Euro 2012 - Group C.
Spain:
Qualified Group I winners
The defending European and World Champions are aiming to win an unprecedented 3rd major title in a row and a first glance it's had to see past them for a final birth but there are now chinks in the armour.
First off injuries have robbed them of two of their most potent weapons. Carlos Puyol, the leader on the pitch who marshaled not just the defence but the whole side, rallying them when they're under pressure.
Perhaps the bigger loss though is that of David Villa. Golden Boot at Euro 2008 and tied Golden Boot at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he's Spain's record goal scorer with 51 goals in 82 matches and top scorer in La Liga in 6 of the last 7 seasons. At the 2010 FIFA World Cup he scored 5 of Spain's 8 goals and that fact that none of the other 3 came from a striker is Spain's problem.
The possible replacements are an out of sorts Fernando Torres, Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente a physical striker who's form seemed to wane at the tail end of a long season and Alvaro Negredo who didn't feature in any of the qualifying campaign. So the big question is where will the goals come from? It's fine to have a team full of slick passing midfielders but if you can't put the ball in the net you wont win tournaments - Spain's last friendly against a very average Chinese side (a 1 nil win thanks to an 84th minute goal to David Silva) could be a sign of things to come.
The loss of Puyol also creates a problem - where the Spanish have been imperious at the back in recent years their key defenders aren't performing. Pique has been out of sorts all season at Barca (even getting dropped for a while) and his likely partner in the centre is a converted right back in Sergio Ramos. This coupled with inexperience in Jordi Alba and lack of matches in Raul Alboil (just La Liga matches and 5 UCL matches all season) in the full back positions means things are far from solid at the back for La Roja.
The other issue that seems to be clouding the camp is the disharmony between the Real and Barca players within the squad. The manager seems to be aware of the issue saying "If Pique and Ramos do not get along, they’ll be dropped. They are young kids with their differences, but we have no problems.” Xavi has also recently chimed in intimating that the Real players are bad winners and losers.
Five off seasons of action could also be taking toll on the big players in the side and fatigue may be a factor - I think they're a very good side but one with issues that need resolving both on and off the pitch. I think they'll make it out of the group but can't see them winning the tournament.
Tip - Group C Runners Up
Euro 2012 - Group C.
Italy:
Qualified Group C winners
If you take any notice of history when it comes to the Italian national side you'll be popping into your local TAB to throw a lazy tenner on them winning Euro 2012. Before you think I've lost it let me explain.
In 1982 Italian football was recovering from a match fixing scandal, no one, not even the Italian media expected the team to do anything but show up but thanks to the prodigal son Paolo Rossi (just back from a ban for his part in the scandal) and his goals the Dino Zoff led Azzurri were crowned champions.
Fast forward to 2006, Italian football was recovering from a match fixing scandal that had seen Rossi's former club Juventus relegated to Serie B for their involvement, once again no one fancied them to go close to winning it and thanks to a dominant tournament from striker Luca Toni they did the unexpected and lifted the trophy.
2012, Italian football is in the throws of a match fixing scandal, some big names are said to be involved, members of the squad have been dropped because they've been implicated and once again no one thinks the Italians will win - even their coach Cesare Prandelli has said he doesn't think the side are there too win but to get experience for the next World Cup! See what I mean!
As for which striker will step forward and make his mark take your pick from Mario Batlotelli who'd have us believe he's a genius, reformed bad boy Antonio Cassano or the veteran who's still scoring at top level for Udinese Antonio Di Natale. Oh and the Juventus link is there again too - they've won the Serie A this season fo the first time in nine years without losing a game.
The Azzurri look reasonably strong across the pitch too. The defence will include Buffon in goal with fellow Juve players Chiellini, Barzagli and Bonucci vying for places in front of him meaning the stability and combinations will be there to offer a typically stoic Italian defence.
In front of the them is probably the Azzurri's strongest part of the squad, Andrea Pirlo will pull the strings from in front of the back four with Juve team mate Claudio Marchisio, Roma captain Daniele De Rossi and Fiorentina's play maker Riccardo Montolivo making up a diamond formation in front of him and with quality players like Thiago Motta and Sebastian Giovinco on the bench the Italian midfield will dominate most sides.
The preparation may not have been great and the friendly results not that impressive but when it comes to the games that matter the Italians will be tough to beat.
Tip - Group C winners
Euro 2012 - Group C.
Croatia:
Qualified Group F Runners Up
The Croat's have a short but proud tournament history with a semi final appearance in the 1998 FIFA Wold Cup and a Quarter Final appearance last time out at the Euro's. They qualified by beating Turkey in the play offs with an impressive 3 nil in Istanbul after finishing runner up to the Greeks in Group F.
Croatia's strength is in midfield where Luka Modric tends to play as a deep lying play maker - a role similar to Pirlo's for Italy alongside the ball winning ability of either Bayern's Danijel Pranjic or Dynamo Kiev's Ognjen Vukojevic. On the right side captain Darijo Srna offers stability, crossing accuracy and a threat from set pieces and over on the left Croatian manager Slaven Bilic has the luxury of choosing between two very creative players in Niko Kranjar and Sevilla's Ivan Rakitic. In the hole linking the lone striker and the midfield is another goalscoring play maker in Wolfsburg's Mario Mandzukic, who if he can stay fit could be a surprise package in this tournament.
Up front the loss of Bayern Munich's Ivica Olic will hurt, his physicality and tireless running is something that will be hard to replace. The options are Eduardo the Brazilian born Croatian who hasn't been the same player since breaking his leg for Arsenal, Nikica Jelavic who while impressing in his short time at Everton is yet to prove himself on the international stage and the young pretender Ivan Perisic who will have a bigger role to play at his club side Borussia Dortmund next season.
As a former centre back Bilic's biggest concern will ironically be his back four, they lack pace and against Greece in qualifying at least look vulnerable at set pieces.
Croatia could potentially upset the big two in this group but I'll be keeping my cash in my pocket at this stage.
Tip - Group C Third
Euro 2012 - Group C.
Ireland:
Qualified Group B Runners Up
The Irish made their first major tournament since the 2002 FIFA Wold Cup by beating Estonia 5 - 1 on aggregate after finishing second to Russia in Group B.
Their biggest strength and weakness could be one and the same - the boss Giovanni Trapattoni.
He's got the Irish this far by playing a fairly rigid 4-4-1-1 making them hard to break down but at the same time making them fairly predictable. Robbie Keane is key to the sides chances playing in the hole and effectively being the sides play maker and goal scorer, of his fellow strikers Shane Long looks the most likely to score goals at the highest level thanks to his pace but Trappattoni prefers to start with the more physical Kevin Doyle or the bustling style of Stoke City's Jon Walters.
The centre of the park offer very little going forward with Keith Andrews and Glen Whelan used to shield the back four rather than feed the front players. Out wide Damian Duff isn't the player he was but Aiden McGeady looks like he could cause a few sides problems with his tricky and pace.
Where I think Trapattoni may have problems is the lack of variety in the squad - he seems very settled on one style and if that doesn't work there is very little he can do to change things. I think he may have missed a trick in leaving Norwich pair, midfield schemer Wes Hoolahan and winger/second striker Anthong Pilkington out of the squad - their presence in Polkraine could have made the Irish a different prospect.
Alongside Robbie Keane Ireland two most important players are Keeper Shay Given and versatile defender John O'Shea - both have been under injury clouds coming into the tournament and keeping them fit is a must if Ireland are to have any chance.
Tip - Group C Fourth
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Euro 2012 Group B Preview
Euro 2012 - Group B.
Germany:
Qualified Group A winners
The Germans breezed through qualifying with a perfect record brushing aside the likes of Turkey and Belgium. If that doesn't impress you consider this - they've beaten England, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Holland in the last two years. Manager Joachim Low has continued to develop his own take on the Dutch idea of Total Football and has done it with a young, enthusiastic and hungry side. In fact the side is so young that only 8 players in the German squad of 23 are over 25.
Low is likely to field a 4-2-3-1 formation that can compact to a 4-4-1-1 or even 4-5-1 when without the ball and under pressure. He has the luxury of being able to choose between Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez to lead the line with support from playmaker Mesut Ozil and pace and finishing either side from Podolski and Muller. Behind this front line ae likely to be the leadership and guidance of Schweinsteiger and Khedira and this is the key to German success. These two with (and/or possibly Toni Kroos) will need to shield what is a less than solid defence. Per Mertesacker has had an injury and error ridden first season at Arsenal and as shown in the 5 - 3 loss to Switzerland recently his partnreship with Mats Hummels needs work. Compound that with a number of Bayern Munich players (Lahm, Boateng, Badstuber) who had a terrible end to the season getting stuffed 5-2 in the German Cup final and losing the Champions League final and you have the makings of an under confident and mentally fatigued defensive unit.
Having said that I feel the Germans will have too much quality across the park for the teams in their group and when you consider they have Mario Gotze , the German Messi, on the bench they should win the group.
Tip - Group B winners
Holland:
Qualified Group E Winners
The Dutch are much like the Germans - a lot of quality creatively and in the finishing department but more than a little suspect at the back. Also like the Germans they dominated their qualifying group, winning the first nine matches and scoring 35 goals in the process before dropping the last game to group runners up Sweden 2-3.
Coach Bert van Marwijk has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar vying with Robin Van Persie for the position at the pointy end of the Oranje's 4-2-3-1. Huntelaar can boast 12 goals in qualifying and 31 in 50 appearances at international level while Van Persie won the Premier League Golden Boot last season and scored 50 goals in all competitions in 2011. The answer maybe to deployed Van Persie wide on the right with Huntelaar through the middle. Joining those two in the starting 11 will be Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben with two of Mark Van Bommel, Nigel De Jong, Rafael Van Der Vaart and Kevin Strootman battling in the middle of the park. Van Bommel and De Jong provide the steel and are the preferred partnership but if the Dutch need a result don't be surprised to see De Jong make way for a more creative partner for Van Bommel.
Incumbent left back Erik Pieters has been ruled out of the tournament giving van Marwijk a headache, he's opted to bring veteran Wilfred Bouma in with back up in the form of 18 year old Jetro Willems. On the other side of defence the much vaunted Gregory Van der Weil is a very forward thinking fullback and with the decidedly pace less Heitinga and Mathijsen as centre backs I think the Oranje's weak point will be at the back putting more emphasis on the central midfield pairing which, given their history and temperament could lead to a few cards pool play.
Van Marwijk's best bet against the group stage opposition maybe taking the philosophy of if they score two we'll score three - should be an entertaining group and one which the Dutch should have the fire power to qualify from.
Tip - Group B - Runners Up
Portugal:
Qualified Group H Runners Up
When most football fans think of Portugal they think of Cristiano Ronaldo - Europe's best player and without a certain diminutive Argentinian the Worlds best player. Ronaldo has had a magnificent season for Real Madrid scoring 64 goals creating 15 more and winning La Liga - in fact he was so good this season he gave himself 10 out of 10 as a mark for the season but the rest of the Real squad "only" a 9 out of 10.
However even the mercurial Real star will need to perform superhuman feats to improve a poor performing Portugese side. They only just scrapped through qualifying on goal difference over the Norwegians and were largely unconvincing over two legs against Bosnia Herzagovnia despite a final aggregate of 6-2. Only recently in warm up matches for the Euro's they've drawn nil all with both Poland and Macedonia and lost 3 - 1 in Lisbon to Turkey.
Ronaldo needs support and on paper at least the Portugese have the players to provide it. From a squad including Manchester United winger Nani, Chelsea midfielder Meireles, Werder Bremen strike weapon Hugo Almeida and Real Madrid defensive lynch pin Pepe you'd expect more - so you expect do the Portugese fans and most certainly their coach - former international Paulo Bento.
Given the group they're in I can't see them making the quarter finals barring a miracle, the Germans and Dutch will most certainly be to strong and the Danes got the better of them in qualifying - the real question is can they avoid finishing bottom of this group?
Tip - Group B - Third
Denmak
Qualified Group H Winners
Denmark have long punched above their weight on the international stage and they did it again in qualifying topping a group that included local rivals Norway and Iceland and the much fancied Portugese. They suffered just one loss - that to the Portugese in the final game when qualification was already assured.
The Danes have a solid look to them with Liverpool's Daniel Agger and the highly rated Roma defender Simon Kjaer marshalling the centre of defense and Christian Poulsen and Niki Zimling offering them protection in midfield. Further forward Christian Eriksen is the young play maker that is constantly being linked to moves to the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United and he along side veteran winger Dennis Rommendahl and Nicolas Bendtner will be responsible for creating the majority of the Danes goal scoring chances.
The loss of Thomas Sorensen could be a major blow for the teams chances, his defensive organising and experience will be missed against two of Europe's top three sides.
Tip - Group B - Fourth
Germany:
Qualified Group A winners
The Germans breezed through qualifying with a perfect record brushing aside the likes of Turkey and Belgium. If that doesn't impress you consider this - they've beaten England, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Holland in the last two years. Manager Joachim Low has continued to develop his own take on the Dutch idea of Total Football and has done it with a young, enthusiastic and hungry side. In fact the side is so young that only 8 players in the German squad of 23 are over 25.
Low is likely to field a 4-2-3-1 formation that can compact to a 4-4-1-1 or even 4-5-1 when without the ball and under pressure. He has the luxury of being able to choose between Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez to lead the line with support from playmaker Mesut Ozil and pace and finishing either side from Podolski and Muller. Behind this front line ae likely to be the leadership and guidance of Schweinsteiger and Khedira and this is the key to German success. These two with (and/or possibly Toni Kroos) will need to shield what is a less than solid defence. Per Mertesacker has had an injury and error ridden first season at Arsenal and as shown in the 5 - 3 loss to Switzerland recently his partnreship with Mats Hummels needs work. Compound that with a number of Bayern Munich players (Lahm, Boateng, Badstuber) who had a terrible end to the season getting stuffed 5-2 in the German Cup final and losing the Champions League final and you have the makings of an under confident and mentally fatigued defensive unit.
Having said that I feel the Germans will have too much quality across the park for the teams in their group and when you consider they have Mario Gotze , the German Messi, on the bench they should win the group.
Tip - Group B winners
Holland:
Qualified Group E Winners
The Dutch are much like the Germans - a lot of quality creatively and in the finishing department but more than a little suspect at the back. Also like the Germans they dominated their qualifying group, winning the first nine matches and scoring 35 goals in the process before dropping the last game to group runners up Sweden 2-3.
Coach Bert van Marwijk has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar vying with Robin Van Persie for the position at the pointy end of the Oranje's 4-2-3-1. Huntelaar can boast 12 goals in qualifying and 31 in 50 appearances at international level while Van Persie won the Premier League Golden Boot last season and scored 50 goals in all competitions in 2011. The answer maybe to deployed Van Persie wide on the right with Huntelaar through the middle. Joining those two in the starting 11 will be Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben with two of Mark Van Bommel, Nigel De Jong, Rafael Van Der Vaart and Kevin Strootman battling in the middle of the park. Van Bommel and De Jong provide the steel and are the preferred partnership but if the Dutch need a result don't be surprised to see De Jong make way for a more creative partner for Van Bommel.
Incumbent left back Erik Pieters has been ruled out of the tournament giving van Marwijk a headache, he's opted to bring veteran Wilfred Bouma in with back up in the form of 18 year old Jetro Willems. On the other side of defence the much vaunted Gregory Van der Weil is a very forward thinking fullback and with the decidedly pace less Heitinga and Mathijsen as centre backs I think the Oranje's weak point will be at the back putting more emphasis on the central midfield pairing which, given their history and temperament could lead to a few cards pool play.
Van Marwijk's best bet against the group stage opposition maybe taking the philosophy of if they score two we'll score three - should be an entertaining group and one which the Dutch should have the fire power to qualify from.
Tip - Group B - Runners Up
Portugal:
Qualified Group H Runners Up
When most football fans think of Portugal they think of Cristiano Ronaldo - Europe's best player and without a certain diminutive Argentinian the Worlds best player. Ronaldo has had a magnificent season for Real Madrid scoring 64 goals creating 15 more and winning La Liga - in fact he was so good this season he gave himself 10 out of 10 as a mark for the season but the rest of the Real squad "only" a 9 out of 10.
However even the mercurial Real star will need to perform superhuman feats to improve a poor performing Portugese side. They only just scrapped through qualifying on goal difference over the Norwegians and were largely unconvincing over two legs against Bosnia Herzagovnia despite a final aggregate of 6-2. Only recently in warm up matches for the Euro's they've drawn nil all with both Poland and Macedonia and lost 3 - 1 in Lisbon to Turkey.
Ronaldo needs support and on paper at least the Portugese have the players to provide it. From a squad including Manchester United winger Nani, Chelsea midfielder Meireles, Werder Bremen strike weapon Hugo Almeida and Real Madrid defensive lynch pin Pepe you'd expect more - so you expect do the Portugese fans and most certainly their coach - former international Paulo Bento.
Given the group they're in I can't see them making the quarter finals barring a miracle, the Germans and Dutch will most certainly be to strong and the Danes got the better of them in qualifying - the real question is can they avoid finishing bottom of this group?
Tip - Group B - Third
Denmak
Qualified Group H Winners
Denmark have long punched above their weight on the international stage and they did it again in qualifying topping a group that included local rivals Norway and Iceland and the much fancied Portugese. They suffered just one loss - that to the Portugese in the final game when qualification was already assured.
The Danes have a solid look to them with Liverpool's Daniel Agger and the highly rated Roma defender Simon Kjaer marshalling the centre of defense and Christian Poulsen and Niki Zimling offering them protection in midfield. Further forward Christian Eriksen is the young play maker that is constantly being linked to moves to the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United and he along side veteran winger Dennis Rommendahl and Nicolas Bendtner will be responsible for creating the majority of the Danes goal scoring chances.
The loss of Thomas Sorensen could be a major blow for the teams chances, his defensive organising and experience will be missed against two of Europe's top three sides.
Tip - Group B - Fourth
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Euro 2012 Group A Preview
Euro 2012 - Group A.
Russia:
Qualified Group B winners
The Russians topped a group that was at best average but I guess you can only beat what's put in front of you. That said Armenia, Macedonia, Slovakia and the Republic of Ireland aren't exactly challenging in terms of European qualification. A myopic Englsih football follower may say the fact that Bilyaletdinov didn't make the squad means they'll be an in fighting continental mess but I'd suggest that with young players like Dzagoez and established talent like Pavlyuchenko, Pogrebnyak and Arshavin what it really means is that they don't have to pick out of form players on reputation.
With former Dutch and Zenit St Petersburg Dick Advocaat in charge the Russians have a tactically astute manager who is expeienced in the wiley business of international management and he knows how to win things - the recent 3 nil win over Italy shows they'll be a foce to be reckoned with.
Tip - Group A winners
Poland:
Qualified as Co- Hosts
The Poles have long seen their best players declare for Germany and celebrate success off shore but a new generation is coming through that seems to say Podolski and Klose wouldn't be missed.
Borussia Dortmund playmaker Blaszcykowski and striker Lewandowski alondside Arsenal shot stopper Szczesny and Bordeaux's Obraniak have built a spine of a team that have looked solid with narrow wins over Slovakia and Latvia and a thumping of Andorra. Home support and team with a load of Ligue Un and Bundesliga players should be enough to see them past Greece and the Czech Republic for the Quarter Finals.
Tip - Group A - Runners Up
Greece:
Qualified Group F Winners
Nudged Croatia out as top qualifier from their group alongside Israel, Latvia, Malta and Georgia.
the 2004 Champions are unlikely to repeat this feat. Largely built around the ideal of the team the Greeks will need some more individuality to make an impact this time around - Fetfadzidis - The Greek Messi - may have to be trusted for them to have a chance of making it out of the group.
Geogios Samaras and Theofanis Gekas are the best bet for goals but given they'll be feeding off of the scraps the rest of the team can win for them it'll be a surprise to see them in the Quarter Finals.
Tip - Group A - Fourth
Czech Republic
Qualified Group I Runners Up
A less than convincing qualifying campaign that included two losses to Spain and a draw and dubious against Scotland means I can't see the Czechs making it out of their group.
On paper they have a solid side starting with Chelsea's Petr Cech in goal, Rosicky as playmaker and the ageless Baros up front but the Czechs performed below expectations and are rebuilding at the moment - tough to beat but won't have enough to qualify.
Tip - Group A - Third
Russia:
Qualified Group B winners
The Russians topped a group that was at best average but I guess you can only beat what's put in front of you. That said Armenia, Macedonia, Slovakia and the Republic of Ireland aren't exactly challenging in terms of European qualification. A myopic Englsih football follower may say the fact that Bilyaletdinov didn't make the squad means they'll be an in fighting continental mess but I'd suggest that with young players like Dzagoez and established talent like Pavlyuchenko, Pogrebnyak and Arshavin what it really means is that they don't have to pick out of form players on reputation.
With former Dutch and Zenit St Petersburg Dick Advocaat in charge the Russians have a tactically astute manager who is expeienced in the wiley business of international management and he knows how to win things - the recent 3 nil win over Italy shows they'll be a foce to be reckoned with.
Tip - Group A winners
Poland:
Qualified as Co- Hosts
The Poles have long seen their best players declare for Germany and celebrate success off shore but a new generation is coming through that seems to say Podolski and Klose wouldn't be missed.
Borussia Dortmund playmaker Blaszcykowski and striker Lewandowski alondside Arsenal shot stopper Szczesny and Bordeaux's Obraniak have built a spine of a team that have looked solid with narrow wins over Slovakia and Latvia and a thumping of Andorra. Home support and team with a load of Ligue Un and Bundesliga players should be enough to see them past Greece and the Czech Republic for the Quarter Finals.
Tip - Group A - Runners Up
Greece:
Qualified Group F Winners
Nudged Croatia out as top qualifier from their group alongside Israel, Latvia, Malta and Georgia.
the 2004 Champions are unlikely to repeat this feat. Largely built around the ideal of the team the Greeks will need some more individuality to make an impact this time around - Fetfadzidis - The Greek Messi - may have to be trusted for them to have a chance of making it out of the group.
Geogios Samaras and Theofanis Gekas are the best bet for goals but given they'll be feeding off of the scraps the rest of the team can win for them it'll be a surprise to see them in the Quarter Finals.
Tip - Group A - Fourth
Czech Republic
Qualified Group I Runners Up
A less than convincing qualifying campaign that included two losses to Spain and a draw and dubious against Scotland means I can't see the Czechs making it out of their group.
On paper they have a solid side starting with Chelsea's Petr Cech in goal, Rosicky as playmaker and the ageless Baros up front but the Czechs performed below expectations and are rebuilding at the moment - tough to beat but won't have enough to qualify.
Tip - Group A - Third
Monday, December 26, 2011
Nil all - What a Game!
Recovering from my Christmas and Boxing Day excesses on the couch today I watched the best part of 5 Premiership games on the trot - something akin to what heaven will no doubt be like.
To my surprise the outstanding game of the day was the one I least expected to enjoy - West Bromwich Albion v Manchester City. The reason being on one side you have the Premiership's Nouveau Riche over laden with talent (some 300 million pounds worth in the game day squad - most signed in the last 2 seasons), and on the other the Boing Boing Baggies, regular relegation scrappers with a propensity for "bouncing" between divisions - hence the nickname. Given the state of the two protangonists I thought I'd be watching a one sided goal fest that involved an ultimately futile rear guard action on one hand and a barrage of shots from men worth more than some countries GDP on the other.
Instead what I saw was a game of the sort that brings a smile to the face of football fans while leaving the egg chasers completely bemused. Nil all? Must have been a crap game! Is a common quip but it just goes to show the lack of understanding of the game.
West Brom's manager Roy Hodgson was faced with trying to tame a side who had scored 53 goals in 17 in the league thus far. They could field names like Sergio Aguero, Samir Nasri, Edin Dzeko, Mario Balotelli and Ya Ya Toure, West Brom on the other hand have a squad largely made up of Premiership journeymen and "finds" from the lower leagues of England.
The first 45 minutes was a battle of wills and patience, West Brom sat deep content to let City have the ball to within 30 yards of goal, two banks of four fronted by a couple of terriers in Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie who chased anything knocked forward and attempted to pull the City back four around the field to make room for the likes of Jerome Thomas and Chris Brunt on the break. The discipline to not go chasing the ball when lost up field allowed West Brom to always have players behind the ball but this was not a kick-fest with the home side only conceding eight fouls (three less than City) and no bookings. This was intelligent skilful defending under pressure.
Manchester City on the other hand played their part in the game too. David Silva was a constant threat finding space between the two banks of four and attempt to weave either himself or the ball through the backline to link with Balotelli and Aguero. He did in truth have one excellent chance the first half when the ball was cut back to him on the edge of the area but he uncharacteristically lifted the shot over the bar.
So scoreless at half time and it was the half to come that really made the game. Buoyed by the success they'd had in keeping the league leaders scoreless in the first half West Brom played with a confidence and pace that showed they believed the game was there for the taking. Equally City - while still attacking - were starting to get both frustrated and and anxious at what may happen at the other end of the field should they lose the ball. The game opened up and really was at times end to end with the plucky under dogs looking to steal their piece of glory at any given opportunity while the men from Manchester attempted to boss the game and quell the unexpected fight.
City's best chance fell to Aguero who beat the offside trap to latch onto James Milner's header but one on one with Ben Foster (for a brief moment) he took an extra touch and allowed the excellent Gareth McAuley to get back and knock the ball off of his toe and out for a corner. At the other end Jerome Thomas' excellent wing play opened City up down the left on several occasions with the best opening seeing a blinding Thomas drive beat Joe Hart in the City goal only to hit the far post and deflect away.
While both teams contributed to an outstanding game the plaudits really should go to West Brom - especially Billy Jones (Man of the Match and only making his 5th appearance after transferring in the summer from Preston North End) the previously mentioned McAuley, Paul Sharner, Nickey Shorey, Youssuf Mulumbu, Jerome Thomas and the tactically astute man in the dugout Roy Hodgson who, so maligned at Liverpool, showed the rest of the league how to play without the ball against City and still compete.
To my surprise the outstanding game of the day was the one I least expected to enjoy - West Bromwich Albion v Manchester City. The reason being on one side you have the Premiership's Nouveau Riche over laden with talent (some 300 million pounds worth in the game day squad - most signed in the last 2 seasons), and on the other the Boing Boing Baggies, regular relegation scrappers with a propensity for "bouncing" between divisions - hence the nickname. Given the state of the two protangonists I thought I'd be watching a one sided goal fest that involved an ultimately futile rear guard action on one hand and a barrage of shots from men worth more than some countries GDP on the other.
Instead what I saw was a game of the sort that brings a smile to the face of football fans while leaving the egg chasers completely bemused. Nil all? Must have been a crap game! Is a common quip but it just goes to show the lack of understanding of the game.
West Brom's manager Roy Hodgson was faced with trying to tame a side who had scored 53 goals in 17 in the league thus far. They could field names like Sergio Aguero, Samir Nasri, Edin Dzeko, Mario Balotelli and Ya Ya Toure, West Brom on the other hand have a squad largely made up of Premiership journeymen and "finds" from the lower leagues of England.
The first 45 minutes was a battle of wills and patience, West Brom sat deep content to let City have the ball to within 30 yards of goal, two banks of four fronted by a couple of terriers in Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie who chased anything knocked forward and attempted to pull the City back four around the field to make room for the likes of Jerome Thomas and Chris Brunt on the break. The discipline to not go chasing the ball when lost up field allowed West Brom to always have players behind the ball but this was not a kick-fest with the home side only conceding eight fouls (three less than City) and no bookings. This was intelligent skilful defending under pressure.
Manchester City on the other hand played their part in the game too. David Silva was a constant threat finding space between the two banks of four and attempt to weave either himself or the ball through the backline to link with Balotelli and Aguero. He did in truth have one excellent chance the first half when the ball was cut back to him on the edge of the area but he uncharacteristically lifted the shot over the bar.
So scoreless at half time and it was the half to come that really made the game. Buoyed by the success they'd had in keeping the league leaders scoreless in the first half West Brom played with a confidence and pace that showed they believed the game was there for the taking. Equally City - while still attacking - were starting to get both frustrated and and anxious at what may happen at the other end of the field should they lose the ball. The game opened up and really was at times end to end with the plucky under dogs looking to steal their piece of glory at any given opportunity while the men from Manchester attempted to boss the game and quell the unexpected fight.
City's best chance fell to Aguero who beat the offside trap to latch onto James Milner's header but one on one with Ben Foster (for a brief moment) he took an extra touch and allowed the excellent Gareth McAuley to get back and knock the ball off of his toe and out for a corner. At the other end Jerome Thomas' excellent wing play opened City up down the left on several occasions with the best opening seeing a blinding Thomas drive beat Joe Hart in the City goal only to hit the far post and deflect away.
While both teams contributed to an outstanding game the plaudits really should go to West Brom - especially Billy Jones (Man of the Match and only making his 5th appearance after transferring in the summer from Preston North End) the previously mentioned McAuley, Paul Sharner, Nickey Shorey, Youssuf Mulumbu, Jerome Thomas and the tactically astute man in the dugout Roy Hodgson who, so maligned at Liverpool, showed the rest of the league how to play without the ball against City and still compete.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Phoenix Fire power issues
With Pavlovic getting sent off v the Glory for a pretty brainless challenge and the lack of other options up front I was looking at the squad for a solution that could give the Phoenix some presence up front, provide support for Greenacre and potentially add some goals.
I think the Ifill is better suited in space and Sanchez's strengths are more in playing balls in than recieving them so Herbert is left with few options.
Tim Brown could prove useful in a forward role similar to that of Tim Cahill at Everton. Cahill too is a converted midfielder who is strong on the ball and in the air and frequently lines up just behind a main striker as a target man. Not only that but he knows where the net is and it would allow the Phoenix to defend from the front more effectively when they do lose the ball.
Herbert could then use Lia as the ball winning midfielder screening the back four with Ifill, Sanchez and Bertos in front of him.
Given the size of the squad at his disposal and lack of realistic options this could ease the burden on Greenacre and increase the pressure on opposition back lines.
I think the Ifill is better suited in space and Sanchez's strengths are more in playing balls in than recieving them so Herbert is left with few options.
Tim Brown could prove useful in a forward role similar to that of Tim Cahill at Everton. Cahill too is a converted midfielder who is strong on the ball and in the air and frequently lines up just behind a main striker as a target man. Not only that but he knows where the net is and it would allow the Phoenix to defend from the front more effectively when they do lose the ball.
Herbert could then use Lia as the ball winning midfielder screening the back four with Ifill, Sanchez and Bertos in front of him.
Given the size of the squad at his disposal and lack of realistic options this could ease the burden on Greenacre and increase the pressure on opposition back lines.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Disenfranchised United
I was watching the Wolves v Sunderland game this morning and got to thinking about how many players there are in the Premiership that have played at United and are still playing in the Premiership with other clubs.
So getting my anorak out here's what I came up with:
GK - Tim Howard (EVERTON)
RB - Phil Bardsley (SUNDERLAND)
CB - Ryan Shawcross (STOKE CITY)
CB - Wes Brown (SUNDERLAND)
LB - Phil Neville (EVERTON)
RM - Chis Eagles (BOLTON WANDERERS)
CM - Owen Hargreaves (MANCHESTER CITY)
CM - John O'Shea (SUNDERLAND)
LM - Gabriel Obertan (NEWCASTLE UNITED)
CF - Sylvan Ebanks- Blake (WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS)
ST - Louis Saha (EVERTON)
Bench
Ben Foster (WEST BROMWICH ALBION)
Danny Pugh (STOKE CITY)
Danny Higginbotham (STOKE CITY)
David Jones (WIGAN ATHLETIC)
Kieran Richardson (SUNDERLAND)
Carlos Tevez (MANCHESTER CITY) - FOR NOW!
Jon Obi-Mikel (CHELSEA) - Granted he never played for United but was signed to United before the Russian Mafia changed his mind.
I can't think of another Premiership club that would be able to put together a similar side but feel free to prove me wrong - oh and the impressive thing about the above squad of 17 is that 12 came from United Academy - a lot of home grown talent.
So getting my anorak out here's what I came up with:
GK - Tim Howard (EVERTON)
RB - Phil Bardsley (SUNDERLAND)
CB - Ryan Shawcross (STOKE CITY)
CB - Wes Brown (SUNDERLAND)
LB - Phil Neville (EVERTON)
RM - Chis Eagles (BOLTON WANDERERS)
CM - Owen Hargreaves (MANCHESTER CITY)
CM - John O'Shea (SUNDERLAND)
LM - Gabriel Obertan (NEWCASTLE UNITED)
CF - Sylvan Ebanks- Blake (WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS)
ST - Louis Saha (EVERTON)
Bench
Ben Foster (WEST BROMWICH ALBION)
Danny Pugh (STOKE CITY)
Danny Higginbotham (STOKE CITY)
David Jones (WIGAN ATHLETIC)
Kieran Richardson (SUNDERLAND)
Carlos Tevez (MANCHESTER CITY) - FOR NOW!
Jon Obi-Mikel (CHELSEA) - Granted he never played for United but was signed to United before the Russian Mafia changed his mind.
I can't think of another Premiership club that would be able to put together a similar side but feel free to prove me wrong - oh and the impressive thing about the above squad of 17 is that 12 came from United Academy - a lot of home grown talent.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Truly the season defining game.
Media commentators and journo's tend to over use the "biggest game of season" term when refering to to games that while they're against a rival fo a spot or come during a lean spell for a side are generally just another game. Today against the Perth Glory I think the term "biggest game of season" can rightfully be rolled out however.
Our main rivals for the 5th and 6th spots in the ladder and the playoffs have been stumbling with Newcastle down on manpower getting turned over 5 - 1 by Gold Coast and the two Melbourne sides slugging out a draw. We also have games in hand over all three - here's how the table currently stands.
5th - Melbourne Victory Pl 26 Pts 34
6th - Melbourne Heart Pl 27 Pts 33
7th - Newcastle Jets Pl 25 Pts 31
8th - Wellington Phoenix Pl 24 Pts 29
So the game this aftenoon against an under-strength Perth side really is a must win. Robbie Fowler and Chris Coyne are out injured, Jamie Harnwell and Adriano Pelligrino are suspended and Andy Todd has been released so you'd expect the defence to be vulnerable and at the sharp end the abscense of the creativity and guile of Fowler will have Durante and Siggy breathing a bit easier. A win today takes us above Newcastle and only 2 points off of 5th with games in hand - if the Phoenix are to make the finals fo a second successive season taking 3points from Perthh is essential.
Our main rivals for the 5th and 6th spots in the ladder and the playoffs have been stumbling with Newcastle down on manpower getting turned over 5 - 1 by Gold Coast and the two Melbourne sides slugging out a draw. We also have games in hand over all three - here's how the table currently stands.
5th - Melbourne Victory Pl 26 Pts 34
6th - Melbourne Heart Pl 27 Pts 33
7th - Newcastle Jets Pl 25 Pts 31
8th - Wellington Phoenix Pl 24 Pts 29
So the game this aftenoon against an under-strength Perth side really is a must win. Robbie Fowler and Chris Coyne are out injured, Jamie Harnwell and Adriano Pelligrino are suspended and Andy Todd has been released so you'd expect the defence to be vulnerable and at the sharp end the abscense of the creativity and guile of Fowler will have Durante and Siggy breathing a bit easier. A win today takes us above Newcastle and only 2 points off of 5th with games in hand - if the Phoenix are to make the finals fo a second successive season taking 3points from Perthh is essential.
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