Since the England football team’s elimination from Euro 2008, there has been a great deal of discussion over the vexed question of how to improve the quality of home-grown footballers.

The usual, protectionist stance, has it that the problem could be solved by reducing, through capping, the number of foreign football players. They believe this would give more opportunities for young home-grown footballers to develop, by having more first team opportunities, meantime denied them.

But, footballers from the European Union cannot be prevented from playing in England (or Scotland), since every EU citizen has the legal right to ply their trade in any EU country they choose. A cap on players from other non-European countries could be applied though, and, some are suggesting a capping level of 2 or 3 foreign players per club.

However, the whole idea is predicated on the notion that there is a stream of talented, home-grown footballers who are not being given the opportunity to develop fully, because their clubs’ first team squads have too many foreign stars blocking their development path into the first team.

But if there was such a talented supply, surely clubs would not have to look abroad? And the flower of English talent — the England Euro 2008 squad who all play for top sides and have not been denied their chances — were not good enough. And, remember, the media were lauding the squad as the strongest for decades!

Professional clubs today are businesses who naturally want the biggest return on their investment. All things being equal, if they could buy British players of the same quality and price, they would certainly do so. And if they had enough talent coming through their club systems and academies, there would be less need to buy overseas players. So, the actions of the clubs themselves imply that there just is not the home-grown talent out there, and where there is, it may often be over-priced.

Some of the very best footballers in the British Isles right now are foreigners. There is no doubt that the standard of football being played now, especially in the English Premiership, is of the very highest quality, with the result that TV audiences around the world are huge. This is due, in no small part, to the influx of highly gifted foreign players over the last 10 years or so.

In the main, the foreign imports are providing fantastic role models for youngsters today, not only in their skill and fitness levels, but in their professional attitude to the game.

And do not let us forget the important role that foreign managers have played in improving standards. As we speak four out of the top seven teams in the English Premiership have managers from overseas; with two Scots and an Irishman making up the remainder. In addition, the FA have gone for another foreign coach — Fabio Capello — for the England national football team.

So, would putting a cap on imports help young players’ development? The simple answer is, it would not. It is purely a ‘knee-jerk’ reaction from those within the game — including some of the media — who, in their arrogance, cannot get their heads around the notion that many other countries are producing far more talented players than England, and spending a lot less money doing it.

Reducing the new-found standards, by reducing the numbers of the very people who contribute to these standards, is a backward step, built on a false premise.

Besides, the problem does not lie at the point where a young player is trying to break into the first team squad, it lies in the very way in which we originally ‘select’ and ‘develop’ our future stars. But that is a subject for a future article!

John Salter is the Editor of ClanFootball.com — a new football website giving fans their say through a football fans forum and football blog, with football news, results, club data, leagues and the Laws of Football to keep fans fully informed.

Author: John Salter
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Those who have been following soccer closely will know that one of the reasons is the never give up, never say die attitude at the club. Indeed when you consider all the things that have happened at Stamford Bridge over the years, you will quickly realize that, by now, lesser clubs would have collapsed under the pressure. The reality is, Chelsea, much-loved by so many fans, are still one of the top clubs in the world. They are one of the best.

For example, when former manager Jose Mourinho joined the club, he seems to have arrived with plenty of new enthusiastic fans and admirers of the club. These were people who had followed Mourinho’s career up to that point and were great admirers of the man. When he left, under extremely controversial circumstances, there were a few people who predicted the downfall of this great club. At the very least, relegation from top flight soccer, they said. Obviously, these were people had no idea what Chelsea FC is all about. These prophets of doom were proved wrong. The club has never sunk anywhere near the bottom, let alone in the relegation ranks. There are no signs of that happening in the near future, either.

That is why Chelsea merchandise and the replica team shirts are still a very valued collector’s item and something no serious supporter of the club can do without.

Why do soccer fans love the memorabilia and souvenirs so much? There are many reasons, but one of the main ones has to be the fact that these keepsakes can last a long time and are a great way to remember various victories and memorable eras of the Blues. The domination of the Premiership during Mourinho’s first two seasons at the club is something many fans like to remember and the shirts from that time would make a great gift to a Chelsea fan that doesn’t already have them.

However, a great club does not have just a single victorious memory. The truth is that there are numerous great moments for fans to savor, with the help of Chelsea merchandise and the very colourful and eventful past of this club.

Long before Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich purchased the club in 2003, there have been numerous legends, including Peter Osgood who scored 150 goals in 380 first team appearances, starting in 1964. Another legend was Ron Harris who is one of the most feared defenders to have played in the English First Division.

These old timers join current players like Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba (both still playing for Chelsea) as the players whose shirts are most sort after by fans from all over the world.

In other words, you can get the story of the club, told very effectively and poignantly, through Chelsea merchandise.

Eddie Stone owns and runs 4FootyFans a PREMIER UK online, Officially Licensed, Football/Soccer Gifts, Memorabilia and Merchandise Store.

It has around 2500 items in stock at any time, including a full range of top Chelsea F.C. and other Top Clubs products

The store ships worldwide.

There are many aspects that set us apart from our competitors:

Low prices
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Range ever-changing
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Liverpool-born Abbey Clancy, 21, shot to fame when she began darting the 6ft 7in bean-pole England striker. Since then she has starred in TV program, Hell’s Kitchen, and has just finished shooting her own calendar.

Joe Cole’s gorgeous fitness instructor fiancee Carly Zucker, 26, was third, Elen Rives, Spanish-born fiancee of Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard was fourth. Melanie Slade, 18-year-old partner of Arsenal wonderkid Theo Walcott came fifth.

Sadly the poll won’t make pleasant reading for poor old Victoria Beckham, wife of LA Galaxy footballer, David Beckham. Self-proclaimed top WAG Posh Spice, 33, limped in towards the bottom of the league at number 17.

Carl Christensen (corr), MD at The People’s Club who conducted the survey of 3,000 football fans, said: “Abbey Clancy was a clear winner and it’s not hard to see why. She has just about everything that a young multi-millionaire footballer could want in a woman.”

“I guess the only question football fans might want answered is: why on earth is she with Peter Crouch?”

“It was good to see that a couple of down-to-earth WAGs like Melanie Slade and Carly Zucker, who are either juggling careers or working hard to get good qualifications, featured in the poll as well. It is little wonder so many girls aspire to being a WAG, and why so many boys aspire to being footballers if they know they could end up with someone as sexy as any of these WAGs.”

Outspoken Girls Aloud singer Cheryl, 24, married former Arsenal defender Ashley Cole last year.

Other stunners to make the top 20 include Wayne Rooney’s missus Coleen McLoughlin, 21, who was voted in at number six. Coleen has been at the side of Manchester United and England striker Wayne since he was first signed to Everton as a schoolboy.

Jermain Defoe might be out of favour at Spurs at the moment – but his fiancee certainly isn’t. Charlotte Mears, 25, made it in at number seven.

Alex Curran, 25, who married Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard in the summer, is at number eight followed by former Emmerdale star and wife of Liverpool’s Aussie winger Harry Kewell, Sheree Murphy, 32.

The new wife of England and Chelsea skipper John Terry, Toni Poole, 24, completed the top ten.

Unfashionable Reading have a ‘representative’ in the shape of Big Brother wannabe Imogen Thomas, 24-year-old girlfriend of Royals defender Ibrahim Sonko.

And even fans of League One outfit Yeovil Town have something to shout about with WAGS Boutique beauty Jadine Bircham, 32, – wife of midfielder Marc – creeping in at number 13.

The fittest Championship WAG was named as Julie Phillips, 36, – wife of crocked West Bromwich Albion and England striker Kevin.

Mrs Beckham was sandwiched between two other WAGS who play for a club which lacks LA Galaxy-style glamour – Bristol City.

Singer Jamelia, 26, who is engaged to marry the Robins striker Darren Byfield and former Atomic Kitten star Liz McClarnon, also 26, lives with Byfield’s team-mate Lee Trundle.

Despite her hubby Jamie now concentrating on his career as a pundit Louise Redknapp, 33, crept in at number 20.

English Football’s Top 20 WAGs

• 1. Abbey Clancy – (Peter Crouch, Liverpool)
• 2. Cheryl Tweedy – (Ashley Cole, Chelsea)
• 3. Carly Zucker – (Joe Cole, Chelsea)
• 4. Elen Rives – (Frank Lampard, Chelsea)
• 5. Melanie Slade – (Theo Walcott, Arsenal)
• 6. Coleen McLoughlin – (Wayne Rooney, Manchester United)
• 7. Charlotte Mears – (Jermaine Defoe, Tottenham Hotspurs)
• 8. Alex Curran – (Steven Gerrard, Liverpool)
• 9. Sheree Murphy – (Harry Kewell, Liverpool)
• 10. Toni Poole – (John Terry, Chelsea)
• 11. Imogen Thomas – (Ibrahim Sonko, Reading)
• 12. Emma Hadfield – (Gary Neville, Manchester United)
• 13. Jadine Bircham – (Mark Bircham, Yeovil)
• 14. Julie Phillips – (Kevin Phillips, WBA)
• 15. Radka Kocurova – (Tomas Rosicky, Arsenal)
• 16. Jamelia – (Darren Byfield, Bristol City)
• 17. Victoria Beckham (David Beckham, LA Galaxy)
• 18. Liz McClarnon – (Lee Trundle, Bristol City)
• 19. Heather Swan – (Michael Chopra, Sunderland)
• 20. Louise Redknapp – (Jamie Redknapp, ex-Liverpool)

The People’s Club a dream team-style website which enables fans to own a real professional football club. Fans have a say in appointing a manager, choosing the kit, picking the team and even selecting the formation.

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Carragher had already won the FA Youth Cup 1996 before progressing to the senior team and he made his debut as a substitute in 1997 against Middlesbrough but it wasn’t until 1998 that he made his first start in the Premier League when he played against Aston Villa and he marked the occasion by scoring a goal. Soon established in the first team it wasn’t uncommon to see the versatile defender playing on the right, left or his preferred central defensive role.

The Liverpool man’s talents didn’t go unnoticed and he soon earned his first full England cap in 1999, having already been an established member of the England under 21 squad, for whom he made a record 27 appearances. Injury forced Carragher to miss the 2002 World Cup Finals and although he was in the squad for the European Championships in 2004, he didn’t make an appearance.

Domestically things were much better as he played an important role in the Reds treble winning team of 1991, winning the UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup, and making a total of 58 appearances for the team that season. With so many great performances for the Reds the 2005 Champions League Final will be remembered as one of Carragher’s finest, with one of the finest displays of defending and commitment imaginable, he was also voted Liverpool’s player of year during 2005 and later that year captained the side when winning the European Super Cup against CSKA Moscow.

More silverware was to follow in 2006 when the Reds beat West Ham in a dramatic FA Cup Final, after the game ended 3-3 Liverpool won after a penalty shoot out, and then captain the side as they beat Chelsea in the Charity Shield match. More international disappointment was to follow in the World Cup Finals however, although selected to play, England lost in the quarter final penalty shoot out.

The following season saw Carragher make his 89th European performance, a record for the club, and he was also voted as the highest placed defender in a list of Liverpool’s greatest 100 players, he also surpassed 500 appearances for the Reds in 2008, only the 12th player ever to do so.

Steve Goodwin is an expert author, football fan and retailer of Liverpool merchandise available from the Liverpool Shop all products from the Liverpool Store are available to ship worldwide.

Author: Steve Goodwin
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Johnson actually made his Chelsea debut at Anfield and went on to enjoy a Premier League title and collect a League Cup winners medal during his time with the Blues. As his first team opportunities became more limited he was loaned to Portsmouth in 2006 before making his transfer complete the following season.

A regular player at Portsmouth, Glen was part of the team that won the FA Cup in 2008 and he also has the accolade for scoring the goal of the season during 2008-2009 for his goal against Hull.

An already established member of Fabio Capello’s England squad, Johnson signed for Liverpool in the summer of 2009 for a transfer fee believed to be in the region of £17.5 million. The defender quickly established himself in the Liverpool first team, making his debut against Tottenham Hotspur in August of 2009 and scoring his first goal for the club a few days later against Stoke City, and he scored a further two goals for the Reds during the 2009-2010 season, which culminated with Johnson representing England at the World Cup Finals in South Africa, where England were eliminated in their final 16 match against Germany. Glen Johnson has now made 34 appearances for England.

During the 2010-11 season the defender suffered several injuries which limited his playing opportunities, but he has established himself in the resurgent Liverpool side under returning manager and Reds legend Kenny Dalglish. A willingness to play at left back as well as his favoured right side has demonstrated a versatility that has proved many sceptics wrong. Johnson signed a contract extension at Liverpool during the summer of 2011.

While showing versatility in defence, Johnson is also a threat going forward, showing great speed, skill and determination, he demonstrated his attacking prowess when he scored a brilliant solo goal in the closing minutes against his former club Chelsea during the 2011 season in the game at Stamford Bridge, the goal secured a 2-1 victory for the Reds in the closing minutes.

Johnson established The Glen Johnson Soccer School in 2007 along with former West Ham player Sam Taylor, the aim of the school is to develop football skills for children aged 4-16 and this is based in Dartford, Kent, England.

Steve Goodwin is an expert author, football fan and retailer of Liverpool merchandise available from the Liverpool Shop all products from the Liverpool Store are available to ship worldwide.

Author: Steve Goodwin
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10. Roy Evans (Liverpool) Averaged 1.72 points per game
Replaced Grahame Souness, who resigned after a humiliating FA Cup defeat to Brisol City, Roy Evans rescued a dour Liverpool and restored them to the top three of English football. He brought through the likes of Jamie Redknapp and Robbie Fowler. His Liverpool career came to an ignominious end when he was forced to share the management duties with Gerard Houllier, later resigning.

9. Gianluca Vialli (Chelsea) 1.74 PPG
A player manager who would continue to push Chelsea’s continental drift from the mid-table to the upper echelon of the league. Finishing 3rd and 5th in his only 2 full seasons at the club he eventually left because of disagreements with some of the major stars at the club.

8. Kenny Dalglish (Blackburn, Newcastle United, Liverpool) 1.78 PPG
Only the 3rd manager to win the top-flight league with two different clubs. Kenny Dalglish was one of the first to demonstrate what could be achieved if you were willing to throw money at a Premier League club. Finishing 4th in their first premier league campaign then following it up by being the first club to wrestle the title from the grip of Manchester United, Kenny Dalglish along with the money of Jack Walker took Blackburn to the top. This was followed by a disappointing spell at Newcastle United. Presently he is managing Liverpool back to where they belong.

7. Claudio Ranieri (Chelsea) 1.82 PPG
Affectionately known as ‘the tinkerman’, Claudio was in charge when Roman Ambrovich bought the club and offered a blank checkbook to sign players. His highest finish was 2nd to Arsenal’s ‘invinicibles’ and he was responsible for Chelsea having the backbone of John Terry, Frank Lampard, Petr Cech and Claude Makelele that would support their forthcoming sucesses.

6. Rafal Benitez (Liverpool) 1.9 PPG
Turning Liverpool into a home from home, Rafal Benitez signed eight players from his birth country when he first took over Liverpool. He managed to steadily improve Liverpool’s position in the league from fifth spot to a close second to Manchester United in 2009. His following season was to be his final, regressing to a seventh place finish, following a falling out with key players and the board.

5. Arsène Wenger (Arsenal) 1.99 PPG
Wegner’s quiet intelligence has sometimes been invaded by the infectious passion and madness of the Premier League. Resurrecting an old side who were in a decline from their glory days and introducing a policy of signing young foreign talent. Wegner built the modern Arsenal: lavish and continental but also financially responsible. Winner of the league 3 times he also oversaw the famous invincibles who went for a full Premier League season undefeated.

4. Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) 2.01 PPG
A toned down Jose Morihno: intelligent but not arrogant, reserved but not awkward, Mancini has come to oversee the latest bankrolled ascent to the Premier League summit. Finishing 3rd in his first full season, largely instructing his team to play in a negative manner, he is at present trying to turn Manchester City into the most dominant exciting team to ever grace the Premier League.

3. Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea) 2.07 PPG
Winning the FA Cup and league in his first season with a team that scored a record 103 goals, you have to wonder: where could they go from there? Starting the next season in the same fashion, five straight wins (two of them 6-0), the hangover of the previous season double kicked in towards Christmas. A late season recovery saw them march on to 2nd place, 6 points off the title.

2. Alex Ferguson (Manchester United) 2.16 PPG
On all other scales, demonstrably the greatest manager the English Leagues have ever seen. 12 titles out of 19 Premier League seasons. He built a series of teams that have defined the Premier League, nurturing the best of talent and coming out on top in the mental battle against a series of contenders, Alex Ferguson is probably the biggest contributor to the success the Premier League has become.

1. Jose Morinho (Chelsea) 2.33 PPG
Winning the league two out of his three seasons in charge, his place at the top is brought about by Chelsea’s phenomenal points tally of 95 (averaging 2.5 points per game) and 91 (2.4) in his first and second season respectively. Shevchenko, supposedly brought in by the chairmen as a vanity signing, seem to sour both the teams efficacy and Morinho’s relationship with his employer, leading to a downward trajectory and a mutual parting. Would Jose Morinho be able to manage the sustained success of Alex Ferguson? It remains unknown. He seemingly induces glory where ever he manages and currently holds the highest points per average manager of any Premier League Manager. Morinho ceases to be controversial, even in bare statistics.

All 95 managers who have managed more than 37 Premier League games are ranked on www.statsonthegame.com. This includes number of home and away win, draw and losses.

Written by Sean, who oversees http://www.statsonthegame.com. A site dedicated to the Premier League: with news links, the best of players tweets, in depth unique statistics, analysis and manager ranking.

Author: Sean Jennney
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Second place in the poll were Chelsea fans, who include Sienna Miller, Danni Minogue and Isla Fisher – followed by the attractive followers of Liverpool.

Arsenal may be riding high at the top of the Premiership, but they could only manage fourth place, despite having singer Rachel Stevens and ex-Page 3 model Jo Guest as supporters.

The survey found over half of guys (53 per cent) spend time checking out how fit the girls at football matches are and two thirds of blokes reckon there’s something sexy about girls in footie shirts.

Carl Christensen, MD of www.thepeoplesclub.com, which commissioned the poll, said: “Football is changing. You see more and more girls at games these days. It’s like a fashion parade at times at Stamford Bridge, with some of the totty treating the stadium concourse like a catwalk.”

“The sexy style of football is having an influence on the make up of fans attending the games too. I believe that Manchester United’s free flowing football and Manchester City’s cavalier spirit is rubbing off on the female fans.”

Sexy female fans of struggling Newcastle United finished off the top five. Tottenham came sixth in the poll while Derby were at number seven. Eighth place went to West Ham United. Rampant romeo Sven Goran Eriksson’s Manchester City were voted in at number nine followed by Aston Villa at ten.

The survey also named Swansea City supporter Catherine Zeta Jones as the sexiest celebrity football fan, beating second placed TV presenter Cat Deeley, a West Bromwich Albion fan. Arsenal fan Rachel Stevens came third while actress and Everton supporter Jennifer Ellison is at four. Finishing off the top five is Titanic actress and Reading follower, Kate Winslet.

At the other end of the scale Crystal Palace supporter Jo Brand was named the ugliest celebrity supporter followed by Norwich City director, Delia Smith.

Carl, added: “Everyone would agree there is something about girls in footy shirts which is downright sexy – it is the beautiful game after all.”

England’s Sexiest Football Fans

• 1. Manchester United
• 2. Chelsea
• 3. Liverpool
• 4. Arsenal
• 5. Newcastle
• 6. Tottenham
• 7. Derby
• 8. West Ham
• 9. Man City
• 10. Aston Villa
• 11. Cardiff
• 12. Middlesbrough
• 13. Sunderland
• 14. Charlton
• 15. Everton
• 16. Blackpool
• 17. Birmingham
• 18. Coventry
• 19. Southampton
• 20. Leeds

Sexiest Celebrity Football Fans

• 1. Catherine Zeta Jones (Swansea City)
• 2. Cat Deeley (West Brom)
• 3. Rachel Stevens (Arsenal)
• 4. Jennifer Ellison (Everton)
• 5. Kate Winslet (Reading)
• 6. Kirsty Gallager (Liverpool)
• 7. Emma Bunton (Tottenham)
• 8. Lucy Pinder (Southampton)
• 9. Kim Marsh (Manchester United)
• 10. Helen Chamberlain (Torquay United)

Ugliest Football Fans

• 1. Jo Brand (Crystal Palace)
• 2. Delia Smith (Norwich)
• 3. Alison Moyet (Southend)
• 4. Kate Garraway (Gillingham)
• 5. Claire Sweeney (Everton)
• 6. Michelle Marsh (Oldham Athletic)
• 7. Gabby Logan (Leeds)
• 8. Emma B (Aston Villa)
• 9. Donna Air Newcastle)
• 10. Geri Halliwell (Watford)

The study was carried out to launch The People’s Club, a dream team-style website which enables fans to own a real professional football club. Fans have a say in appointing a manager, choosing the kit, picking the team and even selecting the formation.

Author: Simon Lassam
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The goal was scored from a free kick by Ronald Koeman in extra time and in the squad was one Pep Guardiola, now the coach who has created his own dream team based on the “total football” introduced by Cruyff.

Barcelona’s second Champions League title was won against Arsenal in 2006 when Frank Rijkaard was coach; but it is Guardiola who has really built on the work of Rijkaard and won the title in 2009 and 2011, both times against Manchester United.

While Manchester United are already out of the 2012 competition after not progressing beyond the group stages, Barcelona will face Bayer Leverkusen in the next round; in the group stage they played Milan who they drew against in September at home and went on to beat 3-2 in the return match in Italy. You can buy tickets for FC Barcelona versus Bayer Leverkusen online from Simply Barcelona Tickets.

They also played Bate Borisov who put up little resistance against the might of Barcelona, who beat them 5-0 away and 4-0 at home; and Viktoria Plzen, who Barcelona first beat 2-0 at home and then 4-0 away. The results left them at the top of their group, with Milan in second place and both teams go through.

This year Barcelona’s main rival so far is Real Madrid, who they have a longstanding and extremely bitter rivalry. The arrival of Jose Mourinho at Madrid has ensured that the rivalry has been really turned up, but so far Barcelona has usually come out winning. Last year Madrid lost to Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final, who beat them 3-1 on aggregate.

And this year Mourinho has set his mind on beating Barcelona whenever he can. If they face each other in the Champions League he will need to overcome a massively talented rival whose home-grown talent is usually too much for his own team. Only time will tell.

In the next round against Bayer Leverkusen is to be played in February and March. The first leg is in Germany on Valentine’s Day, while the return is on March 7th. Meanwhile Real Madrid will play CSKA Moskow from Russia.

For more information on Barcelona v Leverkusen or if you’d like to order Barcelona tickets for the Champions League or any other match see Simply Barcelona Tickets.

Author: David Leigh
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As the match slipped away from the Villans, the Holte End outrageously suggested that Harry had bunged the referee. That accusation is entirely without foundation: Harry prefers goods inwards to dispatch.

The Villa fans went on to intimate that Harry enjoys the occasional stroke of the pink puppy. I wouldn’t criticise Redknapp even if this was true, as it’s an understandable reaction after Jamie.

A minority of supporters then disgracefully claimed that Harry would soon be behind bars, partaking in certain activities in the shower area. Not only does this slur completely contradict their earlier insinuation; it’s also downright offensive, and Harry will not be taking this lying down. We’ll all have red cheeks if we miss the 5/2 for a Tottenham win over Pompey.

The travelling Villa supporters will hopefully show a little more restraint when around Roy Keane, as his preferred method of conflict resolution does not involve complaining to selected media outlets. I’m spreading the word that 9/4 for a draw between Sunderland and the Villa looks pretty tasty.

When it comes to speaking to the BBC, Sam Allardyce is also a total blanker. The Beeb fought back on last week’s Match of the Day; they comically photoshopped a ridiculous woolly hat on his oversized head. I can’t wait to get my hands on the mammoth 6/4 for a Fulham win over Newcastle.

Team news is probably the single most important factor in betting, after recent form or a nod from Kieren Fallon, so I’ll wait for updates on Hleb, Flamini and Fabregas before taking an interest in the Arsenal v Chelsea match. Four of the last six Premier League meetings between the two giants have finished all square, so I’ll tentatively look towards the 9/4 for a draw at this early stage.

Birmingham City will definitely have to strengthen their squad in January, and with Alex McLeish at the helm, I expect there to be a strong Scottish connection. Two names that immediately spring to mind are Miller and Becks. There is a player nicknamed ‘Woodpecker’ who McLeish would love to sign, but he’s tied up at Chelsea. I’m definitely attached to the 5/4 for a Birmingham win over Reading.

Middlesbrough are a riddle, wrapped up in an enigma, shrouded in mystery, situated in a hole. I’m praying the Boro will produce their A-game against the outclassed Derby at a larger than expected 7/5.

Lee Bowyer is on the verge of a return to action after recovering from Gilmore’s groin. It was a genuine surprise to me; I thought he just had a tear of the adductor muscles. People should be falling over themselves to get on 15/8 for an Everton win over West Ham.

Dressing-room dissent is on the rise at Wigan. One senior player is already on Steve Bruce’s back, and that’s not a position I would like to see anyone in. The player, who wishes to remain anonymous, has suggested that Bruce is a long-ball merchant. Paul Scharner continued, “If we don’t change to playing football, then it will be very difficult.” The only thing attractive at the JJB this weekend is the 11/8 for a Blackburn win.

I watched in horror last weekend as Stephen Ireland committed what can only be described as a heinous crime: he appeared to be wearing a wig. Call me old fashioned, but toupees are only acceptable for the bald and the ginger.

Let’s be honest, if Ireland is using a piece, and it remains conjecture at this stage, it doesn’t make him any less of a man. Only wearing a pink jumper on a night out will result in any long-term loss of man-points. Bolton have won their last three at Manchester City, winning them all ‘to nil’. I refuse to cover up my interest in Megson’s men at 4/1.

Life is full of little coincidences. As Steven Gerrard was throwing himself to the ground in Marseille, his wife was getting turned over at home. There was also a burglary. I’m helping myself to the 13/8 for a Liverpool win over Manchester United.

I hope Stevie can recover from the trauma, as I need the influential Scouser to win the ‘battle of the inner-ear infections’ against Ronaldo to land the weekend accer. Birmingham, Middlesbrough, Tottenham and Liverpool are the selections, the payout is an increasingly plummeting 45/1.

Gerry McDonnell dabbles in football odds compilation, journalism and orphan rescue.

http://www.gmfootball.com

Author: Gerry McDonnell
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“Steve McClaren was not good enough”; Scott Carson, Jolene Lescott and Micah Richards are not good enough at this level”.

“Too many foreigners in our league”; the players do not care enough and give more importance to their club”.

It is going to go on and on but the fact is that it is not just 1 thing wrong, it is a combination of a lot of things.

This author does not believe for 1 minute that the FA got it right in making Steve McClaren boss, but Italy, Brazil and France, could be argued that they have managers at the helm that are simply not good enough but they still succeeded and in Brazil’s case even won the Copa America despite the presence of the hapless Carlos Dunga at the helm.

Let’s go back to the aftermath of the world cup in 2006, England, in the opinion of this author and others, were very bad as they played woefully in every game but come the start of the season, Andy Gray, live on Sky, told Steve McClaren that England will qualify for the Euro 2008.

Let us just say I was gobsmacked and astonished as to how Andy Gray could come up with a statement like that considering how poorly England played in the world cup. This is part of the problem, the people in the media do not even know the game, they are overpaid to give their views and time and time again, they come up with dross that is not helping the English game.

The fans lap up all this stuff and believe most of what they read and hear and think that England have some sort of divine right to win major tournaments and qualifying should be a mere formality.

If we bear in mind that England did not qualify for the world cups in 1974, 1978 and 1994; European championships of 1984 and now 2008, it is incredulous that we think in this country that England are a powerhouse in football.

If you add the fact that England have only managed to reach the final of 1 major tournament in their history, 3 semi finals in their history (2 of those was as hosts) and you can see that the sheer arrogance is misplaced.

Another problem is with the Premiership and how it somehow obscures the fact that English players are not as good as they are made out to be.

The premiership is possibly the most watched league on earth but the teams with the most English players tend to be either at the bottom of the league or at most mid-table.

The most touted English players are helped enormously by their foreign counterparts but the media always chooses to ignore this and overrate their heroes to the hilt. They always overplay their importance to the teams.

If Chelsea loses and John Terry is not playing, it is automatically because of his absence according to the media especially the TV media. The amount of times Jamie Redknapp has attributed Chelsea loss to the absence of Terry is quite boring. He refuses to acknowledge that Chelsea get beaten or indeed concede goals without Terry and they do in fact keep clean sheets and win without Terry.

The same situation can be seen at Liverpool where Jamie Carragher and Steve Gerrard get all the plaudits.

Steve Gerrard needs the passing technique of Xavi Alonso alongside him that he does not get with Frank Lampard, who, in turn needs the reassuring presence of Claude Makele, the running power of Michael Essien for him to shine by ghosting into the box. The fact of the matter is that the English players provide the heart and passion for their sides; they do not possess the necessary technique required at this level.

Manchester United are perhaps the only top side with English players to make a case against the point that I am making but on closer inspection, Cristiano Ronaldo was the difference last season in them winning the league or not and he is Portuguese.

Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes contributed immensely but Ronaldo was the catalyst.

Wayne Rooney has not done himself justice since his promise at Euro 2004 and Paul Scholes once went 25 games without a goal for his country.

For more Football news visit [http://www.footballclubsblog.com]

My name is Dennis and have written a number of articles on how to make it big online.

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Author: Dennis Neri
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Italy must fear a repeat of the European 1984 qualifiers when they failed to qualify for the European finals as a world champion. It was lowly Lithuania who inflicted damage all those years ago and a disappointing home draw last year against the same opposition could prove costly.

Italy seem to take a while to find their best possible form but they do not have the luxury this time around. A defeat on Saturday will prove fatal unless knocked-out Ukraine can have a surprise victory against France the following Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Scotland manager Alex McLeish named a full-strength squad for the Saturday game at Hampden Park. This has been possible by the fact that top clubs Celtic and Rangers have postponed this weekend’s league games.

Scotland is second in the group, a point behind France and one ahead of world champion Italy and will secure a place in next year’s championship by beating the Italians. It can also advance with a draw if France loses its final game against Ukraine or Italy stumbles against Faeroe Islands. However, a loss will mean elimination and Scotland can say goodbye to the European championship.

Although Scotland does not have any star player, McLeish has assembled a squad of players who perform above themselves against the top teams. The Scots have beaten France 1-0 home and away previously. McLeish said that even though those players are disappointed for not being selected for the squad this Saturday, they will still be happy to support each other.

Jesaiah is a die-hard football fan and have watch Live Football Matches Online using a special software with high quality streaming video. You can click here to download the software.

Author: Jesaiah C
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But Flamini, like many other young and upcoming players in the EPL, has performed consistently well thus far, keeping out his older, more experienced teammate.

So what other players have been warming the bench rather than running gracefully across the football pitch, contrary to what their hefty wage packets, honours and large transfer fees may otherwise suggest? Here’s our take on the best of the unused this season:

GK – Carlo Cudicini

Carlo, the Italian stallion, used to be one of the Prem’s best shot-stoppers. After the arrival of a young ‘keeper by the name of Petr Cech, the only thing Cudicini now stops is the cold from biting in while warming the bench.

DF – Wayne Bridge

Will he ever get a regular game at Stamford Bridge? One of England’s most talented defenders, the answer is most likely ‘no’ due to the arrival of Juliano Belletti.

DF – Linvoy Primus

A mainstay of the Pompey defence last season, but injury coupled with the solid partnership of Campbell and Distin has kept him out thus far.

DF – Robert Huth

Having had surgery performed on his ankle this summer, Robert Huth has been gradually working his way back up to full fitness. Will he be able to form a solid back pairing with Jonathan Woodgate? Time will tell.

MF – Andy van der Meyde

His time at Everton has hardly been a success. Failing to turn up for training sessions, rumours of alcoholism and bust-ups with the manager have severely limited the Dutchman’s chances of playing for Everton this season. Shame for a man who was a first choice for Holland during Euro 2004.

MF – Jimmy Bullard

Poor old Jimmy Bullard. Likes his fishing, just as well he has a hobby that takes up most of his days, seeing as how he hasn’t played since dislocating his knee against Newcastle last September. Ouch.

MF – Gilberto Silva

Amazingly, the Premier League’s Most Improved Player 07/08 (TM) Mathieu Flamini has kept out the Brazilian midfield maestro.

MF – Michael Ballack

He is injured, but will he be playing regularly alongside Lampard when he returns? £135,000 a week for a man who basically just turns up at Stamford Bridge to watch games seems a bit steep to me.

MF – Maceo Rigters

Performed brilliantly at the U21 European Champions for Holland, ending up in the competition’s team of the tournament. Secured a dream move to Blackburn, however has found first team chances limited due to the exploits of McCarthy and Santa Cruz.

ST – Peter Crouch

We could have put anyone in Liverpool’s team on here given Rafa’s rotating, but Crouchinho gets the nod due to his excellent strike rate, yet inability to get a regular start. Hopefully some recent excellent performances will help him back into the side.

ST – David Nugent

Turning up at a club, missing easy chances, and then having a naked mobile picture of your, ahem, ‘tackle’ posted on the Internet is hardly the way to impress your new employers. Don’t expect the promising striker to get in ahead of Benjani, Utaka or Kanu.

Andy Glover is the Editor of Liquid Football. A slicker football blog.
http://liquid-football.blogspot.com

Author: Andrew Glover
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The sacking of Chris Hutchings has all the hallmarks of a ‘knee-jerk reaction’, much like his appointment in the first place one might suggest. If every club reacted like this, Davies would have gone, Redknapp would be nowhere, and Martin Jol would have vacated the Spurs hot seat many weeks ago.

The fact that it is now referred to as a ‘hot seat’, is further indication of how volatile and insecure the job is of a Premiership manager.

Was Dave Whelan right to give him the chop?

The 6 losses which led to Hutchings’ departure weren’t exactly the simplest of tasks. Losing to Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool is to be expected of a lower-half team, with only very late goals conceded against Pompey and Reading extending the run. The loss away to Birmingham is perhaps the only result there that can be classified as a poor performance with a disappointing result.

Surely, the Wigan board (including the astute businessman Dave Whelan) must have seen for themselves the nature of these results, and not just decided ‘right, 6 defeats, he needs to go.’

A club like Wigan, with no offence and every respect to them, are not a side that should be expected to finish in the top-half of the table. Their fan-base, history and quality of players suggest otherwise. Over time, they may strengthen (such as Portsmouth or Blackburn) and then have perhaps European ambitions. But for the time being, avoiding relegation must be top priority, and with that in mind, those 6 results were probably to be expected.

Would anybody else have been able to do better? Probably not, which makes the sacking seem even more ludicrous. Unless there was a tactical genius on board, those results would still probably not have gone their way.

The timing is also very strange. By sacking him after the Chelsea game, and not before, it shows that the Wigan board were expecting something from the that match. It’s an unrealistic expectation to get points off any of the big 4, never mind a side that crushed Man City the week before. Chris Hutchings should have been given a few more games, against teams that were the same level as Wigan, to give a true assessment of how well as a manager he was performing, and what the Latics could realistically hope for come the end of the season.

Clearly, Wigan feel that somebody can do better. Maybe they’re right, maybe they’re wrong, and only time will tell. However, with Souness the most likely candidate to take up the reigns, I wouldn’t hold my breath for a sharp turnaround.

Andy Glover is the Editor of Liquid Football. A slicker football blog.

Author: Andrew Glover
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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With a net worth of $10, $20, $30 billion, are you to invest money and much of your time in something that may bring you profit over the years of no more than several hundreds of millions or losses in the same value? How could you spend a billion anyway?

You buy the most expensive cars, houses, yachts, airplanes, all that luxury still may not top $1 billion. Pleasure among machines, butlers, personnel, can make you feel like a saddened King from fairy-tales. There must be a more humanly joy.

You buy a media exposure, be in the spotlight where everybody are watching, you move masses of tens of thousands of people in the stadium as if they are marionettes and you are a wire-puller, you build your own fantasy world.

You make news headlines by being a super spender in the most watched sporting league in the world. Yes, you buy yourself a top football club and it wouldn’t cost you more than a billion or so! You become a real-time Fantasy Football Manager.

Fantasy Football Manager is a football management simulation computer game first released in 1980s where you are the General Manager of your very own fantasy football team. Nowadays, most popular sports web-sites offer a chance for visitors to play the Fantasy Football League Management game.

In the real-time world, Chelsea FC was purchased by a billionaire in June 2003. Since then, the club is witnessing record losses, the billionaire’s involvement with Chelsea is described by Wikipedia as ‘to have distorted the football transfer market throughout Europe, as his wealth often allows the club to purchase players virtually at will (frequently at inflated prices), without regard for the effects on the club’s financial outturn’.

How does this effect the reality of football? Football becomes a sub-real simulation of its own reality. With one club owner having limitless budget, his/her football knowledge, work and skills of managing a club do not effect his/her success in the business, billionaire can continue to bring in the expensive players, sack head-coaches upon his/her desire.

Even if the club suffers the biggest financial losses in football world, the club will not go to bankruptcy as the billionaire will add additional hundreds of millions since the football club’s budget does not depend on its football performance.

How does this effect the game of football? There doesn’t seem to be much sportsmanship for one club to buy world top players (so many that a half of them will be reserves) while many other clubs can’t afford to pay one or two such players for their first team.

The beauty of the game suffers as well. In two and a half years with Portugal’s FC Porto coach Jose Mourinho won 2 domestic titles, including the European Champions League title in May 2004 by eliminating clubs with far greater budgets. Several months later Mourinho, named the world’s best coach in 2004, was brought to Chelsea.

In just 3 years he managed to win 2 league titles, including club’s first championship in 50 years, 1 FA cup, 2 Carling Cups, along setting several Premier League records. Mourinho at Chelsea did more than simple buying world football super-stars like Real Madrid C.F. did at that time, he offered contracts to players who were to develop to some of the world’s best team-players playing for Chelsea.

Chelsea as a sovereign ruler of England’s football fields and a perfect football team was as if not offering enough excitement for the club’s billionaire owner. After winning consecutive titles, Chelsea signed two major football super-stars, Shevchenko (for a British record transfer fee) and Ballack, both of which did not match Mourinho’s concept of team play.

It was the beginning of one great football mind’s end with Chelsea, Mourinho was fired as the most successful head-coach in club’s history in the years of his success. Welcome to the real-time Fantasy Football Manager as a spectator, player or head-coach!

Dayan Smreca, http://www.sportiana.com/press/

Author: Dayan Smreca
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Spurs, after finishing no worse than ninth in the Premiership since 2004 (9th, 4th and 5th) have got rid of the man who took them to those dizzying heights, Martin Jol. Again because of a mixture of a slow start to the season and a serious lack of support from the Board and fans alike an honourable man has been kicked out of the door.

This has unfortunately not come as a shock to anybody, as far back as August photographes of Spurs officials meeting Jaundo Ramos (then Sevilla manager) appearsd in a Seville newspaper. And lo and behold, who has just handed in his resignation? You got it-Ramos!!

This is not the first time it has happened (Steve Bruce, Ian Dowie, Harry Redknapp….) and I’m fairly certain it will not be the last time. Players and managers these days seem to have contempt for any contract that they sign. Very rare are the days when someone like Ryan Giggs will spend their career at the same club – Loyalty has become a rare commodity.

I can still remember a cold damp evening at Old Trafford and a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace. What sticks in my memory more were the chants of ” Fergie Out! ” and they were the polite chants! A bit of patience and more importantly SUPPORT and well the rest is glorious history! I can still remember conversations with United fans at the time and it is amazing how many have retrospectively changed their opinions, you know the ” I always knew he would come good ” type of person who would’ve gladly hung Fergie from the rafters in the Trafford pub after that game!

All of the Tottenham players have held their hands up and admitted that they have not performed, they do Not blame the manager, they do Not blame the systems or formations, so why should we? If you want to blame anybody then maybe the English FA or UEFA or FIFA for making the players play a stupid amount of games at the wrong times!

Personally, even though by Spur’s standards Jol has done well, I think that they couldn’t wait to see him out the door. Martin Jol, an honourable man, has been treated disgracefully by the board, the fans and Tottenham Hotspur as a whole.
Anybody connected with Spurs should be bloody ashamed of themselves!!

Any and all comments are welcome at football-football-gazza99 where the Subject is Football…But the Topics are yours!

Gazza Burnsey
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Author: Gazza Burnsey
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Now let me clarify the idea that is thought to be the answer – All Premiership and Coca-Cola Championship clubs should be allowed a small amount of terraced area for the fans, that wish to do so, to stand and cheer their team on as in the good old days. You remember, scarves in the air, better chanting, better baiting and a better atmosphere.

I can certainly see many reasons why Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe when asked, has recently vetoed the idea saying: “I have not heard anything to make me change my mind”
He is obviously a fan of the Taylor Report which came out four months after the Hillsborough Disaster.

The report gave many recommendations which have greatly added safety to all our stadia, not just football grounds, but music venues, athletic stadiums and even music venues. So there is no denying that a lot had to change at our football grounds. I was one of the many Manchester United Fans that made the short journey to the gates of Anfield to lay down my scarf alongside many other club’s colours. You could touch the sadness, it was tangible.

But I think times change and we have to change with them.

I for one cannot see a problem with certain clubs having a restricted amount of space to have a terraced area for the fans that wish to stand and cheer on their team. To be able to jump up when they score, to be able to stay standing up when they are singing and, by the way, have you ever seen an opera singer mesmerise you while they are sitting down? Or more aptly a rock star belting it out, while slouched on a couch? The atmosphere is non existent at times in some of the grounds.
The lessons from Hillsborough were learnt well. Major steps have been taken to ensure our safety. But we HAVE learnt, to the extent that even the fans themselves wouldn’t let the same awful tragedy occur again. The terraced areas would be for the die hard fans who would certainly appreciate it, if my experience is anything to go on.

The individual grounds should be inspected for all the relevent safety issues and if they failed, even a Premiership club, they stay all seater. This time we would know what to look for, the police, stewards and the fans. And I firmly believe it is what the fans want. I know I do.

Gazza Burnsey

football-football-gazza99

Author: Gazza Burnsey
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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Its fair to say that Leeds fans were very skeptical when chairman Ken Bates brought them in. Fear and paranoia were rife amongst a battered and bruised club support who were convinced that the ‘Chelsea’ connection was a conspiracy to oversee the final demise of our great club.

My initial reaction to Dennis’s appointment was one of cautious optimism. Whatever your opinion about Wise he has been successful where ever he has gone – as player and manager. He also has huge drive and fighting qualities which were desperately needed by a club sinking fast into the abyss.

The fact that the management team were unable to stop our relegation did put doubts in my mind that maybe the appointment was not going to work out. However, it is clear that the situation last season was impossible from the moment Dennis walked through the door. It was bad enough in the Premiership leaking 6 goals at Portsmouth, but shipping in 5 to Luton in the Championship? The woeful dressing room situation resulting from previous boss Kevin Blackwell’s reign was like a cancer. The club lurched from one crisis to another, from a mole with a leaked team sheet to a captain who asked to abandon ship.

Then followed the most horrendous summer in our or anyone elses history. It would have been so easy for Dennis and Gus to walk away on several different occasions. It was unclear, right up until the eve of the season, whether we would even have a team to support at Tranmere Rovers on the opening day. I remember going to the pre-season game at York thinking it might be our last ever game.

Therefore the blistering start the team have made this season under the most extreme circumstances is quite unbelievable. What a joy it is to be anticipating a possible win every week, after the seemingly endless torment of the last few years. Consecutive Manager of the Month awards speak volumes about the huge job Wise and Poyet have already done, and continue to do.

I for one will be raising a glass to Dennis and Gus. Well done lads, thank you for turning our great club around in the last 12 months.

Lee Betteridge is a publisher writing regularly about the fortunes of his home-town club – Leeds United F C. Related articles can be found at his website [http://www.GloryGloryLeedsUnited.com]

Author: Lee Betteridge
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Leeds United seem to be the forgotten team. Even though they have had incredibly bad luck in recent years – nearly going out of existence, tumbling down the tables and being deducted fifteen points this season – they are slowly and quietly restoring some pride at Elland Road.
Their 1-0 win on Saturday away to Brighton was their tenth win of the season and with two draws they remain unbeaten so far in this years campaign.

After being ludicrously deducted fifteen points before they even kicked a ball Leeds have pushed their way up to twelfth place in League One…they would have been nine points clear at the top of the table otherwise! It’s not been pretty at times but when you have so much ground to make up who cares? Three points are three points and we have seen the grand old dame of football slowly but surely climb the table.

Most of the credit must go to Dennis Wise And Gus Poyet and their ‘never say die’ attitude and of course the now outdated, or seems to be, work ethic of their players.

I remember an interview with ‘Wisey’ at the beginning of the season where he acknowledged the points deduction with characteristic determination – “We’ll just have to go and win it now won’t we?” I believe he said.

Well, as a Manchester United fan, you may be surprised to hear me wish Dennis and Gus and all at Leeds United the very best for the rest of the season.

Leeds to win their league? Don’t bet against it!!

Back soon

Gazza

Gazza Burnsey

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Tell me what you think on this or any other football subject at football-football-gazza99 where Football is the subject…But the topics are yours!

Author: Gazza Burnsey
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After the previous winning ways a few friends and I decided to go to the pub for a change to watch the England v Russia game…Big mistake!

For a start, being slightly superstitious, I wasn’t too keen on going out to watch it, as I had previously hosted ‘Qualifying Parties’ at home. Secondly, the optimism and confidence of my fellow St. George acolytes was far too high for my liking….I had that sense of dread from the outset!

Starting with Lescott at left back confused me when Phil Neville (most underrated player of his generation!) was on the bench. Bringing Lampard on at all was a BIG mistake. And expecting SWP to be able to head or cross the ball was just sheer negligence!! And when are people, especially the England management, going to realise that Wayne Rooney is NOT an out and out striker but a world class attacking midfielder! Everyone expects the boy to get up and down the park but that is not a strikers job-he is much better, and happier, linking up with the front two. As plain as the nose on my face. I think I’ll apply for the England job when it comes up again! Maybe sooner rather than later!

Now I am not saying England will not qualify, it is just a shame that we have to depend on other results, and the mammoth task of beating Croatia first. Let’s not forget that fact. And if Gus Hiddink has anything to do with it can you see Israel getting any kind of result against Russia?
It is not all doom and gloom, the chance is still there, and I for one will be cheering on the boys until I’m hoarse!

And please people… No booing our own players… regardless of what you thing of them.
It is tantamount to treason and the only person that may need beheading if it goes wrong is the Manager.

Let me know what you all think and visit me at football-football-gazza99 and share your opinions… the more controversial the better.

The subject is Football… The topics are yours!

Back soon…

Gazza Burnsey – football-football-gazza99

Author: Gazza Burnsey
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First of all I want to make this clear to you… just because someone is an amazing juggler it doesn’t mean that he’s good on the pitch(I have meet a lot of football freestylers and in many cases they are also good at football). Also it’s the same if you’re a good football freestyler, you don’t need to be good on the pitch.

If you’re a footballer you probably are thinking something like “stupid people spending so much time for something useless”. If you are a decent football player and you’re serious with your football I believe that football freestyle is a perfect practicing method that will give you extra skills. It will improve your first touch, eye-coordination, ball control and so on. If you think about it, how come all the best players in the world today are familiar with some football freestyle tricks?

As I mentioned before I have played football with a lot of football freestylers and most of them are decent. That’s probably because their love for the sport, for some reason maybe they quit football but still want to kick the ball. Also some people just do some basic freestyle to improve their skills on the pitch.

Football Freestyle is only in its early days and it’s still very small. If you ask 10 people if they know football freestyle I guess that 8 or 9 will say no, in some cases even all 10 of them. Some people in the world does football freestyle full time, they’re not getting rich from it but they still have the opportunity to do what they love. So if you practice hard enough and are dedicated there is a chance for you to become pro.

I really hope that this sport will grow bigger and bigger during the coming years. I hope that this sport will be recognized all over the world, so if you enjoy this article maybe you want to pass it on to a couple of friends.

You’re not sure what football freestyle looks like? take a look at http://www.freestylefactory.net a site with videos, pictures and lots of information about the sport!

Author: Rickard Sjolander
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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But while the PC philosophy is sound in theory; in reality, it’s beginning to spiral out of control. My youngest won’t be allowed to compete in his school’s sports day this year, as the headmistress frowns upon the notion of ‘losing’. Even fun events like the three-legged race have been cancelled, for fear of offending the McCartneys.

The policy-makers fail to realise the importance of competition. If I play ‘I Spy’ with little Goliath, and I can’t get the answer, I ground him for two weeks. There’s an important lesson here, if there are no winners in life, we may as well all pack up and move to Scotland.

The insanity of PC has also reached the catering industry. Some bright spark decided to change the name of a popular pudding to ‘Spotted Richard’ in order to ‘protect’ the bashful. There’s nothing amusing about ‘Spotted Dick’, but then again, it was my own fault for meeting up with Ulrika.

Sven Goran Eriksson has been there and done that, and I expect the smooth Swede to put up another fine performance away from home. Most bookmakers have Fulham as warm favourites for the visit of Manchester City, but I make this an each-of-two match. This one could really go either way; I’ll play the draw at 9/4.

The PC brigade have also demanded that ‘gingerbread men’ are renamed ‘gingerbread people’, to avoid upsetting the sensitive biscuit. Steve Coppell has the gingerest team ever put together outside of Ireland; I’ll be seeing red if Reading fail to do the business against Wigan at 6/5.

I’m going to have to try to adapt to this new PC environment. After all, if you can’t beat ‘em, Stan Collymore will lose all interest.

Mark Viduka is not fat, he’s merely got tremendous upper body strength. Newcastle look a touch big at 11/10 to see off the Hammers.

While Arsene Wenger was waxing lyrical over his in-form team, he used the phrase ‘very playerish’. As far as I’m aware, that doesn’t actually exist, like ‘bouncebackability’ or ‘a G-spot’. I can definitely find 1/6 for an Arsenal win over Derby.

I’m certainly not a philatelist, but i believe that Roy Keane has an impressive stamp collection. The 11/10 for a Middlesbrough win over Sunderland sticks out like Alf-Inge Haaland’s knee.

They say that curiosity killed the cat, but I refuse to rule out the McCanns at this stage. I’m seriously looking in to the 13/10 for an Aston Villa win over Everton.

I fancy Blackburn at 10/11 to win at home to Portsmouth. With Bentley, Dunn and Savage in the side, the Rovers definitely have the tools to get the result.

I hope that Pascal Chimbonda wins his race to be fit to face Bolton; he was reportedly a little bunged up. A Tottenham win is in the bag at 8/5.

Sir Alex has reported Liverpool to the Premier League for allegedly making an illegal approach to Gabriel Heinze. How surprising, someone’s getting tapped-up and a Sweaty and a bunch of Scousers are on the scene. I’m going to be all over the 1/4 for a Liverpool win over Birmingham.

A run of three matches without a win was enough for Roman Abramovich to sack Jose Mourinho. It would be fair to say that Jose’s eggs have been well and truly poached; probably by Liverpool. Manchester United are now unmissable at 5/4 against a shell-shocked Chelsea.

Peter Crouch is reportedly seething as a result of becoming a bit-part player at Anfield. One might say it’s a case of PC gone mad; if one was a pretentious nause.

My level of confidence in the 13/1 accer of Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Tottenham and Manchester United is so high; I’m going to recommend that we all bet like men. On reflection, perhaps we ought to bet like non-specific gender-neutrals.

Gerry McDonnell dabbles in football odds compilation, journalism and orphan rescue.

http://www.gmfootball.com

Author: Gerry McDonnell
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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While the wife was living it up in the ward with a newborn and a variety of painkillers, I was left home alone. As with all of life’s little problems, the solution lay at the bottom of a pint glass. Unsurprisingly, my bank balance took a real beating, as I ended up in a particularly expensive round…barmaid.

My actions were perfectly justified as desperate times call for desperate measures. Steve McClaren can empathise, he’s recalled Emile Heskey to the England squad.

Emile will always have supporters because of his size. Heskey could easily be mistaken for the side of a house, only he’s more static. There’s an often repeated fallacy that big men don’t have a good touch; with Emile, it’s purely a coincidence.

A few shrewd footy observers have spoken of Heskey’s improved form over the past couple of years. This may well be true, but he’ll never be a Pele; although he does remain impotent on the international stage.

England’s midfield will also be under-strength. Owen Hargreaves has joined Beckham and Lennon on the treatment table and Frank Lampard has withdrawn with a thigh problem: he should really have called it a day after a bucket of wings.

The goalkeeping position is also up in the air. McClaren is expected to replace Paul Robinson with David James, which is like swapping gonorrhea for piles.

I accept that sometimes you have to go backwards to move forward, but that only works for female drivers. The England old boys are far too short at 4/11 against a capable Israeli side; the draw is the only way to play at 7/2.

People are quick to have a go at the Scots, but if it wasn’t for our skirt-wearing neighbours, we wouldn’t have television, the bicycle, penicillin, the telephone, or ginger children. Those Sweaties will try anything after a few swallies. I’ll raise a glass of Buckfast and Irn Bru to the 4/11 for a Scottish win over Lithuania.

‘Robbie Keane football shirts’ are currently the second-best selling product in Ireland; only the enduring popularity of the potato-peeler has kept them off top spot. The talismanic Keane can inspire the Irish to a win in Slovakia at 15/8.

The German team are a lot like me this weekend; we’re both going to be pounding Wales. It’ll be World War III if I miss out on the 1/2 for Germany.

Thierry Henry must be devastated after his marriage officially ended this week. The delightful Claire Merry cited ‘unreasonable behaviour’ on her divorce petition, so naturally the judge gave her a quickie. I’m separating the bookies from their cash by backing Italy at 13/10 to take out the French.

If you believe the tabloids, Ronaldo, Nani, Anderson and a ‘fat guy’ have all been gorging on expensive tarts. I can confirm that Wayne Rooney is definitely not the mysterious fourth party, as he only gets involved when the pastry is slightly wrinkled. I absolutely refuse to discriminate against the 4/9 for a Portugal win over Poland.

I have no problem with Ronaldo celebrating last week’s winning accer by playing immoral ball-games; i just want to know if he was throwing or catching. Scotland, Ireland, Italy and Portugal form an 11/1 weekend accer that will hopefully lead to a definitive answer.

Gerry McDonnell dabbles in football odds compilation, journalism and orphan rescue.

http://www.gmfootball.com

Author: Gerry McDonnell
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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Freestyle is all about performing amazing football tricks. It’s important to execute your tricks with style, consistency and attitude. It all starts from juggling, you have to really master juggling before you attempt freestyle tricks. How can you learn to juggle then? Practice, there is no secret formula on how to become good at football freestyle. Of course it’s always good with a bit of talent, but except of that you need to practice a lot. Go outside and try to juggle. Always try to beat your record. When you can do 100 juggles every time you can proceed to the actual tricks.

If you’re still not sure how freestyle looks like then I would suggest that you click on the link at the bottom of this article!

Now you know what football freestyle is and how amazing it really looks like.

To become a good freestyler I would say that the best abilities would be determination, dedication, love for the sport and a little bit of talent. It’s also really really important that you enjoy what you do. And at some points it will become pretty boring to just stand there alone for hours and hours freestyling. The best way to keep it fun is to freestyle with someone. If you are two freestylers it will always become more fun. You can take a break and joke around, you can challenge each other for a trick and just hang out while practicing.

Freestyle will actually improve your game as well, so if you’re a footballer you might want to try some freestyle. It will help your eye co-ordination and first touch a lot. Also there is more things you will get from freestyling.

Some pros that have achieved a lot through their amazing football skills are: Palle, Boomsjakie, Touzani and Abbas.

Football Freestyle basically is to entertain a crowd, whether it’s in front of a real crowd or in front of a digital crowd(internet, tv and so on). You always have to entertain through your amazing ball control.

I hope you now have a better picture of football freestyle and what it is.

If you enjoyed this article I strongly suggest that you take a look at http://www.freestylefactory.net which is a site dedicated to the sport of football freestyle!

Author: Mark Coolio
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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In my opinion, fans deserve at the very least to be given the chance to have input into how their teams image is portrayed to the world. After all, it is they who pull out their wallets to pull on the shirts and by the same token, it is they who are mocked by colleagues and other clubs if their clobber isn’t up to scratch.

Something that can be even more disappointing for fans is when a manufacturer simply turns out one shirt design a season and designates it to each of the teams it is contracted to. A football shirt should be unique to whichever club it represents as every team has it’s own traditions, backgrounds and preferences which are all too often overlooked.

It’s not entirely unheard of for a club to open up the floor for fans to speak their mind about a kit now and again, but more often than not it’s simply to vote on a choice of three and not to offer views and opinions on what they actually want.

It’s sad to think but I can see a time when a kit manufacturer wins the opportunity to make all of the kits for the Premiership, and every team in the league simply showcases that seasons ‘range’.

Like most aspects of football, I think fans should really start taking control before the sport becomes a complete business.

Thomas Baugh works for http://www.worldfootballshirts.net – a site dedicated to giving fans the chance to comment on their teams colours and getting in touch with manufacturers to bring about a change.

Author: Thomas Baugh
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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Being a humanitarian, I’ve asked Dave to stay at my house for a while until he finds his feet; which coincidentally is a problem for the wife.

The evil one nearly fainted when he moved his belongings in, as he was accompanied by a nine-foot long python. Even the fact that the reptile was visually impaired failed to calm her nerves, I had to constantly reassure her that she was in no danger from Dave’s one-eyed snake.

My pal has always had a soft spot for animals; he even cries when Blackburn have a player sent off. The wild Rovers face a tough trip to Goodison Park; I’ll be in tears if it doesn’t end in a draw at 9/4.

Dave should try to get a job with the Premier League, as they abhor technology. Middlesbrough aren’t complaining though; they managed to pull off the most blatant robbery at a Cottage since Fred Barras. If the officials are kind enough to allow Newcastle a goal when they put the ball over the line, they can leave the Riverside with three points at 19/10.

Rafa Benitez deserves praise for the signing of Torres and the repositioning of Gerrard, but I remain wholly unconvinced by the goatee. I can’t quite put my finger on what it reminds me of, but I know my mate Dave doesn’t like it. I’m loving the 11/4 for a draw between Sunderland and Liverpool.

It’s not often you’ll see ‘Sven Goran Eriksson’ and ‘clean sheets’ in the same sentence, but it’s three wins out of three for the Manchester City manager without conceding a goal. Bookmakers have priced up Arsenal at a huge 4/6 as a result of Sven’s perfect start: that’s nap bet material.

Chelsea players are being a little bit naughty in constantly haranguing the referee. John Terry is the worst culprit, he’s definitely the master baiter. You have to like the 3/10 for a Chelsea win against Pompey; they’ll win with a little something in hand.

Antti Niemi is set to return for Fulham after recovering from a wrist injury; presumably picked up while playing against Robbie Savage. I don’t think he’ll enjoy his first game back, it’ll prove something of an anticlimax. The Villa are a confident call at 5/6.

It’s been an awful start to the season for Bolton; they’re as pointless as a salad bowl in Chez Lampard. Things are finally going their way now though; El Hadji Diouf wants to leave. Sammy Lee will be ecstatic if Bolton pick up their first points of the season at home to Reading. At 7/5, I’m priced in.

Derby v Birmingham was a Championship match last season: there’s a fair chance it will be a Championship match next season. I can’t see past a draw at 9/4.

Craig Bellamy withdrew from the Wales squad in midweek as his bint was dropping a little cash-grabber. On reflection, he probably should have withdrawn a little earlier. The even money for West Ham beating Wigan is worth staying in for.

Manchester United are unmissable at 8/15 at home to Spurs. United have had an astonishing 61 shots on goal in their three Premiership matches this season and Tottenham have Paul Robinson in goal. The prosecution rests.

Spurs can consider themselves fortunate that Ronaldo received a three-match ban for violent conduct. My mate Dave thought the Portuguese winger got off lightly; he wanted to see his butt more severely punished. My cheeks will be red if this week’s accer fails to oblige: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bolton, West Ham and Manchester United will come to my rescue at an ostentatious 20/1.

Gerry McDonnell dabbles in football odds compilation, journalism and orphan rescue.

http://www.gmfootball.com

Author: Gerry McDonnell
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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It is so important to get the team to function as a unit and there is no doubt that if you can instill a good team spirit between your players, the team will function much better as whole.

One method that I use and continually utilise is to take a good player aside and explain the importance of team spirit and his role as an experienced player in developing team spirit. So I ask the player “What is the outcome you want for the team?”. More often than not the answer is along the lines of “I want the team to play to its best and to win more games than we lose”

With the outcome in mind it is far easier to explain to the experienced player the importance of their role as a mentor to the lesser skilled players and with their help, they will have a far greater impact on the team than just their individual performance,

If a senior player in the team takes on a mentoring role, the inexperienced players generally respond well and start to feel more involved as a team player.

Being a mentor for lesser experienced players basically comes down to leading by example and showing encouragement to players that are struggling. When a player makes a mistake, a reaction of abuse or negativity from other players rarely helps the confidence or demeanor of the offending player, where as simple words like, “Come on Johnny, don’t worry we all make mistakes lets just try harder not to make any” will help the player through to wanting to play better and as a consequence probably will.

Also it is up the experienced players to ensure that other players adopt this kind of attitude and ensure that everyone feels part of the team and want the team to succeed.

Here is a gem that for you to send to your players as food for thought

Zvzn though my typzwritzr is an old modzl, it works vzry wzll – zxczpt for onz key. You would hardly think that with all thz othzr kzys functioning propzrly onz would hardly bz noticzd, but thz onz kzy out of whack szzms to ruin thz wholz zffort.

You may say to yourszlf, ‘Wzll, I’m only onz playzr. No onz will noticz if I don’t do my bzst’. But it dozs makz a diffzrzncz bzcausz to bz zffzctivz a tzam nzzds activz participation by zvzry onz to thz bzst of thzir ability.

So thz nzxt timz you think you arz not important rzmzmbzr my old typzwritzr.

You arz a kzy playzr…

The SoccerHelper coached his team to the top of the league using the Coerver program combined with a SPECIAL ingredient. Click Here for Details

Author: Nigel Reed
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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What a joy to watch the young Gunners string passes together and attack with such speed and venom. The swagger is back and the confidence is overflowing with each passing movement and goal. What a turnaround since the post season when we lost the leader of the team!

The Crazy Mouth is still at the post and I reckon he will be good for another season or two. With the signing of the promising Fabianski as a challenge to our reliable but boring Almunia, our goalkeeping department seems to be in good hands.

At the heart of the defence, we have the ever reliable Toure who is maturing to be the next Captain. Beside him, we have the stand-in ‘loud mouth’ Gallas who have practically pissed off everyone. I hope he lets his talent do the talking on the pitch and less talking off the pitch. With Sagna strong tackling and the flying Clichy as the full backs, we do have a defence that can be the best in the premiership. This is only if they do gel together in time and stay injury free for the whole season.

With the effervescent Gilberto and flamboyant Fabregas holding the central area down with strength and dexterity, we have a strong central midfield that can match any team in the world. Hleb and Rosicky are both tricky and very clever football players. With a sudden burst of speed and flick of the boot, they are able to penetrate defences like butter. Eboue is the stand in right winger that is making waves down the opposition flanks since being converted from right back.

It is in the strike force that we have a mouth watering combination of young players. Although not fully established as regular 30+ goals a season striker, Robin Van Persie has shown the talent and eye for goal that has propelled him to the front page of many newspaper in the post season. With the talented new signing of Eduardo and the imposing presence of Adebayor, we seem to finally have strikers to finish a cross with diving headers and spectacular finish. We should not forget the young talent of Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott with Bendtner already netting for his country and Walcott billed as the next big talent in England.

The only problem that might derail our season will be the lack of cover available and also the temperament of the young guns. Outside the top 13 or 14 players, the squad is real thin without much experience. With a few suspect temperaments and a long season, the stability and guidance of the older heads will be more important.

With a little bit of luck and bags of courage, it will be our year! Go Gunners!

Rick Chong is a professional sports writer who specialises in the English Premier League. He also manages an Arsenal Forum for Arsenal fans.

Author: Rick Chong
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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But nothing could have been more expected than the arrival of international footballing superstar David Beckham in LA last week. Every detail of his move – his bust up with former coach of Real Madrid, Fabio Capello; the size and terms of his new contract; his reputed earnings; his close-season form for club and country; and even the health effects of the commute from across the Atlantic for international duty – has been covered by the media.

Despite all the cricket and tennis, this has been the sports story of the summer. And so his ‘unveiling’ was an entirely expected event. No surprises, no mysteries, and absolutely no secrets revealed. That’s no ‘unveiling’. If the club had wanted to make a big splash by unveiling Beckham then they should have kept the whole thing quiet – if that would have been paossible.

If, in front of the world’s press, Thierry Henry had emerged from behind a curtain at the MLS club, now that would have been an unveiling.

By Paul Bowers, I write about designer lingerie, waspie, robes, pajamas and high end swimwear.

I also write articles about mastectomy bras and mastectomy bra designers and specialist luxury corset designers such as Cupeesh and Velda Lauder.

Author: Paul Bowers
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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Grounding the ball. Raise the knee of your opposite foot (the one further away from the ball) and leap sideways, off your other foot. When handling the ball, have your nearer arm parallel to the ground with fingers and thumb forming the bottom part of the W. Your other hand should be used for guiding the ball down.

Diving for air shots. This is one of the more spectacular techniques used in goalkeeping. In terms of execution, it encompasses a scissors-like movement, similar to a bicycle kick. First, raise the knee of your leg which is further away from the ball. Then, take off from your other foot which should be nearer to the ball. As you’re flying, accelerate the knee of your leaping foot while extending the other. When you catch the ball, get your hands on top of it and use it as a landing cushion. The ball should touch the floor before the rest of your body. Contrary to intuition, you should not land the dive on your side.

Crosses. On high crosses and steeply falling balls, you must be the first person to contact the ball. Take off from one leg with the knee of the other raised as high as you can. This will give you protection against enemies (and even teammates) that can potentially collide with you. Immediately after you grip the ball, bring it to your chest and lean over it.

To learn more about playing football please visit http://soccerboots.blogspot.com. You can find more about football training and playing tips.

Author: James Wong
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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The first thing that you must understand is that the ball should be struck with the upper part of your forehead. This part of the skull will not injure or hurt, because it is comprised of only skin and thick bone. One of the most difficult obstacles in learning how to head the ball is overcoming the natural fear which discourages you from propelling your head straight at a flying object. Don’t allow the ball to hit you. You charge at it!

Young players tend to close their eyes when heading the ball. By doing so, you can’t see where the ball is and you can seriously injure yourself. You also need to keep your eye on the part of the ball that you want to head. Hitting it below its equator will cause it to rise while striking the upper part of the ball produces a downward header.

The force, which you apply to the ball, should not come from your neck muscles. Bending backward your entire upper body and propelling your head forward will produce far more power. Before heading the ball, you should adjust to its flight by taking a succession of short shuffling steps. This helps you avoid tilting to the side after you have leapt in the air.

To learn more about playing football please visit http://soccerboots.blogspot.com. You can find more about football training and playing tips.

Author: James Wong
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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