The Passing of a True Great

As everyone now knows Sir Bobby Robson has passed away from his fifth bout of cancer. He had been battling cancer off and on for eighteen years always with impeccable courage and his innate sense of humor. Among his many achievements are winning the F.A. Cup with Ipswich town in 1978 and leading England as close to winning the World Cup (they went out in the semi-finals on penalties to Germany) since 1966. He is both an international legend and a national hero for England. Sir Bobby will be sorely missed but never forgotten for all he has given football.
My favorite tribute to him comes from Jose Mourinho, who was his assistant at Barcelona:
"Bobby Robson is one of those people who never die, not so much for what he did in his career, for one victory more or less, but for what he knew to give to those who had, like me, the good fortune to know him and walk by his side,"
Goodbye Sir Bobby
For more tributes to the great see this BBC article.

Vintage Youtube

I thought I would share this vintage gem. The FA Cup wining Liverpool team of '88 recorded this song and made the fabulous video to go with it. Absolutely priceless.

Adios Ronaldo

So that's it, thank God, no long transfer speculations this summer. Ronaldo shall start the season in Madrid thanks to the £80 million Florentino Perez has seen fit to part with. 80 MILLION pounds. That's roughly $132 million. To put it in more real terms that's about 52,800,000 lattes. As much as I don't like him as a person, I will admit that Cristiano Ronaldo plays beautiful football, but this past season he certainly wasn't what he used to be and it will be interesting to see if getting "the transfer of his dreams" will inspire him back to his previous form.

The full ramifications of this transfer won't be known for a while yet though. Paying a sum of money that amounts higher than the GDP of Burundi (well that's a lie but still...) for a single man will inevitably change the transfer market irrevocably. Will this mean that the poorer clubs will sink even lower whilst the rich clubs soar? Will a total restructuring be necessary for most clubs? The way I see it there's no way Ferguson could have refused a deal like that, but it was irresponsible for Real to even offer it. Ferguson was right to sell him, Ronaldo may be an amazing player but Fergie can buy three or four more amazing players with 80 mil.

But perhaps the most serious question of the transfer is what will the relationship between Sergio Ramos and Ronaldo be? Will they be brought together by a mutual penchant for small metallic swim trunks (pictured below)? Or will a war of ridiculous fashion ensue? Only time will tell...

England England!

Being an English sports fan is not an easy occupation. English sports teams always manage to have great potential and clear talent and then just as you're beginning to think "They may just do it this time", they spiral into a hopeless run of form to make you cry. But maybe, just maybe, this time that won't happen. Fabio Capello is being hailed by England superstars (Gerrard, Rooney, Beckham) as the messiah, and he looks rather like one in the above picture. Under his steady Italian hand even a relative nobody like Glen Johnson has hit his stride setting up 3 of England's 6 goals against Andorra, and being voted Man of the Match on the BBC website with an 8 out of 10.

Capello was frequently spotted at Premiership matches throughout the season and his careful research has paid off. He's found a way to play Gerrard and Lampard together effectively, which many people, including myself, said was impossible. He's clearly got the support of the players and the fans. Personally I was ready to settle for just about anyone after the Steve McClaren Debacle (the name still makes me a little angry), but now England are on their best run of form since 1957 with 9 wins in a row. I can feel the hope creeping in, maybe we can make it to the quarter-finals of the World Cup, maybe even the semi's! For now though I'll have to settle with the hope we can even qualify for South Africa.

Catalan Campiones

Anyone who has been watching Manchester United throughout the season knows that what we saw on Wednesday was not the real United. The real United gels, has beautiful passes, and most importantly of all, scores. It is a mystery to me where the real United was last Wednesday, but the answer certainly isn't Rome. Perhaps Barca accosted them in their hotel, gagged them and replaced the real squad with look-alikes. Ridiculous conspiracy theories aside, I don't want to be one of those fans (even though I don't support Manchester United I wanted them to win), who moan about why their team didn't win, instead I would like to give full props to Barcelona and especially their coach Pep Guardiola.

At the tender age of 38, and after just under two years in charge, Guardiola has guided a team to what is probably the highest accolade in club football. He is known for insisting not just on winning, but also on playing attractive football. And that is exactly what Barca did in the Stadio Olympico, they exemplified the beautiful free-flowing game that they are infamous for. Barcelona were undoubtedly the better side and fully deserved the win, based on that single game.

For the first 10 minutes United dominated, out-passing Barca, even with a reasonable shot on goal, but the header from Samuel Eto'o completely turned it all around. From that moment on there was no question who was playing better. The game was definitely won in Barca's fabulous midfield, though to be fair Manchester United's Fletcher was wrongfully disqualified from the final. United's midfield was completely outclassed, meaning Rooney and Ronaldo didn't get the service they needed. United perked up a little after half-time but it soon returned to the Barca show, and in the last 30 minutes of the game there was no question who would be lifting the cup.

This game more then any other has made me this that the basis of one football match is not the way to judge which is the better football team. People are now obviously claiming that Barcelona are the best team in Europe but based on what I've seen of both teams throughout the season I must disagree. I am absolutely positive that United at their best could beat Barca at their best hands down. This makes me think that perhaps a series of matches, rather like Test Match Cricket, would be better at determining the better team, though I know that this will never happen. All in all a disappointing night for United fans, I certainly walked away from my TV feeling deflated, I can't imagine how those who traveled the thousand or so miles to Rome must have felt.

End of the Road

Here we are, the last week of the Premiership, yes I'm tearing up already. I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do with my life when there aren't games every weekend, every off-season it seems to get harder and harder! The last 10 games will be played simultaneously on Sunday, as they always are, at 1600 GMT (10:00 AM Central time). Don't like my predictions? Do some of your own on the wonderful BBC site and see how it will affect the table. After these games I'll do a wrap up post. So let's get right into, in alphabetical order I bring you my take on the last 10 game of the 08-09 Premiership Season.

Arsenal v. Stoke
Well I think congratulations are due to Stoke for surviving their first promoted season, many clubs don't. It is also worth pointing out that Arsenal claim 4th place while trailing 11 points behind Chelsea in 3rd, a large gulf. This has been a turbulent season for most clubs, but for these two it was fairly static. Aside from Arsenal's spell outside of the Big Four, they were reliably 3rd or 4th, and Stoke have been fairly reliably lower middle table, though they have made the occasional dip into the bottom three. At the moment neither really have anything to fight for except pride, Arsenal is locked into 4th and Stoke could only theoretically rise into 10th. The Big Four deal in pride (well that and money) and I'm sure they want to end the season on a good note really badly, so I back Arsenal for the win.

My Result: 2-0
Projected Places: 4th, 11th

Aston Villa v. Newcastle
Villa have done amazingly well for a relatively poor team (from Birmingham, I might add), however they sank out of the Top Four, proving that depth of squad is the secret to winning the Premiership. Newcastle have had a dismal season, out of the 41 games they played in all competitions they have only 8 wins. I wish I was kidding. I think, however much talent Newcastle lacks, they have heart. Villa's recent poor performance will let the Magpies tantalizingly close to victory, but their desire for 5th will drive the Villans to a third goal. Ok so maybe granting two goals is a bit optimistic for a club that has scored in 1 of the past 5 games (Newcastle), but it's the end of the season, I need drama to last me all the way to August!

My Result: 3-2
Projected Places: 5th, 18th


Blackburn v. West Brom
Poor old West Brom, they are quite the lovable underdogs, are the not? Another club that I think has a lot of heart, maybe it's because I love underdogs (I do support Bolton after all), I was one of the people with their fingers crossed for the Great Escape. Unfortunately it is impossible and I'm fairly sure they won't be climbing to 19th, the poor dears. Blackburn is a decent mid-table side who showed their quality against Chelsea last weekend, even though they couldn't convert it into goals. WestBrom will give it their best, but their best just isn't enough. After a valiant, if unsuccessful, Premiership campaign they will return from whence they came. Will someone in a more geographicallyconvenient location give the Baggies a cup of tea and a cuddle please? All Baggies supporters as well. Thank you.

My Result: 2-1
Prjected Places: 14th, 20th


Fulham v. Everton
Interesting game. I imagine this will be a good one for neutrals, these teams are fairly close though they are both currently occupying the highest places achievable.Fulham will want a win to ensure that Tottenham can't steal 7th, a place in Europe, from them, while Everton will just be going in for pride, trying to stave off Villa from stealing 5th. Both clubs have quite a lot of quality, Fulham performing beautifully with Roy Hodgson at the helm. Everton , unfortunately, are overshadowed by their neighbor too often, their place in the table reflecting that. To be a tantalizing game, with one team to equalize soon after the other pulls ahead.

My Result: 2-2
Projected Places: 7th, 6th


Hull v. Manchester United
Well what a season for Manchester United! They may be one of the most hated teams in the Premiership, but God they play beautiful football.Fergie is an amazing manager, even if he does throw a bit of a strop when he doesn't get the game time he wants or the dressing room was 2 degrees too cold or whatever. He can build a team from the bottom up, and no one should deny him that (though I'm sure they will). Hull started out the season well, but in the end their squad had no depth, now they're lucky to escape relegation. Manchester United must have rubbed their hands together when they realized this was their last fixture. They will be going out with a bang.

My Result: 0-3
Projected Places: 17th, 1st


Liverpool v. Tottenham
Liverpool is the team who made the most convincing title bid (other than Manchester United, of course). Despite my conviction that RafaBenitez is wholly mad, I have a lot of respect for him. He has very good strategy and has built a great squad especially because he doesn't have complete say over transfers.Tottenham have had a season of under achievement, their main problem being at the back with their defense and keeper. In the 53 games they've played this season they've scored 73 goals, and impressive 1.3 per game, but they've let in 62, hence my high scoring prediction. I think this will also be a good game, will definitely be watching the replay!

My Result: 4-3
Projected Places: 2nd, 8th

Manchester City v. Bolton
Bit of a North-West derby on our hands, with only about 17 miles between the two clubs. My family is from Lancashire and I rather hope all Lancashire clubs do well (I'm using old Lancs lines here, Liverpool and Manchester clubs are included). Unfortunately City has had a horrible season, despite their vast hoards of money (neatly proving that United is not just good because of their millions). Bolton is another club that under-achieves. It's like they have two faces. One can come back to almost draw from 4-0 down against Chelsea. The other can't win at home againstSunderland . I'm really hoping that they bring out their good side for the last game as the season, if they are playing to their best this will be an easy win. Please God, please.

My Result: 0-1
Projected Places: 10th, 12th

Sunderland v. Chelsea
Chelsea have had a disappointing season for all their mega-stars. Anelka has done well (I still am loyal to him from his spell at Bolton), and managerial strife has definitely taken it's toll. Guus Hiddink has worked magic and if Chelsea had had the form they currently possess all season i have no doubt they would have had a title bid.Sunderland looked like they were going done for a while. and mathematically still could, but both Hull and Newcastle would both have to win for them to go down, my bet it that they're safe. Chelsea to win easily.

My Result: 0-2
Projected Places: 16th, 3rd

West Ham v. Middlesbrough
West Ham is a pretty good side, with a pretty good season. Nothing spectacular but a far cry from Boro's. Boro is our third club going down by my predictions. Middlesbrough was doing decent until about mid-season, rising as far as 6th around August, but since then it's been a steady decline all the way down to the bottom three. In 44 games there have been 64 goals scored against them. West Ham are under-rated and have some good hard working players. This will be an easy one for West Ham, especially because it's at home, 2-0 might be a little generous toBoro.

My Result: 2-0
Projected Places: 9th, 19th

Wigan v. Portsmouth
I had the joy(?) of seeing Bolton play Portsmouth over Christmas. Portsmouth were horrid. They improved a little recently, but I personally would not have guessed back then that they would finish at 13th. Wigan have had an odd season because, unlike most clubs, that started the season fairly low and have risen. This will probably be a mediocre game and be completely over-shadowed by the other fixtures. Portsmouth to just edge past last minute.

My Result: 1-2
Projected Places: 15th, 13th

Home Grown Debate

Now whenever Sepp Blatter opens his extraordinarily foolish mouth I try my best to listen and then formulate the exact opposite opinion, however I think he may be right in terms of the Home Grown Players rule. Blatter supports the 6 +5 (a team needs to have at least 6 players eligible to play for the country that the club is in), and would like it instituted globally. This greatly displeases Premiership chief executive Richard Scudamore, however he is in the minority as the Premiership clubs today agreed to discuss instituting a quota (though "discuss" obviously doesn't mean enforce), the BBC reports that rules could be in place by the 2010/11 season. England's Football League (which contains the Championship and Leagues 1 and 2, for you non-English fans out there) has decided that clubs need to field at least four home grown players in their match-day squad starting this coming season.

If a rule is created there is no doubt in my mind that the Premiership's quality of play will suffer, though we will see how the softer version of the rule in the Championship affects them. I can see two reasons for this rule: developing more young talent for the country, and mitigating the differences between the richer clubs who have the money to buy the hottest stars from around the world, and the poorer clubs. This latter part being mainly directed at England's Big Four, Blatter doesn't like the Premiership's domination in the Champions League and also think that the number of foreign players is unhealthy. While this rule would probably even up the playing field (by making the good teams worse in all likelihood), I'm not sure how much it would actually help develop home grown talent.


It is true that while England's squad boasts some great talent (think Wayne Rooney, John Terry, Steven Gerrard) the fact that our keeper is utterly mediocre (and looks like a 70's porn star but that probably doesn't affect his play). Another inescapable truth is that they did not qualify for the Euro 2008, which is absolutely pathetic. Now I mostly blame the manager for this (I still am holding a grudge against Steve McClaren and want to bring Sven back. Oh well I'll settle for Capello, he's doing pretty well.), but England definitely could use a boost squad-wise.

Sow what do you think? will the home grown rule impact England's national team or will it just harm the Premiership? I think I need a little more time to make up my mind.