FootballFilter Blog

Football Filtered #20

Petty squabbles and superficial differences were put into context with the sad death of Germany ‘keeper Robert Enke, who after years of depression decided to take his own life. THE SPORTS REVIEW was among many news agencies to tell us his sad story.

In other sports news, the odds for the Cheltenham Gold Cup are starting to heat up, so it could be well worth keeping you eye on them!

Football Filtered #19

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

On the face of it was a sedate Carling Cup league match in South Yorkshire. But try telling that to the Man United fans who, in their wisdom, decided to trash the food stall on the concourse at Barnsley. THE GUARDIAN reports on the potential consequences for those caught.

Swine flu has also been the hot topic as football clubs prove  not to be immune to the virus. THE INDEPENDANT report that QPR are the latest club to have players struck down.

What’s going on at Hull? Amid rumours of financial oblivion and a departing chairman boss Phil Brown is still holding onto his job – just. WHEN SATURDAY COMES gives us a good insight into the past few years at Hull and perhaps a case of unrealistic expectations.

Strachan’s back! After a brief sojourn North of the border Gordon Strachan made his return to English Championship football with Middlesbrough. THE NORTHERN ECHO gave him a local welcome and set out his task ahead.

First Celtic and Rangers, now the giants of Faroe Islands football have backed the idea of an Atlantic league according to BACK OF THE NET NEWS Will it happen? It’s doubtful, and if teams from the Faroe Islands are allowed in why not the likes of Hibs, Hearts and Aberdeen??

Like your goals scored from distance? Well FLAT BACK FOUR has gathered a handy list of and video clips of the best goals scored from behind the halfway line. And yes, Beckham’s is there.

And finally…

In keeping with the ’spooky’ time of year THE MIRROR have come up with the best Halloween themed footballers – The Nightmare on Elmander Street is my particular favourite.

Football Filtered # 18

Hello and welcome to the latest look at what as been passing through the Football Filter this week.

The managerial merry-go-round looks set to get a kick-start as twitchy chairman hover their fingers over the trigger. One of those managers under pressure is Hull’s Phil Brown. But after his heroic Premier League survival last year is Brown the victim of raised expectations? JUST FOOTBALL takes a closer look.

The haves and the have nots have been highlighted this week. First off Arsenal announced pre-tax profits of £45.5m, with match-day revenue exceeding £100m for the first time.

The figures have been digested and assessed over at Soccerlens.
Liverpool could also be in the money with rumours of a Saudi Prince wanting to invest in the club, THE INDEPENDENT has all the details.

And the have nots? Well WHEN SATURDAY COMES reports that the end is nigh for Hyde United as the Cheshire club were wound up following unpaid debts of £122,000. John  Terry earns that in about 4 days…..

Lists, lists and more lists were the order of the week in many of the papers. THE TIMES gave us the 50 people who fouled up football. Yes, Ashley Cole is in there.

THE MIRROR meanwhile, brought us the top ten scary managers.

With Didier Drogba netting his 100th goal for Chelsea last weekend THE MIRROR also reminds us of the best of the Ivory Coast International’s Chelsea career over the past four years.
And finally…

With Australia’s A league failing to capture the publics imagination, competition chief Archie Fraser gave us all an example of how NOT to promote your own league. BACK OF THE NET NEWS has all the details.

Football Filtered #17

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

Where else to start but at the City Of Manchester Stadium where City, agreed with the Premiership betting odds and crushed Arsenal 4-2 and Emmanuel Adebayor went on a one-man crusade to annoy as many people as possible.

THE GUARDIAN reports that a five match ban could be on the way after being hit with a double FA charge for stamping on Van Persie and his now already infamous 90 yard dash.

Everyone has been having their say on the incident including, rather randomly, Ricky Hatton, who gave his opinion on the INDEPENDENT

The usual top ten list was dug out in THE MIRROR listing the top ten moments when Arsene Wenger mysteriously “didn’t see” a controversial incident involving his player.

Speaking of controversial incidents (see what I did there??) the Eduardo, er, incident has again put diving in the spotlight. But what is a dive? Well THE OFFSIDE has produced a handy guide, complete with videos and everything.

In these days of badge kissing and 90 yard celebrations are fans seem to be foaming at the mouth at such inflammatory acts. But are football fans going soft? This blog over at WHEN SATURDAY COMES tries to give us the answer.

And finally…

While England fans were celebrating qualification for next year’s World Cup in South Africa spare a thought for Diego Maradona. Perhaps the ultimate example of “great players don’t make great managers” the Argies are on the brink of doing a ‘McClaren’ and failing to qualify for next year’s showcase tournament. Contrast that with fellow South American Dunga who has seemingly made the transition from player to manager with ease. So why is that? Well TIM VICKERY’S BLOG explains all.

Football Filtered #16

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

Transfer deadline madness! In what has no become an annual drama-fest we were glued to our computers as those last minute deals were completed.

Amongst others THE GUARDIAN , THE BBC and THE SUN all had live minute-by-minute updates, bringing all the stories as they broke.

Can’t remember who went where? THE INDEPENDENT has a handy club-by-club guide.

Elsewhere and the Eduardo ‘diving’ row rumbled on. Ironically Aiden McGeady of chief whingers Celtic was shown second yellow card for diving at the weekend. ANOTHER ARSENAL BLOG compares the two and asks whether Eduardo is being unfairly targeted by UEFA.

Meanwhile FOURFOURTWO wonders whether video technology should be introduced to help referees.

FootballFiltered #15

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes at Match Of  The Day? Well Gary Lineker in THE SUN reveals some of the secrets behind the world’s greatest TV programme.

Football Filtered #14

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

The Manchester City spending spree continues with Kolo Toure the latest new boy. They have now set their sights on Everton’s Joleon Lescott. But the Toffees are refusing to be bullied into selling their star defender. THE GUARDIAN reports that they have rejected City’s second bid of £18million out of hand. But with City having endless amounts of cash at their disposal, how long will Everton resist? Football betting on that one is likely to be split.

And what now for Arsenal?

They may have £39 million in the bank but Wenger has told THE TELEGRAPH that big money signings are imminent – despite rumours of a dramatic return for a FORMER CAPTAIN.

AFC Wimbledon’s rapid rise up the football pyramid is the most common example of a side being re-born by the fans from the ground up. But this article in WHEN SATURDAY COMES shows that success isn’t always guaranteed.

Wondering what that annoying buzzing sound was during the Confederations Cup? Swarm of giant wasps perhaps? No, they were the vuvuzela horns, the instrument of choice for the South African fans. If you find them annoying count your lucky stars you weren’t at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth this week where a world record vuvuzela was made, as reported in the WORLD CUP BLOG.

What a twit! Darren Bent, whose protracted move to Sunderland continues to stall, vented his frustration at Spurs chairman Daniel Levy via his twitter page, as reported in THE MAIL.

And finally…

Any football fan will be saddened at the news of the death of Bobby Robson. A great player, a great manager but more importantly, a true gentleman. Football is much the poorer for his absence.

Football Filtered #13

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

Where else to start but Middle Eastlands, where Mark Hughes and his billions are beginning to irk those around them, especially the ‘big four’ whose usual comfy position in the Champions League spots are now under real threat.

The latest player on Hughes’ golden shopping list is Chelsea captain John Terry, who has been very publicly sounded out by City in a £30 million move. However a story in THE TIMES carries quotes from none other than David Beckham, who has warned Terry off making a move up north, especially in a World Cup Year.

Speaking of David Beckham, the former England captain has faced a media storm in the U.S. this week upon his return to L.A. Galaxy following a loan spell at AC Milan. He was warned to expect a frosty reception and those warnings rang true as the jeers rang round the Giants Stadium every time he touched the ball. THE GUARDIAN asks whether it is time for Becks to return home in order to maintain his place in the England squad.

Like your retro football? Well, a blog on SOCCERLENS looks back at the 1994 World Cup and that legendary Bulgarian team, Stoickhkov etc al, who took on the World and very nearly won.

Fancy yourself as a talent scout? Know all those great young players on Football Manager? Well you will enjoy the blog on THE OFFSDIE ITALY that looks at 30 promising Italian players to keep an eye on.

Tired of the all round year nature of modern football? Well you may share the gripes of Josh Widdicombe at WHEN SATURDAY COMES who has become tired with the football hype machine.

And finally…

THE INDEPENDENT reports on the critical condition of former Wales striker John Hartson, who is undergoing treatment for cancer. Though I lay no claim to know Hartson or that he even used to play for the team I support, it is always sad when you see someone so ill who just a few years ago was tearing around the football pitch as a professional athlete. We wish him all the best in his recovery.

Football Filtered #12

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

In a summer of huge transfer fees and astronomic wages it’s a free transfer that could be the biggest surprise of the year. Michael Owen, who only last week looked as though he had a choice of Stoke or Hull as his next club, looks set to join Manchester United as according to The GUARDIAN.
Panic but or inspired move? I guess we will just have to wait and see, though THE TIMES believes it is one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s strangest moves in the transfer market.

As David Beckham prepares for a return to action in the MLS, his L.A. Galaxy team-mate Landon Donovan has launched a personal attack on the former England skipper in his new book. SOCCERNET reports that Donovan believes Beckham is a negative impact on the side, he lacks commitment and is tight with his money!

Speaking of money the latest blog on SOCCERLENS asks how much is too much when it comes to transfer fees following Ronaldo’s £80 million move to Real.

The strangest video of the weeks is over at 101GREATGOALS.COM where Man City reject Darius Vassell, who has scored 18 goals in four years, is treated like a footballing god as he arrives at Turkish club Ankaragucu. Kaka eat your heart out.

And finally..

As many players return to work this week for gruelling pre-season spare a thought for those players who are yet to find a club and face an uncertain future. Former Coventry midfielder and BBC blogger Gavin Strachan speaks about life without a club heading into the new season on the BBC WEBSITE.

Football filtered #11

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

First up transfer rumours and speculation – do we love it or do we hate it? I think it is a little bit of both as I know I have a sneaky look at the back pages to see if my team is linked with the latest teenage wonderkid, even if it turns out to be complete rubbish.

SOCCERLENS is a good place to start for your football rumours fix, condensing them all into one place which is nice of them.

THE GUARDIAN WEEKLY PODCAST also discusses the crazy world of transfers, including that £80 million one we have all had enough of – just go Ronaldo now so we can all move on!!

Managers are also on the move as well as players though I didn’t quite see John Barnes’ return to club management coming. WHEN SATURDAY COMES looks at whether he will be a success or not in his new job at Tranmere.

Believe it or not there is actually some football going on this summer and the England Under-21s are beginning to warm to their task at the U21 European championships in Sweden. THE GUARDIAN gives a good account of their recent win over Spain.

And finally…

The fixtures for next season were released much to the joy of football starved fans everywhere. But ever wonder just why you have that 200 mile midweek trip in a wet Tuesday night in November? Well PAUL FLETCHER’S BLOG over at the BBC reveals that a lot more preparation goes into the fixtures compilation than you first thought –who would have thought a West Ham home game would directly affect Norwich City’s home fixtures for starters??