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Why Real Madrid haven't got Kaka's number - Professor Champions …

Why Real Madrid haven't got Kaka's number - Professor Champions … — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:43:11 GMT

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re: Why Real Madrid haven't got Kaka’s number

djw1992 — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:29:28 GMT

What about Ibrahimovic and Gerrard? Two great players who wear the number 8 for their club.

re: Betamax, Best & Buzz

rwitzig — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:35:22 GMT

Love the NOLA comments (New Orleans, Louisiana).

Simpson appears to be one of the few European football writers that take the USA soccer (British word) scene and history seriously. What about the Confed Cup, when was the last time England spanked Spain?

Great book out of New Orleans is

The Global Art of Soccer/Football, www.theglobalartoffootball.com

re: Betamax, Best & Buzz

Suivaloom — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:00:57 GMT

Good piece.

"the 1968 European Cup final was the point when, George Best felt, Bacchus replaced Busby as his mentor."

Ha ha ha

re: Matt, Macca & Johnny Foreigner

Suivaloom — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:08:03 GMT

Excellent and so very true.

I find it astounding how little English football has adapted and evolved in comparison to other nations such as Spain or Italy.

I MUST be recognised by the FA that the English method and style of playing football has been inadequate for over 40 years. Since 1966 England has never got to another final and that means something is drastically wrong. The style of football we play here needs to change to focus more on technique and less on power and pace.

Look how Spain have progressed in leaps and bounds since 1966. Spain coach Del Bosque gave an interview last week where he said Spain used to 'play the English style' but that is long in the past and the gulf between the Spanish footballing philosophy and the English is plain to see whether in club football or International.

Spain have adapted, evolved, taken ideas from other nations and now have a way of playing football which is the new model for the world to envy.

Why can't more people realise English football - the way English players play not the imports - is in drastic need of evolution if we are to ever have any success?

re: Matt, Macca & Johnny Foreigner

mrplow2000 — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:40:44 GMT

It was a critism i had of Sam Allardyce when he was sacked from Newcastle. He felt he had been unfairly treated in being passed over for the England job, but, with zero experience of the European game, how could he have been a serious contender in the first place? He had an opportunity to work aboard and never bothered, waiting for the next opportunity in England. As more and more educated and experienced polygot European players and coaches continue to master football, the English contribution will continue to fall away.

re: Matt, Macca & Johnny Foreigner

jfg — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:18:45 GMT

Jon nicholson on the website football365.com said more or less the same thing a month ago....

re: Cristiano, Alf & the world’s most expensive racehorse

Suivaloom — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:56:10 GMT

Excellent post as always.

C.Ronaldo now carries a massive burden, something which Zidane acknowledged previously as the most expensive player in the world.

What I would like to know is where the hell did the money come to swoop for both Kaka and Ronaldo in one summer? £100+ million with further reinforcements due without Madrid offloading any players first? Does anyone know where Los Merengues get their money for transfer??

re: Rebels or robots: Which would you prefer?

Jai Bans — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 02:49:44 GMT

This is inevitable in the modern game- there is gawping chasm for missing cration, intuition and initiative which translated itself into moments of inspiration like Zizou volley at Hampden park.

It can be said that ever since 2006 we have been devoid of such imagination by the constrictive and prescriptive nature of the managerial bureaucracy who seek to create formulas of assurance. Benitez is one, Pellegrini another whilst the king of the game Mourinho is very much in demand.

Zidane was an epitome of this champagne style he was awarded with so much autonomy and independence on a football pitch from which he created the illusion of 'finding space'. Ronaldinho at Barca also showed moments of absolute brilliance via liberty.

However since then football was undoubtedly changed, there is a lengthy explanation of this which can be basically summarised by the pressure put on managers to deliver results or be sacked which has led to their own fiddling through increasing levels of player binding.

re: Rebels or robots: Which would you prefer?

hum4ndyn4mo — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:22:06 GMT

Great post, a really poignant summary of the way that efficiency and organisation comes with quite significant downsides.

Hopefully, so long as the game is played by human beings, we will continue to see great moments of inspiration and individuality, even if if they are limited by the pursuit of robotic functionality.

re: The perfect man to coach Chelsea

Swedish Bastard — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 22:09:29 GMT

Good article, and one thing is certain that Ancelotti is not the man. Coming from that pedestrian catenacci league in Italy it will be a big step up for him coming to the Premier League. A leauge where every game is tough and a league where you can't bribe your way to the top. As he was used to in Milan.

Another thing he can't bring with him is the Milan laboratory. No more injection with anti-depressives as is so frequently used in Italy.

re: The perfect man to coach Chelsea

Suivaloom — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:20:38 GMT

Excellent but one thing: It was in fact Leonardo who bequethed Pato to Ancelotti, not the other way around, as Leonardo, being a former Milan technical director, has deep knowledge of the talents in Brazil and orchestrated Pato's move to Serie A.

Sorry to be pedantic.

re: What Tony Pulis could teach Pep Guardiola...

Suivaloom — Wed, 27 May 2009 10:24:57 GMT

That Marca article is from their chief football writer?? Shows why Marca is the most embarrassing publication in the world.

re: The European Cup final that sparked a revolution

BoroKnight — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:17:14 GMT

good stuff

you sir are a word-weaver!

re: Will Hiddink play one at the back?

sammydead — Fri, 15 May 2009 22:36:59 GMT

The author was merely giving his view prior to the game and in doing so is there to be shot down.Hindsight is a wonderful thing, shame you didn't share your tactical knowledge BEFORE the game.

re: Are Ronaldo & Rooney the new Di Stefano & Puskas?

Suivaloom — Wed, 06 May 2009 16:42:39 GMT

Excellent article, although I thought the Italians called the deep-lying forward a trequartista. I'm certain Puskas is famously one of these in Italy, as is Del Pierro.

re: Will Hiddink play one at the back?

Snyde — Fri, 01 May 2009 08:41:20 GMT

You made a prediction and got it wrong...

"Hiddink won’t ask Chelsea to sit back as United did against Barca". :P

re: Will Hiddink play one at the back?

Suivaloom — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:09:37 GMT

I absolutely cannot wait to see how good this Barcelona 'dream team' really is.

I've watched them steam-roll everyone, but surely Chelsea is the strongest side they've encountered thus far this season.

re: Review: Romance, redemption & Didier Drogba

sammydead — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 01:15:14 GMT

I'd say that YoYo being the only player capable of trying to outmuscle a powerful rotating midfield exposes the physical weakness Barca must concede in a crucial part of the pitch.Hiddink will have Chelsea set up to take advantage of any Barca slip up and if he employs his usual tactics I very much doubt it will be from a defensive standpoint.

If Barca are in the mood then Chelsea may have no option but to concede ground but rather than shamelesslly soak up pressure as United were happy to do last year, Chelsea under Hiddink will be more ambitious and look to take at least one of the chances that will come their way.

re: Review: Romance, redemption & Didier Drogba

kbones — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 10:16:55 GMT

it's increasingly annoying to read every English blog trying to play down Barca's quality. You say their job in La Liga has been far too easy... and on the other hand, you come close to praising Arsenal, who are just fourth. United seem really below-par to me at the moment.

Chelsea are surely an opponent not to be taken lightly, but neither were Sevilla, Valencia and Villarreal back in fall. They have their weak spots as well, and Yaya has enough muscle to keep Ballack or Lampard marked. I hope we will see something more from The Blues on Camp Nou than just stonewalling.

re: Jari's game: How did Litmanen fade away?

ehjaz — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:52:49 GMT

Litmanen has always been a world class player...the first signs Hollier was losing the plot at LFC was when he did not play him in every game...the majority of LFC fans loved Litmanan and wanted him in the team every week he was a player in the true Liverpool mould..I only wish he had played for us under a different manager and in his prime...but even so we still recogonise the class act that he was a truely world class player with game intelligence to use a Rafa Benetiz term.

re: Confessions of a league table addict

Sebastian — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:20:51 GMT

Nice article and a difficult confession to make! haha!

I would like to add that one year before the Hungarians were playing their shoot-outs, we, in Argentina, had a similar system that also ran for only one season (1988/1989).

www.rsssf.com/.../arg89.html

The outstanding thing about it? Racing Club and Argentinos Juniors were engaged in a penalty shoot-out that finished with a score of 20-19 to Argentinos Juniors. I was at the game and we were all thinking: "When is this going to end? How will we get back home? When???" We couldn't care about which team would win it! It was no surprise either when they decided to change the system again.

Thanks again, Paul, for such a nice read. All the best.

re: The dullest European Cup winners of all time

zedzdead — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 09:28:09 GMT

Just 2 years after Milan's 2003 Champions League win, they thought they'd "done enough" in the Ataturk Stadium, Istanbul, going in 3-0 at half time.

re: 1970: The definitive World Cup...

Ric_Braz — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:14:05 GMT

I was also 9 in 1970 but feel it was all to easy to pick that one. Brazil were brilliant in their golden shirts in the bright Mexican sun and it was colour television for the first time but there were too many poor games. Group 2 was the dullest there has ever been and to be honest England were very poor against Rumania and the Czechs.

My favourite was Argentine 8 years later. Incredible passion and so much drama. Group 1 was outstanding and Scotland's group so dramatic in a comic sense of course.Yes Peru losing 6-0 was not very satisfactory especially as they were a good side but there was so much good football and I think it is often overlooked. Having been fortunate to have gone to 6 tournaments I have to say in person my favourite was 1986 despite having to endure Argentina convincingly beat us. A very passionate country witha side who could give anyone a game but unlikely to win it themselves.

re: 1970: The definitive World Cup...

Gary — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:47:44 GMT

I was eight for Espana 82 and can recall little beyond my dad's tremulous indignation that England could be knocked out undefeated. And my sister supporting Italy against Brazil because she fancied Paolo Rossi, watching alone in her room on the black and white portable while me and dad supported the doomed Brazilians in the living room.

There was also more than a little disbelief at Keegan's Miss. (He was, at the time, my favourite player, despite not playing for my favourite team, second-favourite team or even a team I could accurately place on a map.)

I'd have to go for Mexico 86. The sunshiiiiiine. The history lessons beforehand ("Why've they gone back to Mexico again after only 16 years, dad?" "Buggered if I know, son. But that was a tournament..."). The preposterous Scotland shorts. The pantomime villainry of the Uruguayans trying to kick the Scots back home. Ray Wilkins cracking up, Bryan Robson breaking down, England suddenly breaking into form to the audible delight of Jimmy Hill in the commentary box. Growing belief followed by crushing defeat against a better team. Yeah, I'd say that's the England experience.

re: England expects – but is it wise to do so?

Fergal — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 07:26:10 GMT

I've never heard of this Custis guy but even if I did I would never take the opinion of some clown who works for an abysmal rag like the sun seriously. Only fools pay heed to people like him. I Follow Italian football closely and would be the first to admit it behind the Premier league at the moment.But I also know that these things change gradually and the EPL will fall away eventually and be overtaken by other leagues.This is not me hoping,this is just the way things are.Nothing lasts forever.The cracks are already showing in the huge debts that these English sides are carrying.

re: England expects – but is it wise to do so?

Suivaloom — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 02:52:22 GMT

IF an English team wins the Champions League this season again, THEN we can start saying our clubs dominate European competition.

I must say though that Custis and co were quite shameful in their disrespect towards Italian football in that discussion. Yes, we may be better now, but why insult and gloat? It is insulting to any intelligent football fans.

re: Bigmouth strikes again: Cloughie, Ali and Carry On

Zonman — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:11:00 GMT

"For much of his career – at Hartlepools (as he called it)..."

Mr Pedant here...

en.wikipedia.org/.../History_of_Hartlepool_United_F.C

Everyone called it "Hartlepools" because that was its offical name!! LOL

Know your facts! ;-)

re: The spotters guide to the first knockout round

Mikas — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 04:32:07 GMT

I'm not Mr Mexes will be all that keen on the recognition that will be coming from that perfomance yesterday.

re: Curses, wallies & the return of the Russian linesman

louis — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:06:44 GMT

'Argentine coaches have, since the 1960s heyday of Helenio Herrera, had a marginal influence on European football.' I suppose it's what you define as a marginal influence, so i'm not disagreeing, but surely Hector Cuper at Valencia had quite some impact?

re: What Chelsea need most... (and it isn’t a quick fix)

malcolmmerritt — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 10:42:49 GMT

do you honestly think chelsea will get anywhere near to rome so who replaces hiddink when he fails who will be in control come august lets watch this space and see

re: What Chelsea need most... (and it isn’t a quick fix)

malcolmmerritt — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 10:42:46 GMT

do you honestly think chelsea will get anywhere near to rome so who replaces hiddink when he fails who will be in control come august lets watch this space and see

re: How do you solve a problem like Spain?

gusfmartins — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:09:09 GMT

Jorginho and Branco, the weakest pair? I really don`t think so, Jorginho is way better than Cafu, who only stayed that much in Seleção because there was not any real competition between 98 and 06. Jorginho is labbeled as the second best Brazilian right full back ever, only after Leandro, from the great 80's Flamengo. He was great in Leverkussen.

About the currents full-backs the problem is on the left side. Marcelo is great attacking but he can't mark. And the others players Dunga used in that position did very badly. I think Dunga should think about Liverpool's Fabio Aurelio.

re: How do you solve a problem like Spain?

Suivaloom — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 03:01:40 GMT

Another interesting and insightful post Simpson, this and the other day's on Chelsea were particularly excellent.

On the comment below: I think in the long run, Richard's can be England's first choice right-back. But I never subscribed to the hype about the lad; he is big and strong but lacks technical and tactical qualities. A trait that is the disease of English football. 40 years on and still no-one seems to notice or care about addressing the problem.

re: How do you solve a problem like Spain?

Fletcher_Defender — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:27:54 GMT

Micah Richards in my opinion isn't the best English right back. His positioning (and most blues will agree with me on this) at times,this season has been woeful.

re: Blizzards, bursting bubbles & barmy Benitez

Manc Red — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 11:49:14 GMT

The Premier League bubble about to burst? See January transfer window 2009 amount spent by Premier League clubs.

re: Blizzards, bursting bubbles & barmy Benitez

rachelcl — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:32:21 GMT

I think Benitez was barmy to sell Crouch.

Kanchelskis did well at Man United, if I remember correctly. I'd love to see Arshavin do well at Arsenal 'cos I think he and Messi are the best outfield players in the world.

re: Every wannabe football tycoon needs a history lesson

Fletcher_Defender — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 10:43:49 GMT

except for the majority of your fans it seems.

re: Every wannabe football tycoon needs a history lesson

manchester is blue — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 23:22:05 GMT

What's your point apart from reiterating what everyone already knows?

re: Oi Kaka, fancy becoming the new Denilson?

Petir — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:00:22 GMT

Sorry Paul, but your arguments comparing the prices to be paid for Kaka and for CR7 are close to ridiculous. Come on, Kaka isn't the number 4 payer in the world. You know it, I know it and everyone else in the world who knows a little about football knows it. Otherwise he wouldn't be in te center of all this talk. He simply was voted number 4 because he barely played last season due to countless injuries. The guy's a superb player and that was proved over CR7, by the way, on their Champions League clash the season before. CR7 was the best of 2008. No doubt about it. Actually he displayed several weaknesses on a few decisive Champions League moments and on almost all matches of Euro 08. Kaka and Messi are better than him. Messi is injuries free this season and is proving it easily. Come on man, this talk of how much CR7 is worth considering that Kaka was voted number 4 and CR7 number 1 is typical of people who know very little about football. What a poor argument that was!

re: Ibra, Best and a Boxing Day bonanza

futbal — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 23:25:38 GMT

Paul,

You have a point when you suggest that maybe, Zlat isn't up to Ronaldo's level in general but don't use dodgy Champions League goal tallies to make the case.

While Ronaldo has scored 11, Zlatan has actually scored 15 goals - including 6 for Ajax.

Regards

Colm

euro.futbal.org/EC1.scorers.php

Why omit Ib's 6 Champions League goals for Ajax in your tally of 9?

euro.futbal.org/EC1.scorers.php

re: The struggle for sanity: football, depression, OCD

rinaanim — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:50:39 GMT

It is really sad that alot of people don't know about OCD and how badly it can affect suffers and their close ones. The first time I heard about OCD was when David Beckham came out of the open about his OCD. At that time, I felt that a few friends of mind where suffering from OCD, so I got interested in the subject.

And after researching further into OCD, I realised that David Beckham's case was not really that serious, as well as my friends'. I read testimonials on people suffering from OCD on a charity called OCD Action's website and how serious it sets back their lives. It is only after that I can really relate to what OCD sufferers go are going through.

The sad thing is that people suffering from OCD cannot come out in the open about it and suffer in silence as they perceive their condition to be tabboo. It is about time to make OCD well-known among the general public so OCD affected people don't have to suffer in silence.

I read on OCD Action's website that they are holding a OCD Conference (www.ocdconference.org.uk) on 22 November 2008 which will help create OCD awareness among the public and sufferers and, thereby, increasing understanding on the condition.

I really feel that it's fair enough for OCD to be well-know just like all other conditions. And events like the OCD Conference are a step closer to making people understand how serious OCD is.

re: Matchday 3: Trains, ship's whistles and Jeremy Beadle

Manc Red — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:23:09 GMT

I'd hate to have a train go past if I was taking a penalty!

re: Johnny Haynes: Fulham's big headed pass master

BoroKnight — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:33:40 GMT

Dear Mr. Simpson,

I'm an Indian boy living in Nepal and support Boro(suprise suprise!)

I just wanted to say that your words carry such contagious nostalgia that every time i read your posts

i just imagine those times and somehow being among the crowd watching the player(no i'm not on medication, thanks for asking)

I dont know much about the english football history, but this site is a great benefactor, and i feel i'm in good hands.

Thank you Sir and do keep'em coming!!

re: Dictators, Scolari and Rio the statesman

benfawkes — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 16:17:40 GMT

This is a good impression of Benitez, along with impressios of Owen, Crouch, Carragher and Gerrard. Its absolute quality:

uk.youtube.com/watch

http://www.footballfilter.com

re: Dictators, Scolari and Rio the statesman

Manc Red — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 19:22:25 GMT

The Gerrard/Lampard boreathon is a much more appropriate way of putting it than debate.

re: Smells like team spirit at Bayern

Manc Red — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 16:44:40 GMT

I do hope Celtic's drought continues a little while longer. Villareal look like they could provide a few surprises. A dark horse in my eyes.

re: Minnows 2 Elitists 0

PrinceOfWhiteTower — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 23:02:22 GMT

I'll keep two things from this match day of cl.

The first is the display of Shakhtar against barcelona.

I believed that the good days of the Ukrainian side were over but it seems after this performance that i was mistaken. The second is the roma squad. A line up that after many years isn't waiting the goal from just a player or two. For me the best middle field line at the moment.

re: Cowards, loony Toons and lucky Luciano

Redstar — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 18:54:49 GMT

You should check out the most popular thread on the forum - Newcastle is Deluded.

re: Why are footballers so unfit?

Fletcher_Defender — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:14:08 GMT

easy formula for me

more games + faster pace = more aches and injuries.

people wonder why Michael Owen is knackered but he played FAR too many games, in all competitions for Liverpool and England at a young age.

re: Why are footballers so unfit?

BigWelshDefender — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 05:54:58 GMT

I heard a quote from a sports scientist who works with footballers most of the time and it went a little like this: "It is not a lack of fitness that causes injuries but the fact that these players are so fit that they are on the edge". And this does make sense! You compare the amount of injuries in Ligue 1 compared to the premiership? Well lets compare other things; the constant frenetic pace, aggression and plain hard work involved in the premiership easily over shadows Ligue 1 and most if not every other league - particulary in Europe - in the world. The footballers in the premiership are the fittest in the game and, concentrating on one area in particular - midfield this is easy to see. Now central midfield players can run thousands and even tens of thousands of metres during a football game, and in the premieship most of these metres are taken at high speed and yet these players do this 2 sometimes 3 times a week?! Marathons are only held every now and again for a reason - the body cannot take it and the fact that these players run these distances all the time and even in training is remarkable. So I disagree totally with this article and i would say that the reason players (especially in the EPL) get injured so often is not because they are unfit but because they are so fit that they are on 'the edge'. Their hamstrings and groins and knee ligaments and metatarsals are so finely tuned that the slightest of knocks can damage it perpetualy. Going back to your drummer example, you tell me what would happen to the sound or tone of a drum if the skin was tightened just the tiniest amount? It would need to be re-tuned, which depending on the damage, can be quite a lengthy process. And that is just a drum skin. A human body is a million times more complicated.

re: Why are footballers so unfit?

ian cruise — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:41:08 GMT

People go on and on about how much football there is. Remember, in the 60's, 70's and 80's, clubs won leagues with fewer than 16 players. Liverpool did it. Villa also in 1981. The same small squads of players also played in league cups, FA cups and European cups. These new fangled training methods and diets are killing our footballers. Just look at capello's England. Bring back the 39 pint and curry weekends

re: Why are footballers so unfit?

PrinceOfWhiteTower — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:03:16 GMT

Nice article. I really enjoyed it cause its just the second that i read in a month that doesn't sums up that the most players use illegal ways to keep fit. Its really frustating when you listen people telling "how can they play 50-60 games per season and do not exhausted?" well they simply can't!

re: The good, the bad and the Eredivisie

BigWelshDefender — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:30:41 GMT

I enjoy a match with several goals. The other day i watched gleefully as Leeds hammered home five past a hapless Paul Butler led Chester - who themselves hit 2. But i also have to admit that i get bored of loads of goals all the time. A 6/7/8 goal drubbing every now and again is special but if it happens every week it must surely get tedious. Goals do not equal entertainment and the standard of FOOTBALL in the Eredivise is poor. Even below Ligue 1. And that is saying something. So yes the Premier League is the most most entertaining in the world because it is the fastest, hardest, tackles flying in and pure adreniline pumped sport that we know and love. So you can keep your bag fulls of goals, i would rather see an end to end nil-nil, with red cards and a last gasp winner for the underdog thanks!

re: How to win the Champions League

benfawkes — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:34:34 GMT

At first I wasn't sure I agreed with you Zizou but then looking back on how Barcelona won the Champs league and it will only be a matter of time before a Spanish club ween a few new world class players into their starting 11 I imagine - thats the big difference between the Premiership these days - when was the last time a player came through the ranks and became a consistent first team player? We will see about Nani and Anderson but I can't think of other at the moment.

http://www.footballfilter.com

re: How to win the Champions League

Zizou — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 22:30:25 GMT

The solution for the other powerhouses in Europe is not to restort to english style of play which is high tempo and physcial play along with alot of tactics.

Champions league in the recent years has been dominated by teams that have been boring,defensive and pragmatic.

For the italians this isnt far from the normal tactics. but Spain has to keep true to its style. Real Madrid and Barcelona have shown it can be done with a beautiful style that will provide a spectacle that has been much needed in the last many years of boring CL football.

re: How to fix a World Cup

Yer righ horse — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 20:53:29 GMT

In 66 me old dad told me Rattin the Argentinian captain was sent off because he was the best player on the pitch...the 78 final Peru alledgedly threw it for some debt cancellation and wheat delivery. South Korea in 2002 well everyone knows the script.

re: How to fix a World Cup

terry999 — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:19:16 GMT

BBC a few years ago showed some of this world cup games (whole matches). Don't believe the final was fixed.

"he was marked out of the match, mostly legally, by Nobby Stiles." absolutely false.

Styles kicked him contantly, even back then (no tackle from behind rule) - he was doing it with impunity Euesbio didn't even have the ball and he would be kicked so hard his feet lost contact with the ground.

Credit to the Eng FA - they were so disgusted with him that told Ramsey to leave him out of next game - Ramsey threatened to resign.

The Ratin sending off - I just didn't understand for what? must of been for something he said. But then again he was the best Arg. player.

So was the final fixed? no don't think so Eng just got Host's luck. But Port/Arg games are v.dodgy..

re: How to fix a World Cup

gal-lad@hotmail.com — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:21:50 GMT

Well i dont know about the 2 WC's mentioned here but i can tell you of a strange experience that happened to me which makes me think from time to time.

Australia vs Uruguay 2001 return leg, uruguay need a win, i was in england watching live and my wife was in australia visiting family, we are on phone while the build up stuff is on TV then up pops score screen, 3-0 to Uruguay, i mentioned this to wife, she says no sign on any score screen showing on their feed, i comment if uruguay win 3 -0 this is fixed, and yes as u know they did win 3-0, now i dont remember ever having visions of winning scorelines ESP kinda stuff in life or i would gamble a whole lot more then i do,lol.

in short, i dont know about all international matches but some are quite obviously fixed in my mind after this incident, and if this is the case surely england have got enough money to be paying the right people to win something or does the rest of world hate us sooooo much they wont accept our money, lol

re: How to fix a World Cup

kat — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:12:01 GMT

My only comment to our Brazilian friend is: a thief thinks everyone steals.

re: How to fix a World Cup

Fabio B — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:06:50 GMT

Havelange is quite right when he sad that England won only because of referees...the final against Germany is the great proof of his arguments. And Paul Simpson, as a football journalist, you should have known how to write 1974 brazilian defender name: it is LUIS PEREIRA! By the way, he is considered among the greatest brazilian players of all times.

re: A season through the looking glass

Suivaloom — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:53:10 GMT

Man Utd have a chance to do the Champions League double by winning it again next season. I feel Arsenal, Real Madrid and Internazionale will be their main competitors, as the rest are either rebuilding, pre-occupied by other things or in dis-array. Or in some cases all of those things together. *cough* Barcelona.

re: Jubilation and despair on mission to Moscow

Socrates — Sun, 25 May 2008 20:06:24 GMT

To push Manchester United right to the very end was a superb achievement for Avram Grant and would be so for any manager. After all, Sir Alex Ferguson is the manager of managers!

I can't help but think that Avram should be praised whilst John Terry should be the Chelsea criminal in all this. Also, Nicolas Anelka - a £15m striker with penalty taking experience who refused to take a penalty because he claimed to have come on as a right-back. Julian Belletti certainly didn't complain. He willing took and scored his penalty, has scored more goals than Anelka this season and cost a fifth of the price!

re: Ignore the pundits... nobody knows anything!

Beast — Tue, 20 May 2008 07:49:18 GMT

"you can hear and read pundits scratching around for precedents, omens, rationales to justify every possible outcome."

actually there is.. ever since Real won the UCL in 2002 any team who beat the team that take out Real wins the Champions league..

2003 Juve Beat Real , Milan beat Juve and win

2004 Monaco beat Real , Porto beat Monaco and win

2005 Juve beat Real , Liverpool beat Juve & win

2006 Arsenal beat Real , Barca beat Arsenal and win

2007 B Munich beat Real, Milan beat B Munich & win

2008 Roma beat Real, Man U beat Roma and ..... they will win it

its the Famous Real Madrid jinx which will only be taken once Real win the title again

re: Why Belgian football's gone rubbish

Zeppos — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:56:52 GMT

You talk about two different issues in your blog. 1) You have the Belgian clubs who fail to compete in the Champions League, and 2) you have the Belgian national team who fails to qualify for international tournaments.

1) Belgian clubs have the same difficulties as clubs like Ajax Amsterdam, Benfica, Sparta Prague, Dynamo Kiev, Rosenborg etc. The reasons that they fail to compete are the same as in those other countries. So it has nothing to do with Belgium, but with money, small competition etc.

2) The Belgian national team simply lacked talent during the past 8 years because of poor youth management in Belgium. Youth management used to be all about fysical qualities and teamplay. This will ring a bell in England. Youth management in Belgium now is all about technique and individual training at clubs like Standard Liège, Germinal Beerschot, Racing Genk, RSC Anderlecht,... Also a lot of the Belgian talents move abroad at young age now, joining clubs like PSV Eindhoven, Ajax Amsterdam, Lille OSC and Racing Lens. This has resulted in a whole new young Belgian generation that even qualified for the Olympic games in China. Talented players are Steven Defour, Vincent Kompany, Anthony Vanden Borre, Maarten Martens, Moussa Dembele, Tom De Mul, Thomas Vermaelen, Jan Vertonghen, Jonathan Blondel, Sébastien Pocognoli, Logan Bailly, Yves Ma-kalambay, Marouane Fellaini, Kevin Mirallas, Stijn De Smet, Roland Lamah, etc.

However, the generation that has to qualify for the Olympics in London seems to me the biggest example of the revolution in Belgian youth football with huge talents like Eden Hazard, Funso Ojo, Vadis Odjidja Ofoe, Axel Witsel, Geoffrey Mujangi-Bia, Quentin Pottiez, Paul-José Mpoku, Maxime Lestienne, Bruno Baras, etc.

So you could conlude that in four years the Belgian national team will compete again, but the clubs problably will have the same difficulties in Europe, like most clubs in small competitions have.

re: Why Belgian football's gone rubbish

Union — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:58:09 GMT

Not so Ive. I saw Antwerp against Union St Gilloise recently and they fielded two stringy United youngsters. I think they have four on their books, who all look like they could use some stoemp and rabbit stew. I did wonder, though, whether integrating them did more harm than good for Antwerp, who seemed to lack rythymn.

Good piece, especially the wonderful photo. incidentally, Standard did take the title under Michel ***'homme, the goalie of the great 80s Belgian team. But i doubt they'll trouble anyone in the Champions League. With Jupiler league tickets between 13 and 30 euro its easy to see why the clubs can't compete with English ones, but the passion of the fans is priceless.

re: White hankies, Elvis and Zico

shell2008 — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:53:17 GMT

Messi has trained with the Barça squad twice now, and says he is ready to play now, although I expect they won't play him for a week or maybe more, but he should be ready to feature against Man U I would think...I also think if he is playing in that match, it may be a totally different Barça than that which Man U are expecting to face right now. He definitely gives the whole team confidence from just being on the pitch, let's hope for 'the beautiful games' sake that he's fit and on the pitch for the Champions League tie, as it would most likely make the match even more entertaining!

re: White hankies, Elvis and Zico

benfawkes — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:00:23 GMT

Barcelona were poor but to say Schalke deserved anything from that game is not right. They were also totally poor and did do a lot of hacking and late tackles, and Abidal did not 'wrestle' whoever it was to the ground, thats an exaggeration. Henry was painful to watch last night tho while Bojan was absolute class, using the simplest of skills and his speed to great effect. Man U should breeze past Barca. It will be interesting to see if Messi gets back in time tho - anyone know if he will be fit by then?

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re: What Lenny Kravitz can teach Man United

thescout — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:37:27 GMT

Great post. It might not be as big an ask for Roma now that both Ferdinand and Vidic are out. Vucinic should have an easier time against less stellar defending. It should be an exciting finish.

re: Why Belgian football's gone rubbish

Ive — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:25:59 GMT

Beveren is no longer involved with Arsenal since Jean-Marc Guillou left the club along with his Ivorians. Maybe the agreement has not been terminated officially, but there haven't been any Arsenal youngsters in recent seasons and Lierse are now trying to set up an agreement with the Gunners

to loan some B-squad players.

Manchester United has no players at Antwerp at the moment either actually. They sent a lot of youngsters over last season (Evans, Simpson, Gibson, Campbell, Dong, ...) hoping to promote to the first divison. Antwerp were in the running at the winter break, but then United called back most of them and the team's push for promotion derailed badly.

Ow, and btw, everybody knows Henri as Rik Coppens here in Belgium ;)

re: How the Bundesliga can make England cool again

candidfootball.com — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:52:40 GMT

For years I've tried and failed to explain to people why Die Bundesliga offers the best value for money by far. But apparently football doesn't exist outside England...

re: Ajax and Newcastle seek solace from legends

benfawkes — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 08:41:36 GMT

Great piece, wasn't really aware Ajax had slipped up so much over the last years. Keegan however is on a slippery slope, he's not the man for the job and i don't think he has the right style or mind set to be a manager in the premiership anymore. He's just too bloody emotional! I can only see it getting worse for him.

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re: Ajax and Newcastle seek solace from legends

Snyde — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:29:28 GMT

Really good article! Quite surprised to see you mentioning both the ajax-usa and ajaxtalk.nl sites, I frequent both but never thought they were so popular.

The good thing with Ajax at the moment is they've taken a long and hard look at themselves and found the areas they are truly lacking in. Such as their scouting and transfer policies, also buying older and not-so-good players instead of giving their youth a chance. They've also seen the mistakes at the staff level such as poor youth coaches despite a very good setup.

Recognizing the mistakes is huge step forward specially for a club living in the past. Hiring Cruyff to basically get better people for handling the club is another. It will be interesting to see where it all leads.

For those interested, here's another really good article taking a critical look at the going-ons in Ajax:

netherlands.worldcupblog.org/.../ajax-lazy-easy-and-spending-big.html

re: Ajax and Newcastle seek solace from legends

ads — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:53:30 GMT

Sad to see Keegan return, its destined to end in tears, my only hope is that it doesn't end in relegation too.

So much has changed since his last stint, and tactically, I just don't think he's up to the task.

re: How the Bundesliga can make England cool again

benfawkes — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 21:21:30 GMT

This is spot on, I can't agree more. I have been a Chelsea fan since 1997, I'm 24 and I have seen them once! Admittedly my parents and I did move country for about 8 years and I only returned for university, but still. The Bundesliga seem to be going in the right direction but it will never happen in the premiership. The whole membership thing is a very American way of dealing with tickets. In American Football the ads for buying tickets aren't 'buy a ticket', it's 'get on the list to buy a ticket'. Ridiculous.

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