All posts by h79snht.top

There are a lot of Manchester United fans based in London. Just as there are fans of teams within the Premier League up and down the country that live many miles away from their side’s home stadium. The Manchester United v Chelsea Champions League quarter final stirred up a lot of passion especially in the case of the north-south divide that so many commentators elude to when a northern team meets a southern team in the big match ups. One issue that was raised whilst this writer was watching Manchester United knock Chelsea out was local clubs and fans that support clubs miles away. My argument would be that the badge of the club is what you support, so no matter whether you live in Cardiff, Falmouth or Glasgow the team you follow doesn’t matter – so long as your support is genuine.

The fact of the matter is that football is a global game and people have become more and more mobile over the last twenty years. British people especially are moving around the world and they are taking their clubs with them. If a British person lives in Sydney and supports Arsenal that should be celebrated not frowned upon. Our game, especially the English Premier League is viewed by millions of people, Fifa President Sepp Blatter is on a mission to bring the World Cup to the dark corners of the globe – does it really matter if supporters have little or no allegiance to the city their team comes from? Maybe fifty years ago when clubs were packed with players from their areas but nowadays things have changed dramatically.

It is an interesting question that should be debated. Without a doubt, smaller local clubs are falling on hard times at the moment (with the exception of Crawley Town) and this may be due to youngsters choosing to support the larger clubs. However, the Premier League didn’t get to where it is today because fifteen years ago youngsters were supporting their local clubs. Massive clubs buy players from around the globe, tour around the globe and entertain us week in week out. It is no wonder their fan bases are huge and wide.

Does it really make someone less of a fan if they support Liverpool but live in London? Fans that tend to get annoyed about this kind of geographical disloyalty do so with a certain amount of envy – the green eyed monster comes out in fans that have seen their club lose a game. However, I still cling to the belief that people do not choose who they support. They are guided by parents, by a player they want to emulate on the school playing field or simply by the badge meaning something to them. There is a decline in attendances at lower league football clubs and the imbalance needs to be addressed. However, the attitude of glory hunting and geographical distances mean very little in today’s football. So long as you’re fully behind your team, there should be little room for criticism.

Read more of Tom’s articles at This Is Futbol

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Standard Liege leapt to the top of the Belgian First Division with a 1-0 win at Lokeren on Wednesday, while Anderlecht also tasted victory.Standard’s victory sees them level on points with second-placed Genk but ahead by eight goals on goal difference, with both sides having two matches to play in the Championship playoff stage.

The season is set for a thrilling finish, with the two sides to meet each other on May 17 at the Cristal Arena in Genk in a match which is likely to decide who will take this season’s title.

Standard’s win over Lokeren was far from comfortable, however, as the victors left it late at the Daknamstadion.

After more than an hour of play without a goal for either side, Standard manager Dominique D’Onofrio brought substitute Reginal Goreux onto the pitch.

It was a move which would quickly pay dividends.

The midfielder converted striker Mohamed Tchite’s assist after 79 minutes to score just his second goal of the season and definitely the most crucial.

The visitors held on through the dying stages to record another victory that takes their unbeaten run to 10.

In Wednesday’s other match, Anderlecht came from behind to hammer Gent 4-1; a result which keeps them three points behind the top two.

Israel forward Shlomi Arbeitman’s 25th-minute goal gave Gent an early lead, but teenage strike sensation Romelo Lukaku snared a crucial goal on the stroke of half-time to hand his side the impetus.

Ziguy Badibanga put Anderlecht ahead after 51 minutes at Stade Contant Vanden Stock in Brussels, before Lukaku claimed his brace 20 minutes from time.

Argentine forward Matias Suarez wrapped up the victory with a goal three minutes from time, with the win keeping Anderlecht’s slim title hopes alive.

They will now need to beat Standard Liege on Saturday to give them any chance of winning their 31st league title.

Since Manchester United and Barcelona booked their places in the Champions League final a few weeks back, I have read endless reports and blogs revolving around the starting XI Sir Alex is set to choose.

Having read these articles and analysed them scrupulously, there are a number of players that, given they don’t pick up injuries, can almost guarantee themselves a place in the starting line-up. Rooney, Van der sar, Ferdinand and Vidic are some of the names that seem to invoke unanimity from the fans.

Accepting that these names are all but guaranteed a start, it leaves an opportunity for the rest of the squad members to persuade Sir Alex that they have the right skills to fill another berth on the pitch.

If I was lucky enough to be granted fly on the wall access to these interviews in Sir Alex’s office in which the players would state their cases for a start, I can only imagine what their reasons would be. Here are the reasons I believe each of the chosen XI would give:

Van Der Sar:

Sir Alex, I believe you should pick me for the game due to my ice man approach to pressurised situations. I think it is important that the back four have absolute confidence in the man behind them if they are to perform at their best in the final and what better man than the one who has conceded only twice in the whole knockout phase of this year’s competition. And plus, it’s set to be my last ever game of professional football. I need to start.

Rafael:

Sir Alex, you know better than any that a keeper is only as good as his back four and with the likes of Messi, Pedro and Villa aiming to outpace our defence I think I should get the nod due to my ability to get back quicker than most. I do accept that I have to adopt a more defensive role in this game because the forwards of Barcelona will punish our makeshift defence if I am in their half of the field. And if we do go behind, I have the ability to get forward and overlap the right winger which will give their defence nightmares. I have to start.

Ferdinand:

Sir Alex, you know as well as I do that Barcelona will employ acting tactics to gain an unfair advantage over us if we allow them the opportunity. In the thirty games I have started this season, I have yet to see a card of any colour brandished in my direction. My presence in the team offers calm to the younger members of the squad. It is essential I start. I just need to murk man.

Vidic:

Sir Alex, what more can I say to guarantee myself a place other than I am captain? If you pick me, you can expect my usual steely performance in the back four and I also offer a greater goal threat than any other defender in the squad. I have scored 5 goals in 46 appearances this season and had a dream at the start of the season that I would get 6.

Evra:

Sir Alex, I haven’t had the best of seasons thus far but I have still proved to be a vital cog in the red machine when it’s mattered. My pace coupled with my ability to defend should be enough for me to get the go ahead. I can cause problems in Barca’s half of the pitch as well as keeping Alvez in my pocket.

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Valencia:

Sir Alex, given that I have only been back from injury for a few months, I am much fresher than other members of the squad. I can cause Barcelona problems with my powerful runs and crosses. You surely remember what I did to Cashley Cole?

Carrick:

Sir Alex, I appreciate that a lot of fans have been on my case for my crab like passes this season, but my cool head and ability to slow a game down will be necessary at the weekend. I proved against Chelsea that I am still a top class midfielder. I’d even go as far as saying I probably won that first tie at Stamford Bridge for the team.

Giggs:

Sir Alex, I should be in the team because I have adapted my game from being the best left winger around to being one of the best centre midfielders in the league. I have developed an understanding with Rooney as to where he wants the ball and delivering that pass at exactly the right time. And besides, the silence is killing me. I need to get away from the Mrs.

Park:

Sir Alex, I have enjoyed my most prolific season in a United shirt this year. I have scored 8 times in 27 appearances. I have an engine that never gives up and I believe I could be the key to stopping Xavi and Iniesta having too much time on the ball which in turn will make it more difficult for the pair to deliver incisive passes to the front men.

Rooney:

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Sir Alex, eeerrrrm I think I should play because I can score vital goals and given my attitude and performances in the first half of the season I believe I owe the fans. I have adapted my game to sit behind the front man more effectively than I did in Rome. I am able to drop back when we aren’t in possession and nick the ball back to feed the front man with my usually incisive passing. Remember what I did against City?

Hernandez:

Sir Alex, I don’t think when you bought me last summer that you would have expected me to deserve a guaranteed place in the starting XI but your faith in me has helped me prove my credentials and hopefully you are willing to let me prove myself against Barcelona.

I have scored against massive teams in the world cup as well as scoring crucial premier league goals and Champions league goals during my first campaign in a red shirt. In Rome the team had their chances but failed to make the most of them but you can rest assured that if I get the smallest of chances, I can make that net bulge.

So there we have it. The reasons that I believe will grant each of the above players their place in the team on Saturday.

Read more of Jimmy’s articles at Red Flag Flying High

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The 3-1 Coppa Italia loss to Inter Milan was likely to be Palermo coach Delio Rossi’s last match in charge.An emotional Rossi could not hold back the tears at the final whistle on Sunday.

“I wanted to give the Palermo fans something more. We’ll decide my future next week,” he said.

Rossi’s contract expires next month and, considering he was already fired and re-hired this season, he is expected to move on.

“I have to talk to the club and then we will evaluate together what is best for me, for the President and Palermo,” he said.

“On Tuesday, or sometime next week, I will meet President Maurizio Zamparini to talk about my future.”

Up to 50,000 Palermo fans travelled to Rome for their first Coppa Italia Final since the 1970s.

“These people deserve so much more. They always stood by us and supported the team, through thick and thin,” said Rossi, who shed tears during the trophy ceremony.

“Why did I cry? I wanted to give the Palermo fans something more, maybe something bigger than us.”

“A great performance was not enough, as the more experienced team won.”

The Sicilians dominated for large periods, but their finishing let them down, while Samuel Eto’o was clinical with his brace.

Reaching the final, win or lose, has allowed Palermo to qualify for next season’s Europa League.

Mark Hughes has quit as manager of Fulham amid speculation he could be targeted by Aston Villa as a replacement for Gerard Houllier.Despite the rumours, Hughes – who guided Fulham to eighth in the English Premier League last season – denied he had been approached by another club.

“I would like to take this opportunity to clarify that neither myself nor my representative have approached or have been approached by another club,” Hughes said.

“This decision to leave Fulham has not been influenced by any outside party.”

Welshman Hughes will work until the end of June at Craven Cottage before being free to join another club.

Despite a worrying run of results over the Christmas period, Fulham responded well under Hughes to finish four places higher than they achieved in 2009/10. The club also qualified for the Europa League by finishing top of the Premier League’s fair play table.

Hughes, formerly in charge at Blackburn and Manchester City, said he had enjoyed his time in London.

“I would like to thank the chairman, directors, players and fans of Fulham football club for their support over the last 12 months and wish them every success for the future,” he said.

“I have especially enjoyed an excellent relationship with the chairman and chief executive.”

“I believe my management team and I have done a good job and the club has a strong foundation from which they can go forward.”

“I sincerely wish Fulham a successful campaign in the Europa League next season and for their continued progress on and off the field.”

There are a number of things that a team needs to be successful in the Premier League, but there’s one attribute that’s widely regarded more highly than any other; pace. With the speed of English football incessant, it is vital that you have a handful of quick players within your team, not only to keep up with play but also to catch sides on the counter attack. Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has in the past admitted that this was an area that the Magpies struggled in, so it appears that he’s made it his mission this summer to address that clear deficiency.

It’s not necessarily that Newcastle’s squad is on the slow side, but they seem to lack players who have out and out pace. In the past Kieron Dyer has provided that outlet, or Craig Bellamy; in other words someone who can burst out of midfield with the ball or terrify defences with their turn of speed. Peter Lovenkrands is relatively quick and Nile Ranger is no slouch up top, but you wouldn’t say they had electrifying speed. The midfield was perhaps even more of a worry, but that’s one area which is being rectified.

For large parts of large season Newcastle went with a midfielder four of Joey Barton, Kevin Nolan, Cheik Tiote and Jonas Gutierrez. Barton’s not a traditional winger who’ll show a full back a clean set of heels, Nolan can get forward but you wouldn’t describe him as being quick, Tiote is terrier like without being that speedy, and Guiterrez, arguably the quickest of the lot, would himself rate his dribbling abilities higher than his speed.

Pardew has no doubt identified that and in just a couple of weeks has transformed the look of Newcastle in the middle of the park. By bringing in Yohan Cabaye in the place of Nolan, the Magpies have a box-to-box midfielder with the fitness and stamina to keep going for 90 minutes. Add to that Sylvain Marveaux, who himself likes to get up and down the wing, and put him alongside Gutierrez, who hopefully will stay, and you have the option of pace on both flanks.

So what about upfront? When Demba Ba gets into his stride he can certainly shift, and his direct and powerful running will come in handy. With his ability in the air, maybe a speed demon alongside him could work well, but speed mustn’t come at the sacrifice of other attributes. Pardew has rightfully made an effort to make his team faster and you only have to look back to Sir Bobby Robson’s time in charge of Newcastle to see what an invaluable asset speed is, and hopefully it will go hand-in-hand with exciting football at St James’ Park next season.

Read more Newcastle articles at the brand new website NothingButNewcastle.com

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Manchester City midfielder James Milner said the club was buoyed by comments from Sir Alex Ferguson predicting they can threaten Manchester United.Ferguson said he thinks the FA Cup winners, who finished third in the Premier League to secure a debut Champions League campaign, will be a ‘thorn in the side’ of the champions, and Milner said those remarks had given all at Eastlands added confidence.

“It’s a boost to hear that, you hear positive and negative things said about you, but we’ll get on with our job,” Milner said.

“We know we have to improve as a club and a team but we think we can carry on moving forward.”

“You look to improve every year and we did that last year. Now we’ll be looking to do that again. Finishing third was a very good season for us, winning the FA Cup.”

“But now we’ll be looking to top that, so a natural progression would be to finish second and really push hard for the title. We think it could be a possibility.”

While excited by the team’s prospects, Milner said he has set his sights on simply establishing himself in Roberto Mancini’s first team as a first priority, with Nigel de Jong, Gareth Barry and Yaya Toure consistently picked ahead of him in midfield.

“It is a big season for me,” he said. “You come to a new club and it takes time to find your bearings.”

“But now I want to kick on, get a foothold in the team and prove to people that I’m good enough to be here and in the team regularly.”

“Winning silverware is the only reason why I came here. We did that last season and that showed it was the right move for me.”

“You want to be challenging for trophies and playing in the top competitions and obviously that’s the Champions League.”

When Steve McManaman announced to the footballing world in 1999 that he wouldn’t be signing a new contract at Liverpool and was set to join Real Madrid at the start of the summer, it was the first time in England that a high profile player was taking advantage of this new Bosman ruling that allowed players to move on a free transfer at the end of their contract. It was the first of many, and few in England could have imagined the significance of the Bosman Ruling in changing the very fabric of world football.

While it is easy to understand why Jean Marc Bosman took his case through the courts, given the predicament he was in, I doubt if anyone could have foreseen the shift in power it would cause within the game. Suddenly the players called the shots, and they had football clubs well and truly over the barrel as they feared losing their prized assets for nothing at the end of their contract. Players saw a healthy rise in their pay packets, contracts increased in length and suddenly already well paid footballers were becoming rich beyond their wildest dreams. The fear factor had now set in at football clubs and the players and their agents were milking it for all they could get. You only have to look at the way Manchester United bowed down to Wayne Rooney’s demands this summer, to see the way it has become. They couldn’t afford to see him see out his contract, therefore leaving the Old Trafford board with little option.

So what happened to the man who turned even the most average of footballers into multi-millionaires? Reading an article in the Sun this week was a real eye opener and it appears Mr Bosman is living his days off government benefits amounting to £630 a month and takes anti-depressants to get him through the working day – a far cry from your modern day-footballer who live a life of luxury. It is a grave shame for the guy who put himself on the line by going through the courts and forcing this dramatic change in policy, yet nobody within the game seems to recognise his contribution in giving the modern day footballer the kind of wealth that they all take for granted.

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I know many footballers probably don’t give Bosman a second thought as they bank their giant signing on fees, but it seems a shame in my opinion that he isn’t acknowledged in some way for laying down this road to riches. As Bosman stated himself “I have made the world of football rich and I find myself with nothing.” An air of jealousy perhaps on Bosman’s part, but with good reason I feel. He put his head on the block to fight for freedom of contract when no one else would and has subsequently received nothing as a result. It would be nice to think that the next time a player is out test driving a new Aston Martin or is eyeing up a new luxury abode, that a little thought is made to the man that made this very lifestyle possible. I won’t hold my breath.

Continuing our look into the foreign wags that put the Premier League ones to shame…

Francesco Totti is a Serie A legend, one of the greatest Italian footballers of modern times. A player of his calibre certainly needs a WAG of equally high quality and that’s exactly what Totti has got in the shape of Ilary Blasi. Ilary Blasi, aka Mrs Francesco Totti, used to be a model and showgirl before settling down to the life as a wife of a professional footballer and World Cup winner.

She has caught the attention of the Italian press and public, having featured in Italy Offside three times in their regular WAG feature. But just in case you’ve not had the pleasure of seeing Ilary Blasi before then here she is and make sure you look out for her on TV when you’re next in Italy on your holidays!

Click on Miss Blasi below to see her in all her glory

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Bolton and Manchester United meet in the Premier League a week on Saturday and you could be there to witness the action live! We have teamed up with 188BET once again to give away tickets for the match at the Reebok Stadium. You could be there to see Sir Alex Ferguson’s young guns take on Owen Coyle’s Trotters.

United have been superb in the Premier League so far this season and will travel to the Reebok Stadium on the back of an 8-2 mauling against Arsenal. Wayne Rooney and co will be looking to make it four consecutive wins and keep their head above rivals City. Bolton on the other hand have lost their last two after opening their season with a 4-0 win away at newly promoted QPR. Coyle can take solace though as his side have played some neat football and were unlucky to lose their last two fixtures against Man City and Liverpool.

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