All posts by h79snht.top

With the players’ holidays coming to an end, the Manchester United team will be returning for pre-season training soon and I’m already finding myself getting increasingly excited for the new season to start. There are five big reasons I can’t wait for the kick off:

1. Ashley Young

I’ve thought the winger belongs at United ever since he started to flash potential when Watford came to the Premier League, now he’s here this signing could be a big impact on the team. Many see Young as a similar mould as Nani and Valencia with his pace and skill. However Young’s direct finish product in his crossing ability will be the best in the United team, something I can’t help but sometimes feel Nani lacks. Also being a set piece expert, Young should give United the opportunity to be threatening from free-kicks and corners again.

2. The Manchester Derby

With City’s team strengthening by the transfer window the Manchester Derby’s are growing more and more competitive and this is represented in the football betting. That’s why I have never loved Wayne Rooney more and been more relived when his goal of the season, acrobatic kick flew into the noisy neighbour’s net. It’s not only just the derby matches themselves now, the rivalry has grown to a scale on which City are poised to compete for the Premier League title. If this is the case next season then any points taken from derbies will be even more vital. An even more exciting prospect would be if the two meet in the Champion’s League knockout stages, in which case let’s just hope United can bring City’s fast progression to a halt.

3. Michael Owen

I almost feel like I shouldn’t be writing this and realise it is the most bizarre aspect of United to be excited about and I would not be surprised if I am on my own with this. Plagued with injury since his return to the Premier League and only netting 14 goals since his arrival, two years ago, at United does not make Owen much to shout about. Despite this I can’t help but get excited when I see him on the pitch in United colours. He is a natural finisher, proven through a fantastic career, and at 31 is not over the hill. If Owen can overcome fitness issues he can still grab the goals to change a match. If rumours of Berbatov’s departure materialise I don’t think Ferguson will bring in a replacement yet but may instead trial Welbeck and Macheda. In this instance Owen may receive more playing time and may finally become a reckoning force in the United attack, something I think he is still capable of.

4. Chicharito

I’ve sung Javier Hernandez’s praises until my throat is sore this last season, and that’s the least he’s deserved. The striker enjoyed an emphatic start to his United career netting twenty goals in his first season without being an every game first team starter. Towards the end of the season Hernandez overtook Berbatov as first choice for Rooney’s strike partner, and so surely will keep this role next season. The difficult second season syndrome is a rotten concept in football and is something which looms ahead of the new United favourite. The reason Chicharito is an exciting prospect for me next season is because he has shown he is a natural striker and continued to improve throughout the season. Therefore I think he can overcome second season syndrome to pass last season’s goal tally and continue to develop into a world class player.

5. The defence of a title

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Finally what better reason to look forward to a new season than your team having one of the most prestigious titles in the footballing world to defend, the Premier League champions. Next season’s title race promises to be an exciting with presumably Chelsea, as always, contending United for the league and this time round possibly even City and maybe Liverpool pushing for the top. However so far United seem to have strengthened their team the most and so we will have to wait and see how their rivals respond. Fans will also be looking for another run at the Champions League and so does another tussle with Barcelona await?

Read more of Tom Daniel’s articles at Red Flag Flying High

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If the recent over-hype of Barcelona is anything to go by then you could be lead to believe that the only attractive football that has ever graced the face of this planet has only been played in the past four to five years. But let’s put this into a little perspective here, Barcelona are just one example of many who have played subliminal football, of a technicality and uncanny ability that is completely unique to that particular club and no other, not even other clubs within Spain. It is not right to suggest then, unlike other obsessive media outlets, that Barcelona , Catalonia and the greater Iberian peninsula are in the indestructible ascendancy and that the rest of the world must stand around and take heed of our mighty deficiencies.

‘Mes que en Club’ goes the club motto, ‘more than a club’ to me and you and in every respect it is, Barcelona represent Catalonia, they are the embodiment of an area which are autonomous in all but name. A club which, for the Catalonians at least, are worshipped with nationalistic fervour and in their club have their vehicle to fly the Catalonian flag on the world-stage. The football, in some respects, matches this ethos.

The entire football community are in state of semi-permanent-flux about Barcelona at the moment and in some respects you cannot blame them. However, the football they are playing at the moment is completely unique, save for that of the national team, which includes several key Barcelona players. It is wrong for people, for casual observers, tacticians and members of the press to suggest that every club should try to match this style of football. Why? Barcelona will rule the roost for another few years yet but teams will eventually learn how to break them down, to turn their high-tempo, short-passing game into their weakness.

The great thing about football, especially at Champions League level, is the true clash of styles that each team represents. We have a problem in England whereby we see something abroad that works and we instantly decide that this is what we must adopt as our own. As indelible as that sounds, football just doesn’t work like that. United were comprehensively beaten by Barcelona last month but they shouldn’t look towards the Nou Camp with exasperation. United play a brand of football which is also unique, a dogged persistence that formation shouldn’t be broken, which explains the rigidity of their two banks of four and an absolute belief in their ability to score a goal at any point during the game. Barcelona are unique in their ability to play without formation but this approach to the game should be handled with care.

With the internationalisation of the Premier League it is hard to suggest that the Premier league still harps back to the years of push and rush football. What is interesting though is how ball possession is still not necessarily a fundamental aspect of the English game. Many managers, Wenger included, have had limited success in trying to implement it into their teams but for all intents and purposes, this style of football just isn’t compatible with the pace and pressures of the English game. And why should it?

English football should be the master of it’s own future, not constantly blighted by the need to look elsewhere for footballing inspiration. Some observers would say that we need to look towards teams such as Barcelona and take their footballing philosophy completely to heart, but for what end? Sometimes it can be a case of trying to fit square pegs into round holes. English clubs should be helping to enshrine a distinct footballing ethos completely separate to that taught in academies such the one in Catalonia. Of course coaches should respect the technicality of a team such as Barca but football, much like life, can be played in more ways than one. Coaches need to realise that.

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The U21 Championships give rise to a certain sense of cautious optimism. The directness of players such as Scott Sinclair , Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson and the power and potential of Connor Wickham hints at a particular style and substance. It is this, fundamentally, which could be crucial in forming our footballing legacy for the future.

Read more of Thomas Walters’ articles at This is Futbol

The battle for the title next season looks like it will once again come down to London versus Manchester, but where does the future of the Premier League power lie and which city will be home of the champions 2011/12?

The top four who are most likely to be challenging for the title next season either come from the capital or Manchester, Arsenal and Chelsea down south and Manchester United and Manchester City up north. Whilst there are still outside bets including fellow Londoners Tottenham or Merseysiders Liverpool, the most likely scenario would be one of the top four being victorious come the end of next season.

The power in the Premier League has been shifting back and forth from Manchester to London over the last ten years. Since 2001 the title has changed hands seven times between Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal. Last season’s winners Manchester United claimed back their prized possession from the grips of Chelsea and London but will the trophy stay in Manchester next season? My gut feeling is that it will but United are not the only Manchester based team now firmly in the hunt.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have been joined by Manchester City at the top and I believe one of these two fierce rivals will be champions come next May. The history, experience and investment at United means the reigning champions will again start as favourites. Ferguson has focused on young signings this summer in a bid to freshen up the squad and whilst still possibly needing one or two more players, Fergie has the team capable of challenging for honours over the next few years.

Rivals City have taken player investment to a whole new level in a bid to be competitive year-on-year. So far Roberto Mancini has brought in Stefan Savic and Gael Clichy to sure up the defence and transfer speculation is rife that the City boss wants to add even more attacking flair to the team, most probably in the shape of Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero and Arsenal’s Samir Nasri. The possible loss of captain Carlos Tevez would be a blow but the City players that stay at the club have a taste of silverware after last season’s FA Cup triumph. They managed an impressive third in the league last season and I think City are well placed to do even better next year.

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Despite my belief that the power in the Premier League is now based up north, you can’t right off the capital’s main contenders. New boss Andre Villas-Boas should give Chelsea a new lease of life and whilst they have been quiet in this summer’s transfer market so far, I would expect a few quality players to arrive. Their title push may also depend on whether Villas-Boas can have the Mourinho effect at Chelsea in his first season. Expectation will be high for the Blues and if Villas-Boas can add to the squad and get the likes of Fernando Torres, Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda back in top form then Chelsea will always have a good chance.

Arsenal’s title hopes are a more complex point to consider. Much will depend on who leaves over the next month, with their two best players Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri rumoured to be close to an exit. Losing both would effectively halt Arsenal’s chances of getting close to the title but if Wenger can keep at least one (and reinvest in new players) then they could be an outside bet. But both London clubs seem to be going through periods of transition, whether it be under new management or with potential changes to the squad.

Based on their title winning experience and significant investment, I think it is both Manchester clubs that are best placed to win the title next season and go on to possibly dominate the Premier League over the next few years. Though for the neutral fan a title challenge involving all four clubs from both London and Manchester will keep the league a lot more interesting next season.

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If you want to read more of my bite size, 160 character views and thoughts follow me on Twitter @jennyk5

With a surge of young talent being both produced in, and brought over to the Premier League, there seems to be a fixation among the media and press to draw comparisons between these players and those of the previous generation. As stars of the game grow older and eventually retire from football altogether, there is almost an obsession with discovering the ‘new’ so and so, or the ‘next’ whoever, rather than focusing on the ability of the player themselves. It seems unfair to draw comparisons between players of such a young age and those with a wealth of experience in the game, and will inevitably add to the unwanted pressure that is already on these players.

Most recently, the 18-year-old Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku has been branded the ‘new Didier Drogba’. Lukaku is currently in West London finalising his move to Chelsea where, should everything go smoothly, we can expect to see him paired up with Drogba in the near future. Perhaps only then will we see just how similar the two are in their playing styles, but physically Lukaku does appear to have the strength and power that we have become accustomed to from Chelsea’s number 11. Another comparison that may be drawn between the two is that they are both proven goal scorers. In just 73 appearances for Anderlecht, Lukaku scored 33 goals and helped his side to the Belgian League title last season. At 33, Drogba’s time at Chelsea is believed to be coming to an end sooner rather than later, and with Lukaku coming in as his ‘replacement’, there will be high expectations on the youngster to impress as well as the Ivorian has done over the past 7 years.

The retirement of Paul Scholes has left a void in the Manchester United midfield that will be difficult for Sir Alex Ferguson to fill. While speculation surrounding the possible transfer or Wesley Sneijder remains rife, it is the 21-year-old Tom Cleverley that has been tipped to ‘filll the boots’ of Scholes. Ferguson himself claimed that Scholes could not be replaced, however after a fine performance in the Community Shield on the weekend, newspaper reporters were quick to draw comparisons between Cleverley and the veteran. Cleverley has been a United player since the age of 15, however similarities between himself and Scholes have only really been made since Scholes announced he would be retiring, and a ‘new Scholes’ was deemed a necessity at the club. Highly rated for his passing, vision, and composure on the ball, Cleverley, like Scholes, is also known for scoring the odd wonder strike. Whilst the youngster appears to be adamant that he can fill the void in the centre of the United midifeld, being branded the ‘next Paul Scholes’ is likely to raise expectations even more around Old Trafford, when really, Cleverley’s talent should be appreciated regardless of who played that position before.

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Earlier this week Real Madrid signed a seven-year-old boy from Argentina who has already been tipped to become ‘the new Messi’. Messi himself was once referred to as ‘the next Maradona’, and these kind of comparisons have been evident for years now. While a lot of players might relish the opportunity to become ‘the next’ so and so, those players that fail to live up to the expectations placed on their shoulders are likely to suffer. While it seems perfectly reasonable to hold some level of expectation of players, and to assume these players can fulfill the roles that they are given at their clubs, it is surely unfair to draw comparisons between them and some of the footballing greats, especially those that were popular among the same set of fans.

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To label Lukaku ‘the new Drogba’ will only encourage Chelsea fans to compare the two, and should the youngster take a while to settle, or perhaps not prove to be as prolific as Drogba has been, then questions may start to be raised, unfairly in my view, over Lukaku’s abilities as a player. The same goes for Cleverley. If fans and the media start to expect ‘Scholes-like’ performances week-in week-out from the youngster, then a failure to do so could have its repercussions. While expectations for players are going to arise at any club, the added pressure of being compared to one of the best around is not necessarily warranted. Players should instead be encouraged to make a name for themselves without the burden of living up to the standards of another footballer hanging over their heads.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has criticised his side’s defending following their 5-1 home defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, and was full of praise for Roberto Mancini’s men.

Edin Dzeko bagged four goals with new signing Sergio Aguero also finding the net in a one sided display that will have alarm bells ringing at White Hart Lane.

“We didn’t defend well enough, they play a little push and run around the edge of the box, we don’t run with people, they get a free header, so we didn’t defend well enough and it cost us,” the former West Ham manager told the press.

The Eastlands outfit have won all three of their Premier League games so far, scoring 12 goals in the process, and the 64-year-old spoke of the Manchester side’s attacking prowess.

“Once you go a couple of goals down against a good side like that it’s really difficult, they’re full of quality there’s no doubt about that.

“They’ve got fantastic forward players, they’re going to be difficult for anyone to contain them for 90 minutes. They’ve got players with goals in them – you’ve only got to look at them,” he finished.

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Spurs sit bottom of the pile after two losses, and will take on Wolves at Molineux in their next game on September 10th.

Harry Redknapp has this week suggested that the level of abuse players are now receiving in the game is vicious and has begun to step over the line. Players like Emmanuel Adebayor are the constant subject of vile chants and abuse from ‘fans’ and it appears that although supporters should be entitled to express themselves, many are simply going too far.

Hurling abuse in football has long been considered acceptable as a form of passion. There has always been pretty shocking stuff chanted at football grounds, but of late the issue has come into the spotlight, with constant abuse and heckling of players in the most disgusting fashion. Only last week the youtube video of the ‘fans’ teaching their four-year old to sing the crudest song about the Munich air crash emerged, highlighting the appalling behaviour that has become second nature to a lot of football ‘fans’. Of course not everybody goes about acting like this, and it is probably just a minority that are acting so atrociously, but it needs to be stopped, and clubs and the powers that be need to do more to cut stuff like this out of the game. Football is a beautiful game, but elements like this take the shine off and show its ugly side.

I’m not suggesting that fans shouldn’t be allowed to express themselves, booing an opposition team or player on the field is fair enough, it is part of the theatrical nature of the game, but the constant taunting and negative chanting is embarrassing for football, as well as clubs, and the areas the fans represent.

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The constant ferocious stick that some players receive from supporters is simply too much. The level of abuse shown is simply pure hatred and footballers, as human beings, shouldn’t have to take some of the disgusting abuse hurled their way. How can you insult someone that you don’t even know?

It is difficult for players not to react to abuse, but it is a long established part of the game so they must try to ignore it. A player must be sensible in the situation and the worst thing they can do is react and incite it. We have seen players in the past, like Emmanuel Adebayor and Gary Neville, running the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the opposition fans after receiving abuse. Sure they had been getting horrendous stick all afternoon, but they have a role to play in the game and should have reacted with sensitivity, instead of further inciting the fans.

It has now become common for supporters not just to vent fury at the opposition, but also their own side. Alex McLeish and Arsene Wenger have taken the full brunt of fans criticism so far this season, with boos often ringing out around their respective stadiums. Having spent their hard earned money to watch the game, fans are perfectly entitled to express themselves and perhaps it is the only way they can get their voices heard, although I don’t see how it can be anything other than self-destructive.

Football is passionate, and displays of emotion are a vital part of the game we all love, but some of the abuse these days has stepped over the mark and the game doesn’t need to be ruined by this kind of behaviour. Booing is fine, but the kind of personal insults we often hear nowadays are too much.

It can be difficult for players not to react when they are getting outrageous stick, human nature will scream at them to give a bit back to the supporters who are taunting them, but common sense must prevail, and they must continue to go about their game professionally and try and shut the fans up with their actions on the field. Supporters are perfectly entitled to vent their opinion and their frustrations, but it needs to be within reason. Some of the abuse currently hurled at players is disgusting and there is simply no place for it in the game.

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Are supporters right to vent their fury? Let me know your thoughts by commenting below or following me on Twitter @LaurenRutter for more comment and debate.

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Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard have emerged as the latest targets for super-rich Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala according to the Metro.

Backed by billionaire Suleyman Kerimov the England midfield pair are the latest in a long line of world class players that have been targeted by the ambitious Russians.

They stunned the footballing world last month after completing signing of Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o and made him the worlds best paid player on a reported £300,000-a-week deal.

He joined a squad already boasting Roberto Carlos, Diego Tardelli, Balázs Dzsudzsák and Yuri Zhirkov with reports suggesting that the ageing 31-year-old Gerrard and 33-year-old Lampard are now on their shopping list.

Money would certainly be no object with the club willing to offer the pair lucrative contracts worth £13 million a season if they were to move to Dagestan.

However with Liverpool captain Gerrard and Chelsea stalwart Lampard already multimillionaires in their own right it’s unlikely they would be willing to relocate to Russia despite the prospect of one last fruitful payday.

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With both players moving into the final stages of their careers it’s doubtful that they would be willing to uproot their families after spending over a decade at their respective clubs.

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Tears were shed at the DW Stadium back in May as West Ham’s relegation was confirmed after a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Wigan, leaving most Hammers fearing the worst for their beloved club.

Five months down the line and the East Enders have settled into their new surroundings well and sit second in the Championship table going into an away clash at Brighton and Hove Albion on Monday night.

There have been many comings and goings over the summer and I feel that the new look West Ham side are better off from the drop down to the Football League as it will benefit them in the long run.

Immediately after the relegation was confirmed, Avram Grant was rightfully sacked by the club’s board, which resulted in the biggest cheer of the day from the travelling 4,500 away fans returning from the North West.

That was just the beginning of a much needed clear out at Upton Park that saw players such as Mathew Upson, Kieran Dyer and Luis Boa Morte leave on free transfers after their poor form and injuries during the season.

The financial side of things would have been the main concern for the owners who were able to bring in some money from the sales of Manuel Da Costa, Scott Parker and Junior Stanislas.

Hammers fans were disappointed with the departures of Ba and Hitzlsperger who perhaps owed something to the club having given them the chance in England but decided to look for new clubs.

With the squad trimmed down to just the players that wanted to be there, Sam Allardyce was brought in and given the target of instant promotion in his first season in charge.

Whatever your opinion on Big Sam, he was the right man for the job and has installed some heart and passion into the club along with toughening up a terribly leaky defence.

Big name signings such as Kevin Nolan, Matthew Taylor and John Carew have arrived and made instant impacts along with wing backs Joey O’Brien and George McCartney settling in very well.

Allardyce’s team is a huge contrast to last year’s whipping boys and on paper it would be fair to say the squad is stronger than it was this time last year even though it is in the Championship.

Late transfer window action saw Henri Lansbury, Sam Baldock and Papa Bouba Diop also arrive at Upton Park giving a fantastic strength in depth to the best squad in the division.

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If West Ham had not been relegated, I for one am sure they would have been in a battle to survive again this season, probably with Avram Grant still in charge and wantaway players putting in 50% effort for the cause.

If, but more likely when, West Ham return to the top flight, they will be much better off from their short stay in the Football League, bringing them back to reality and showing the passion of the supporters who still turn up in their droves for a home match with Peterborough United.

With the right man in charge and a talented squad things are looking brighter in East London and that combination could install some pride back to the club when they return to Premier League football next season.

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Partick Thistle manager Jackie McNamara is turning the events of his career into a sitcom. The former Scotland international has been working with actor and comedy writer Francis Gilhooley to pen “The Therapy Room” and the pilot episode was screened in an Edinburgh cinema last week in an attempt to gain a broadcasting contract.

The 38-year-old’s brother Donny will play a footballer who makes the mercurial rise from amateur football to Premier League player, with the team manager being played by Billy Elliot’s Gary Lewis.

McNamara told the BBC: “They were just things I had in my mind for a long time, playing football,”

“I think a lot of players had a lot of stories over the years and it’s just my way of putting them into a comedy and making characters up.

“Some people go and do a book or an autobiography. This is my way of doing things.”

With the ex-Celtic player’s decision to try his hand at TV writing, we look at other possible football related TV shows.

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Monitoring Mario

Following the life of the world’s most entertaining footballer, this show would always be worth a watch. It could be a reality TV show although it may be better as a sitcom because nobody would believe that someone would do the outrageous things that have now become a regular occurrence.

The biggest problem would be where to begin. Wearing the shirt of your biggest rivals? Holidaying on a boat owned by the Italian mafia? Throwing darts at a youth team player? Or setting off fireworks in your own bathroom?

This show would definitely become a guilty pleasure.

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Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner- Carlos Tevez

With the striker now seemingly on strike after refusing to return back to Manchester, his hideaway antics resemble the Looney Tunes cartoon. Despite the best efforts of the City, they just cannot catch the Argentine who looks like he is totally unaware of the furore surrounding him. Like Wile E. Coyote they know where to find their prey, but catching him is a totally different task.

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I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here- Manchester City

The club has such a vast array of talent that outside of the first team there are a lot of unhappy players not getting a game. Many of them will want to leave and what better way than making them do ridiculous tasks and voting one out at the end of each week. It’s much easier than finding someone to pay their wages and the transfer fee.

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Boot of Fortune- Manchester United

A show to kick-off Saturday nights, the players enter the changing room where a pile of kit is lying in the middle. A boot is randomly placed in their before the boss arrives and viewers can ring in to place bets on who will be the unfortunate victim to receive a stud to the face. One kick, one recipient, one prize, one winner. Definitely better than the Cube.

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1 v 100- Chelsea

Villas-Boas thinks that referees have it in for his team, so in a twist to the pre-lottery show the Scot would face 100 officials and answer a series of questions based on these situations. May well turn into Jerry Springer after a few differences in opinion.

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Mr Benn- Emmanuel Adebayor

The Togo international walks into the local JJB Sports and the moustachioed shop assistant hands him a football shirt. He walks into the changing room and is transported to the board room of a different ground and a contract is in front of him to sign. The adventure continues as he joins the team and continues until he gets bored and visits another JJB store to begin the next episode. Loosely based on real life.

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Managerial Merry-go-round

Another game show for any manager in-between jobs. They sit on the traditional fairground ride which then begins to spin. A post bearing a contract for an available manager’s position is put up at the opposite end of an obstacle course. The contestants must get from the ride, across the course and be the first to reach the contract.

To comment on this follow me @jrobbins1991.

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Gretar Steinsson and Bolton may be struggling as of late at the bottom of the Premier League table, but to keep Steinsson’s mind occupied and away from the threat of relegation is Icelandic beauty queen Manuela Osk Haroardottir.

The Icelandic full-back, who arrived at Bolton from AZ Alkmaar, has been an ever-present in Owen Coyle’s side. However, they’ve greatly struggled for form this season and have recorded only the one home win.

Steinsson married the winner of the 2002 Miss Iceland competition in 2007 in the Netherlands. The 28 year old also went on to compete in the 2003 Miss Universe competition in Panama City.

The couple currently reside in Bolton.

Click on Manuela below to see her gallery

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