FootballFilter Blog

Football Filtered

Hello and welcome to my latest look at what has been passing through the Football Filter this week. Starting with a round-up of the latest World Cup news.
With Fabio Capello set to name his final 23 this week THE GUARDIAN reports that the FA are confident the Italian will stay with the Three Lions despite rumours linking him with the Inter Milan Job.
Given the state of the FA at the moment you could forgive Capello for wanting to look elsewhere. WHEN SATURDAY COMES looks at the current power vacuum at the heart of English football following the Lord Triesmann scandal.
Meanwhile, any England fans feeling a sense a de-ja vu heading into this tournament will not be encouraged by the news that the perennially failed midfield partnership, Gerrard and Lampard, is back. THE INDEPENDANT reports that Capello will play the due in the opening game against the USA and is convinced, just like Steve McClaren and Sven Goran Eriksson before him, that he can make it work.

In one of the more stand out results from the latest round of international friendlies New Zealand caused a shock by beating World Cup dark horses Serbia. The home fans were so incensed at the defeat they started a riot, with captain Nemanja Vidic having to calm them down. See the video over at DIRTY TACKLE.
Fancy a retro moment? The check out FOURFOURTWO’S review of Bulgaria’s 1994 World Cup campaign, which saw them reach the semi-finals (knocking out Germany along the way!) and contain of of the greatest players of all time – Hristo Stoichkov.
A further step back in time took place in Madrid this week where the likes of Maldini, Zidane, Figo, Cafu and Rui Costa took part in a legends charity match. Highlights can be seen over at THE OFFSIDE. George Weah wins the John Barnes award for biggest post retiring midriff!

The special one is on the move again, this time to Real Madrid with THE GUARDIAN reporting the shock news that Mourinho his keeping his mouth shut – only about potential transfers that is.

And finally….

It is D-day for Crystal Palace according to THE MAIL. A consortium trying to buy the London club is desperately trying to come to an agreement with the Royal Bank of Scotland regarding future revenues from the sale of Selhurst Park. If not deal is reached by a self imposed deadline of 3pm on Tuesday the Eagles could go bust. Though we have seen clubs on the brink before, only to survive at the last minute, the demise of Chester earlier this year showed that the threat of liquidation among financially stricken clubs is very real. It would be a tragic failure of the system if the Eagles, a Championship club don’t forget, suffer a similar fate.

Soccerpro Review

Once again the lovely guys at Soccerpro sent me some equipment to review for you lucky people. First off I had a pair of Adidas Samba World Cup Edition trainers.

Now I admit from the off, I am a fan of Adidas trainers, so my review is always going to be tainted with favouritism but I will do my best. First off the Samba design, once of one Adidas’ earliest football shoe designs, is now a classic casual footwear design in its own right. And this latest incarnation is no exception. The modern twist is, of course, the colouring of the iconic three stripes which, in tribute to the upcoming World Cup, is yellow and gold for the countries of Brazil, Australia and Ghana. Not that I will be supporting any of those countries mind, but I think they look good anyway!

The colours are, of course, personal taste but as the Samba shoe can be bought in a variety of colours you can disregard the colours for the rest of the review.

It is a good job these are for leisurewear as its comfort and design upon wearing is not suitable for sport at all. They fail to offer the support for physical activity and quickly picked up scuff marks. My previous Sambas have also done this, becoming worn and marked very quickly.

However, if you’re watching the match rather than playing in it or you fancy a few drinks with your mates and you want to look good as well as feel comfortable, you can’t go wrong. They look smart but are also extremely comfortable to wear, as you would expect with a brand such as Adidas. They come highly recommended.

Details

Adidas Samba Leather World Cup Countries – Brazil, Ghana, and Australia UK size 8/US size 9 $47.99 to buy go to Soccerpro’s Soccer Shop

Next up was a black and white Adidas Condivo Fleece Top. Being a black and white fleece it was never going to receive any design awards and I certainly did see it as a fashion statement. Therefore I placed functionality above looks with this piece of Soccer Apparel.

Given my limited footballing ability (much to my eternal regret) this came in hugely handy when sitting on the bench for my football team (well, we don’t really have a bench of sorts, so I just sat on the grass!). The fleece is well made, with subtle white piping giving a classier design than those with just the traditional three stripes down the sleeves. Functionality wise it did the job, keeping my extremely warm for much of the game, before my five minute cameo at the end.

How does it compare with other cheaper fleeces? It’s hard to say, it certainly looks and feels better than cheaper designs but whether it keeps me warmer is open to debate. At $60.00 I do feel you are paying a premium for the name, but it also guarantees you excellent design, warmth and comfort. And if that prevents you from freezing your ass off on the touchline, then it is a fair price to pay.

Details
Adidas Condivo Fleece Top – Black with White:$60.00
To buy these products and more Soccer gear please go to www.soccerpro.com/

Is Maradona the right man?

After the Champions League demolition of Arsenal, Barcelona fans and other fans around the globe were left wondering just how Argentina are not favourites for the World Cup given that they boast the genius that is Lionel Messi.

Although Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney have both had great seasons for their clubs as well, there is little doubt that Messi’s season have propelled him to the summit of that particular mountain.

Messi broke through the 40-goal mark for the season in Barcelona’s 2-0 win over Ronaldo’s Real Madrid team but it is possible he will be the closest thing to a one-man team when Argentina head off to South Africa in June.

Once considered by World Cup Betting experts as  a feared international giant , the Argentinians are no longer in that class despite having Messi to rely on. Perhaps it is down to the rest of their squad lacking in ability or maybe it’s down to coach Diego Maradona not being of the required standard to take on the likes of Fabio Capello, Dunga and Vicente del Bosque.

Sadly for Maradona, Barcelona would probably have as good a chance to succeed in the World Cup than his Pumas, who certainly do not have the quality of Xavi and Andres Iniesta in midfield to provide for Messi.

Liverpool’s Javier Mascherano is a dependable soul, but dependable is not really what is required to succeed against the Brazils and Spains of the world and, as yet, Barcelona’s maestro has struggled to match his club performances internationally.

They had a real struggle even to secure their place in South Africa, which does appear a little strange for a squad that could also include Gonzalo Higuain, Pablo Aimar, Carlos Tevez, Walter Samuel and Martin Dimichelis.

So, maybe it is down to the somewhat strange tactics Maradona chooses to apply to such an attacking line-up, like using Martin Palermo as his main striker for example.

Although Palermo scored some massive goals down the stretch in South American qualifying, including the vital strike against Peru, his recall was ridiculed in his homeland after 10 years in the wilderness – a moment of madness from a coach beginning to clutch at straws.

And if Maradona starts clutching at similar straws in South Africa, when he faces the tough Nigerians and Greece, as well as a sneakily decent South Korea, in Group B, World Cup odds suggest he could find himself on his way home early and looking for a new job.

World Cup 2010

So the World Cup is so bloody close I can barely contain my excitement. Anyone going?

We have made a World Cup page but were hoping our loyal users might be able to suggest some sites/podcasts/photo or video feeds that we should consider adding to it.

Take a look so far and feel free to get in touch if you have any suggestions:

http://www.footballfilter.com/world-cup-2010

Also, as mentioned on previous posts, please take a look at our side site http://answers.footballfilter.com – post questions and share trivia on the world of football

Football Filtered 23/04/10

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

First up and the most viewed story of the week was another tale of rich footballers failing to control what’s in their trousers. THE GUARDIAN reports on a deepening sex scandal in France involving Franck Ribery, Sidney Govou, Karim Benzema, Hatem ben Arfa and a teenage prostitute – well at least John Terry wasn’t involved! Still, the allegations could dent France’s World Cup 2010 odds.

Next up the craziness at Man City knows no bounds as they launch a £50 million bid for Fernando Torres, again according to THE GUARDIAN. With Arab riches behind them it is easy to believe they could be planning a bid, but it would cause shockwaves through the league if the deal did happen. With so much uncertainty at Liverpool involving the owners, the manager and players, a £50 million cheque may be too much to resist.

More stupid footballers – this time Charles N’Zogbia, who thought it would be a good idea to let someone else take his driving theory test. His manager at Wigan Roberto Martinez strangely praised him in THE INDEPENDENT but he surely must be having serious words with the former Newcastle man for this indiscretion.

Transfer news now, and one of England’s brightest young stars, Jack Rodwell, could be on his way to Arsenal according to THE TIMES. The 19-year-old England Under-21 international has had an impressive season at Everton and the club are keen to tie him to a new deal that would more than double his already substantial £20,000 wages. Valued at £25million, it remains to be seen whether the Gunners could afford him. Given the side really need a striker and a goalkeeper, it’s also doubtful if Rodwell would have pundits making Arsenal a Premier League title tip for next season.

List time, we all love a list, and with Fulham and Liverpool embarking on European road trips this week THE INDEPENDENT has given us the ten best European semi-finals. Good stuff.

After 25 years of almost unparalleled success Sir Alex Ferguson could be set to retire from football next summer – and he has recommended David Moyes as his successor according to THE SUN.  There are other contenders of course, with Jose Mourinho among them, but whoever it is they will have a tough job filling the Scotsman’s boots after such a golden period for the club.

And finally…

Back to Liverpool and Fulham and after the volcanic ash flight debacle the two English clubs had to go to Europe the hard way with planes, trains and the odd luxury coach taking them to their Europa League ties. I have to admit I had a laugh when the clubs said they were worried about the players being “tired” from their journey – welcome to the real world guys, it isn’t all first class lounges and fold out beds for the rest of us you know. BACK OF THE NET NEWS has another amusing take on the whole subject.

Filter Focus #4 09/04/10

In the week in which defeats for Arsenal and Manchester United brought the Champion’s League hopes of the ‘big four’ to an end, football journalist Will Wainewright takes a look the battle for honours on the home front.

English clubs crash at European hurdle but domestic spoils still up for grabs in best race for years

It would be mad to argue the failures of Manchester United and Arsenal in the Champion’s League this week are good for English football – embittered disciples of lower-league football aside, all fans want to see their country’s top teams shine on the European stage. But this will be the first time in seven years that no English side has made it to the semi-final stage of the Champions League. Even more amazingly, the final has featured at least one English club in each of the last five years. Only in time will we know whether the relative under-performance of English sides this year is a blip or the start of a longer term decline, but, curiously, a rather interesting silver lining has provided the backdrop to these European calamities: the most entertaining top flight title race in years.

Just three points separate the top three teams with five games remaining, a remarkable statistic for a number of reasons. For a competition that rarely strays from a two-horse race finish to the season, for three teams to be still in the running at this stage is the first surprise. But it has not been the brilliance of these three teams that has caught the eye.

It is the unprecedented fallibility of the top teams which has been remarkable.

Current frontrunners Chelsea lost just three games in 2007 (they have lost five already this year) and could still only manage second place in 2007 (although to be fair, they did lose five and win the Premier League in 2006). Second-placed Manchester United have already lost seven games this season. Last year they lost four. If they go on to win the title they will have lost more games in the process than any other title-winning side since Blackburn in 1995.

But Liverpool’s fall from grace has been the most stunning. Their slump from just two defeats all last season to ten so far this term is alarming to say the least. Arsenal’s dogged refusal to be cut adrift from the top two belies the supposed callow nature of their young squad. Their last minute win against Wolves on Saturday was won with their tenth goal in the last ten minutes of their last ten games. The stuff of champions you might think.

But Arsenal are three points, and a further point given their inferior goal difference, off the pace and have tricky games against Manchester City and rivals Tottenham Hotspur to come. Chelsea may be the favourites at the moment, but that term has been swapped between teams so often this season it is barely worth using. United must recover from a calamitous week if they are to take it from them, but after winning the last three titles no one would bet against them.

It all adds to an enthralling race that has partly compensated for their European failures; Fulham, in any case, are doing the business on that front anyway. This year’s Premier League season may not have been characterised by outstanding quality, but it has contained enough upsets to excite any neutral and is far from over yet. Given the ragged nature of their squads and the volatile nature of the season, all three know that winning their last five games is likely to deliver the Premier League Trophy, as they are all three unlikely to manage this. The owners of the clubs may not be best pleased but for the armchair fan, it hasn’t been this good on the home front in years.

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…