tackle anyone, so that sort of thing isn’t the same issue as it used to be. Carrick can read the game and also play in front of the back four. If you look at the central midfielders in the Premier League, he can match up against any of them in terms of quality – the likes of Modric, Yaya Toure, those are probably the best central midfielders and Gerrard. I think Carrick is the key to it. He did really well in second half of last season and I think he’s going to be the key man.
“Scholes and Giggs will obviously play their part and Tom Cleverley hopefully, as well as Anderson if he keeps fit. They will all play a part but for me Carrick is the key player. But we do have an issue in central midfield, there is no doubt about that because getting a Scholes or a Carrick is very difficult these days. By the time he gets to December he starts playing consistently well, but he had a really good end to last season, so he’s the key to us.”
While Paul Scholes was equally effusive in his praise with: “Over the last six years at the club he’s been terrific, one of the most underrated players that the Premier League has had. Since he’s come we’ve won the league in all but one season – that says it all. You need players such as Michael to be successful. He’s a total team player, which players around him really appreciate. I’ve always found him very easy to play with. He’s capable of doing anything. He can create goals, score goals, he’s a great passer of the ball and is a big strong lad with a lot of presence who can run all day long. Michael is a different breed to the likes of Roy and Nicky Butt. They were brilliant, but so is Michael in a different way. He brings calmness to the game and parades around the pitch like a Rolls-Royce.”
Yet the stigma persists over his perceived ability in big, pressure-cooking games and his lack of assertiveness is often maligned and used as a stick to beat him with. He’s usually used as a convenient scapegoat when things aren’t going according to plan, much the same way Darron Gibson, John O’Shea and for a time, Darren Fletcher were before him.
You can’t argue with Ferguson’s estimation that he is an integral player for the club next season as the side continues to show a worrying reliance on both Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, despite both entering the twilight of their respective careers. This becomes even more true when you account for the long-term fitness concerns over both Anderson and Tom Cleverley.
I don’t often buy into the argument that just because a manager has been successful in the past, that you can’t criticise him in the present, but the fact that Ferguson has entrusted Carrick to be a first-team regular during his six-year stay at Old Trafford, a period of great success both home and abroad, has to be worth something at least. He has been a regular during the four title triumphs and had an excellent game against Chelsea in the 2008 Champions League final victory.
Carrick can at times lack penetration, incisiveness and the ability to physically impose himself on the opposition, but nowhere near to the extent that he is criticised for and his game is often held up to the sort of scrutiny not usually reserved for most players. He retains the ability to dictate the tempo from deep and he completed on average, a quite superb 90.1% of his attempted passes last season, averaging 73 passes per game.
He may not be the natural heir to Roy Keane that many cried out for and you’re not likely to see him thundering into challenges any time soon either, but it’s a perverse state of affairs where we judge a player more by what they can’t do and the strengths of another player as opposed to lauding him for what he is actually good at himself. His uncanny ability to time his interceptions is as crucially important in the modern game as any eye-catching slide tackle is and the way in which he has been marginalised on the international scene has been a source of much frustration and bafflement for the club’s fans.
When players are usually hailed as being ‘underrated’, it’s normally done to such an extent by various talking heads and former pro’s that it’s little more than a cliche trotted out when they’ve got nothing more to add, so much so in fact, that in the end, they become rated pretty much level according to their ability, with Claude Makelele a prime example of this recent phenomenon – we were often told that he was an underrated member of Chelsea’s title-winning sides, but I don’t know of a single intelligent football fan that didn’t appreciate his importance on that team. Carrick, though, is definitely more of a divisive figure than the Frenchman ever was and probably always will be.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The 30 year-old always plays better with somebody beside him willing to put in the hard yards and he’s perhaps suffered as much as anyone else by Darren Fletcher’s prolonged absence from the side through illness, but that doesn’t take away what a good, sometimes exceptional player he can be. Capable of spreading the ball, playing defence-splitting long-passes and with the consistency to match, Carrick will certainly go down as one of the most underrated players currently in the top flight.
There is no doubt that the battle for a place in the top four will be as fierce as ever this season. With Manchester City and Liverpool spending big to ensure they’re firmly in the mix and Arsenal doing some decent business on a frantic deadline day, where does it leave Tottenham Hotspur?
With so much money being spent by their rivals it seems that Spurs have been left behind in the race to grab that elusive place in the Premier League’s elite mini-league. Boss Harry Redknapp has been used to having a substantial bank balance to go out and buy players who command a hefty transfer fee but will also improve the squad. It wasn’t so long ago he was shelling out £20 million to bring Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch to White Hart Lane but the 2011/12 summer window saw chairman Daniel Levy put a stranglehold on big spending. The ethos was to sell before you buy and by the 1st September the squad had been dramatically trimmed with 10 players either being sold or loaned out and four players being brought in. Around £30 million was brought in by the end of the transfer window along with getting some high earners off the wage bill which seemed like good business.
However with only Brad Friedel and Scott Parker signing on permanently and Emmanuel Adebayor and Yago Falque signing on loan till the end of the season the squad looks like it’s lacking at the moment. Whilst quality still remains in the ranks there is a worry that Spurs don’t have the strength in depth to mount a serious challenge for a top-four place. I personally think they should have looked to bring at least a few more players in to replace the ones that have departed. Looking at the squad they do have some very good players in all positions but as far as backup goes there isn’t much to shout home about. Throw Luka Modric’s yearning for a move to Chelsea into the mix and it could be recipe for disaster. Missing out on the Champions League last year hit Spurs hard in the arm financially. The extra money garnered from TV, sponsorship and actually finishing fourth severely hampered the budget Redknapp was hoping to get his hands on.
[ad_pod id=’qs-1′ align=’center’]
The squad they are left with now, in my opinion, will struggle to break back into the top four simply because the players warming the bench aren’t good enough to compete at the level required. The likes of Rafael Van der Vaart, Gareth Bale, Tom Huddlestone, Adebayor, Michael Dawson, Modric and Niko Kranjcar are of Champions League quality. They’ve shown that they can perform on the biggest stage and will be vital to Spurs’ chances of actually achieving the goal of returning to footballs biggest club competition. In fact on paper they have a starting XI containing players that would walk into any team in the top six.
The main concern I have is that the backup players aren’t of a sufficient standard. Hypothetically speaking, what happens if Dawson or Bale picks up a long-term injury? Would, for example, Sebastien Bassong or Steven Pienaar (who has been dreadful since moving from Everton) be able to match up to them? Are they of an adequate calibre to come into the team and offer the same level of performance and quality? Not that I’m signalling those two players out but it is an example that Redknapp has limited options and weak strength in depth which is a vital component of any side challenging at the Premier League summit. Even Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko have seen their standards fall dramatically in the last 12 months with the pair mustering less than 10 league goals between them last season. Adebayor has been brought in to remedy that and he is undoubtedly a top player when his head is focused on the game. But the majority of the time he is anonymous on the field and Spurs need a forward who is going to perform week in week out along with scoring goals. Redknapp also seems to be relying on youth players to provide backup, which could further hamper his chances of regaining Champions League football should they be pressed into action.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
[ad_pod id=’unruly’ align=’right’]
The 5-1 mauling at home to Man City certainly highlighted the division in class between a team who spends and one who doesn’t. I really can’t see Spurs making a major play for the top four especially if they pick up injuries to key players. Behind a very good starting eleven there are very few players who can step in and play to the same level. Unfortunaetly for Spurs fans the best you can hope for this season is anywhere between fifth and eighth spot!
West Ham’s Vice-Chairman Karren Brady has again criticised the motives behind Spurs proposed move to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, labelling any such move as solely ‘money-making’. But it does beg the question, if West Ham’s motives aren’t to do with making money, then what are West Ham’s motives? And with Leyton Orient today stating that they are considering a move to the Olympic hockey ground in a bid to survive – could you accuse West Ham of being guilty of hypocrisy?
Brady’s somewhat disingenuous comments were: “Harry Redknapp was told to do his best to scaremonger. But, for my mind, his words ended up being a form of Harry-kiri that sounded the death knell on any credibility Tottenham had of getting support. Theirs is a Spur of the moment money-making bid.”
The former Birmingham Managing Director was of course reacting to the comments made by Harry Redknapp in his weekly Sun column, whereupon he described that any West Ham move to the Olympic Stadium would leave the area becoming little more than a ‘graveyard’. Redknapp’s strong stance is controversial, namely because of his involvement for years in various capacities at Upton Park both as a player and a manager.
While I don’t agree with Redknapp’s sentiments, neither do I with Brady’s. She is of course at West Ham, the club that accused Spurs’ pursuit of David Beckham as a ploy to secure favour for their Olympic stadium bid – a ludicrous suggestion. The bidding rivals have both become increasingly dirty in their tactics and distasteful in their comments of late and no matter who the winner is, neither party will emerge with much credit to their name.
Interestingly, Spurs Chariman Daniel Levy has stated that Spurs, should they lose the Olympic stadium bid, will still have to pursue a move to a new stadium. Levy stated that: “I think the problem with the current situation that we are now in at White Hart Lane is that the project is currently not viable so we would have to go back to the drawing board and that would obviously mean looking at other locations again.”
He went onto say: “I’m totally confident that we would have no problem selling out a 60,000-seater stadium (at Stratford). As far as the fans are concerned, I have to say that it is a very, very small group of individuals that are making it clear whatever happens – even if we couldn’t build a bigger stadium – that they would want us to stay here. There is always going to be competition between London clubs – we are all London clubs – so wherever we are located, there is still going to be rivalry.”
What becomes clear from this statement is that Levy and the Spurs board aren’t bidding for the Olympics stadium out of some spiteful money-making move as West Ham would have us believe, but out of a necessity to grow and attempt to take the club to the next level. Moving is of huge importance to the club‘s future, it’s just that this realisation of their ambitions has only coincided with the opportunity to bid for the Olympic Stadium.
If truth be told, West Ham are just irksome that until a few short months ago, their bid looked to be the only one on the table until Spurs came in with a viable alternative. That both their bids are hugely different, so much so that the Olympics Legacy Committee, the committee that will decided upon the stadium’s new owners after the Olympics, have requested an extension to make their final decision is worth noting. The competition has surely improved the professionalism and quality of ideas floating around of both bids for the better.
Also, returning back to the original comments made by Brady, surely any move to a new, bigger stadium, in it’s principle aim, is to make more money for the club. West Ham have a geographical claim to the site, but little else makes their bid any more worthy or right than Spurs. The notion that their bid is any more valid because they are simply closer to the site is a very basic way of looking at things and a deeply romanticised viewpoint. Geography has little to do with this bid, it’s all about the legacy each club will propose to leave behind them after the Olympics is over.
Brady’s words to have a sanctimonious air about them. West Ham are moving because they see financial benefits in moving to a bigger stadium, it just so happens to be in East London which strengthens their case somewhat. If the roles were reversed, would West Ham turn down the opportunity to move to a larger and newer stadium, just because it happened to be in North London? I very much doubt it.
With West Ham trying to portray themselves as the victims in this latest twist, that they are somehow bravely fighting off the behemoth that is Spurs football club, the true victims, the ones often overlooked amongst all the Premier League banter, are League One’s Leyton Orient.
Leyton Orient have never fully laid claim to the Olympic Stadium, the idea itself is somewhat preposterous, but they have today claimed that they are toying with the idea of a move to the Olympic Hockey Stadium. They currently reside just a stone’s throw from the Olympic Stadium at Brisbane Road, just 2 miles away from the Stratford site, closer than either of the Premier League bidders.
Their outspoken Chairman, Barry Hearn referred to them as “the forgotten tribe of East London” and the arrival of a Premier League club so close to their door will only strangle what passing trade Orient achieve on match day. He also accused West Ham’s co-Chairman David Sullivan of hypocrisy over the whole bidding process and West Ham’s complaints over Spurs moving to East London stating : “This is total hypocrisy on his (Sullivan’s) part. This is a case of Tesco’s moving next to the little sweet shop around the corner. It means a death-knell for Leyton Orient, London’s second-oldest club(behind Fulham).”
Karen Brady’s latest comments are disingenuous to say the least. Both clubs are moving with the aim of making more money, pure and simple – at least Spurs are being up front in stating that this is the primary reason for their bid, not the primitive territorial allegiance that West Ham currently subscribe to, whichseems to mask their true intentions of financial gain.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Hearn is right in saying that it’s hypocritical of West Ham to accuse Spurs of moving closer to them, when that is exactly what West Ham propose to do to Leyton Orient – potentially driving them out of business. The irony that the knock-on effect of a successful West Ham bid shall force Leyton Orient to move elsewhere to survive seems to be completely lost on Brady.
I’d have more respect for Brady and the rest of the West Ham board if they were just a little more honest in the reasons for their bid and the motives behind their move. With the financial benefits of a bigger stadium in the Premier League palpable, it’s clear for everyone to see what their true motives are. This holier-than-thou act has to stop.
The next time Brady wishes to talk about death-knells, perhaps she should look a little closer to home as opposed to casting an eye towards North London. For Spurs’ move is one made out of necessity, their move off the pitch can only help sustain success on it – the sooner West Ham stop acting bitterly to the fact that they’re not the only bid in town anymore, the better.
[divider]
Love fantasy football? Love live footy? You’ll love live fantasy football! Take part in the Birmingham v West Ham match and play Picklive for FREE Go on, give it a go!
Becoming stuck in a rut is a habit that even the most content of people hope to avoid. The repetitive nature of circumstances that produce mediocre results is perhaps the most frustrating outcome. In order to progress, one must find ways of escaping this repetitiveness and take advancing steps toward development. This practice is undoubtedly required from Roy Hodgson and his England setup. Too long have England been thwarted at an early stage in International tournaments, never having the technical ability to beat the worlds elite. Bloodied hard work is just not enough sometimes and with Spain’s triple crown glistening above Europe for all to admire, it may be time to ditch the way of ye olde England and take a page or fifty out of Spain’s best-selling book of tactics.
Appointing Roy Hodgson as Fabio Capello’s successor was a surprise to many and an excitement to few. Although, his experience of the game rivals even the most glorified of managers, his popularity on home soil had decreased since his disastrous tenure at Liverpool after which his reign at West Brom was quietly covered. Hodgson’s tendency to achieve success at clubs with smaller reputations didn’t bode well for an England team full of the most famous, outspoken and acclaimed players that the Premier League had to offer.As kick-off arrived against the French in Donetsk, it came as no surprise to the watching nation that Hodgson chose a rigid 4-4-2 formation. Why would he use this formation? Well, having adapted it to every single club he has managed in the last 36 years, it is as familiar to him as inevitable disappointment is to England fans. Despite obtaining 7 points from a possible 9 in the group stages, England were chasing their opponents in all three games, a 20 minute spell against Sweden where the Scandinavians had to push for a victory was the only period in 270 footballing minutes that we fully controlled. It was our final outing in Kiev that really showed the chasm between England and International glory. Playing the surprisingly superlative Italians, Hodgson once again plumped for a lathargic looking 4-4-2 system. It was totally undone by Andrea Pirlo and his diamond midfield compatriots. More accurate finishing from the Azzurri could have lead to an almighty thrashing for England. The tactics just didn’t surface for Hodgson, especially with the Italians having a man extra in midfield. The fact that the extra man was the metronome of the opposition meant that our two men at the centre of the park, looked as if they were ready to hang up their boots. Steven Gerrard fell with cramp just 70 minutes in and Scott Parker hobbled off the field through exhaustion; face redder than his soon to be eliminated compatriots. Although a 0-0 result was earned through sheer defensive work, no fan at home or in the Stadium that night were surprised when, yet again, the country fell to the dreaded penalty shootout. However, such dire offensive performances were concerning and the stats that shocked so many after the game, really compounded the misery for the Three Lions. Italy tripled England’s passing rate (815-320), dominated possession (61%-39%) and had more shots on goal (20) than England achieved during the entire tournament.The chasm between England and current World and European Champions Spain’s style of play is almost immeasurable. Granted, we do not have the capabilities and natural ability in our squad to play with the flair that Spain do. However, when your national manager comes out in his first press conference after elimination and says that he believes “possession stats tell you nothing about a game”, you must wonder if he has ever wondered why Spain have dominated so supremely in the last 4 years. If we are to dip our trophyless hands into the fountain of youth in order for our national team to progress, we must not use a system that suggests we are going backwards, relying on dated tactics in order to achieve constant mediocrity. We must take a gamble, move forward and replicate the World Champions style of play, regardless of our supposed strengths. The England squad are no amateurs; 6 of the starting line-up against the Italians are Premiership winners, 4 are European Champions. To discount our ability to play exciting, flair football is to distance ourselves from that current tactic, that has proved so successful, not just for Spain but for countless other clubs and countries around the world.Thankfully, we have a two year gap before the rigmarole of another International tournament grips the nation with fear and ultimate disappointment. However, to avoid slotting himself in the ever growing group of England managers who have failed to make the grade, Hodgson needs to stray away from his beloved formation and start fresh, with a new system, new players and a revitalised energy. After 36 years though, Roy seems to be set in his ways and in danger of speaking too soon, it may have been the wrong appointment at the wrong time.England, what do you think? Is Hodgson the right man for the future of our national team? Have your say on twitter @mattpegg1[ad_pod id=’dfp-mpu’ align=’right’]
Wolves came from behind to beat Blackburn Rovers in an entertaining game at Ewood Park.
Goals from Stephen Fletcher and Ward cancelled out Mauro Formica’s strike to give Mick McCarthy some opening day joy and inadvertently put increasing pressing on Rovers boss Steve Kean.
Rovers started the game confidently and had already tested Wayne Hennessey a couple of times before Mauro Formica gave the home side the lead.
They say a football team is at their most vulnerable when they score and Wolves certainly took advantage with a quick-fire equaliser that brought the visitors to life in the game and put the hosts on the back foot who had Paul Robinson to thank for keeping it down to 1-1 at half time.
Wolves came out in the second half in much the same vain and Matt Jarvis forced Salgado into giving away a penalty. The spot kick was saved by Robinson but the clearance fell straight to the feet of Ward who rifled in a volley.
Blackburn Rovers certainly improved in the last quarter of the game and despite all their huff and puff and endeavour failed to make the breakthrough giving the three points to Mick McCarthy’s men. Not the start Steve Kean would have wanted, but there is still time in the transfer window to reinforce his squad and get them set-up for the season ahead.
Click here to see Football FanCast’s NEW match stats
[divider]
Watch the goals from today’s game by checking out ESPN’s New GOALS APP
[divider]
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
[divider]
Check the winning the numbers from this week’s Goaldash here