FootballFilter Blog

Football Filtered 26/03/10

Hello and welcome to my latest look at what has been passing through the football filter this week.

The most read news story of the week on the site was in THE GUARDIAN with Rafa “it’s everyone’s fault but mine” Benitez once again finding fault with the opposition. In this case it was Antonio Valencia, for his apparent dive for Man United’s penalty in their clash with the Reds last Sunday. The fact that Javier Mascherano was tugging at Valencia’s shirt and could have actually seen red rather than yellow escaped the Spaniard, who continues to ignore his own side’s failings. His smug, sarcastic rants are starting to wear thin.

Video of the week was undoubtedly the shot of Roberto Mancini roughing up David Moyes in the closing stages of City’s clash with Everton on Wednesday. Angered at Moyes’ apparent time wasting tactics the usually uber-cool Italian lost it and attempted to wrestle the ball from the Scot. THE MIRROR’S reporting of the incident proved popular on the site, though in the cold light of day it was just a bit of handbags and warrants no further action.

THE TELEGRAPH has details of Wayne Bridge’s court date with ex-partner Vanessa Perroncel. The former model, who infamously had a relationship with Bridge’s former team-mate John Terry, is apparently demanding £20,000 a month and a house in London to look after their son, rather than the £3,000 offered. The very fact I am writing this makes me wish football could return to the good old days when none of this nonsense made the papers.

Tony Mowbray’s brief reign at Celtic came to a predictable end after that nightmarish defeat at St Mirren which brought back memories of their infamous defeat to Inverness ten years ago. That defeat saw the end of John Barnes and this one put paid to Mowbray. THE INDEPENDENT had the inevitable countdown of disastrous managerial reigns.

Football and finance is another hot topic and THE TIMES has a worrying article that reveals 14 of the 20 Premier League clubs are on a credit blacklist. I can’t say I understand the details, but it doesn’t sound good.

As England players drop like flies ahead of the World Cup suitable candidates are starting to appear thin on the ground. So much so that people want to pinch other countries’ players. In Footballs Up’s case – Mikel Arteta. The site wants the uncapped Spanish Everton midfielder, who qualified for England through residency last year, to turn out for the Three Lions. As much as England need a player like Arteta right now I just can’t see it happening and I’m sure he will focus instead on somehow trying to force his way into Spain’s dream midfield. However, the World Cup 2010 odds make Spain favourites without Artera and he’s unlikely to get anywhere near the squad.

Soccer Saturday has become a bit of an institution, but people who don’t watch the programme are bemused by the popularity of it. It is essentially  four blokes watching a match you can’t see, but therein lies its genius, and RUN OF PLAY has an American’s reaction to watching the show for the first time.

And finally…

I couldn’t go without mentioning Lionel Messi. The Argentina is in the form of his life after hitting eight goals in three games and is set to light up the World Cup. FOURFOURTWO reports on how Argentina will adapt their style of play to suit the Barca player, and rightly so. It certainly wouldn’t do their FIFA World Cup odds any harm.

World Cup player to watch – France

Ask any Republic of Ireland fan who the French player to watch this summer will be and the answer will inevitably be Thierry Henry. The Barcelona man’s infamous handball in the World Cup qualification play-off second leg has made him public enemy number one in Ireland, but there will be plenty of neutral football fans following Henry’s fortune sin South Africa to see if he gets what he deserves – a legitimate goal disallowed perhaps.

There is a case for suggesting opposing players should also keep their closest eye on Henry, as he is still Les Bleus’ main goal threat and focal point of attack. However, Henry’s days of individual brilliance are behind him and he now relies purely on midfield service for his goals.

Yoann Gourcuff is the midfield maestro most likely to create his team’s chances according to World Cup In-play betting. A rejuvenated figure since leaving Milan for Bordeaux, Gourcuff is recognised as one of the most talented attacking players in Europe and can be credited being the biggest factor in his team’s rise to the top of the Ligue 1 table and Champions League quarter finals.

The label ‘new Zinidane Zidane’ is surely going to become one of French sport’s great millstones and Gourcuff is the current player to be given the tag. His dribbling skills, clever movement and probing passing from an attacking midfield position mean comparisons to the great man are inevitable.

Gourcuff is the current French player of the year, a reward which puts him in esteemed company – the previous four players to earn the award are Franck Ribery, Thierry Henry, Zidane and Patrick Vieira.

He has the ability to star at a major international tournament in the manner those four French legends have done, although as a 23-year old with 17 caps, his best days might lay further ahead of him. Nonetheless World Cup odds suggest that French success in South Africa appears to depend heavily on the form of Gourcuff.

New side project – answers.footballfilter.com

Bit of an experiment/side project for footballfilter here. Inspired by http://stackoverflow.com/ we want to provide a platform for football fans to post questions, share trivia/knowledge all on the topic of football. If anyone is interested in getting involved feel free to sign up and post a question and let us know what you think.

FILTER FOCUS 24.03.10

Football journalist Will Wainewright takes another sideways look at the world of football

5 footballing returns

As Barcelona frontman Thierry Henry prepares to play against his former employers Arsenal in the Champions League next week – a game he admits he would rather not have to face – Filter Focus takes a look at other footballers who have returned as opponents to face the clubs where they acquired hero status

1) Sol Campbell, Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur, 2001 (Spurs, 1992–2001)

Acrimonious would be gentle way to describe Sol Campbell’s return to White Hart Lane after making the unthinkable move from Spurs to their bitter rivals Arsenal in 2001. Memories of his time at Spurs, during which he captained the team to League Cup success, were swiftly forgotten as ‘Judas’ became a target of hate to fans of his former club. The fact it was a free transfer added to the pain for Spurs fans who could only look on as he went on to win league and cup honours for their hated neighbours. Maybe worst of all, he is ranked top of the Daily Mail’s list of football traitors. Now that must be hard to swallow.

2) David Beckham, AC Milan v Man. Utd, 2010 (Man. Utd, 1990–2003)

This year’s Champions League draw made another notable return possible in the last 16, with United legend David Beckham making his first ever appearance against his former club at the San Siro in February. Wayne Rooney, however, stole the show as United put three past Leonardo’s hapless Milan side. Beckham was afforded a hero’s welcome by the home fans on his return to Old Trafford, but just half an hour by his manager, who didn’t let sentiment get in the way of team selection. Maybe he should have done, as Milan crumbled to a 4–0 defeat in which it only took 30 minutes for Beckham to outshine his Italian teammates. He still managed to steal the show, however, donning an anti-Glazer scarf after the final whistle to endear himself further to the home fans (and the back pages). Classic Becks.

3) Luis Figo, Barcelona vs Real Madrid, 2002 (Barcelona, 1995–2000)

Having a pig’s head thrown at him was one of the nicer ways the former world player of the year was rewarded upon his return to the Nou Camp, following his world record £37m move to Madrid. Years of success at Barca did not impede the torrents of abuse that flowed in his direction whenever the newly-christened ‘Galactico’ turned out against his former club.  

4) Frank Lampard, West Ham v Chelsea (West Ham, 1995–2001)

No less venemous was the reception afforded to ‘Lamps’ upon his return to his former stomping ground. The England midfield player came through the youth system at Upton Park, only to move west in 2001 as he appeared to be outgrowing the limited ambitions of his first club. He is still guaranteed a brutal reception whenever he returns to West Ham, a club that do not take kindly to their home-produced talent moving elsewhere (just ask Rio Ferdinand).

5) Thierry Henry, Barcelona v Arsenal 2010 (Arsenal, 1999–2006)

The French forward acquired legendary status in North London during his seven years at Arsenal. Arsene Wenger’s decision to move him from the wing to his natural position up front paid dividends as he broke Ian Wright’s record of 185 league goals, while his attacking flair was a key ingredient in the unbeaten run of form that saw the ‘Invincibles’ win the title in emphatic style in 2004. That said, Mr Va Va Voom may be regretting the comment piece he wrote for The Times a few weeks ago, in which he said: “Proud though I am to be a Barcelona player, I dread the thought of having to oppose Arsenal. I would hate it. I pray for it not to happen.” Probably best to keep those thoughts to yourselves over the next few days, Thierry…