The Premier League is not that great

I remember the first time the ball was put in to touch to allow treatment to an injured player, it wasn’t that long ago, a world cup game if I recall correctly. I had a lump in my throat when the ball was given back to the team that put it out, at this display of sportsmanship gracing the beautiful game. It heralded a new era of respect in football, regardless of which side a player was on. A wonderful moment.

But who is number one?

No matter who they support, many football fans believe that their team is the pride of their area. Pride is not only about success, but also about reputation and respect for the team and their supporters. With Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough in the Premier League, there is always going to be debate about just who is the pride of the North East?

Gunners looking for away goals

The battle to lift the European cup continues tonight as Manchester United face Arsenal in the first leg of the semi-final.

Los dos grandes

If you have a look at the current La Liga table, you’ll find that there are only two teams who have a chance of winning the coveted title- Barca and Real Madrid. Although you’d be forgiven for thinking this is predictable, these two giants of Spanish football haven’t always enjoyed quite this degree of domination for some years, with Valencia taking home the title in 2003-04 and 2001-02 and Deportivo La Coruna winning in 1999-00.

No time for sentiments

I’m sure that whatever manager delivers the Premier League this season to their respective club will be made manager of the year for this season. Obviously it will only be Sir Alex Ferguson or Rafa Benitez who has a real chance, as Gus Hiddink has not had the time to establish himself or his ideas on Chelsea or the Premier League. If Benitez wins the award, it will be richly deserved as he has gone most of the season without his two most potent attacking players in Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, and still has scored the most goals out of any team in the top leagues. (59)

This week total muppet is Bits n Bobs Ray from London. Now Mr Bob probably had the best squad of all time to choose from yet has somehow managed to select 3 center backs with their all time top scorer sitting on the bench. The term square pegs round holes springs to mind.

Rare defeat for Inter

By Glezos Alberganti, La Settimana Sportiva

Though Inter’s defeat at Napoli might seem unexpected to some, facts look
very different. Mourinho’s boys went to Naples tired after last wednesday’s
Coppa Italia semifinal (which Inter won 1-0, but it was Sampdoria who
reached the final thanks to their astounding 3-0 win in the first leg).

Carloz Tevez

What is the difference between Carlos Tevez and Dirk Kuyt? The only answer I can see is public ridicule. It certainly isn’t talent or ability. While Liverpool’s Dutchman is widely ridiculed for being nothing more than a willing worker who lacks any sort of co-ordination or natural ability, Tevez is lauded as a world class talent who should be starting every game for United. Yet the statistics do not make such distinctions. This season, Tevez has played 42 games and scored 13 times. Kuyt has played 48 games and scored 14 times, and from a more withdrawn position. Their career stats show that Tevez scores a goal every 2.5 games. Kuyt hits the back of the net every 2.3 games. While I don’t particularly rate Kuyt, I fail to see why Tevez is held in such high acclaim by football fans. It is impossible to deny that he works hard and has moments of instinctive brilliance, but as an overall footballer I find the Argentine lacking. His first touch is often poor, his vision wayward and having been sent off for Argentina on a number of occasions, he can be something of a liability. Indeed, both his club and national managers no longer see him as first choice and this is where the disparity of Tevez the player lies. Fans love him; Managers are less keen. I think he is a good player but nothing more. He is a cracking squad player for United but is not worthy of a regular starting berth that many proclaim him to be.

Out of the Blue

Roy Keane and Ipswich eh? Now there’s a pairing I didn’t see coming. It was a strange time to get rid of a manager in the first place. I can’t think of many managers that have lost their job two games from the end of the season and coming off the back of a thrilling win over your local rivals. I know the Town board and local media have been disappointed in Jim Magilton’s progress, but at least give the man until the end of the season, and to say thanks but its time for a change. Especially for Jim Magilton who has given a lot for Ipswich as both player and manager.

I hate that I do!

The first thing that sprang to mind after watching the Liverpool v Arsenal game the other night was how appalling the defending was. Call that entertainment, I call it a bloody disgrace. Arsenal are not known for their defensive qualities but Liverpool should know better. They are supposed to be a side challenging for the Premier League, yet they have conceded 8 goals in 2 games. Contenders? More like chuffin benders! I’ve got more chance of playing for Doncaster at 62!