MATCH of the week

[peterkkchong]

What do think about chances of Liverpool taking over the 2nd spot and Arsenal taking over the 4th position of premier league by the end of season?

I think Liverpool chances are there but Arsenal chances will be slim.

Cheers

[Teeque]

It all boils down to the last match of the season next week. But Liverpool's prospects do look brighter than Arsenal's. As I mentioned before, Liverpool getting second will depend on MU not getting anything in their last matches. The Reds, against Portsmouth away, will field a team who will take part in the FA Cup Final a week later to give the players match fitness and practice. So, Liverpool shld hv no problems overcoming Portsmouth, who can begin to go easy since surviving the drop. MU takes on Charlton and this one could be tricky. MU could rest some World Cuppers and the team may be further weakened with some players absent. But Charlton may want to try to notch a win at Old Trafford to give their dear departing manager a fitting send off for his last game in charge. AND, if this guy has an agenda in his mind, Darren Bent shld give a rousing performance for a last gasp shot at cementing his place in England's WC squad and go in place of Rooney, who is injured and chances of his return are slim for now.

Arsenal are in two minds. There were suggestions that Wenger would be resting top players, including Henry, prior to the CL Final. Since Arsenal has 3 games within 7 days this week, Wenger will surely be rotating his squad but must achieve all wins in these matches for a slim chance and hope Spurs to lose. Sunderland was a mediocre opposition but Man City, with a revival on form recently, is not so the Gunners shld expect a tougher match on Fri. And after all that, in the last of the season matches on Sunday, Arsenal go against a resilient Wigan at home while Spurs are away at Upton Park for the game against a depleted West Ham side. In any case, a Spurs win or even a draw will be enough to condemn Arsenal to 5th spot. Unless the Gunners go on and win the CL Finals in a fairytale finale like Liverpool last season.

[Teeque]

FYI, an explanation of metatarsal injuries and Rooney's injury situation.

[Jose Mourinho]

A Rooney-less Man Utd wasnt exciting to watch either. Even with the introduction of wide men in Ronaldo and Richardson couldnt lift Utd's gloom and further emphasised the weaknesses of a weakened Utd side. So, when Fergie sounded his title challenge for next season after the emphatic loss to Chelsea 2 days ago, it sounded really hollow. A word of caution to the old man. Next season will be a cardiac arrest inducing season for him, if not for the bosses since one of them has succumbed to it.

Many football critics and experts have always condemned teams such as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea for using their financial muscle to buy players instead of going through their youth academy. Present day football doesn't allow for that any more and the manager who always talks unfavourably of Chelsea's weath, Arsne Wenger, himself, has paid a fortune to get the young Theo Walcott from Southampton (he was in Southampton's Academy).

Alex Ferguson may sound his war cry but it is going to be difficult when Chelsea continues to build its squad. The latest is that Jose Mourinho is going for Andrei Shevchenko, Michael Ballack (he is already a certain) and Ashley Cole. With these three, the team looks pretty complete. Imagine having a striker such as Hernan Crespo third in the pecking order - although he would probably leave.

[Teeque]

I dont deny that deep pocketed giants of the game excels in their leagues and the game due to their ability to secure top coaching and playing personnel with their good financial might. MU and Arsenal did it in the 90s and won titles but now it seems that a major part of their finances are going into other areas of the club to boost their earnings - stadium upgrades and global marketing. With this kind of money, they do hold an unfair advantage over the minnows but this direction where the business is overwhelming the game is deemed unhealthy by the game's administrators. Rightly so, when the G14 can exert their hold and influences on the game, even threatening with an alternate European championship where certain demands of theirs are not met ie. more league money, bigger winning purse, larger share of TV and marketing revenues, more say in the game's decision making etc. So much so, UEFA and FIFA are changing the rules of the game frm 2007 onwards. Their main thrust of these changes is the need for more homegrown players in Europe's top clubs and leagues and thereby, channeling more resources to and improving their club academies to produce top talents for both club and country. The ruling for at least 4 homegrown players in their club ranks will be enforced frm the 2007/08 onwards and thereafter increased by 2 every season after that, until it reaches 12 (this number is still being debated). In light of this development, the club giants were all advised to invest in and upgrade their club academies to be a talent producing force for their clubs, regions and countries. In short, no more shortcuts to success by buying talents but by breeding and producing them within the clubs.

Follow this link for UEFA's plans for homegrown talents in their Vision Europe.

[Teeque]

Follow this link for UEFA's plans for homegrown talents in their Vision Europe.

What are your views regarding this new UEFA Vision Europe homegrown talent development initiative? Would the clubs now focus on producing young talents frm their own academies or just go out and buy these talents frm other academies and 'hoard' them til they come of age?

Looking at the Theo Walcott situation, young talents like him will not come cheap nowadays even if they are unproven or an 'unfinished' product. Lionel Messi, an Argentinian, has been sold to Barca at a young age of 15 and came thru its academy and played in the junior leagues. At 18 now, he's a 'homegrown' player with a Spanish PR but still turns out for Argentina in the WC. The pricetag on him now is upwards of 50 mil Euros, nothing less. In the Spanish league, he has homegrown status but he's still considered a foreign player. And, fortunately, he turned out to be a very well 'finished' product. But otherwise, how many more of these can big clubs hope to produce in future and get lucky when the likes of him, Rooney, Fabregas, Robinho or Reo-Coker does not get produced on a regular and volume basis each season.

[Jose Mourinho]

What are your views regarding this new UEFA Vision Europe homegrown talent development initiative? Would the clubs now focus on producing young talents frm their own academies or just go out and buy these talents frm other academies and 'hoard' them til they come of age?

In principle it sounds very noble, practicial and probably is good for football as a whole in the long run. But football as a commodity has evolved and the clubs will have a lot to say in this - and not just the big clubs. Southampton may have made a song and dance about it for public consumption and gave excuses why thery are (still) in the lower division but the club was laughing all the way to the bank. FIFA's President is playing a huge political gambit in all this. The position has always been a political position and not a football position and thus I normally do not listen to him - as a president or as a man (for the latter I think he is his own puppet on a string).

On another topic. After the draw of Bolton - Middlesborough at 1 each, BBC Sports quoted Sam Allardyce as saying that he expects his rival for the England job Steve McClaren to be confirmed as the new national team coach today. In my view, I think Sam Allardyce is a pompous fool. Instead of concentrating on what matters - and that is football - he has been mouthing off his ambition for months. On the other hand, Steve McClaren has dug in his heels and managed his ailing club. Now if you look at the positions of the two clubs in the league table - Bolton at 53 points and Middlesborough at 45 points, there really isn't much of a difference, is there? Bolton was on its way to Europe next season and now it is 8th position - behind Blackburn and Newcastle, teams which were languishing at the bottom of the table before. And Middlesborough has crawled from relegation zone to 13th position. Sam Allardyce has just put his big foot into his equally big mouth.

[chsum]

sob, sob, there goes my t shirt, maybe next season, time to hybernate for a few months so that not to endure the torture of no EPL on the weekend or day.

[lord]

Subject: World Cup Rules.

Extremely important advice and recommendations to be passed on to
wives, girlfriends, fiance, mothers, sisters, daughters, etc. (to all women
in general) These rules are to be communicated prior to the World Cup in
June/July this year...


LIST OF RULES

1. From 9 June to 9 July 2006, you should read the sports
section of the newspaper so that you are aware of what is going on
regarding the World Cup, and that way you will be able to join in the
conversations. If you fail to do this, then you will be looked at in a
bad way, or you will be totally ignored. DO NOT complain about not
receiving any attention.


2. During the World Cup, the television is mine, at all
times, without any exceptions. If you even take a glimpse of the remote
control, you will lose it (your eye).


3. If you have to pass by in front of the TV during a game, I
don't mind, as long as you do it crawling on the floor and without
distracting me. If you decide to stand nude in front of the TV, make
sure you put clothes on right after because if you catch a cold, I wont
have time to take you to the doctor or look after you during the World
Cup month.


4. During the games I will be blind, deaf and mute, unless I
require a refill of my drink or something to eat. You are out of your
mind if you expect me to listen to you, open the door, answer the
telephone, or pick up the baby....it wont happen.


5. It would be a good idea for you to keep at least 2 six
packs in the fridge at all times, as well as plenty of things to nibble on,
and please do not make any funny faces to my friends when they come
over to watch the games. In return, you will be allowed to use the TV
between 1 0pm and 6am, unless they replay a good game that I missed
during the day.


6. Please, please, please!! if you see me upset because one
of my teams is losing, DO NOT say "get over it, its only a game", or
"don't worry, they'll win next time". If you say these things, you will only
make me angrier and I will love you less. Remember, you will never
ever know more about football than me and your so called "words of
encouragement" will only lead to a break up or divorce.


7. You are welcome to sit with me to watch one game and you
can talk to me during halftime but only when the commercials are on, and
only if the halftime score is pleasing me. In addition, please note I
am saying "one" game, hence do not use the World Cup as a nice cheesy
excuse to "spend time together".


8. The replays of the goals are very important. I don't care
if I have seen them or I haven't seen them, I want to see them again.
Many times.


9. Tell your friends NOT to have any dinner parties, or any
other gatherings that requires my attendance because:
a) I will not go,
b) I will not go, and
c) I will not go.


10. But, if a friend of mine invites us to his house on a
Sunday to watch a game, we will be there in a flash.


11. The daily World Cup highlights show on TV every night is
just as important as the games themselves. Do not even think about
saying "but you have already seen this...why don't you change the
channel to something we can all watch??", the reply will be: "Refer to
Rule #2 of this list".


12. And finally, please save your expressions such as "Thank
God the World Cup is only every 4 years". I am immune to these words,
because after this comes the Champions League, Italian League, Spanish
League, Premier League, etc etc.


Thank you for your cooperation.

[Teeque]

Alrite folks, the EPL season just ended at the weekend but not without some drama and a conspiracy to boot. Arsenal took 4th spot and a place in next season's CL qualifying rounds, pipping their city rivals, Spurs. No matter the result this coming May 17, they will be there competing again. It wouldnt be fair to say that Spurs had no chances at all if they were not floored by the food poisoning affair. The conspiracy theorists had their field day but, in this age of high stakes, big money Premier League, many wouldnt be wrong if there were some foul play in the offing. Well, we could see why when the England World Cup entourage also consists of their own dieticians, nutritionists and their own handpicked caterers to prevent incidences like this derailing their own WC campaign. Not to say that EPL teams should start this trend but that the Premier League, the holders and administrators of the game, should be a little more mindful and humane in these situations and allow a special dispensation for 'unforeseen circumstances', like the one faced by Spurs, to play a day later. Because in the end, the game wasnt lost on a sporting failure but on an entire team's severe medical emergency. Because the fans and TV audience were cheated of a fair sporting affair and saw a farce played out when one team isnt even fit to contest a match of any kind.

The end of the season could also see the end of the distinguished EPL careers of two of the league's leading goalgetters. Arsenal's Henry and Van Nistelrooy of MU scored 27 and 21 league goals respectively and the two of them had bagged the lion's share of the Golden Boots in recent years and lighted up the Premiership with their predatory skills in front of an opposition's goalmouth. So, it wouldnt be a surprise if the money men wouldnt come calling and prise them away with lucrative offers. In Henry's case, it is no secret that Real Madrid, Juventus and recently Barcelona had come a-calling and it is also no secret that these soccer giants spills money obscenely for players of exceptional extraordinaire like him. So obscenely that loyalties and conscience can be eroded in one fell swoop at this one in a helluva lot of millions chance. Unless Arsenal can bend their capped players' wages policy and also win the CL trophy, it would be very difficult to keep him at the club. Or that another high rolling petro-entrepreneur comes in and be able to splurge in the club with investment dollars. For Van Nistelrooy, the decision could be easier to resolve since falling out with his boss and could be out sooner than expected. And Fergie, having been in this situation with so many of his star players before, can wield his unkindly ironfist at a player in a flash when one cross swords with him. Who will come for him depends on how the Henry episode played out. If Henry signs for one of the giants, the losers will come for him. Or maybe another EPL team gunning for newfound European glory or looking to achieve an elevated status in the league.

It was also a chance for England WC hopefuls to shine but some of them failed miserably to stake any claims to be pick by the England manager. Darren Bent and Shaun Wright Phillips had perhaps their best chances to go in place of an injured Rooney but blew it with their indifferent performances. Jermaine Defoe had a look but just couldnt make the difference when his team was decimated under a medical crisis. But (I'd never imagine I would say this) Crouch did shone like a beacon when it mattered most when he scored a goal and made another in the Reds crushing of Portsmouth. But the England manager has done it again with his shocking England team gambles and picks a player he has never saw in play or even played in the Premiership at the highest level. So, the provisional England 23 man squad is as below and the forwards department looks very much 'toothless' and rival WC teams can be forgiven if they are laughing at this team list and thinking that England will be failing to score past them.

Provisional England squad:

• Goalkeepers: Robinson (Tottenham), James (Manchester City), Green (Norwich)

• Defenders: G Neville (Manchester United), R Ferdinand (Manchester United), Terry (Chelsea), A Cole (Arsenal), Campbell (Arsenal), Carragher (Liverpool), Bridge (Chelsea)

• Midfielders: Beckham (Real Madrid), Carrick (Tottenham), Lampard (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Jenas (Totenham), Downing (Middlesbrough), J Cole (Chelsea), Lennon (Tottenham)

• Forwards: Rooney (Manchester United), Owen (Newcastle), Crouch (Liverpool), Walcott (Arsenal).

• Standby players: Scott Carson, Luke Young, Nigel Reo-Coker, Jermain Defoe, Andy Johnson.

[miketee]

Hahhahaha Lord - loved the WC rules!!!!!

[hmckl]

sob, sob, there goes my t shirt, maybe next season, time to hybernate for a few months so that not to endure the torture of no EPL on the weekend or day.

sorry my friend .... better luck next time. try predicting owen scoring a hattrick in world cup final instead

[chsum]

U joking Ah, a half recovered Owen scoring a hattrick in WC final
I think i have better chance predicting youngster Walcott scoring a hattrick in WC final.
WTF is sven doing, bring injured Rooney, Owen to the final, thats half the strike force injured, backing down to popular demand?

Wake me up from hybernation the WC start.

[Teeque]

Aiya guys, u must bear in mind this strange trend of England managers lah. Sven believes very much in miracles. And the odd gamble. Remember Hoddle believed in a faith healer to determine England's fortunes when he was in charge? hehe...

But I'm more likely to believe Gerrard will get the hattrick more than the others if he plays the attacking role behind the strikers.

[Teeque]

And speaking of Gerrard, there's this final business of the FA Cup finale to the English season to close the chapter. The last time these two met, two weeks ago, the match went in Liverpool's favor with Ciise shipping 2 goals past the Hammers with Mullins and Garcia getting sent off and got a 3 match ban, and getting themselves missing out on the Final. Alonso is also doubtful after ankle injury suffered at Pompey last week and Fowler is cup-tied. Hammer's star striker Dean Ashton may hv yet recovered fully frm his injury yet but manager Pardew is willing to risk him for a final glory to a very successful season. But I suspect the Reds will likely hv more quality in depth to edge out the Hammers. Sissoko, Crouch and Ciise gave sterling performances last week while Kewell has been rested well to compete again. And the captain has stated he wants to win a silverware so his beloved Reds will not be emptyhanded this season. As for the Hammers, Benayoun, Reo-Coker, Newton, Ferdinand and Zamorra all gave good accounts last week and Pardew expects to see his team's good form to carry over to the Cup final. Captain Reo-Coker will hv added motivation to give a good display and probably look to score again to elevate his chances of getting into Sven's England equation.

My prediction would see Liverpool winning this one 1 - 0 and Cisse, with his goalscoring form of late, will hv the last say in the proceedings.