Soccer Limey in America

Following England’s friendly with Egypt last Wednesday, criticism of Wembley’s playing surface took front and center as prominent figures voiced their concern at the state of the “hallowed” turf. Sir Alex Ferguson said that Michael Owen’s season-ending hamstring injury had been partly due to the slippery surface and also that Wayne Rooney’s swollen knee had been caused by being on the field for too long against the African Nations Cup winners. Following Aston Villa’a League Cup Final loss to Man Utd, Villa’s James Milner stated that he felt that the surface just wasn’t good enough for the National team to be playing on.

A lot of what we heard is nothing new to England’s new home. Cast your mind back to November 2007 and the infamous Euro qualifier against Croatia. If you recall, the field that evening was in atrocious shape and certainly contributed to at least one of Croatia’s three goals that night. Even going back to the day the stadium was opened, concerns had been widespread that the turf would be plagued by problems because of the light restrictions caused by the roof structure and for the last two games certainly, the pitch has been in awful shape. Consequently the FA has decided to re-sod the entire surface in preparation for the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final. This marks the tenth time that this has been done since the stadium opened.

Scott Carson's blunder leads to Croatia's opening goal

One of the issues causing the field to break up so badly is the FA’s need to hold non-soccer events in order to gain financial revenue to help pay off the debt they incurred during construction. Rock concerts, NFL football games, and horse jumping shows are just some of the events planned for the next few months which causes untold damage to the turf. The field is unlike any other used by Premier League teams in that it is sod and not seeded turf. Most football surfaces in England are seeded and so the grass develops a strong root system which resists damage much better than a turf field. Apparently, the lack of available light does not make a seeded surface viable but something clearly has to be done to correct the problem.

What I do find strange is the comical reference to old Wembley field as lush, and like a carpet, which in perfect weather it maybe was, but as a boy I recall some shocking surfaces that used to sap players’ leg strength especially in Finals which went to extra time. The sight of socks around the ankles and players lying flat on the field with leg cramps was a common occurrence in those days. Anyone remember Arsenal Swindon in 1969 at the League Cup Final ?

Now I grant you that a horse show a few days before did a number on that field too, but this subject is old and goes way back to the glory days of the old stadium. with the money that’s been spent on building this glorious facility, the FA simple have to find an answer somewhere.

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If you have read my postings over the last 3 months or so, you will already appreciate that I am not a fan of the men who administrate our sport, at any level. On Saturday in Zurich, the International Football Association Board and FIFA met at the 124th Annual General Meeting to discuss the important issue of goal-line technology and the possible introduction of electronic based systems to help in avoiding flawed decisions by referees and their assistants. After much debate, none of it intelligent I’ll bet, all this bunch of clowns could come up with was that they “want to keep the human face of football which is what makes the sport great” and that “the door is now closed” on the issue. A loud round of applause please for that stunning development, which when translated to modern day society, suggests that on that basis, we’d all still be running around chasing our food with bows and arrows.

The IFAB is just as much a clueless organization as FIFA. Populated by the Association chiefs of Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, you have a group that are totally out of their depth when it comes to this kind of issue. Along with FIFA, they get to control the Laws that run our sport without any experience in the effects that their decisions have on the game.

These fools defy belief. They cannot relate to the sport that they run and are so disconnected from what people demand these days from their everyday lives, that they are prepared to run this game into the ground. to make matters worse. The success of this sport over the last 10 years or so is down to quality and excitement, and this development threatens to throw all that into the toilet. Jerome Valcke, FIFA Secretary General, said today that he hopes that the decision taken on Saturday won’t come back to haunt them in the World Cup Final. Are you kidding me ? Common sense tells me that it’s just a matter of time before that happens, and then what do FIFA say then ? Sorry ?

I think what angers me the most here is that how do these people think that they are more qualified to run the sport than other, more relevant figures within the game who have decades of experience. Here’s a novel idea. Let’s listen to the players, fans and coaches and see what they think. I will guarantee that almost unanimously, that group would vote in favor of developing technology within the laws of the game.

Jerome Valcke

I have written several posts on FIFA’s inability to run the game so I’m going to make this post short and sweet or I know I’ll ruin my Sunday. I frankly hope that there is a bad decision that causes a top seeded team to be eliminated from the tournament in June. It is a horrible situation to wish for but it is the only circumstance that will get through to these clowns, and maybe then, following the uproar that is guaranteed to follow, the right thing will get done.

I wonder what the feelings are in Dublin about this ?

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Next Wednesday at Wembley stadium, England officially kicks off it’s countdown to the World Cup tournament in South Africa with a preparation friendly against 10th-ranked Egypt. This game will mark the final time manager Fabio Capello gets one last look at his squad in competition before he announces his pre-World Cup squad in May. With several players injured currently, Capello chose to include several new faces in his group for Wednesday’s game including Ryan Shawcross, unfortunately involved in that horror tackle that broke Aaron Ramsey’s leg on Saturday, and the left full back pair Leighton Baines and Stephen Warnock. Man City goalkeeper Joe Hart is also included as his performances on loan with Birmingham City have pushed him ahead of Paul Robinson and Ben Foster in the pecking order to make the 3rd goalkeeper’s spot.

Joe Hart

Following this friendly, World Cup managers will have their eye on the first couple of weeks in May as they are required to name a 27-man preliminary squad for the finals from which a final 23-man squad is selected to make the plane for South Africa. Discussion has been rampant as we have moved closer to the May deadline as to who will make it and who won’t. Below are my selections for the 27-man roster based on current injury reports and other criteria. Remember, this is a squad I would pick and not one that I think Capello will choose. The Italian has already stated that he will not pick players who are unfit and have not been playing regularly for their club teams. I’m not sure how closely he will stick to those guidelines as some important squad members would be omitted automatically. Only time will tell. [Read the rest of this entry...]

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Dominating the English newspapers over the last 3-4 weeks, has been the emotional saga involving England internationals Wayne Bridge and John Terry, with Vanessa Perroncel providing more than a supporting cast. Earlier this week, Wayne Bridge released a statement effectively ending his international career by officially withdrawing from the England squad for World Cup 2010 in South Africa next June. England manager Fabio Capello had already punished John Terry for his exploits by stripping him of the captaincy and stating that under his management, Terry won’t captain the squad again. Yesterday’s Premier League clash between Chelsea and Man City will forever be known as “The Handshake Game”, where during the traditional team handshakes prior to kick-off , Bridge chose to walk past Terry’s open hand. True to form, the media were all over it.

[Read the rest of this entry...]

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When news broke that American soccer star Landon Donovan was making a trip to the English Premier League on loan to Everton, many people questioned the wisdom of a move that would catapult him into the cauldron of the world’s most competitive league. Some critics doubted that he had the stones to survive given that previous encounters at Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen had been disappointing. Everton were struggling to find their form having suffered a succession of injuries which threatened their season and Donovan was seen as a much needed fresh pair of legs. What has unfolded this past six weeks or so is nothing short of impressive.

Donovan was voted Everton’s Player of the Month in January following solid performances for the Toffees against quality opposition and a goal against Sunderland in early February capped his form. He has experienced more in 6 weeks as most EPL players take a season to do. Games against Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United certainly tested his ability to perform and he undoubtedly passed the test with flying colors. Everton’s recent run of form has helped him settle quickly and he has started every game to date. [Read the rest of this entry...]

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FIFA recently released it’s latest rankings and there were few surprises, except one. Sitting proudly in 10th spot, sits the Egyptian National team moving up fourteen spots from the previous month. Quite an achievement for a team that recently won the African Cup of Nations and definitely a boost for fans of the Pharaohs who were disappointed at their team’s elimination from the World Cup in South Africa at the hands of their fierce rivals Algeria.

Next month’s clash with England will be the acid test for the Egyptians provided that Fabio Capello fields a full team of top players and maybe the Pharaohs will give a good account of themselves but bookmakers are giving long odds for an away win at Wembley on March 3.

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For a good portion of the last 2 years since Fabio Capello became England manager, much of the discussion surrounding the team has involved David Beckham and whether he warrants inclusion in England’s squad for World Cup 2010 in South Africa next June. His involvement with the LA Galaxy in MLS Soccer in the US suggested early that he might not deserve a spot, but loan periods at AC Milan in Serie A have indicated otherwise.

The manner in which the game unfolded has sharply reduced Beckham’s chances of making South Africa in June, and not necessarily because of his lackluster performance, but more as a result of the aftermath of the game in terms of his starting spot on the Italian side. [Read the rest of this entry...]

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The big news out of England this weekend other than Manchester United’s thrashing of Arsenal on Sunday has been the off-the field adventures of Chelsea and England captain John Terry. A court earlier this week lifted a media blackout surrounding an affair between the Chelsea defender and the girlfriend of former teammate Wayne Bridge.

In my view, Terry has already been removed from his position as Bridge and Terry will likely be selected together to England’s World Cup squad. Revelations of this type will only serve to unsettle Capello’s squad which is an unacceptable set of circumstances for him at this stage of the season. Bridge’s Manchester City teammates have already come out in support of Bridge in a public display of solidarity by wearing specially designed T-shirts. [Read the rest of this entry...]

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News out of England recently, and particularly that regarding Landon Donovan, has suggested that the LA Galaxy striker might be extending his stay with Everton until the end of the Premier League season. His strong performances for the Merseyside team have pleased manager David Moyes, and the club certainly needs the American to bolster it’s squad for the run in to a possible top 6 finish.

Landon Donovan

Injuries to Mikel Arteta, Tony Hibbert and Phil Jagielka and have severely tested Moyes’ abilities to manage a schedule. Arteta’s return against Birmingham must have been a relief to all at Goodison Park, especially as Everton have started to put a run of victories together to push themselves into the top half of the League. Champions League football is not a target for this season but certainly success in the Europa Cup is a priority for a club that has struggled to win trophies over the past 10-12 seasons. [Read the rest of this entry...]

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Thankfully, tonight’s League Cup semi-final at Old Trafford between the two Manchester clubs gave us what we all hoped for. A scintillating battle of speed, guts and power with the odd flashes of sheer brilliance thrown in for good measure. The BBC had even sent their top sportswriter, Phil McNulty, to cover the event in anticipation of a memorable match. The game ended with a last minute winner from Wayne Rooney to break Manchester City hearts for the second time this season but in fairness, United had looked the more dangerous team.

Rooney celebrates Carrick's goal

A lot of the sting had been taken out of the pre-match drama by the FA and the respective clubs by dismissing some media claims that this would be a free for all . The crowd however were having none of it and the atmosphere at game time was electric and remained that way through the whole 90 minutes. I would have given a year’s pay to be in that United dressing room before kick-off to listen to Sir Alex Ferguson preparing his players ready for the battle. I wonder if the hairdryer was plugged in !

The Bellamy incident was something to forget and United will pay a heavy price for that . Howard Webb did a great job in keeping the lid on the tension but as a United fan , I think we were very lucky to get away with Ferdinand’s tackle on Tevez in the first half . It looked a penalty to me.

As usual, Ferguson’s old campaigners Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs were at the heart of their attacks. Darren Fletcher provided endless running in midfield and Edwin Van Der Sar also played his part in keeping the scoreline even at the interval.

Paul Scholes

United dominated the action in the second half with Rooney and Fletcher going close. Scholes scored with a typical low drive to put United ahead and Michael Carrick slotted home a lazy shot to put United well ahead in the tie with only 19 mins left. Rooney should have buried the tie from 8 yards out before Carlos Tevez fashioned a goal to level the tie on aggregate. He turned a soft Bellamy cross into a neat flick down low into Van der Sar’s right corner and took it right off Ferdinand’s head to do it.

In typical United fashion, they didn’t wait for extra time and Rooney powered home a header in injury time to send United into the final at Wembley. From a Giggs cross, City goalkeeper Shay Given was rooted to the spot on his line which allowed the England striker to sneak in and score the winner.

Rooney scores the winner

Mike Phelan after the game described this as United’s best performance of the season and other sources claim that Old Trafford has never been so loud.

Personally, I watched the highlights which I have linked below, and in all of the games I have seen at Old Trafford, this is the loudest I have heard the crowd since the 1978 UEFA Cup tie against FC Porto when I thought I had gone deaf. That was also in the days of the Stretford End terraces before the all-seater format. A great atmosphere.

Rooney is simply unstoppable right now, and England fans must be praying that he hasn’t peaked early and retains his form going into the World Cup in South Africa in June . In this kind of form, he is one of the potential stars of the tournament and he has single handedly made the name of Christiano Ronaldo a distant memory at the Theatre of Dreams.

A fantastic end to a thrilling match between two very talented sides.

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