Friday, December 01, 2006

Sanford’s Premiership Predictions

Arsenal v Tottenham

Is the North London Derby just what the doctor ordered to stop the rot at Ashburton Grove? It’s obvious that without Henry the Gunners face an even more severe test. But how will his comrades perform after the misery of their last tow outings? Is it just a rot or a true crisis? Jol had his lads up for this fixture last campaign and there’s no better time than the present for Spurs to pick up an away win in this juicy local derby. A wounded beast Arsenal may be, but the beast appears to have been declawed.

0-2

Blackburn v Fulham

I like the Rovers here, simply because after their big win against Arsenal the trip north will be difficult for Fulham. Ewood Park is tough for the London sides and I can’t see Fulham replicating the stellar form they showed at Craven Cottage a couple of days later on the road.

3-1

Portsmouth v Aston Villa

Villa were humbled last time out and a trip to the south coast won’t be smooth sailing. That said, I like Martin’s Men to pick up a point. They’re still draw specialists in my book and I think Pompey have been overachieving just a smidge too much of late. ‘Arry’s due a disappointment in the form of two lost points.

2-2

Reading v Bolton

Reading have been awfully consistent this campaign and I think Bolton might show some fatigue after facing Arsenal and Chelsea in succession. I like Reading at home here – they’re proving to be the strongest of the promoted sides and appear to have the necessary components to avoid the drop.

2-1

Sheffield United v Charlton

It’s another excellent opportunity for United to pick up all three points with Charlton coming to town. I still don’t see the wisdom in dropping Ian Dowie so soon but the backroom antics may have been too much, who knows? Still, it’s only Darren Bent that can knock them in with any regularity for the Addicks and that won’t be enough on this trip. Look for Sheffield United to do the business.

2-1

Wigan v Liverpool

This is a tough fixture for Liverpool at a time when their injury list requires extra hard drive space. It’ll be a patched squad for them at the JJB but they’ve still got the quality to snatch a draw. I remain impressed with Paul Jewell’s work – his men always bring their game. It’ll be no different against the Reds.

1-1

Middlesbrough v Manchester United

Might a trip to the Riverside trip up the table toppers? Chelsea lost here already and Sir Alex has had trouble with Boro over the years. Boro are like James Bond’s morning shower: first ice cold and then burning hot. It’s never in between with these lads. It’s an intriguing fixture that offers more than you would think at first glance. I like Boro for a point.

3-3

Everton v West Ham

West Ham seem to have turned things around but the blue side of Liverpool has become a tough place for opposing squads to visit. This will be a grind it out affair, with a dubious call from the ref the possible decider.

1-0

Manchester City v Watford

Suddenly City are rolling and Watford will feel the pain. Not many have come to Eastlands and left with something, and Watford will be no different. They just aren’t scoring and with City suddenly in the mood, it could be a long afternoon for Bothroyd’s Boys.

3-0

Give the Gift of Soccer This Holiday Season!

http://www.mercycorps.org/mercykits/967

Henrik Larsson to join Manchester United in January on loan

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=394228&cc=5901

Henry out of derby game

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=394208&cc=5901

Roberto Gotta in Italy

The livewire of Livorno...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=393577&root=europe&cc=5901

EPL Preview: Arsenal-Tottenham Hotspur

http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=180777

Chicago To Host 2007 Gold Cup Final, Venues Announced

http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=180266

La Liga Preview

Bilbao hope Bernabeu challenge will spark revival...

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-spainpreview&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Serie A Preview

Unbeaten Inter aim to extend winning run...

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-italypreview&prov=reuters&type=lgns

West Brom star stable after stabbing

Ronnie Wallwork, the West Bromwich Albion midfield player, is recovering in hospital today after being stabbed several times in what police believe was a planned attack.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,27-2481834,00.html

The excuses must stop as Wenger has to face up to flaws

With Sam Allardyce’s stinging condemnation of a man who “always looks for excuses” still ringing in his ears, the challenge facing Arsène Wenger is to prove him wrong.

The Arsenal manager insisted that there was nothing wrong with his side apart from their points total after losing at the Reebok Stadium last weekend, a specious claim shattered by the 2-1 defeat away to Fulham on Wednesday. Having failed to rouse his players for their moment of truth, Wenger must begin to be honest with himself by admitting to his side’s shortcomings, with the main problems listed below...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,277-2480858,00.html

Luring Larsson to United is a Ferguson masterstroke

The shock capture of Henrik Larsson proves that Sir Alex Ferguson is still a canny genius.

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/12/01/luring_larsson_to_united_is_a.html

Lawro's Premiership Predictions

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/6183452.stm

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Ronaldinho's Goal vs. Villarreal

OK, here it is. The one everybody is screaming about...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpMwQt1eSZU

Arsenal in Crisis?

After yesterday’s match at Craven Cottage, it’s not far fetched. The Gunners looked completely lost and out of their league against a side they’ve handled with ease for the last 40 odd years. Wenger’s squad selection didn’t help. Song was simply awful and was deservedly replaced by Cesc at halftime. And I must say that the idea of Rosicky and Hleb in the side together hasn’t been working. Both like to turn inside and don’t provide any width. The have a couple of nice moves and then lay the ball off. If they happen to get free, they often take the extra pass instead of having a shot.

But mainly what Arsenal lack is steel. Toughness. They’ve already been knocked off more balls this season than a cheap hooker. The players that like to get stuck in and have a go just are not there anymore. And it shows. The Arsenal players are continually bounced around and beaten to the 50/50 balls, especially in the middle of the park.

For some reason, Wenger has not sufficiently addressed the lack of effective defending on set pieces that has dogged his team for the last eight years. Time and again opposing players are first to balls, be them from corners or freekicks. It’s amazing to me that he hasn’t addressed this issue – “OK, this has been a problem for us for a while now, and we’re going to end it.” But that hasn’t happened.

Sadly for Gunner fans, I think the lack of experience is catching up with the players. They need a few older players (other than Lehman and Henry) to lead by example and take charge. Freddie has been injured too much and beyond that there is no one. There is not even an old rock like Ray Parlour or Gilles Grimandi to come off the bench. It’s simply another young player without the grit that comes from some solid years in the EPL or other top leagues in Europe. And that’s where the lack of squad depth comes into play. What striker is available behind Henry and van Persie? Adebayor? He’s proven incapable of establishing himself as a regular threat. All the other true strikers are on loan and all that’s left is the mass of attacking midfielders that haven’t adapted or had any substantial minutes (Hleb, Rosisky, Walcott, Denilson, Baptista, etc). In the midfield I don’t see anyone who can cover for Gilberto should he go down and Fabregas is the exception rather than the rule when t come to young middies.

In the back the loss of Lauren has been a real blow. Eboue can make wonderful runs but doesn’t have the toughness that Lauren exhibits. At least not yet.

This is a true test for Wenger. He continues to insist that he has the squad he wants and won’t be doing any buying come January; if his squad doesn’t get their act together and toughen up, ’06-’07 could be disastrous. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out. -Sanford

EPL: Leaders Both Win As Arsenal & Villa Crash

Chelsea beat Bolton, Manchester United have little trouble with Everton, and Arsenal lose to Fulham for the first time since January of 1966...

http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=179527

Ronaldinho: Superstar shining bright once again

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=394038&root=europe&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1&cc=5901

'United on the verge of greatness' - Ferguson

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=394137&cc=5901

Coleman praise for unsung Boa Morte

Luis Boa Morte inspired a 2-1 victory over his former club last night but his manager is not expecting Fulham's understated captain to receive much coverage for his moment of magic against Arsenal...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=394144&cc=5901

Portsmouth mount rearguard action to foil limp Liverpool

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,277-2479195,00.html

Wenger faces uncomfortable moment of truth as Fulham expose weaknesses

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,277-2479187,00.html

Luque loses a Porsche but youth will get a go at Newcastle

A typically eventful morning for Newcastle United yesterday featured Glenn Roeder trying to find enough bodies to fill the plane to Germany for tonight's Uefa Cup tie, Albert Luque missing the flight having seen his Porsche written off on the way to the airport and the Belgravia group planning a potential takeover of the club saying: "We are serious."

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1960371,00.html

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Hans van der Meer

European Fields: The Landscape of Lower League Football

http://www.hansvandermeer.nl/

There are some stunning photographs here. Many thanks to Kyle Smith for sending the link my way. I think my favorite is Celerina, Switzerland... Sanford

Phil Ball in Spain

It's weekends like these that keep you going. After some fairly interesting stuff in Europe in midweek, the bread-and-butter programme still looked fairly tasty from Saturday night onwards, and thus it proved to be.




For the second successive Saturday I decided to stay indoors and watch the live match at 22.00 hours, between Atlético Madrid and Real Sociedad. Besides, the missus was out with her mates and the kids needed babysitting. It's not so tough when there's a live game to accompany you in your solitude. I also like this particular fixture, illustrating as it does the fact that no game can take place in Spain without its own particular form of needle as backdrop, its own private history...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=393896&root=europe&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1&cc=5901

Uli Hesse-Lichtenberger in Germany

Who's got the best fans in the league?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=393892&root=europe&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos2&cc=5901

Tevez to wear Brazil shirt as punishment

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=394063&cc=5901

Watford 0-1 Sheffield United

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=199222&cc=5901

Best yet to come from Baptista - Wenger

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=394064&cc=5901

Adversity of '06 a learning experience for Donovan

As the holiday season approaches, U.S. soccer star Landon Donovan can probably be expected to feel grateful that 2006 is nearly over...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=394000&root=us&cc=5901

Tonight's Premiership matches

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,277-2476890,00.html

Gabriele Marcotti column

Marcotti on Shevchenko...money well spent?

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=Aj9.VAY9Lgst7FzCnWsNvR4mw7YF?slug=cnnsi-moneywellspent&prov=cnnsi&type=lgns

Wednesday's rumours

Sheva back to Milan, Micah to Chelsea and more...

http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/index/0,,1959772,00.html

Not the new Maradona, but the new Redondo

It might not sound the most glamorous of monikers, but Fernando Gago's impending arrival in Madrid could be something to really relish...

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/11/29/not_the_new_maradona_but_the_n.html

James Richardson in Italy

Can Mancini's Inter be stopped?

After beating title rivals Palermo to record their ninth consecutive win, Roberto Mancini and Inter have finally won over their doubters.

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/11/28/can_mancinis_inter_be_stopped.html

Sid Lowe in Spain

Beauty and the beast

The contrasting approaches of La Liga's big two have never been more apparent than this weekend, as Ronaldinho and Real proved.

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/11/27/beauty_and_the_beast.html

Monday, November 27, 2006

Richard Jolley at Old Trafford

Manchester United and Chelsea draw...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=393851&root=england&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos2&cc=5901

Jose: United blew their Sunday title chance

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=393885&cc=5901

Premiership wrap: Arsenal lose to Bolton

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=393688&cc=5901

Spanish Primera Liga reports

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-spainreports&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Italian Serie A match reports

Inter stay top, Roma up to second...

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-italyreports&prov=reuters&type=lgns

German Bundesliga match reports

Bayen Munich beat Hamburg, Stuttgart win to stay top...

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-germanyreports&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Troubled PSG draw first match since fan's death

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-france&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Argentinian Tevez set to be fined

Tevez walks out on Upton Park after being substituted...

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fblengprwesthamsheffutdtevez&prov=afp&type=lgns