So its Carling Cup Final time.
As Steve "Stan" Staunton once said, "Can you feel it?"
In this case, yes I can and I believe it is called boredom.
At least this year it is relevant to one of the teams. In recent years it has been the lowest of all consolation prizes.
It was celebrated by Mourinho in 2005 and 2007 but he counted a Community Shield amongst his trophies so he was only interested in silverware, no matter how base the metal.
It was celebrated by Middlesbrough in 2004, mainly by Steve McLaren, who won the only trophy he will ever win, and used the money to get veneers for his teeth and dazzle the FA into giving him the England job.
In 2006 United took it as a consolation for failure in all other competitions.
Only the hardest of hearts would begrudge some of the Spurs players some glory. Good pros like Robbie Keane and Ledley King deserve some silverware in their career and Ramos could win his first trophy in England in the Carling Cup just like Jose.
But so could Avram Grant. However his attitude to the Cup is illustrated by the news that he will possibly rest Terry and Lampard from the final. It was thought he rested them from the Champions League game against Olympiacos to prepare them for the Carling Cup Final.
This is less believable than the plot of "Jumper".
Of course Grant would like to win it but he won't jeopardise his season for it. If fully fit they may play but Grant won't risk them for the League cup.
And perhaps it should be renamed as just the "League Cup" and exclude the Premier League teams from it altogether.
They all complain about it, they all rest players and only Arsenal seem to use it to their advantage.
Why not let the 72 lower league teams battle it out and just have a large cash prize for the winner. Imagine the trophy just stuffed with notes, so as the captain of Wolves lifts the trophy he is showered in used tenners.
It would be more fitting, more real and just more plain entertaining than Chelsea winning another cup.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Money Train.
Everybody ready to climb aboard the money train again?
I could be really cynical and go on about how money and TV have ruined football but when the Champions League knock out stages come around, I love what money has done to football.
Over the next two days all the best teams in Europe, and Liverpool, will play each other. For armchair fans this is the best two weeks of the year.
The group stage can be a bit crap with some very one sided matches early on and then some very dull ones at the end when the team is already qualified.
The quarter finals can get very tight and a little dull so this is the best round.
All the ties are worth watching and even those where you are pretty sure of the result there is interest. We all assume Barca will beat Celtic but with such a good home record Celtic could take a lead to the Camp Nou.
United will surely be too strong for Lyon but transfer target Karim Benzema will want to impress Fergie.
Olympiacos face Chelsea who continue to go for 4 trophies. The will surely cruise through and I would almost like to see them win the damn thing just to piss off Jose. Almost.
Arsenal vs AC Milan is too close to call but I will go for Arsenal. Just. Maldini this weekend played his 1000th game for Milan. Yep, 1000 games for one club, at the top of European football for 20 years. Jesus, would hate to see his European career end as Arsenal bang 4 past them at the San Siro. Ah well lifes not fair Paolo, you have won enough.
Liverpool vs Inter looks nailed on for Inter but I stopped betting against Liverpool in Europe after almost ending last season living in a cardboard box and promising my first born to Paddy Power. Should be Inter but......
The non UK based ties are Roma vs Real. Real for that one but expect lots of great football and I would love Totti to win the Champions League for Roma. He never will though.
Fenerbache vs Sevilla puts a side managed by Zico up against the most exciting team in Spain. They have scored more than Barca in La Liga, but conceded the same amount as Murcia who are 19th. Could be win for the Turks.
Only Schalke vs Porto is hard to drum up any interest in but expect Porto to come through.
Some teams seasons will be ended in the next few weeks and the repercussions, both in finance and in job safety, are huge.
Managers like Benitez and Ancelotti are relying on this year Champions League for salvation while others like Grant and Schuster could galvanise a growing reputation.
If I was Teddy Holland I would be waiting by the phone.
I could be really cynical and go on about how money and TV have ruined football but when the Champions League knock out stages come around, I love what money has done to football.
Over the next two days all the best teams in Europe, and Liverpool, will play each other. For armchair fans this is the best two weeks of the year.
The group stage can be a bit crap with some very one sided matches early on and then some very dull ones at the end when the team is already qualified.
The quarter finals can get very tight and a little dull so this is the best round.
All the ties are worth watching and even those where you are pretty sure of the result there is interest. We all assume Barca will beat Celtic but with such a good home record Celtic could take a lead to the Camp Nou.
United will surely be too strong for Lyon but transfer target Karim Benzema will want to impress Fergie.
Olympiacos face Chelsea who continue to go for 4 trophies. The will surely cruise through and I would almost like to see them win the damn thing just to piss off Jose. Almost.
Arsenal vs AC Milan is too close to call but I will go for Arsenal. Just. Maldini this weekend played his 1000th game for Milan. Yep, 1000 games for one club, at the top of European football for 20 years. Jesus, would hate to see his European career end as Arsenal bang 4 past them at the San Siro. Ah well lifes not fair Paolo, you have won enough.
Liverpool vs Inter looks nailed on for Inter but I stopped betting against Liverpool in Europe after almost ending last season living in a cardboard box and promising my first born to Paddy Power. Should be Inter but......
The non UK based ties are Roma vs Real. Real for that one but expect lots of great football and I would love Totti to win the Champions League for Roma. He never will though.
Fenerbache vs Sevilla puts a side managed by Zico up against the most exciting team in Spain. They have scored more than Barca in La Liga, but conceded the same amount as Murcia who are 19th. Could be win for the Turks.
Only Schalke vs Porto is hard to drum up any interest in but expect Porto to come through.
Some teams seasons will be ended in the next few weeks and the repercussions, both in finance and in job safety, are huge.
Managers like Benitez and Ancelotti are relying on this year Champions League for salvation while others like Grant and Schuster could galvanise a growing reputation.
If I was Teddy Holland I would be waiting by the phone.
Friday, February 15, 2008
The real one
The news that Ronaldo was seriously injured and possibly would have to retire was enough to have me scrambling across website to click on the link the other day.
Imagine my disappointment when it was the real Ronaldo, not the Portuguese lad with the magic foot and annoying face. I would not want to see him out of the game for good but out of the game against Arsenal on Saturday would do.
The real Ronaldo gets overlooked these days when lists of great footballers are talked about but for me he is/was one of the greatest ever.
Unfortunately stereotyped as a fat, gap toothed, bad haircut in a yellow shirt, he was in fact an absolute goal scoring machine.
But not just ordinary goals. Headers, volleys, dribbles and long range efforts all came naturally and he did all this at a fantastic pace and with tremendous strength.
Without doubt he was a better player than Romario, a more consistent performer (when fit) than Ronaldinho, and generally less of an unctious git than Pele.
There was talk of AC not renewing his contract this summer anyway and at 31 his best years were surely behind him but if this is the end then we were lucky to see him in at his best.
Surely no-one else has played for Barca, Real, AC Milan and Inter? He won two World Cups, scored more World Cup finals goals than anyboy else and was World Player of the year three times.
Once again Youtube is the place to go. All the hits are there but almost any Ronaldo clip is brilliant. The speed and power is frightening and he was unbeatable when one on one with the keeper.
C Ronaldo is a good player and he is well on his way to being a great player. He was 23 last week.
By that age the original Ronny had won the World Cup, had two of his three World Player of the year awards and was universally acknowledged as the best player in the world.
At the moment only C Ronaldo and Fergie think the new one is the best.
Long way to go son.
Imagine my disappointment when it was the real Ronaldo, not the Portuguese lad with the magic foot and annoying face. I would not want to see him out of the game for good but out of the game against Arsenal on Saturday would do.
The real Ronaldo gets overlooked these days when lists of great footballers are talked about but for me he is/was one of the greatest ever.
Unfortunately stereotyped as a fat, gap toothed, bad haircut in a yellow shirt, he was in fact an absolute goal scoring machine.
But not just ordinary goals. Headers, volleys, dribbles and long range efforts all came naturally and he did all this at a fantastic pace and with tremendous strength.
Without doubt he was a better player than Romario, a more consistent performer (when fit) than Ronaldinho, and generally less of an unctious git than Pele.
There was talk of AC not renewing his contract this summer anyway and at 31 his best years were surely behind him but if this is the end then we were lucky to see him in at his best.
Surely no-one else has played for Barca, Real, AC Milan and Inter? He won two World Cups, scored more World Cup finals goals than anyboy else and was World Player of the year three times.
Once again Youtube is the place to go. All the hits are there but almost any Ronaldo clip is brilliant. The speed and power is frightening and he was unbeatable when one on one with the keeper.
C Ronaldo is a good player and he is well on his way to being a great player. He was 23 last week.
By that age the original Ronny had won the World Cup, had two of his three World Player of the year awards and was universally acknowledged as the best player in the world.
At the moment only C Ronaldo and Fergie think the new one is the best.
Long way to go son.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Who is the dope here?
What do war on terror, Mike Huckabee's bid for the White House and drugs in sport have in common?
Well as well as being the only thing on CNN for the last two weeks they are all hopeless battles, with no winners and lots of losers.
Once again drugs in sport is big news. Roger Clemens, perhaps the greatest pitcher in baseball history testified yesterday in front of the US Congress that he had never taken steroids.
Then his former personal trainer, Brian McNamee came in, sat two seats away from him and testified that he administered Human Growth Hormone to him repeatedly while both worked for the New York Yankees.
The penalty for lying to congress under oath is 5 years in the big house. Federal big house. One of them is risking a hell of a lot.
In the last few days the winner of last year's Tour de France Alberto Cantador will not ride this year Tour as his team, Astana, have been banned for multiple indiscretions on doping rules.
In the UK the strange witch hunt of Dwain Chambers continues. Yes he took drugs, yes he admitted it. He served his ban and now is back. This is hardly a new phenomenon in athletics. If you dont him to represent Great Britain, chnage the rules and ban him for life. If not shut up and let him run. Reading some of the comments about him in some media he is less popular than Yoko Ono and Heather Mills at a Beatles convention.
But I am as guilty as the rest of them. Come July I will watch the Tour and pretend it is all legit. I will stay up to watch Major League Baseball as soon as it starts and I will support, yep you guessed, the Yankees.
And I will certainly take some time off work to watch the drugs and spandex fest that is the Summer Olympics.
I am an addict, a victim. I have an ability to put all the wrong stuff out of my mind and enjoy the spectacle. I have to hit rock bottom apparantly before I can make a recovery. I am not there yet.
Say a prayer for me Roger. And I will say one for you if you get sent up the river.
Thanks for the good times.
Well as well as being the only thing on CNN for the last two weeks they are all hopeless battles, with no winners and lots of losers.
Once again drugs in sport is big news. Roger Clemens, perhaps the greatest pitcher in baseball history testified yesterday in front of the US Congress that he had never taken steroids.
Then his former personal trainer, Brian McNamee came in, sat two seats away from him and testified that he administered Human Growth Hormone to him repeatedly while both worked for the New York Yankees.
The penalty for lying to congress under oath is 5 years in the big house. Federal big house. One of them is risking a hell of a lot.
In the last few days the winner of last year's Tour de France Alberto Cantador will not ride this year Tour as his team, Astana, have been banned for multiple indiscretions on doping rules.
In the UK the strange witch hunt of Dwain Chambers continues. Yes he took drugs, yes he admitted it. He served his ban and now is back. This is hardly a new phenomenon in athletics. If you dont him to represent Great Britain, chnage the rules and ban him for life. If not shut up and let him run. Reading some of the comments about him in some media he is less popular than Yoko Ono and Heather Mills at a Beatles convention.
But I am as guilty as the rest of them. Come July I will watch the Tour and pretend it is all legit. I will stay up to watch Major League Baseball as soon as it starts and I will support, yep you guessed, the Yankees.
And I will certainly take some time off work to watch the drugs and spandex fest that is the Summer Olympics.
I am an addict, a victim. I have an ability to put all the wrong stuff out of my mind and enjoy the spectacle. I have to hit rock bottom apparantly before I can make a recovery. I am not there yet.
Say a prayer for me Roger. And I will say one for you if you get sent up the river.
Thanks for the good times.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The day we never thought would arrive is here at last.
After months of talk about who should be manager, the method of choosing him, who was to blame for all the delays and talk of players giving up the game we have reached a conclusion.
That's right, the Cork dispute has finally led to Cork being out of the National League in Football and Hurling this year.
It is a sad day for all GAA fans, no matter what view you take on the dispute. There are faults on both sides and while I believe the players should play, keep the show on the road and work in the background to resolve the issue, they are not under contract and are fully within their rights to walk away.
The interesting aspects now for the neutral fan is what impact will this have on the League titles and what knock on effect could it have on the Championship.
Division 1A in the hurling is now wide open. As Sean Moran pointed out in yesterdays Irish Times Dublin and Antrim are now both missing a home game each so their task is now even harder. With Wexford beating Waterford in Round 1 the way seems set now for perhaps Wexford and Kilkenny to qualify out of Group 1A.
Wexford got to the semis last year but the last time they won the league was in 1973. Do you have any idea how long ago that is? Damien Fitzhenry was born in 1974. Thats how long ago.
Only Dublin (1939) have been longer without a league title.
Winning the NHL would be big boost to Wexford hurling and could be the springboard to a championship that without Cork, will be vastly different to every other year.
All bets are off as to who could win Munster. Potentially Tipp have a bye to the final. Even if Cork do get back playing, missing the league will hurt them and they should be off the pace.
Of course Cork players would be more determined than ever to win the Championship if they are back playing but hard to see them managing it without the team training all the other teams have been doing since January or before.
Even if they do build up a head of steam in the qualifiers then eventually Kilkenny will be waiting for them.
Say what you like about Kilkenny, and I will in future posts, but they are a classy outfit and the three in a row looks to be on a plate for them.
Oh yeah the FAI hired a new fella. Some Italian lad. Sure we might come back to him some time, we will see how it goes.
After months of talk about who should be manager, the method of choosing him, who was to blame for all the delays and talk of players giving up the game we have reached a conclusion.
That's right, the Cork dispute has finally led to Cork being out of the National League in Football and Hurling this year.
It is a sad day for all GAA fans, no matter what view you take on the dispute. There are faults on both sides and while I believe the players should play, keep the show on the road and work in the background to resolve the issue, they are not under contract and are fully within their rights to walk away.
The interesting aspects now for the neutral fan is what impact will this have on the League titles and what knock on effect could it have on the Championship.
Division 1A in the hurling is now wide open. As Sean Moran pointed out in yesterdays Irish Times Dublin and Antrim are now both missing a home game each so their task is now even harder. With Wexford beating Waterford in Round 1 the way seems set now for perhaps Wexford and Kilkenny to qualify out of Group 1A.
Wexford got to the semis last year but the last time they won the league was in 1973. Do you have any idea how long ago that is? Damien Fitzhenry was born in 1974. Thats how long ago.
Only Dublin (1939) have been longer without a league title.
Winning the NHL would be big boost to Wexford hurling and could be the springboard to a championship that without Cork, will be vastly different to every other year.
All bets are off as to who could win Munster. Potentially Tipp have a bye to the final. Even if Cork do get back playing, missing the league will hurt them and they should be off the pace.
Of course Cork players would be more determined than ever to win the Championship if they are back playing but hard to see them managing it without the team training all the other teams have been doing since January or before.
Even if they do build up a head of steam in the qualifiers then eventually Kilkenny will be waiting for them.
Say what you like about Kilkenny, and I will in future posts, but they are a classy outfit and the three in a row looks to be on a plate for them.
Oh yeah the FAI hired a new fella. Some Italian lad. Sure we might come back to him some time, we will see how it goes.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Mess
There is a great line in the new Coen brothers movie, "No Country for Old Men"
The sheriff and his deputy arrive at the scene of a drug deal gone wrong and there are bodies littered around the ground. The deputy says "This is a mess, aint it". To which the sheriff replies "If it aint, it will do til the mess gets here"
Liverpool are in a mess at the moment.
They may still capture the dubious honour of 4th place but they are now starting to look bereft of ideas and hope.
Yesterdays game with Chelsea was not the best game to be judged on, I have seen more skill involved on Winning Streak than in the game at Stamford Bridge.
But the malaise surrounding Liverpool now is all consuming. The first rumours surfaced today of Gerrard leaving. Far be it from me to believe the tabloids but they were right about the Chelsea move a few years ago. Like all Liverpoool fans Gerrard believed in Rafa, thought the Champions League in 2005 was just the start and stood by their man. Now though, almost three years after Istanbul, it is Premier league progress they need.
Everybody said at the start of the season this was the year to do it. They spent big and with Mourinho gone, Henry gone and Ronaldo unlikely to have a season like that again this was their year.
What a pity then that Grant has been the equal of Morinho, without the insufferable arrogance.
Arsenal are actually better without a ball hungry, sulky, overpowering, constantly injured Frenchman (who would have guessed!)
And Ronaldo has turned into some sort of goal machine, with powers to swerve a ball in two directions at once, single handly slapping goalkeepers and Isaac Newton upside the head at the same time.
You could deem all of this bad luck for Liverpool but who said professional sport was fair.
Suck it up Rafa, you have been left behind.
The Premier league is no country for old ideas.
The sheriff and his deputy arrive at the scene of a drug deal gone wrong and there are bodies littered around the ground. The deputy says "This is a mess, aint it". To which the sheriff replies "If it aint, it will do til the mess gets here"
Liverpool are in a mess at the moment.
They may still capture the dubious honour of 4th place but they are now starting to look bereft of ideas and hope.
Yesterdays game with Chelsea was not the best game to be judged on, I have seen more skill involved on Winning Streak than in the game at Stamford Bridge.
But the malaise surrounding Liverpool now is all consuming. The first rumours surfaced today of Gerrard leaving. Far be it from me to believe the tabloids but they were right about the Chelsea move a few years ago. Like all Liverpoool fans Gerrard believed in Rafa, thought the Champions League in 2005 was just the start and stood by their man. Now though, almost three years after Istanbul, it is Premier league progress they need.
Everybody said at the start of the season this was the year to do it. They spent big and with Mourinho gone, Henry gone and Ronaldo unlikely to have a season like that again this was their year.
What a pity then that Grant has been the equal of Morinho, without the insufferable arrogance.
Arsenal are actually better without a ball hungry, sulky, overpowering, constantly injured Frenchman (who would have guessed!)
And Ronaldo has turned into some sort of goal machine, with powers to swerve a ball in two directions at once, single handly slapping goalkeepers and Isaac Newton upside the head at the same time.
You could deem all of this bad luck for Liverpool but who said professional sport was fair.
Suck it up Rafa, you have been left behind.
The Premier league is no country for old ideas.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Keane on his heels
The last time Kevin Keegan encountered Roy Keane, Kev was manager at Man City while Keane was the rampaging, all conquering, snarling captain of the champions.
When Kev went off to play golf and set up soccer school in Scotland, Roy was the last thing on his mind.
But since his return he has to be on his mind now. A few weeks ago I wrote here about a big three games for RKS (Roy Keane's Sunderland) and how he could be in trouble if he did not do well in those games and especially so if Kev got Newcastle firing.
Well I know nothing.
RKS took 6 points, against teams also down in the brown stuff, while Newcastle have still to win under Keegan, and yesterday lost 4-1 to Villa, with a defensive display that was more wet than SpongeBob Squarepants.
RKS are just two behind points behind Newcastle now. Keegan hinted at relegation in his post match interview yesterday, which shows it is definitely playing on his mind.
Despite my previous ineptitude in this field I am saying now that this is a crucial 3 games for Newcastle now.
They play United, Blackburn and Liverpool in the next three Premier League games. Hard to see many points there for them. Shay Given is injured. They are only 6 points ahead of Reading in 18th.
Bet you wish you had stayed on the golf course now don't you Kev. Well at least you can turn to massive team of advisors hired above your head in Newcastle. Oh you don't want anything to do with them eh. Well there is always Shearer. Oh, not speaking to him either.
Looks like you are the lonliest man in the Geordie nation.
When Kev went off to play golf and set up soccer school in Scotland, Roy was the last thing on his mind.
But since his return he has to be on his mind now. A few weeks ago I wrote here about a big three games for RKS (Roy Keane's Sunderland) and how he could be in trouble if he did not do well in those games and especially so if Kev got Newcastle firing.
Well I know nothing.
RKS took 6 points, against teams also down in the brown stuff, while Newcastle have still to win under Keegan, and yesterday lost 4-1 to Villa, with a defensive display that was more wet than SpongeBob Squarepants.
RKS are just two behind points behind Newcastle now. Keegan hinted at relegation in his post match interview yesterday, which shows it is definitely playing on his mind.
Despite my previous ineptitude in this field I am saying now that this is a crucial 3 games for Newcastle now.
They play United, Blackburn and Liverpool in the next three Premier League games. Hard to see many points there for them. Shay Given is injured. They are only 6 points ahead of Reading in 18th.
Bet you wish you had stayed on the golf course now don't you Kev. Well at least you can turn to massive team of advisors hired above your head in Newcastle. Oh you don't want anything to do with them eh. Well there is always Shearer. Oh, not speaking to him either.
Looks like you are the lonliest man in the Geordie nation.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Rhianna and the Boys from Brazil
What a pleasant surprise.
Last nights game, while not the best game in the world, was certainly more entertaining than I could have hoped.
As I sat in row H, regretting not listening to Rhianna and her sterling advice on wet weather protection, I thought there were enough signs of a good team there for a good manager to take them quite a distance.
We played our full XI last night, with only perhaps Steven Reid or Steven Ireland who might fit in ahead of Miller. Brazil were playing the game at a leisurely pace but their control of the ball and the natural touch and balance they all have was wonderful to see at close quarters.
But luckily we won't be playing the Boys from Brazil in our World Cup Group.
Italy are a tough task but a good result at home and you never know away from home if we could keep it tight at the back.
As for the rest we have more than enough to beat them. The team was confused in both selection and tactics under Staunton.
A manager who picks the right players, in the right position, with suitable tactics for the strengths we have will qualify this team.
Fingers crossed for Trap.
One last word on the fans last night, the Brazilians were fantastic. I was down near the Hill End (Or North Terrace as the FAI like to call it) and the Brazil fans in there sang, danced and played music for the full 90 minutes. In the rain. It was a memorable sight.
The FAI could have explained the Liam Whelan/Munich Tribute on the screen in Portuguese though. When they did pop up a message about it, it was in Irish so the Brazilians sang through the 30 seconds silence.
Just takes a bit of thinking lads!
Last nights game, while not the best game in the world, was certainly more entertaining than I could have hoped.
As I sat in row H, regretting not listening to Rhianna and her sterling advice on wet weather protection, I thought there were enough signs of a good team there for a good manager to take them quite a distance.
We played our full XI last night, with only perhaps Steven Reid or Steven Ireland who might fit in ahead of Miller. Brazil were playing the game at a leisurely pace but their control of the ball and the natural touch and balance they all have was wonderful to see at close quarters.
But luckily we won't be playing the Boys from Brazil in our World Cup Group.
Italy are a tough task but a good result at home and you never know away from home if we could keep it tight at the back.
As for the rest we have more than enough to beat them. The team was confused in both selection and tactics under Staunton.
A manager who picks the right players, in the right position, with suitable tactics for the strengths we have will qualify this team.
Fingers crossed for Trap.
One last word on the fans last night, the Brazilians were fantastic. I was down near the Hill End (Or North Terrace as the FAI like to call it) and the Brazil fans in there sang, danced and played music for the full 90 minutes. In the rain. It was a memorable sight.
The FAI could have explained the Liam Whelan/Munich Tribute on the screen in Portuguese though. When they did pop up a message about it, it was in Irish so the Brazilians sang through the 30 seconds silence.
Just takes a bit of thinking lads!
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Going to Croker tomorrow
Sad to say but not too excited about this one. Brazil generally don't kill themselves during their marketing promotions, sorry I mean matches, and our lads don't look to bothered either.
Richard Dunne was saying at the weekend why should the team try as the FAI have not been able to organise a manager for the game. Lord help us, if one of the good guys, and senior player of the year, is saying why bother, for a match at home to Brazil, then it is no wonder the fans are not too enthused.
When we played them 4 years ago the buzz was far bigger than this and it is not just down to some of the big name Brazilian players pulling out. We are the only national team in Europe without a manager.
We have only three friendlies, including the Brazil one, before the WC Campaign begins. The new guy will have then just two games to look at his squad and pick the group for the campaign. I know we don't have a huge group to pick from but there are a few worth a first call (Noel Hunt), a few worth a re-call (Morrison) and a few worth a phone call (Ireland). If these are to be integrated back into a new look team then the process must start now.
If Trap can only start in the summer he is worth waiting for and he can work with Givens or his assistant to get things moving and convince the lads it is worth the effort, we are serious about qualifying.
Sarkozy managed to run France, meet a supermodel 12 years his junior and marry her in the time it has taken Don and the lads to interview some of the worst managers ever to put on a tracksuit with their initials stuck on in little crappy letters.
Richard Dunne was saying at the weekend why should the team try as the FAI have not been able to organise a manager for the game. Lord help us, if one of the good guys, and senior player of the year, is saying why bother, for a match at home to Brazil, then it is no wonder the fans are not too enthused.
When we played them 4 years ago the buzz was far bigger than this and it is not just down to some of the big name Brazilian players pulling out. We are the only national team in Europe without a manager.
We have only three friendlies, including the Brazil one, before the WC Campaign begins. The new guy will have then just two games to look at his squad and pick the group for the campaign. I know we don't have a huge group to pick from but there are a few worth a first call (Noel Hunt), a few worth a re-call (Morrison) and a few worth a phone call (Ireland). If these are to be integrated back into a new look team then the process must start now.
If Trap can only start in the summer he is worth waiting for and he can work with Givens or his assistant to get things moving and convince the lads it is worth the effort, we are serious about qualifying.
Sarkozy managed to run France, meet a supermodel 12 years his junior and marry her in the time it has taken Don and the lads to interview some of the worst managers ever to put on a tracksuit with their initials stuck on in little crappy letters.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Incredible
Just incredible.
What a comeback!
They said it couldn't be done, they said it was a hopeless cause. But last night the world was proven wrong.
Steve Staunton is back in football.
Yes the Giants beating the Patriots was incredible, more on that later, but waking up to find Stan as assistant manager of Leeds is like waking up and finding that Lazarus is not only alive, but he is downsatirs making brekkie.
Perhaps the European qualifying campaign did not make it into the Yorkshire press, or perhaps John Delaney gave Ken Bates a reference that was less trustworthy than a French trader with a gambling habit.
Whatever the reason he's back. It will certainly make things more interesting for us over here and we will all keep an eye on them now. Don't expect a rush of Irish people getting season tickets though.
The other big shock was the Giants winning Superbowl XLII. Like Staunton, Giants quarterback Eli Manning has been on the receiving end of some tough press criticism and he was said not to have the skills or the smarts to get his team to a championship.
But last night, under incredible pressure, he took his team down the field and threw a touchdown pass with just 35 seconds to go to win the game.
Tom Brady, the Patriots quarterback and the biggest star in the US right now, had a tough night, his defence being breached repeatedly, his passing game not hitting the mark, and he ended up being sacked 5 times.
Stan has only been sacked once so far. Any takers on when number 2 will be?
What a comeback!
They said it couldn't be done, they said it was a hopeless cause. But last night the world was proven wrong.
Steve Staunton is back in football.
Yes the Giants beating the Patriots was incredible, more on that later, but waking up to find Stan as assistant manager of Leeds is like waking up and finding that Lazarus is not only alive, but he is downsatirs making brekkie.
Perhaps the European qualifying campaign did not make it into the Yorkshire press, or perhaps John Delaney gave Ken Bates a reference that was less trustworthy than a French trader with a gambling habit.
Whatever the reason he's back. It will certainly make things more interesting for us over here and we will all keep an eye on them now. Don't expect a rush of Irish people getting season tickets though.
The other big shock was the Giants winning Superbowl XLII. Like Staunton, Giants quarterback Eli Manning has been on the receiving end of some tough press criticism and he was said not to have the skills or the smarts to get his team to a championship.
But last night, under incredible pressure, he took his team down the field and threw a touchdown pass with just 35 seconds to go to win the game.
Tom Brady, the Patriots quarterback and the biggest star in the US right now, had a tough night, his defence being breached repeatedly, his passing game not hitting the mark, and he ended up being sacked 5 times.
Stan has only been sacked once so far. Any takers on when number 2 will be?
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Lets clap Trap
Lord knows it may be too early to confirm it but it does seem that the FAI have, whisper it now, done a good job this time.
The consensus now seems to be that if he wants it, Giovanni Trapattoni will be named as the new Ireland manager. He would then appoint Claudio Gentile or Liam Brady as his assistant.
This is really good news so fingers crossed it is true. We have never had manager with a proven track record like his. He has won trophies at levels, as a player and manager and was unlucky not to win something when he was Italian national manager. He has won titles in 4 countries and has a worldwide reputation as an knowledgable and tactically sound manager.
The news about Gentile and Brady is also good. Each would be a good candidate, would be a bridge between the manager and the players and both have excellent records working with young players.
Usually now I would make some smart arse remark about the man, the FAI or the process. But whatever method they used and however long it took if they can have Trapattoni on the bench for the World Cup qualifiers then this fan is happy.
After all the false dawns, false idols and false press releases lets hope that we now have our man.
The consensus now seems to be that if he wants it, Giovanni Trapattoni will be named as the new Ireland manager. He would then appoint Claudio Gentile or Liam Brady as his assistant.
This is really good news so fingers crossed it is true. We have never had manager with a proven track record like his. He has won trophies at levels, as a player and manager and was unlucky not to win something when he was Italian national manager. He has won titles in 4 countries and has a worldwide reputation as an knowledgable and tactically sound manager.
The news about Gentile and Brady is also good. Each would be a good candidate, would be a bridge between the manager and the players and both have excellent records working with young players.
Usually now I would make some smart arse remark about the man, the FAI or the process. But whatever method they used and however long it took if they can have Trapattoni on the bench for the World Cup qualifiers then this fan is happy.
After all the false dawns, false idols and false press releases lets hope that we now have our man.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Green issues
So the boys in green are back in action this week.
I don't mean the managerless failures we call a football team, I mean the managerless failures we call a rugby team.
At least the FAI are saving money by not having a manager for three months now, 250K Euro by my reckoning.
The IRFU are paying Eddie and his management team God knows how much. After the unmitigated disaster that was the Rugby World Cup he picks almost the same team as the one that trudged off the field in France with Puma bite marks all over them. The changes are almost all forced, either from injuries (O Connell, Horgan), retirements (Hickie) or suspension (Flannery) with only Eoin Reddan being a new, and long overdue, addition to the starting 15.
The argument being spun by the IRFU is to give the players a chance to prove to the Irish public that the World Cup was a blip. There is some merit to this but with the next World Cup being 4 years away and with trips to Twickenham and Stade de France in this Six Nations surely now would be the time to rebuild.
I am not saying change for changes sake or advocating Stephen Ireland to be called in just to annoy Don Givens but surely this year was a perfect chance to give fringe players, or players performing well for their province, a run at international level and build the team.
We might lose some games, but we are getting used to that, and at least there could be something learned from those defeats.
We still don't know what happened at the World Cup, despite all the work Phil Collins and the lads did on that report.
Perhaps Eddie fears he will get the boot if Ireland have a poor Six Nations. If they did not bite the bullet after the World Cup, they have to stick with their man through this campaign.
He had a fair bit of credit built up before the World Cup. That is now gone.
A few good performances with a fresh hungry side would be acceptable. Another series of one-dimensional defeats by the same group of players would not be.
I don't mean the managerless failures we call a football team, I mean the managerless failures we call a rugby team.
At least the FAI are saving money by not having a manager for three months now, 250K Euro by my reckoning.
The IRFU are paying Eddie and his management team God knows how much. After the unmitigated disaster that was the Rugby World Cup he picks almost the same team as the one that trudged off the field in France with Puma bite marks all over them. The changes are almost all forced, either from injuries (O Connell, Horgan), retirements (Hickie) or suspension (Flannery) with only Eoin Reddan being a new, and long overdue, addition to the starting 15.
The argument being spun by the IRFU is to give the players a chance to prove to the Irish public that the World Cup was a blip. There is some merit to this but with the next World Cup being 4 years away and with trips to Twickenham and Stade de France in this Six Nations surely now would be the time to rebuild.
I am not saying change for changes sake or advocating Stephen Ireland to be called in just to annoy Don Givens but surely this year was a perfect chance to give fringe players, or players performing well for their province, a run at international level and build the team.
We might lose some games, but we are getting used to that, and at least there could be something learned from those defeats.
We still don't know what happened at the World Cup, despite all the work Phil Collins and the lads did on that report.
Perhaps Eddie fears he will get the boot if Ireland have a poor Six Nations. If they did not bite the bullet after the World Cup, they have to stick with their man through this campaign.
He had a fair bit of credit built up before the World Cup. That is now gone.
A few good performances with a fresh hungry side would be acceptable. Another series of one-dimensional defeats by the same group of players would not be.
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