1. Fiorentina are moving for Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.
The Sun says the Serie A side are set to send a scout to watch him play against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.
The Australian international is out of contract with Boro this summer and is free to leave the Riverside.
Fiorentina expect to lose their No 1 - Frenchman Sebastien Frey - to AC Milan and see Schwarzer, 35, as the ideal experienced replacement.
2. West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley bemoaned their injury-list after defeat to Sunderland.
He said: "It may well sum up the season, what has happened to us today.
"We came here with 17 players - the injury list is chronic, and as the game wore on, it got worse.
"We were pulling people all over the place and filling in and to be fair, I thought we had done enough to get a point.
"There was nothing wrong with the ref putting five minutes up - there were plenty of stoppages, but the goal went in in the 96th minute, someone has just told me. It did seem a long time.
"The nature of the goal, in the last minute with 30 seconds to go after giving it our lot, we allowed Reid to get in between two people when it was clearable.
"We are very disappointed. I looked around the dressing room and there is ice everywhere and disappointed bodies, but we will just have to get on with it.
"It has been the story of the season."
The Hammers' injury list grew significantly during the game with George McCartney failing to reappear after the break because of a hamstring problem, Carlton Cole damaging a foot, McCartney's replacement John Pantsil suffering concussion and Ljungberg being carried off with a hamstring problem.
3. West Ham United defender John Pantsil is set to quit the club this summer.
The Ghana international, 26, said: "I just want to play. I'll take any chance I get."
4. EXCLUSIVE: Jade North jetted back into Sydney this morning and promptly announced his desire to swiftly jet out again and turn his overseas dream into reality.
To see Pim and the Aussieroos arrive home in Sydney this morning...The Newcastle Jets captain arrived back with coach Pim Verbeek and several of his Socceroo teammates after a tremendous performance in the goalless draw with China. North’s contribution earned him tremendous plaudits from both colleagues and supporters and now he is keen to build on his success. Speaking to au.fourfourtwo.com in the arrivals hall, North said: “Oh mate, it was just tremendous. I was pretty nervous in the build up to the China match and yeah there were a few butterflies in there.
“You know that it’s a massive game, an important World Cup qualifier but it was a dream come true to be involved in a match like that and an occasion like that. Once the whistle went I was fully focused and ready to go.”North went into the China game after the goalless draw against Singapore, a match that saw him briefly handed the captain’s armband after Harry Kewell was substituted by Verbeek.The 25-year-old said: “Look it’s been an unbelievable year for me. It started with the birth of my child, then I’m handed the captaincy of my A-League club, we then go and win the grand final. That in itself is fantastic but then you suddenly get a call up for the Socceroos and the captaincy. “Having the performance I did (against China) just topped it off really. The coach congratulated the boys on the result and performance but he doesn’t really pick people out. I think he’s a great coach and I’ve already learned so much from him.”North has also paid tribute to the part played by Jets coach Gary van Egmond in putting him on the road to his ‘unbelievable’ year.
He said: “I’ve got every reason to thank Gazza. To have led the boys out this year has been massive. I think I’ve earned the respect as captain and it’s helped me a lot.”Not that his gratitude will translate into a desire to remain at EnergyAustralia Stadium. North’s appetite has been further whetted to embrace a new challenge beyond Aussie shores.He said: “A game like that (China) can open up doors you know. I think it’s time for me to go and I just feel I’m ready to go. My next step, my next challenge is to go overseas. I don’t think Con (Jets owner Con Constantine) will stand in my way.”
Van Egmond has said North’s next challenge is to cement a permanent spot in the Socceroo set up and the defender agrees. He said: “That’s what I want to happen and to bring that about I have to keep playing well and maintain a level of consistency. You set standards and you have to maintain them. "We’ve a month off now so I have to keep myself fit. I just want to keep growing in stature.”
5. Undoubtedly, the biggest signing of the 2008 IPL Season, took place one hour before the cutoff, when the papers were lodged with the IFA Office by Dandaloo with the signing of Alvin Ceccoli. This is a major coup not only for Dandaloo but for the IFA in general as Ceccoli played for Central Coast in a losing A-League Grand Final less than 30 days ago.
Ceccoli who is no stranger to the IPL after previously playing with Dapto a couple of seasons ago, has chosen to play in the Illawarra for family reasons, instead of taking up an offer to play with Adelaide United in the Asian Champion Leagues.
6. Paul Reid currently of Brighton in England is set to sign a two year deal with adelaide united, He can play in midfield and right side of defence. He was a great player in the Wollongong Wolves glory days. Adelaide are also after italian based Aussie Adrian Madaschi.
7. Nick Rizzo is set to be announced as John Kosmina's next signing in his revolution of the former champions, the Perth Glory midfielder is said to be disgruntled and wanting game time.
8. Juventus would be interested in buying Harry Kewell if he fails to reach an agreement with Liverpool. Kewell stubbornly remains desperate to stay at Anfield and is pinning hopes on closing a new deal with Liverpool's survival in the UEFA Champions League.In Kewell's favour is that, out of contract in June, he is available for no transfer fee — an attractive selling point for the player and any club interested in his services. Juventus is understood to be one of the clubs interested in moving for Kewell when his contract expires on June 30 if an agreement with Liverpool fails to materialise.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
News and shit
1. West Ham are desperate to offload veteran midfielder Freddie Ljungberg as the Hammers revert to giving youth a chance.
The Daily Mail understands that Upton Park boss Alan Curbishley has been offering the 30-year-old to other clubs in a bid to ease his bulging wage bill.
The former Arsenal star is believed to be among the top earners at West Ham, raking in about £80,000-a-week - full back Lucas Neill is in the same salary bracket - and recent matches have seen Curbishley put increased faith in his rising stars.
West Ham paid Arsenal £300,000 for Ljungberg in July last year to end the Swede's nine-year spell with the Gunners.
2. West Ham United are chasing Colchester goalkeeper Dean Gerken.
The Sun says Gerken is being lined up for a £500,000 move to West Ham from Colchester.
3. Highly rated Brazilian right wing-back Eduardo Ratinho is expected to sign a one year deal with Melbourne Victory. The young Corinthians player is said to be looking at a move to England in the future and wants to play in Australia to build his English skills and adapt to the style of play while his agent works out issues with his working visa.
4. Young Queensland Roar winger Robbie Kruse looks headed for a move to the Dutch League. Numerous people have commented on his myspace page asking him about the move. Not particularly reliable however his form last A-League season surely hints at an overseas move
And finally Pim Verbeek’s illness before the China game has been rumored to be caused by Graham Arnold. It has been alleged by a certain silver haired analyst (aren’t they all silver haired?) on The World Game that he saw Arnold serving Pim a bowl of lasagna. The lasagna had apparently been prepared by the same London chef who used to cook for Spurs two seasons ago. The same SBS analyst claimed that Graham Arnold had caused the air to be much thinner in China as well.
The Daily Mail understands that Upton Park boss Alan Curbishley has been offering the 30-year-old to other clubs in a bid to ease his bulging wage bill.
The former Arsenal star is believed to be among the top earners at West Ham, raking in about £80,000-a-week - full back Lucas Neill is in the same salary bracket - and recent matches have seen Curbishley put increased faith in his rising stars.
West Ham paid Arsenal £300,000 for Ljungberg in July last year to end the Swede's nine-year spell with the Gunners.
2. West Ham United are chasing Colchester goalkeeper Dean Gerken.
The Sun says Gerken is being lined up for a £500,000 move to West Ham from Colchester.
3. Highly rated Brazilian right wing-back Eduardo Ratinho is expected to sign a one year deal with Melbourne Victory. The young Corinthians player is said to be looking at a move to England in the future and wants to play in Australia to build his English skills and adapt to the style of play while his agent works out issues with his working visa.
4. Young Queensland Roar winger Robbie Kruse looks headed for a move to the Dutch League. Numerous people have commented on his myspace page asking him about the move. Not particularly reliable however his form last A-League season surely hints at an overseas move
And finally Pim Verbeek’s illness before the China game has been rumored to be caused by Graham Arnold. It has been alleged by a certain silver haired analyst (aren’t they all silver haired?) on The World Game that he saw Arnold serving Pim a bowl of lasagna. The lasagna had apparently been prepared by the same London chef who used to cook for Spurs two seasons ago. The same SBS analyst claimed that Graham Arnold had caused the air to be much thinner in China as well.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
SBS: Handjobs on the House
Jesse Fink SBS’s resident hatchet man likes doing two things: telling Craig Foster how good he’s hair looks and bagging anyone involved with the national team who is not a foreigner. This article is perhaps one of the best he’s ever written. Who would have ever predicted that it was Graham Arnold secretly hiding behind the scenes like an Emperor Palpatine figure, wearing a monocle and yelling “You’ll pay for this Murray, if it’s the last thing I ever do…………”
If you're like Half-Time Orange, there are some moments in life you just want to go back and relive. Getting married. Riding an elephant through an Indian forest. Drinking that bottle of Grange your dad bought for your 21st birthday. Then there are those moments you are glad to see the back of and will pay good money to your friends never to be reminded of again. That stripper at your buck's night. Eating "Rocky Mountain oysters". Watching the Socceroos in Singapore on Saturday night.
I'll concede it was the proverbial "gluepot" of a pitch, but really that would do a disservice to the Singaporeans, who managed to create some genuinely tense moments for the Diet Socceroos.
When a 38-year-old Bosnian canoeist called Aleksandar Duric is running rings around Michael Beauchamp, supposedly the future of our national-team defence, you know not everything is going to plan ahead of the World Cup qualifier in Kunming.
With Australia's three main strikers now absent from the WCQ against China, can someone explain to me why James Troisi, who was lively in Singapore and looked the most likely to score for the Australians all night, is not going to Yunnan yet Archie Thompson, who is more a danger to defenders with his moustache than his right foot, unaccountably is? (Yeah, two words fuck off. Archie proven goal scorer for Australia and Victory. A League top goal scorer. Fucking bullshit Sydney bias from SBS yet again)
My TWG colleague Les Murray wrote in his blog on Monday: "Slowly but surely the penny is dropping. Australia's golden generation, that which powered into the World Cup finals of 2006, and then into its knockout phase, is coming to an end. And, worse, the replenishing tier is not up to it… there is no depth."
With respect to Les, I'm not sure that's entirely the case. The main problem with the development of the national team seems to be that blokes like Thompson just won't move along (what the fuck is this? Why is Archie Thompson enemy number one? This was the guy who Guus believed was good enough to play for PSV (although granted he only played 15 minutes) and now he should retire. What did he do to deserve this? Probably bagged that stupid pointer they use for their highlights show). It's not Thompson's fault, of course. Someone picks him. The same someone who picks guys like Jacob Burns and Ryan Griffiths when they're never going to be World Cup material.
Why does it happen? Why are bolters for South Africa ignored (guys like Troisi, David Williams, Nicky Carle) and middle-of-the-road plodders put on such a pedestal (Brett Holman, Luke Wilkshire, Michael Beauchamp)? (Here’s a hint fuck stick, all three of the bolters are attacking players, specifically strikers or attacking midfielders while two of the plodders are defensive players. What formation were you planning on playing Jesse? 2-5-3?)
Les is right (there’s a phrase you have to get used to when working at SBS) to apportion blame at the FFA for failing to rebuild the Socceroos properly after the departure of Guus Hiddink in June 2006, but Graham Arnold (dan dern dern, insert evil music) is equally culpable for that vacuum by having turned his appointment to Hiddink's vacated job into a Mexican soap opera.
Should he stay on after the Asian Cup? Is he good enough? When will the FFA give Aussies a go? How can he be a bad choice if so many players support him? (No need for the rhetorical questions jizz mopper we already knew that SBS had made up their mind on Arnold before he even started)
Blahdy blahdy blah.
Arnold embedded himself so deeply into the furniture at the FFA that when it got down to a choice between Verbeek and Philippe Troussier, Verbeek was the only viable choice because he was the only one of the two who was prepared to accept the condition that he work with Arnold.
Verbeek did so, he told me, because he had been assured by Hiddink that "Arnie" was a good man and a good operator.
Which he undoubtedly is.
The problem remains, however, and we saw it during the telecast of the Singapore game, that it is Arnold and not Verbeek that is still barking orders from the sideline. (Which is hardly surprising: he knows these players much more than Verbeek and is a valuable, trusted intermediary between his boss and the playing group.) (So even Verbeek is in charge it’s still Arnold’s fault. When will SBS’s fucking blame game end. John Howard lost the federal election because of Graham Arnold? Global Warming caused by Graham Arnold? Premature greying of Craig Foster’s hair caused by Graham Arnold?)
Certainly no-one could deny the role played by Arnold in such decisions as the continued faith put in Holman and Kisnorbo (just to name two beneficiaries of his patronage) but the freezing out of Carle, arguably the finest creative talent we have. (Have you watched a Bristol game this season? He aint that good. So calm yourself down from that hard on that you’re getting)
It is harnessing the right creative resources, not gathering cattle, that will be Verbeek's great challenge as he tries to get Australia to the 2010 World Cup.
What's Australia got for show-and-tell in Kunming?
In truth, not a lot.
Viduka: out. McDonald: out. Kennedy: out. Emerton: out. Sterjovski: out. Cahill: out. No Troisi. No Carle.
So where is the attacking impetus going to come?
Kewell, Bresciano, Holman and Carney.
Yet "K" is hardly 100 per cent, Bresh tires too quickly (even at sea level), and Holman blows hot and cold. Only Carney has been consistently threatening for the Socceroos of late.
Holman, to my mind, is the key. But what Holman we get to see is anyone's guess.
Given his man-of-the-match effort the last time Australian played China, he will most likely start. The guy had a blinder in Guangzhou. But that was a year ago. He's been largely ineffective since. Can he rediscover his mojo?
Obviating against a runaway win to the Aussies, too, is that fact that China coach Vladimir Petrovic will have closely analysed tapes of that encounter, which finished 2-0 to Australia, and surmised that the Socceroos are comfortable in attack but at sixes and sevens in defence. (wait but I thought the point of this article is that we don’t have enough attacking players. Maybe we can get Nicky Carle to play at centre back? You haven’t proposed even one defensive alternative)
When I wrote about that game last year for Fox Sports what struck me then was it very much a tale of two halves.
China made the mistake in that first half of allowing the Aussies to come to them, save for the occasional long ball, but then changed tack in the second 45 and assiduously maintained possession, working out from the back.
Arnold kept the same formation for the full 90 and China proceeded to cut shreds off Shane Steffanuto and Jade North down the right flank.
From recent history and choice of venue, expect Petrovic's strategy to be looking to hold the Aussies scoreless for the first half then stepping up the pressure in the second half when they've succumbed to the effects of altitude.
By the same token, though, the wily Verbeek (yet incredibly weak willed) will have watched the same tapes and be determined not to show his opposite number the same hand twice.
It's shaping up as one hell of a poker game (dickhead, your not even talking about the right sport now).
And that's what World Cup football is all about. Let's just pray our guy's holding all his cards (but we know he isn’t because Graham Arnold is holding them all for him).
The worst thing about this article is all the comments made on the TWG boards about it telling Jesse how right he is. Well Jesse, you’re a fucking bitter, bitter cunt and keep flying that Sydney SBS editorial line and telling yourself how much better you are than everyone else.
If you're like Half-Time Orange, there are some moments in life you just want to go back and relive. Getting married. Riding an elephant through an Indian forest. Drinking that bottle of Grange your dad bought for your 21st birthday. Then there are those moments you are glad to see the back of and will pay good money to your friends never to be reminded of again. That stripper at your buck's night. Eating "Rocky Mountain oysters". Watching the Socceroos in Singapore on Saturday night.
I'll concede it was the proverbial "gluepot" of a pitch, but really that would do a disservice to the Singaporeans, who managed to create some genuinely tense moments for the Diet Socceroos.
When a 38-year-old Bosnian canoeist called Aleksandar Duric is running rings around Michael Beauchamp, supposedly the future of our national-team defence, you know not everything is going to plan ahead of the World Cup qualifier in Kunming.
With Australia's three main strikers now absent from the WCQ against China, can someone explain to me why James Troisi, who was lively in Singapore and looked the most likely to score for the Australians all night, is not going to Yunnan yet Archie Thompson, who is more a danger to defenders with his moustache than his right foot, unaccountably is? (Yeah, two words fuck off. Archie proven goal scorer for Australia and Victory. A League top goal scorer. Fucking bullshit Sydney bias from SBS yet again)
My TWG colleague Les Murray wrote in his blog on Monday: "Slowly but surely the penny is dropping. Australia's golden generation, that which powered into the World Cup finals of 2006, and then into its knockout phase, is coming to an end. And, worse, the replenishing tier is not up to it… there is no depth."
With respect to Les, I'm not sure that's entirely the case. The main problem with the development of the national team seems to be that blokes like Thompson just won't move along (what the fuck is this? Why is Archie Thompson enemy number one? This was the guy who Guus believed was good enough to play for PSV (although granted he only played 15 minutes) and now he should retire. What did he do to deserve this? Probably bagged that stupid pointer they use for their highlights show). It's not Thompson's fault, of course. Someone picks him. The same someone who picks guys like Jacob Burns and Ryan Griffiths when they're never going to be World Cup material.
Why does it happen? Why are bolters for South Africa ignored (guys like Troisi, David Williams, Nicky Carle) and middle-of-the-road plodders put on such a pedestal (Brett Holman, Luke Wilkshire, Michael Beauchamp)? (Here’s a hint fuck stick, all three of the bolters are attacking players, specifically strikers or attacking midfielders while two of the plodders are defensive players. What formation were you planning on playing Jesse? 2-5-3?)
Les is right (there’s a phrase you have to get used to when working at SBS) to apportion blame at the FFA for failing to rebuild the Socceroos properly after the departure of Guus Hiddink in June 2006, but Graham Arnold (dan dern dern, insert evil music) is equally culpable for that vacuum by having turned his appointment to Hiddink's vacated job into a Mexican soap opera.
Should he stay on after the Asian Cup? Is he good enough? When will the FFA give Aussies a go? How can he be a bad choice if so many players support him? (No need for the rhetorical questions jizz mopper we already knew that SBS had made up their mind on Arnold before he even started)
Blahdy blahdy blah.
Arnold embedded himself so deeply into the furniture at the FFA that when it got down to a choice between Verbeek and Philippe Troussier, Verbeek was the only viable choice because he was the only one of the two who was prepared to accept the condition that he work with Arnold.
Verbeek did so, he told me, because he had been assured by Hiddink that "Arnie" was a good man and a good operator.
Which he undoubtedly is.
The problem remains, however, and we saw it during the telecast of the Singapore game, that it is Arnold and not Verbeek that is still barking orders from the sideline. (Which is hardly surprising: he knows these players much more than Verbeek and is a valuable, trusted intermediary between his boss and the playing group.) (So even Verbeek is in charge it’s still Arnold’s fault. When will SBS’s fucking blame game end. John Howard lost the federal election because of Graham Arnold? Global Warming caused by Graham Arnold? Premature greying of Craig Foster’s hair caused by Graham Arnold?)
Certainly no-one could deny the role played by Arnold in such decisions as the continued faith put in Holman and Kisnorbo (just to name two beneficiaries of his patronage) but the freezing out of Carle, arguably the finest creative talent we have. (Have you watched a Bristol game this season? He aint that good. So calm yourself down from that hard on that you’re getting)
It is harnessing the right creative resources, not gathering cattle, that will be Verbeek's great challenge as he tries to get Australia to the 2010 World Cup.
What's Australia got for show-and-tell in Kunming?
In truth, not a lot.
Viduka: out. McDonald: out. Kennedy: out. Emerton: out. Sterjovski: out. Cahill: out. No Troisi. No Carle.
So where is the attacking impetus going to come?
Kewell, Bresciano, Holman and Carney.
Yet "K" is hardly 100 per cent, Bresh tires too quickly (even at sea level), and Holman blows hot and cold. Only Carney has been consistently threatening for the Socceroos of late.
Holman, to my mind, is the key. But what Holman we get to see is anyone's guess.
Given his man-of-the-match effort the last time Australian played China, he will most likely start. The guy had a blinder in Guangzhou. But that was a year ago. He's been largely ineffective since. Can he rediscover his mojo?
Obviating against a runaway win to the Aussies, too, is that fact that China coach Vladimir Petrovic will have closely analysed tapes of that encounter, which finished 2-0 to Australia, and surmised that the Socceroos are comfortable in attack but at sixes and sevens in defence. (wait but I thought the point of this article is that we don’t have enough attacking players. Maybe we can get Nicky Carle to play at centre back? You haven’t proposed even one defensive alternative)
When I wrote about that game last year for Fox Sports what struck me then was it very much a tale of two halves.
China made the mistake in that first half of allowing the Aussies to come to them, save for the occasional long ball, but then changed tack in the second 45 and assiduously maintained possession, working out from the back.
Arnold kept the same formation for the full 90 and China proceeded to cut shreds off Shane Steffanuto and Jade North down the right flank.
From recent history and choice of venue, expect Petrovic's strategy to be looking to hold the Aussies scoreless for the first half then stepping up the pressure in the second half when they've succumbed to the effects of altitude.
By the same token, though, the wily Verbeek (yet incredibly weak willed) will have watched the same tapes and be determined not to show his opposite number the same hand twice.
It's shaping up as one hell of a poker game (dickhead, your not even talking about the right sport now).
And that's what World Cup football is all about. Let's just pray our guy's holding all his cards (but we know he isn’t because Graham Arnold is holding them all for him).
The worst thing about this article is all the comments made on the TWG boards about it telling Jesse how right he is. Well Jesse, you’re a fucking bitter, bitter cunt and keep flying that Sydney SBS editorial line and telling yourself how much better you are than everyone else.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
In Defense of Muscat
Long before he was known as a gnarly, tough guy enforcer who could make silky strikers shake in their boots, Kevin Muscat was just a baby-faced kid from Melbourne who carried the hopes of a nation.
GettyImages
Young Socceroo Kevin Muscat, complete with Mullet, ahead of the match between Australia and Korea in 1993.
The year was 1993 and Muscat was captain of an Australian under-20 side that was over-performing on home soil at the world youth championships. For a very small window, football rode an unfamiliar wave of popularity as the young Socceroos defied predictions to reach the semi-finals with victories over Colombia, Russia and Uruguay. Muscat, along with future senior internationals like Craig Moore, Paul Agostino and Ante Milicic, stood tall. Not even a semi-final loss to Brazil and subsequent defeat to England in the third-place playoff could dim Australia's bright overall performance and excitement about the sport's future. The tournament turned out to be another of Australian soccer's false dawns - pre-World Cup 2006 - but it did signal Muscat's unquestioned captaincy qualities. Even at the age of 19, Muskie was a born leader. I covered the Brisbane games of the tournament for Australian broadcaster SBS-TV and distinctly remember fellow defenders Muscat and the much younger Moore sitting together at the front of the team bus. Even then, Muscat oozed confidence and spoke assuredly in front of our cameras. Fifteen years later, the pair are back from long careers in Europe and playing out their twilight days, captaining rival A-League teams as football across Australia enjoys a surge in interest that few people would have predicted 15 years ago. Muscat, who turns 35 in August, shows no signs of easing up as he leads Melbourne Victory in their inaugural AFC Champions League campaign during the second year of involvement by Australian clubs. The tournament promises to be a chance of instant redemption for the men from Melbourne after finishing an unsatisfying fifth in the A-League after sweeping all before them the season before. And Victory made a perfect start to their campaign with a 2-0 home win against Korea's Chunnam Dragons, with Muscat scoring a first half penalty. For some, the Melbourne captain is no more than an on-field bully boy, whose career, at club and international level, is littered with crude challenges, terrible tackles and a raft of red cards. Former French coach Roger Lemerre once described a tackle on Christophe Dugarry that left the striker with a serious knee injury in a 2001 friendly as 'an act of brutality'. From his playing days in England, he had high-profile run-ins with the likes of Ian Wright and Craig Bellamy. Former Birmingham manager Martin Grainger dubbed Muscat as 'the most hated man in football' and in 2004 he reached an out-of-court settlement reported to be £250,000 with ex-Charlton player Matty Holmes from an incident six years earlier. But to dismiss Muscat as a terrorising thug who resorts to brute force to make up for a lack of finesse is as inaccurate as it is unfair. His European club highlights include winning the treble with Rangers in the 2002-2003 season and captaining Championship side Millwall to the 2004 FA Cup final (although Muscat missed the 3-0 loss to Manchester United because of a knee injury.) Fellow Socceroo Tim Cahill was a teammate. While there is no doubt that he has overstepped the mark too many times, Muscat is also a clever, influential and versatile player who can seamlessly switch from the Melbourne defence to midfield when the need arises. The ultimate pro, he also has an enviable penalty-taking record in the A-League, having never missed a spot kick in 15 attempts over three years. Former Sydney FC coach Terry Butcher, who, like Muscat, was a defender in successful Rangers teams, is a big admirer. 'Every manager in the A-League would love to have Kevin, and I'm no exception,' Butcher, the ex-England defender, told the Sydney Morning Herald in 2006. 'He's the Roy Keane, the Graeme Souness. He rules by fear to a certain degree.' At international level, Muscat was capped 51 times, scoring 10 times, including the goal that gave Australia a 1-0 first-leg victory in Melbourne against Uruguay in a play-off for the 2002 World Cup. The South Americans ended up winning the play-off 3-1 on aggregate after a 3-0 romp in Montevideo a few days later. A year before Australia's successful run at the 2006 World Cup, Muscat was a regular member of the Socceroos side, one of the first picked by Frank Farina. But after Guus Hiddink's arrival, the defence was reshaped and Muscat was discarded.
GettyImages
Skipper Kevin Muscat receives his marching orders back in 2005 with Melbourne
He did earn a recall for an Asian Cup qualifier in August 2006, captaining the Socceroos to a 2-0 victory over Kuwait when many of Australia's European-based stars were unavailable. And, in February of this year, after being part of Pim Verbeek's expanded training squad for the opening World Cup qualifier, he seemed on the verge of a bench spot in a full strength Socceroos line-up, only to miss the final cut again. An understandably disappointed Muscat announced his international retirement immediately afterwards. His loyalty to his country, and countrymen, has been at the heart of Muscat's colourful career. He admits: 'Most of my best times in football have been shared with fellow Aussies.' The comment took me back to that bus in Brisbane 15 years ago where Muscat sat in the front seats with Moore, whose face was bruised and bloody after an off-the-ball incident involving a Uruguayan midfielder in the quarterfinals of the world youth championships. Earlier that day, as Moore - who was barely 17 and more than two years younger - stood dazed and bloodied on the Lang Park pitch, Muscat vowed to his teammate that he'd settle the score. But from a corner soon afterwards, the same Uruguayan punched Muscat in the face, dislocating his jaw. Even so, both Muscat and Moore helped Australia win the game, 2-1, after an Anthony Carbone golden goal in extra-time. And the opposing midfielder? He left the field injured after coming off second-best in a tackle with the young Socceroos' captain. Now Asia's best are getting a dose of Melbourne's 'Muscat love'.
Q: Kevin, you've played in various leagues and cups in Europe. What are your expectations of the AFC Champions League and how high should the Victory be aiming in this uncharted territory?
A: Uncharted territory it certainly is, but we're embracing the challenge. We ended the season quite well but missing out on the A-League finals left a bad taste in our mouths. This gives us a chance to show our fans - the best in the country - what we can do. But it's tough as we're competing against teams with a much broader base and foundations with no salary caps and no restrictions.
Q: You've reached veteran status yet you show no sign of slowing down. How have you matured and developed as a footballer and what are your thoughts on the growth of football in Australia since the A-League?
A: I don't think I've changed too much as a player but obviously my body doesn't allow me to do the same things as it used to. The first A-League season was bitterly disappointing but it was great to help Melbourne become the first club in the country to win the final and the league competition in the second season. As for the crowds and support, they've been a blessing. How many Aussies playing around the world can say they play regularly before 40-50,000 crowds as we did in the second season?
Q: Your career has stretched almost 20 years now. What would you consider to be your top 3 career highlights?
A: I haven't given it too much thought, but I would say scoring in that 2002 World Cup qualifier when we beat Uruguay in Melbourne, the FA Cup run with Millwall when we made the 2004 Final, a great achievement for a Championship side, and winning the treble with Rangers (in the 2002-2003 season). Craig Moore was part of that team too. Most of my best times in football have been shared with fellow Aussies.
GettyImages
Muscat celebrates with Shaun Murphy after the win against Uruguay in 2001.
Q: You've often had the job of being a kind of enforcer at your respective clubs. Do you have any regrets, looking back over your career?
A: Not really. I don't think you can look back like that. Maybe there are several things you may have changed if you could, but no regrets.
Q: How disappointing was it not to make the final Socceroos cut for the World Cup qualifier against Qatar? Would you consider making an international comeback if your country needed you?
A: That's water under the bridge now. I was bitterly disappointed at the time, but it was just one of those things. I had a lot of discussions with the manager and I was there (in the squad) right until the last day. Then he changed his mind. But I have the utmost respect for Pim Verbeek. He pulled me aside and showed a lot of respect. I'm not bitter and twisted about what happened. But at this point, I can't see myself changing my mind (about coming out of international retirement). My main priority at the moment is Melbourne Victory and helping them become the first Australian team to make the second round of the Asian Champions League.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Words from West Ham's New Football Director Nani (no not the portugese guy who has pubes growing out of his head)
New West Ham United technical chief Gianluca Nani has revealed to fans what he is capable of
He told WHUTV: "I think we did a good job because we brought some Italian players to be world champions like [Andrea] Pirlo and [Luca] Toni. Other players that were in the national team like [Aimo] Diana, [Daniele] Bonera, [Stefano] Mauri, or players ... like Matuzalem, [Stephen] Appiah, [Marek] Hamsik, [Fabiano] Santacroce, [Danny] Szetela, [Gilberto] Martinez, [Andrea] Carraciolo."
He will "try to do the same job" in east London, but stressed there was a key difference.
"Brescia was a small club and to try to survive, they have to sell players each year. Here at West Ham we have another ambition, the ambition is to try to build a team on and off the field ... We have to build a structure able to find players. Young players and senior players and step by step try to grow each year. We have to work hard, step by step."
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Aus Rumors
1. Australian International Jason Culina is being talked of as a possible Premier League Target with Aston Villa, Manchester City and Portsmouth among the most interested parties.
2. Former Qld Roar Striker and current Olyroo David Williams is set to sign a one year deal with Melbourne Victory. Williams will link up with current Olyroo team-mates Nick Ward, Billy Celeski and Leigh Broxham.
3. Ben Vidaic who has been recently released from Sydney Fc is tipped to join Perth GLory. Dave Mitchell has seen him play for a while and wants him to help Perth score more goals.
4. Kristian Sarkies, unwanted by Adelaide for 2008/2009 season will sign with the Central Coast Mariners. Sarkies, described as "an awesome player" will replace Tommy Pondeljak who joined Melbourne Victory recently. and Lawrie would bring out the best in him. While teh Mariners already have a number of "deadball" specialists in Jedinak and Mrdja, Sarkies will provide even more options and is also a renowned corner taker.
5. Rumour has it that the new deal being offered to Roar 'keeper Liam Reddy is still inadequate for him to resign with them. The Perth Glory are rumoured to be interested in giving him the ample long term contract he desires due to their apprehension to resign Jason Petkovic as their number 1. The Roar are reportedly keen to keep Reddy at their club and will most likely re-evaluate his offer.
6. Ezra Hendrickson, defender for MLS Team Columbus Crew, may be the next Marquee player for the Perth Glory. Hendrickson, who is from the St. Vincent & the Grenadine (129 caps; 44 goals), has apparently been in talks with David Mitchell for the 2008-2009 season. Perth’s currant Marquee player, Stan Lazaridis is expected to stay, and have his contract renewed.
7. Waived New York defender Francis Doe has flown to Perth for a trial with Glory Football Club. Its said that the coach doesnt want to waste an illustrious foreigner spot on a player not worth it.
8. Wellington Phoenix FC have signed midfielder Jeff Campbell on a one year contract.Wellington are also eyeing Ben Sigmund but have encouraged striker Jarrod Smith to take up a contract offer from Toronto fc
9. Vieri who is playing in Italy with Fiorentina is heading to the A-league to be the long awaited marquee striker for Wellington Phoenix. It is a major coup for the New Zealand club who needed another striker for supurb striker Shane Smeltz who hit nine for the Phoenix in their first season in the A-league. Vieri's contract will be for 2 years and will have undisclosed amount but is expected to be around the same as Aloisi's Sydney contract. This is the second to last piece of the puzzle to the Phoenix puzzle after the signings of Australians Durante and Mckain who is an exellent recruit for them, New Zealand international Leo Bertos and LeiLei Gao the Chinese who played seven games for the ill-fated Knights. A right-back is expected to be announced next week it is to be believed that it is a player from the NSL.
West Ham Rumors
1. Southampton have signed West Ham United goalkeeper Richard Wright.
The England cap joins Saints on a month's loan and West Ham's goalkeeping coach Ludek Miklosko said: "Richard is a fantastic lad and we thought he just needs to play. There was an opportunity for him to get some games and I just wish him luck.
"Hopefully he will do well. That's what he needs. He has definitely helped Robert this season. He has pushed him hard and is a great goalkeeper. He has a great attitude."
2. West Ham United and Celtic are eyeing Rennes defender John Mensah.
Rennes are prepared to cash in on the Ghana international in the summer and the stopper is keen to continue his career in the UK.
3. West Ham United striker Dean Ashton must prove his worth in the remainder of the season if he wants a pay-rise.
The Times says the club would prefer to wait for Ashton - who has been plagued by injury - to return to the kind of form that earned him an England call-up before extending his deal, which has two years remaining.
4. West Ham United chief executive Scott Duxbury says the club's finances won't be affected by the present difficulties in the banking sector.
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, the West Ham chairman, has a significant stake in Landsbanki, an Icelandic bank.
"I think his wealth has gone down from £1.2 billion to £1.1 billion, so I don't think he has too much to worry about," Duxbury said.
5. West Ham United chief Scott Duxbury says they're unlikely to spend big in the summer market.
"I think when all our players are fit and we can play Dean Ashton up front with Craig Bellamy or Freddie Sears, when Julien Faubert gets a chance, when we can play Scott Parker and Kieron Dyer in midfield, then we are capable of making the top six, and that is our aim," Duxbury said. "I think there will be money for signings, but I am not sure we want to use it."
The club spent about £18 million in the January transfer window last season and about £30 million in the summer, although much of that was recouped in sales. The summer arrivals, such as Fredrik Ljungberg, Parker, Bellamy and Dyer, signed for relatively high wages as the club made a considerable investment in the expectation of success. The club did not sign a player in the January transfer window.
"If we bring in big-money signings, then we are not going to see the players who we have already get a chance to show what they can do," Duxbury told The Times. "What sort of message are we sending out to Sears if we buy another big-money striker? Obviously, we will look to bring in players where we need a bit of cover, but perhaps we will bring in a younger striker and let him learn from the more experienced players."
The England cap joins Saints on a month's loan and West Ham's goalkeeping coach Ludek Miklosko said: "Richard is a fantastic lad and we thought he just needs to play. There was an opportunity for him to get some games and I just wish him luck.
"Hopefully he will do well. That's what he needs. He has definitely helped Robert this season. He has pushed him hard and is a great goalkeeper. He has a great attitude."
2. West Ham United and Celtic are eyeing Rennes defender John Mensah.
Rennes are prepared to cash in on the Ghana international in the summer and the stopper is keen to continue his career in the UK.
3. West Ham United striker Dean Ashton must prove his worth in the remainder of the season if he wants a pay-rise.
The Times says the club would prefer to wait for Ashton - who has been plagued by injury - to return to the kind of form that earned him an England call-up before extending his deal, which has two years remaining.
4. West Ham United chief executive Scott Duxbury says the club's finances won't be affected by the present difficulties in the banking sector.
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, the West Ham chairman, has a significant stake in Landsbanki, an Icelandic bank.
"I think his wealth has gone down from £1.2 billion to £1.1 billion, so I don't think he has too much to worry about," Duxbury said.
5. West Ham United chief Scott Duxbury says they're unlikely to spend big in the summer market.
"I think when all our players are fit and we can play Dean Ashton up front with Craig Bellamy or Freddie Sears, when Julien Faubert gets a chance, when we can play Scott Parker and Kieron Dyer in midfield, then we are capable of making the top six, and that is our aim," Duxbury said. "I think there will be money for signings, but I am not sure we want to use it."
The club spent about £18 million in the January transfer window last season and about £30 million in the summer, although much of that was recouped in sales. The summer arrivals, such as Fredrik Ljungberg, Parker, Bellamy and Dyer, signed for relatively high wages as the club made a considerable investment in the expectation of success. The club did not sign a player in the January transfer window.
"If we bring in big-money signings, then we are not going to see the players who we have already get a chance to show what they can do," Duxbury told The Times. "What sort of message are we sending out to Sears if we buy another big-money striker? Obviously, we will look to bring in players where we need a bit of cover, but perhaps we will bring in a younger striker and let him learn from the more experienced players."
Monday, March 17, 2008
A League Rumors
1. Ryan Griffiths is set to reunite with his two brothers Joel and Adam at the Newcastle Jets with the jets agreeing to a transfer deal with former club Rapid Bucharest. The jets were able to offer Griffiths a better deal after the loss of several key players. The jets are also lunching a recruiting operation in europe and south america and could sign as many as 4 players for Version 4
2. Brendan Santalab could be heading to Leeds United on loan. Leeds are in need of a striker with pace and his move could be made permenant if he does well.
3. Word in Germany and Spain is that Josh Kennedy's good form recently has Real Madrid circuling, the club is believed to be interested in Kennedy's aerial presence and unique playing style
4. After recent big money signings and weeks of speculation Sydney FC have said thanks but no thanks to veteran defender Tony Popovic,Popovic's departure gives FC a lot more room to move under the salary cap.
5. Adelaide United are within Days of Anouncing that out of favour dutchman Bobby Petta will have his import spot filled by Anderson Marques of Brazil, He is a tall, quick 25 year old central/right defender.The contract is one year with second year option if 60% of games played.
6. Rumour circulating the lips of many Crystal Palace fans is that Terry McFlynn may be heading back to England at the end of the 2008/2009 A-League season to join Coca-Cola championship side Crystal Palace. McFlynn’s contract to Sydney FC ends at the end of this coming season, and Sydney aren’t all that interested in re-signing him. He may have been influenced by former Australian defender and current Sydney FC captain Tony Popovic who used to play for the Eagles.
7. The Jets are set to bring back midfielder Adrian Madaschi to the HAL after a stint in Italy in the lower divisions.
8. The news out of the UK is that Harry Kewell will sign for Celtic at the end of this season. Harry is believed to be happy with the Scottish lifestyle and the fact that Scotland is an English speaking country is a big factor for Kewell's decision. He has had interest from Spain and Italy but it looks as though he will join Scott McDonald at Celtic Park.
2. Brendan Santalab could be heading to Leeds United on loan. Leeds are in need of a striker with pace and his move could be made permenant if he does well.
3. Word in Germany and Spain is that Josh Kennedy's good form recently has Real Madrid circuling, the club is believed to be interested in Kennedy's aerial presence and unique playing style
4. After recent big money signings and weeks of speculation Sydney FC have said thanks but no thanks to veteran defender Tony Popovic,Popovic's departure gives FC a lot more room to move under the salary cap.
5. Adelaide United are within Days of Anouncing that out of favour dutchman Bobby Petta will have his import spot filled by Anderson Marques of Brazil, He is a tall, quick 25 year old central/right defender.The contract is one year with second year option if 60% of games played.
6. Rumour circulating the lips of many Crystal Palace fans is that Terry McFlynn may be heading back to England at the end of the 2008/2009 A-League season to join Coca-Cola championship side Crystal Palace. McFlynn’s contract to Sydney FC ends at the end of this coming season, and Sydney aren’t all that interested in re-signing him. He may have been influenced by former Australian defender and current Sydney FC captain Tony Popovic who used to play for the Eagles.
7. The Jets are set to bring back midfielder Adrian Madaschi to the HAL after a stint in Italy in the lower divisions.
8. The news out of the UK is that Harry Kewell will sign for Celtic at the end of this season. Harry is believed to be happy with the Scottish lifestyle and the fact that Scotland is an English speaking country is a big factor for Kewell's decision. He has had interest from Spain and Italy but it looks as though he will join Scott McDonald at Celtic Park.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
ESPN: Danny Boy's Asian Ambition
The media conference in Sydney had been scheduled for 11am with a bombshell about to be dropped: Mark Viduka was retiring from international football and Danny Allsopp would take his place in the Socceroo squad.
The date was June 15th, 2007. And, as it turned out, the event never happened.
Then Australia coach Graham Arnold talked the big Newcastle striker into changing his mind at the last moment and the conference was cancelled. Viduka captained Australia at the Asian Cup in Thailand and Vietnam, while Allsopp remained an unused standby player.
The close call marked a missed opportunity for the 29-year-old Melbourne Victory striker, who's been patiently biding his time after excelling for Australia at youth level. He won the Golden Boot at the 1995 World Under-17 Championships in Ecuador, scoring five goals - and also represented his country in Under-20 and Under-23 teams.
Allsopp's one and only senior cap came just before last year's Asian Cup when he came on as a 78th minute substitute in the 2-1 defeat against Uruguay in Sydney.
Now, with resources likely to be stretched in Australia's 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, Allsopp gets the chance to impress national coach Pim Verbeek with Melbourne embarking on their inaugural AFC Champions League campaign.
With the A-League season over, the Asian performances of Allsopp - along with teammate Archie Thompson and Adelaide's Paul Agostino - will be closely monitored as Verbeek looks at possible options up front in support of his Europe-based strikers. Newcastle Jets forward Joel Griffiths, the league's top-scorer, is at a disadvantage with the premiers inactive until next season.
As for Viduka, his international future - along with his immediate club career - remains in an ambiguous and frustrating limbo.
The AFC Champions League marks a potentially pivotal time for Allsopp: to once and for all shake his journeyman or 'nearly man' tag. If he can score against the top Asian club sides, especially away from home, Verbeek will almost certainly sit up and take notice.
His club coach, Ernie Merrick, swears by the tall striker who spent seven years bouncing around England's lower leagues with clubs like Notts County, Hull City and Manchester City in the days of Joe Royle.
Merrick stuck by Allsopp when his 20 games in Melbourne's first A-League campaign yielded just three goals. The following season, Allsopp vindicated the coach's faith by scoring 12 times - including a league-high 11 in the regular season - as the Victory marched to the title.
His third season saw Allsopp struggling with sickness and injuries, including painful broken ribs. He was also affected by the departure of Brazilian playmaker, Fred, for MLS club, DC United.
Even so, he found his form late in the season as Melbourne made a late run for the finals, producing seven goals. Victory garnered 10 points out of a possible 12 in their final four matches but still missed out on the playoffs, finishing fifth.
Merrick continued to sing Allsopp's praises and nominated him more than once for national selection. Any hint of criticism from Melbourne's demanding media corps was quickly struck down by the no-nonsense Scotsman.
'He's been a great player for us and will continue to be so,' Merrick said in January before ubruptly ending a press conference when the subject of Allsopp's performance was raised.
With the Victory commanding the A-League's biggest crowds - they averaged more than 26,000 per game in the 2007-2008 season - high-profile players like Allsopp, fellow striker Archie Thompson and captain Kevin Muscat, are constantly under scrutiny in Australia's unofficial sporting capital. Club officials are hoping that the bigger home games in the upcoming AFC Champions League campaign might attract more than 40,000 fans.
Allsopp predicts that Melbourne's strong finish to the A-League season will help them in Asia. In his interview with ESPNsoccernet, he also talks about how he and Thompson have learned to work together and says a current English Premier League manager is the toughest defender he's ever played against.
Q: Danny, why did the Melbourne Victory miss out on the A-League Finals after your triumphant run the season before? Are things looking better for the AFC Champions League?
A: As far as the AFC Champions League is concerned, we really lifted at the end of the season. We finished with three wins on the trot and a draw but it was a bit too late for the finals. We drew too many games earlier in the season and we just struggled to click the way we did last season. We managed to turn things around at the end of the season, so hopefully it will put us in good shape for the AFC Champions League.
Q: You are one of a handful of strikers on the fringes of national selection. What might make you stand out from the rest?
A: Hopefully if I can keep scoring goals like I did towards the end of the season and I'll just see what happens like I always do. I have to keep trying and doing my best. I just hope that strengths of my game are noticed by the coach.
Q: How have you and Archie Thompson developed such a good strike partnership? How do your styles complement each other?
A: We're pretty much opposite in terms of styles. We worked hard on our partnership and it didn't really click that well in the first season, but we both made changes for each other and we got a really good understanding. There's a difference of how we are physically but it's a good partnership where he can work off me as well, so it's become ideal.
Q: What do you consider to be the highlight of your seven years playing in Britain? Who was the best defender you faced?
A: There were a lot of highlights. I had a really good time at Hull City when we were promoted. Being a major part of that team, I just really enjoyed the whole place, so that was the highlight that sticks out the most. The best defender was probably Gareth Southgate. I just remember thinking on the day he was always one step ahead all the time and it was a really difficult playing against him.
Q: Are you surprised at how the Melbourne Victory and the A-League in general have taken off and how do you like your cult status with the Victory fans?
A: It was a little bit surprising but now it sort of seems normal. From the early days and being here from nearly the start of the club, there was basically nothing and how we've grown in such a short time is surprising. The number of fans we have is amazing and it's great to be part of it in my home city.
I don't know about a cult status or anything like that. You just try and do your best in the games and I try not to get too involved in all the crowd stuff, but I certainly enjoy playing when we've got such tremendous support.
The date was June 15th, 2007. And, as it turned out, the event never happened.
Then Australia coach Graham Arnold talked the big Newcastle striker into changing his mind at the last moment and the conference was cancelled. Viduka captained Australia at the Asian Cup in Thailand and Vietnam, while Allsopp remained an unused standby player.
The close call marked a missed opportunity for the 29-year-old Melbourne Victory striker, who's been patiently biding his time after excelling for Australia at youth level. He won the Golden Boot at the 1995 World Under-17 Championships in Ecuador, scoring five goals - and also represented his country in Under-20 and Under-23 teams.
Allsopp's one and only senior cap came just before last year's Asian Cup when he came on as a 78th minute substitute in the 2-1 defeat against Uruguay in Sydney.
Now, with resources likely to be stretched in Australia's 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, Allsopp gets the chance to impress national coach Pim Verbeek with Melbourne embarking on their inaugural AFC Champions League campaign.
With the A-League season over, the Asian performances of Allsopp - along with teammate Archie Thompson and Adelaide's Paul Agostino - will be closely monitored as Verbeek looks at possible options up front in support of his Europe-based strikers. Newcastle Jets forward Joel Griffiths, the league's top-scorer, is at a disadvantage with the premiers inactive until next season.
As for Viduka, his international future - along with his immediate club career - remains in an ambiguous and frustrating limbo.
The AFC Champions League marks a potentially pivotal time for Allsopp: to once and for all shake his journeyman or 'nearly man' tag. If he can score against the top Asian club sides, especially away from home, Verbeek will almost certainly sit up and take notice.
His club coach, Ernie Merrick, swears by the tall striker who spent seven years bouncing around England's lower leagues with clubs like Notts County, Hull City and Manchester City in the days of Joe Royle.
Merrick stuck by Allsopp when his 20 games in Melbourne's first A-League campaign yielded just three goals. The following season, Allsopp vindicated the coach's faith by scoring 12 times - including a league-high 11 in the regular season - as the Victory marched to the title.
His third season saw Allsopp struggling with sickness and injuries, including painful broken ribs. He was also affected by the departure of Brazilian playmaker, Fred, for MLS club, DC United.
Even so, he found his form late in the season as Melbourne made a late run for the finals, producing seven goals. Victory garnered 10 points out of a possible 12 in their final four matches but still missed out on the playoffs, finishing fifth.
Merrick continued to sing Allsopp's praises and nominated him more than once for national selection. Any hint of criticism from Melbourne's demanding media corps was quickly struck down by the no-nonsense Scotsman.
'He's been a great player for us and will continue to be so,' Merrick said in January before ubruptly ending a press conference when the subject of Allsopp's performance was raised.
With the Victory commanding the A-League's biggest crowds - they averaged more than 26,000 per game in the 2007-2008 season - high-profile players like Allsopp, fellow striker Archie Thompson and captain Kevin Muscat, are constantly under scrutiny in Australia's unofficial sporting capital. Club officials are hoping that the bigger home games in the upcoming AFC Champions League campaign might attract more than 40,000 fans.
Allsopp predicts that Melbourne's strong finish to the A-League season will help them in Asia. In his interview with ESPNsoccernet, he also talks about how he and Thompson have learned to work together and says a current English Premier League manager is the toughest defender he's ever played against.
Q: Danny, why did the Melbourne Victory miss out on the A-League Finals after your triumphant run the season before? Are things looking better for the AFC Champions League?
A: As far as the AFC Champions League is concerned, we really lifted at the end of the season. We finished with three wins on the trot and a draw but it was a bit too late for the finals. We drew too many games earlier in the season and we just struggled to click the way we did last season. We managed to turn things around at the end of the season, so hopefully it will put us in good shape for the AFC Champions League.
Q: You are one of a handful of strikers on the fringes of national selection. What might make you stand out from the rest?
A: Hopefully if I can keep scoring goals like I did towards the end of the season and I'll just see what happens like I always do. I have to keep trying and doing my best. I just hope that strengths of my game are noticed by the coach.
Q: How have you and Archie Thompson developed such a good strike partnership? How do your styles complement each other?
A: We're pretty much opposite in terms of styles. We worked hard on our partnership and it didn't really click that well in the first season, but we both made changes for each other and we got a really good understanding. There's a difference of how we are physically but it's a good partnership where he can work off me as well, so it's become ideal.
Q: What do you consider to be the highlight of your seven years playing in Britain? Who was the best defender you faced?
A: There were a lot of highlights. I had a really good time at Hull City when we were promoted. Being a major part of that team, I just really enjoyed the whole place, so that was the highlight that sticks out the most. The best defender was probably Gareth Southgate. I just remember thinking on the day he was always one step ahead all the time and it was a really difficult playing against him.
Q: Are you surprised at how the Melbourne Victory and the A-League in general have taken off and how do you like your cult status with the Victory fans?
A: It was a little bit surprising but now it sort of seems normal. From the early days and being here from nearly the start of the club, there was basically nothing and how we've grown in such a short time is surprising. The number of fans we have is amazing and it's great to be part of it in my home city.
I don't know about a cult status or anything like that. You just try and do your best in the games and I try not to get too involved in all the crowd stuff, but I certainly enjoy playing when we've got such tremendous support.
West Ham Posts. What a fucking win
1. West Ham boss Alan Curbishley saluted Freddie Sears' dream debut as the teenager ended the Hammers miserable run of results by scoring the winner against Blackburn at Upton Park.
With a point each looking likely, West Ham boss Curbishley threw on Sears with a quarter-of-an hour left - and his goal came six minutes later.
"The goalkeeper saved it, but Freddie didn't stop - he carried on," said Curbishley.
"If you stop then it's lost."
Curbishley tried a formation in training for the Rovers game, with Sears starting in attack after the teenager had impressed against first-team defenders.
"He tormented them in training," Curbishley admitted.
Sears thought he was going to start and invited his mother and father to watch the Barclays Premier League clash - but Bobby Zamora took a pain-killing injection for his blisters and was given the nod instead.
The teenager's goal moved West Ham closer to the pack chasing European qualification, and also reminded Curbishley of a goal early in his career.
"I scored in my second game and was taken home because John Lyall didn't want me going back on the bus," he remembered.
"It's all change now, and Freddie will probably jump in a 'Hummer'.
"He's got a debut to dream about. Someone said the drinks are on him, but I'm not sure if he can get in the pub.
"He's been here forever. I saw a bit of him last year, and he's come on a bundle since pre-season and has been training with the first team. Everyone has to be given a chance."
2. West Ham United boss Alan Curbishey has defended his signings this season.
Curbishley rejected the men he signed had a history of fitness problems.
ord=Math.random()*10000000000000000;document.write('');
He said: "You can't tell me Kieron Dyer was injury-prone. He played for 18 months solidly at Newcastle before he came here, got in the England squad and then he breaks his leg in two places. Nobody talks about that though - Eduardo does the same thing and everyone talks about it.
"Then there is Faubert, who ruptured his Achilles. Scott [Parker] took hits to his knee, Bellamy has never had this stomach problem before, while [James] Collins did his cruciates. Others have had wear and tear.
"We have had eight, nine sometimes 10 injuries per week. We have just been damned unlucky.
"While I don't want to keep using that as an excuse because it's disrespectful to the other players who have played, these are big players for us to lose."
3. Portsmouth and West Ham United are keeping tabs on Udinese midfielder Gaetano D'Agostino.
The 25 year-old could emerge as one of Gianluca Nani's first signings as West Ham's new technical director.
And some domestic news on our favourite little pedo:
EXCLUSIVE: It's understood former Sydney FC coach Branko Culina is on the radar of at least two clubs in Asia. The former technical director of Football NSW had been linked with the job at Gold Coast Galaxy until the franchise's bid for next season was rejected by FFA.
Culina's Sydney caught the eye in last season's Asian Champions League group stages with a surprisingly competitive campaign despite a difficult lead in. Culina took over from Terry Butcher just three weeks before the side's first ACL match against China's Shanghai Shenhua. Butcher had been sacked following season two of the A-League where the side exited at the minor semi stage. Culina inherited a squad down on confidence that had been playing an ugly brand of football under the former English international.
However, he managed to transform the side and in his first match against the Chinese side conjured up an impressive 2-1 away win in the club's ACL debut. This was followed by a 2-2 draw at home to eventual ACL champions Urawa Red Diamonds in one of the most entertaining games of the group. Sydney went on to push the J-League powerhouse and were only knocked out on the final match day in May after a gutsy 0-0 draw away to Urawa in Saitama. Culina was sacked midway through last season's A-League shortly after Andrew Kemeny was appointed club chairman. He subsequently appointed John Kosmina as coach. Sydney was knocked out of the finals by Queensland Roar at the minor semi final stage last month.
With a point each looking likely, West Ham boss Curbishley threw on Sears with a quarter-of-an hour left - and his goal came six minutes later.
"The goalkeeper saved it, but Freddie didn't stop - he carried on," said Curbishley.
"If you stop then it's lost."
Curbishley tried a formation in training for the Rovers game, with Sears starting in attack after the teenager had impressed against first-team defenders.
"He tormented them in training," Curbishley admitted.
Sears thought he was going to start and invited his mother and father to watch the Barclays Premier League clash - but Bobby Zamora took a pain-killing injection for his blisters and was given the nod instead.
The teenager's goal moved West Ham closer to the pack chasing European qualification, and also reminded Curbishley of a goal early in his career.
"I scored in my second game and was taken home because John Lyall didn't want me going back on the bus," he remembered.
"It's all change now, and Freddie will probably jump in a 'Hummer'.
"He's got a debut to dream about. Someone said the drinks are on him, but I'm not sure if he can get in the pub.
"He's been here forever. I saw a bit of him last year, and he's come on a bundle since pre-season and has been training with the first team. Everyone has to be given a chance."
2. West Ham United boss Alan Curbishey has defended his signings this season.
Curbishley rejected the men he signed had a history of fitness problems.
ord=Math.random()*10000000000000000;document.write('');
He said: "You can't tell me Kieron Dyer was injury-prone. He played for 18 months solidly at Newcastle before he came here, got in the England squad and then he breaks his leg in two places. Nobody talks about that though - Eduardo does the same thing and everyone talks about it.
"Then there is Faubert, who ruptured his Achilles. Scott [Parker] took hits to his knee, Bellamy has never had this stomach problem before, while [James] Collins did his cruciates. Others have had wear and tear.
"We have had eight, nine sometimes 10 injuries per week. We have just been damned unlucky.
"While I don't want to keep using that as an excuse because it's disrespectful to the other players who have played, these are big players for us to lose."
3. Portsmouth and West Ham United are keeping tabs on Udinese midfielder Gaetano D'Agostino.
The 25 year-old could emerge as one of Gianluca Nani's first signings as West Ham's new technical director.
And some domestic news on our favourite little pedo:
EXCLUSIVE: It's understood former Sydney FC coach Branko Culina is on the radar of at least two clubs in Asia. The former technical director of Football NSW had been linked with the job at Gold Coast Galaxy until the franchise's bid for next season was rejected by FFA.
Culina's Sydney caught the eye in last season's Asian Champions League group stages with a surprisingly competitive campaign despite a difficult lead in. Culina took over from Terry Butcher just three weeks before the side's first ACL match against China's Shanghai Shenhua. Butcher had been sacked following season two of the A-League where the side exited at the minor semi stage. Culina inherited a squad down on confidence that had been playing an ugly brand of football under the former English international.
However, he managed to transform the side and in his first match against the Chinese side conjured up an impressive 2-1 away win in the club's ACL debut. This was followed by a 2-2 draw at home to eventual ACL champions Urawa Red Diamonds in one of the most entertaining games of the group. Sydney went on to push the J-League powerhouse and were only knocked out on the final match day in May after a gutsy 0-0 draw away to Urawa in Saitama. Culina was sacked midway through last season's A-League shortly after Andrew Kemeny was appointed club chairman. He subsequently appointed John Kosmina as coach. Sydney was knocked out of the finals by Queensland Roar at the minor semi final stage last month.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Irons Rumors
I've decided to keep the GSE up with all the latest gossip effecting the Irons (considering they are our parent club) so here we go:
-West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley will fly to Italy this week to meet Gianluca Nani, who will become technical director in the summer. (Any chance that he'll go to Italy and just stay there?)
Curbishley was part of the selection panel that appointed the general manager of Brescia to the new post. (The reason why the Irons want this guy so bad is because he was meant to be responsible for bringing Marek Hamsik to Brescia from Slovakia. Hamsik, who now plays for Napoli, is now probably the best young player in Serie A. Better than Pato I reckon)
-West Ham United legend Julian Dicks has slammed the club's current players.
The Hammers have suffered three successive 4-0 defeats piling pressure on boss Alan Curbishley.
But Dicks told BBC London 94.9 that the blame lies elsewhere: "I think Alan is the right man for the job.
"These are all professional footballers, they are earning fortunes, but a lot of them are just going through the motions."
Dicks added: "At the end of the day the manager gets the blame which I think that is wrong. It's down to the players, they're the ones out on the pitch.
"Nowadays people give them (managers) eight months or a year and if they don't do anything then they get rid of them which for me is wrong.
-West Ham United are set to land Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell at the end of the season.
Sidwell will be shown the door by Chelsea in the summer, says the Mirror, with West Ham eager to take him to Upton Park.
And Finally Allan Curbishly making F365's good week/bad week. Let me guess was it under good week?
Alan Curbishley
Last week's column stated that Tottenham were the only Premier League team with nothing left to play for this season. After their third successive 4-0 defeat in eight days, West Ham can be added to that group of one. They will not be relegated and they will not qualify for Europe. The season still matters to Alan Curbishley as he attempts to cling on to his job but the reality is that it is already too late. And if it isn't, it should be.
A small-time manager even out of his depth at a mid-sized club, Curbishley's narrow limits have been exposed at West Ham. He may have spent £50m in little over a year, but still his ambitions did not stretch beyond stability. Europe, he revealed in August, was the target set by the board instead.
It is frightening as well as staggering that such a limited manager was seriously considered by the FA as they sought Sven-Goran Eriksson's successor. Just as his tactical acumen was summed up by his admission after the draw with Tottenham that "I don't know what he did there" when Juande Ramos switched systems, his powers of inspiration were revealed in full last week. "Whether we win or lose we won't move up or down," are the words that reputedly prompted boardroom realisation that a new manager is required if West Ham are not to drift into mediocrity. Otherwise, as the away support observed at Anfield in midweek, West Ham will continue to look like an overpaid version of Charlton.
-West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley will fly to Italy this week to meet Gianluca Nani, who will become technical director in the summer. (Any chance that he'll go to Italy and just stay there?)
Curbishley was part of the selection panel that appointed the general manager of Brescia to the new post. (The reason why the Irons want this guy so bad is because he was meant to be responsible for bringing Marek Hamsik to Brescia from Slovakia. Hamsik, who now plays for Napoli, is now probably the best young player in Serie A. Better than Pato I reckon)
-West Ham United legend Julian Dicks has slammed the club's current players.
The Hammers have suffered three successive 4-0 defeats piling pressure on boss Alan Curbishley.
But Dicks told BBC London 94.9 that the blame lies elsewhere: "I think Alan is the right man for the job.
"These are all professional footballers, they are earning fortunes, but a lot of them are just going through the motions."
Dicks added: "At the end of the day the manager gets the blame which I think that is wrong. It's down to the players, they're the ones out on the pitch.
"Nowadays people give them (managers) eight months or a year and if they don't do anything then they get rid of them which for me is wrong.
-West Ham United are set to land Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell at the end of the season.
Sidwell will be shown the door by Chelsea in the summer, says the Mirror, with West Ham eager to take him to Upton Park.
And Finally Allan Curbishly making F365's good week/bad week. Let me guess was it under good week?
Alan Curbishley
Last week's column stated that Tottenham were the only Premier League team with nothing left to play for this season. After their third successive 4-0 defeat in eight days, West Ham can be added to that group of one. They will not be relegated and they will not qualify for Europe. The season still matters to Alan Curbishley as he attempts to cling on to his job but the reality is that it is already too late. And if it isn't, it should be.
A small-time manager even out of his depth at a mid-sized club, Curbishley's narrow limits have been exposed at West Ham. He may have spent £50m in little over a year, but still his ambitions did not stretch beyond stability. Europe, he revealed in August, was the target set by the board instead.
It is frightening as well as staggering that such a limited manager was seriously considered by the FA as they sought Sven-Goran Eriksson's successor. Just as his tactical acumen was summed up by his admission after the draw with Tottenham that "I don't know what he did there" when Juande Ramos switched systems, his powers of inspiration were revealed in full last week. "Whether we win or lose we won't move up or down," are the words that reputedly prompted boardroom realisation that a new manager is required if West Ham are not to drift into mediocrity. Otherwise, as the away support observed at Anfield in midweek, West Ham will continue to look like an overpaid version of Charlton.
Oh how the mighty have fallen
This hot off of the presses at Soccertw*t. Just as the GSE had predicted.
Mar 12 (AAP) - Olyroos midfielder Stuart Musialik became the latest "fish" caught in Sydney FC's off-season recruiting net but he could wriggle off the hook should a European club come calling.
Musialik, 22, became the fourth player to sign with Sydney following fellow Newcastle A-League championship winner Mark Bridge, Perth's Simon Colosimo and Central Coast's John Aloisi.
Sydney coach John Kosmina said Sydney was still in the market for more players, particularly a left-sided specialist, and was happy to have finally landed Musialik.
"He's been a hard fish to catch, but we finally got him and I think he will do a great job for us," Kosmina said.
Musialik has signed a two-year deal with Sydney but the contract contains a clause which allows him to leave after a year if he accepted an offer to go overseas.
"That was one of the good reasons for me to sign here as well, have a good year here and there are clauses that allow me to go to Europe if the chance arises after the first year," Musialik said.
"So it was definitely a very important factor for me in signing here."
Musialik said he had ambitions to play in Europe and that was one of the reasons he came to Sydney.
He said he was perhaps in a comfort zone in Newcastle and was looking forward to a better year after a disappointing season.
Musialik thought Sydney could emulate Newcastle's championship success, especially given their strong recruiting drive.
"The players that they signed are top shelf, the squad is going to be second to none to anyone else in the league," Musialik said. "Especially with me playing with Bridgey the last few years, that was a massive factor in me coming down here.
"I've loved playing football with him and I just think it's going to be an incredible squad that we've got down here and capable of achieving things."
Kosmina was philosophical about the possibility of losing promising young players like Musialik and Bridge.
"They are both under contract, so if we lose them at the end of the year there's money involved," Kosmina said.
"At the end of the day football is a business."
And with seven players released following the season, Kosmina emphasised Sydney still had more places on their roster, though he admitted their salary cap was "starting to get a little bit tight".
"But with the number of players leaving the club we have got some room to move and we are probably looking at a couple more.
"I think we've got a very good core and we need to look at other players that can fill in the gaps. We've got some great speed out wide, but we do need a little more balance on the left-hand side."
Kosmina said Musialik would add a bit of flair.
"Stuey has got an uncanny ability to see things early that a lot of players don't have," Kosmina said.
"Especially with someone like John Aloisi and obviously he's got a great understanding with Mark Bridge, he will add that little bit of cohesion between the back and the front that some people may have questioned we didn't have in the last week or so."
Kosmina said Musialik had proven himself as a holding midfielder and probably had more to offer higher up the field.
Now to go abuse some people on 442.
Mar 12 (AAP) - Olyroos midfielder Stuart Musialik became the latest "fish" caught in Sydney FC's off-season recruiting net but he could wriggle off the hook should a European club come calling.
Musialik, 22, became the fourth player to sign with Sydney following fellow Newcastle A-League championship winner Mark Bridge, Perth's Simon Colosimo and Central Coast's John Aloisi.
Sydney coach John Kosmina said Sydney was still in the market for more players, particularly a left-sided specialist, and was happy to have finally landed Musialik.
"He's been a hard fish to catch, but we finally got him and I think he will do a great job for us," Kosmina said.
Musialik has signed a two-year deal with Sydney but the contract contains a clause which allows him to leave after a year if he accepted an offer to go overseas.
"That was one of the good reasons for me to sign here as well, have a good year here and there are clauses that allow me to go to Europe if the chance arises after the first year," Musialik said.
"So it was definitely a very important factor for me in signing here."
Musialik said he had ambitions to play in Europe and that was one of the reasons he came to Sydney.
He said he was perhaps in a comfort zone in Newcastle and was looking forward to a better year after a disappointing season.
Musialik thought Sydney could emulate Newcastle's championship success, especially given their strong recruiting drive.
"The players that they signed are top shelf, the squad is going to be second to none to anyone else in the league," Musialik said. "Especially with me playing with Bridgey the last few years, that was a massive factor in me coming down here.
"I've loved playing football with him and I just think it's going to be an incredible squad that we've got down here and capable of achieving things."
Kosmina was philosophical about the possibility of losing promising young players like Musialik and Bridge.
"They are both under contract, so if we lose them at the end of the year there's money involved," Kosmina said.
"At the end of the day football is a business."
And with seven players released following the season, Kosmina emphasised Sydney still had more places on their roster, though he admitted their salary cap was "starting to get a little bit tight".
"But with the number of players leaving the club we have got some room to move and we are probably looking at a couple more.
"I think we've got a very good core and we need to look at other players that can fill in the gaps. We've got some great speed out wide, but we do need a little more balance on the left-hand side."
Kosmina said Musialik would add a bit of flair.
"Stuey has got an uncanny ability to see things early that a lot of players don't have," Kosmina said.
"Especially with someone like John Aloisi and obviously he's got a great understanding with Mark Bridge, he will add that little bit of cohesion between the back and the front that some people may have questioned we didn't have in the last week or so."
Kosmina said Musialik had proven himself as a holding midfielder and probably had more to offer higher up the field.
Now to go abuse some people on 442.
Monday, March 10, 2008
A League Rumor Mill
-Former Socceroo midfielder Josip Skoko may be returning to the A-League as soon as this season. With Wigan facing relegation and Skoko not playing regular first team football, he may be tempted to return to Australia sooner rather than later. The Central Coast Mariners appear favourites to sign him, with a marquee spot available. His homestate of South Australia is another possibilty, but he would unlikely fit under the salary cap.
-Perth Glory have offered FC Luzern $225,000 for Slovenian International defender Fabijan Cipot.Perth coach Dave Mitchell has been given 400,000 to attract players to the struggling club.
-Melbourne have completed the prize signing of Stuart Musialik. The player is to pen a deal a 2 year deal worth AU$490,000 a season. (cant wait for this one to come true cause those cunts at 442 are going to get a slap from the GSE)
-Former Australian captain Mark Viduka is tipped to leave Newcastle in the summer transfer window. Manchester City said to bid 2-3 million pounds the Aussie. There is also interest from former club Middlesbrough. (I got a feeling this wont happen. Dukes will get fit for the last five games score ten goals, save Newcastle from relegation and then get a new contract for 100k quid a week. And then be injurred/rancid until the next round of negotiations)
-Felipe Campos to move from Wellington to Perth Glory. Felipe is surplus to requirements at Wellington and Perth has expressed interest in bringing the talented attacker accross the Tasman.
-Newcastle Jets are rumored to be looking to extend their Asian connection with South Korean international Kim Eun Jung in negotiations to join countryman Song Jin Hyung.
-Perth Glory have offered FC Luzern $225,000 for Slovenian International defender Fabijan Cipot.Perth coach Dave Mitchell has been given 400,000 to attract players to the struggling club.
-Melbourne have completed the prize signing of Stuart Musialik. The player is to pen a deal a 2 year deal worth AU$490,000 a season. (cant wait for this one to come true cause those cunts at 442 are going to get a slap from the GSE)
-Former Australian captain Mark Viduka is tipped to leave Newcastle in the summer transfer window. Manchester City said to bid 2-3 million pounds the Aussie. There is also interest from former club Middlesbrough. (I got a feeling this wont happen. Dukes will get fit for the last five games score ten goals, save Newcastle from relegation and then get a new contract for 100k quid a week. And then be injurred/rancid until the next round of negotiations)
-Felipe Campos to move from Wellington to Perth Glory. Felipe is surplus to requirements at Wellington and Perth has expressed interest in bringing the talented attacker accross the Tasman.
-Newcastle Jets are rumored to be looking to extend their Asian connection with South Korean international Kim Eun Jung in negotiations to join countryman Song Jin Hyung.
Mariners swoop for Elrich
Central Coast Mariners have announced the signing of Ahmad Elrich on a two-year deal, with the winger hoping the switch will once again put him in Socceroos calculations after a frustrating few years
Our signing of Ahmad is another clear showing of our intent for season four," said Mariners executive chairman Lyall Gorman.
"While we're of course delighted with the on-field progress we made in season three, we want to go one step further in 2008/09 and by introducing a player and a person of Ahmad's quality to our line up, we are giving ourselves the best possible chance."
"We know as good as any club just how good Ahmad can be - we were on the receiving end of an absolutely stunning strike of his while in Wellington last year and we're hopeful and confident that he will be able to reproduce and surpass that level of quality in a yellow and navy shirt."
Elrich joins the club after a short spell with the Wellington Phoenix.
Capped by his country 17 times, the 26-year-old has also played for Busan I'Park, Fulham and FC Lyn Oslo after starting his career with Parramatta Power.
While he has not featured for the Socceroos since September 2006, Elrich has scored five international goals including a memorable match-winner against Iraq at Sydney's ANZ Stadium in March 2005 since his February 2004 debut against Venezuela.
He is the club's second signing for season four, joining fellow new boy Adrian Caceres at the Mariners - although the club have lost the services of John Aloisi (to Sydney FC) and Tom Pondeljak (to Melbourne Victory)
Our signing of Ahmad is another clear showing of our intent for season four," said Mariners executive chairman Lyall Gorman.
"While we're of course delighted with the on-field progress we made in season three, we want to go one step further in 2008/09 and by introducing a player and a person of Ahmad's quality to our line up, we are giving ourselves the best possible chance."
"We know as good as any club just how good Ahmad can be - we were on the receiving end of an absolutely stunning strike of his while in Wellington last year and we're hopeful and confident that he will be able to reproduce and surpass that level of quality in a yellow and navy shirt."
Elrich joins the club after a short spell with the Wellington Phoenix.
Capped by his country 17 times, the 26-year-old has also played for Busan I'Park, Fulham and FC Lyn Oslo after starting his career with Parramatta Power.
While he has not featured for the Socceroos since September 2006, Elrich has scored five international goals including a memorable match-winner against Iraq at Sydney's ANZ Stadium in March 2005 since his February 2004 debut against Venezuela.
He is the club's second signing for season four, joining fellow new boy Adrian Caceres at the Mariners - although the club have lost the services of John Aloisi (to Sydney FC) and Tom Pondeljak (to Melbourne Victory)
Galaxy and Thunder on hold
Gold Coast Galaxy and Northern Thunder must wait another season to be granted entry to the A-League after failing to convince Football Federation Australia they are up to the task for 2008/09.
The worst fears of the fledgling franchises will be confirmed Monday, by FFA chiefs - a little more than two weeks after both were granted provisional licences by the peak body.
The Queensland outfits believed they were about to sample the treasures of Aladdin’s Cave, only to have the pathway blocked at the eleventh hour.
Galaxy officials will be particularly aghast at a verdict which, while expected by Thunder powerbroker Mellissa Fischer-Massa, comes as a heavy blow to Galaxy front-men Fred Taplin and Miron Bleiberg.
Months of feverish planning, putting potential signings on notice, corralling sponsors and arranging a lease deal with Skilled Stadium have been derailed but not dismantled - with the FFA promising the Galaxy they will be ushered into the national competition without further ado in 2009.
The same goes for the Thunder, whose bid was badly damaged when its backers split into two camps with Fischer-Massa jettisoning erstwhile partners James Gage and Allen St James and pledging $6million of her own money as start-up capital.
In the case of the Galaxy, a reliable FFA source also revealed there were concerns over the leasing arrangement between Skilled Stadium and the club but insisted they will rise from the golden sands of Surfers for season five and remain a pivotal plank of the league’s grand expansion plan from eight teams to 10 - and ultimately 12.
Anticipating the bad news, property baron Taplin remained philosophical: “It's not the end of the world. There were always two scenarios, entry in 2008 or 2009.”
“We’ve always prepared with both in mind. We're just delighted to have been granted a licence and with extra time up our sleeves we should be able to do a better job next year.”
“We're open to whatever the FFA decides and will abide by the umpire's decision.”
“I think the deliberations of the FFA certainly took longer because of what's been happening in Townsville regarding the Northern Thunder bid.”
Determined not to let the momentum that football has garnered on the Coast be washed away with the tide, the FFA have pledged to bring international games to Skilled Stadium this year - probably Olyroos matches - and will also showcase several A-League games at the same venue, along with pre-season duels.
FFA chief executive Ben Buckley will also make regular sorties north from Sydney to preach from the pulpit of expansion he remains committed to.
Taplin and Bleiberg, the former Queensland Roar coach turned Galaxy director of football, feared the worst late last week when the FFA held off ratifying the Galaxy’s inclusion in the competition, despite initially indicating that last Thursday would be D-day.
“We always felt optimistic it would go our way for this season but we will redouble our efforts going forward and make sure we bring a winning product to the public,” Taplin added.
The noise generated by the genesis of the Galaxy has shaken the football grapevine worldwide with players and agents from as far afield as Brazil, Argentina, Serbia and England expressing an interest in joining the party.
Brazilian legend Juninho, out of contract with Sydney FC, and former Manchester United great Dwight Yorke, who won a title with Sydney, both wanted to jump aboard.
They won’t now figure on the radar but Bleiberg and co won’t have trouble attracting plenty more like them when the Coast is finally made clear.
The worst fears of the fledgling franchises will be confirmed Monday, by FFA chiefs - a little more than two weeks after both were granted provisional licences by the peak body.
The Queensland outfits believed they were about to sample the treasures of Aladdin’s Cave, only to have the pathway blocked at the eleventh hour.
Galaxy officials will be particularly aghast at a verdict which, while expected by Thunder powerbroker Mellissa Fischer-Massa, comes as a heavy blow to Galaxy front-men Fred Taplin and Miron Bleiberg.
Months of feverish planning, putting potential signings on notice, corralling sponsors and arranging a lease deal with Skilled Stadium have been derailed but not dismantled - with the FFA promising the Galaxy they will be ushered into the national competition without further ado in 2009.
The same goes for the Thunder, whose bid was badly damaged when its backers split into two camps with Fischer-Massa jettisoning erstwhile partners James Gage and Allen St James and pledging $6million of her own money as start-up capital.
In the case of the Galaxy, a reliable FFA source also revealed there were concerns over the leasing arrangement between Skilled Stadium and the club but insisted they will rise from the golden sands of Surfers for season five and remain a pivotal plank of the league’s grand expansion plan from eight teams to 10 - and ultimately 12.
Anticipating the bad news, property baron Taplin remained philosophical: “It's not the end of the world. There were always two scenarios, entry in 2008 or 2009.”
“We’ve always prepared with both in mind. We're just delighted to have been granted a licence and with extra time up our sleeves we should be able to do a better job next year.”
“We're open to whatever the FFA decides and will abide by the umpire's decision.”
“I think the deliberations of the FFA certainly took longer because of what's been happening in Townsville regarding the Northern Thunder bid.”
Determined not to let the momentum that football has garnered on the Coast be washed away with the tide, the FFA have pledged to bring international games to Skilled Stadium this year - probably Olyroos matches - and will also showcase several A-League games at the same venue, along with pre-season duels.
FFA chief executive Ben Buckley will also make regular sorties north from Sydney to preach from the pulpit of expansion he remains committed to.
Taplin and Bleiberg, the former Queensland Roar coach turned Galaxy director of football, feared the worst late last week when the FFA held off ratifying the Galaxy’s inclusion in the competition, despite initially indicating that last Thursday would be D-day.
“We always felt optimistic it would go our way for this season but we will redouble our efforts going forward and make sure we bring a winning product to the public,” Taplin added.
The noise generated by the genesis of the Galaxy has shaken the football grapevine worldwide with players and agents from as far afield as Brazil, Argentina, Serbia and England expressing an interest in joining the party.
Brazilian legend Juninho, out of contract with Sydney FC, and former Manchester United great Dwight Yorke, who won a title with Sydney, both wanted to jump aboard.
They won’t now figure on the radar but Bleiberg and co won’t have trouble attracting plenty more like them when the Coast is finally made clear.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Where the fuck is Casey anyway?
ONE of Melbourne's fastest growing regions – an area which has produced Socceroo and Celtic star Scott McDonald - wants its own A-League team.The City of Casey in Melbourne's south-east has confirmed they have held discussions about bringing a second Victorian A-League side to their area. Casey manager of city living Richard Amon said work was being done with Football Federation Victoria (FFV) and nearby shires to develop a regional football strategy.
“This direction will consider issues relating to both the requirements of a regional soccer facility that represents the City of Casey in soccer competitions and FFV’s own vision for a presence in the south east of Melbourne,” he told Berwick News.
Interestingly, the region was to have an AFL side based there, but when that fell through, city officials decided to pursue plans for football. Casey encompasses an area around one hour's drive from Telstra Dome, so it's not expected to weaken the existing Victorian franchise Melbourne Victory.
Central to any A-League franchise would be Casey Fields, a 70 hectare multi-sport site in suburban Cranbourne where Celtic and Aussie star Scott McDonald hails from. And according to Casey's own figures, an A-League franchise could be just what the rapidly growing area might want. The City of Casey has consistently been one of Victoria's fastest growing municipalities over the past 15 years.
The population is expected to reach 350,000 by 2031, making it as big as Canberra is today. This of course does not factor in football fans from across Melbourne – in particular the outer regions such as the Mornington Peninsula, the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges and the coastal parts of Westernport – who may want to also support Casey's A-League side. What's more, with the A-League's appeal with younger people, the numbers of youth in Casey are forecast to rise over the next decade. Right now, around 40,000 students are in primary and high school in the area and the percentage of 12-24 age group is currently around 20%.With FFA committed to expanding the A-League, such a growing area in Melbourne located well away from the existing A-League franchise should be worth exploring.
G-Bung
Gaffe -Tabloid for mistake.
Gaffer, The - Footballerism misleadingly implying that the player has a subservient relationship with the team's current manager and can be fired by him rather than - as is in fact the case - the other way round.
Gangly - Adjective applied to Two-Metre Peter Crouch et al. Carries an implication that the player is somehow lacking in moral fibre or unsound in some fundamental way, as opposed to being simply tall.
Garrincha - Legendary Brazilian winger and p***-artist known as the 'Little Bird' and famed for having an enormous wang.
Gascoigne, Paul - Football genius, human idiot. Highlights have included: Italia 90, fake breasts, burping at press conference, 'F*** off, Norway', free-kick for Spurs, goal v Scotland, dentist's chair, booking referee, making Five Bellies eat mince pie filled with cat poo...
Gattuso, Gennaro - Possibly the only ugly person in Italy, almost as if they took enough ugliness for an entire country and shoved it all into one body.
Gemmill, Scott - Journeyman midfield battler who, in response to Football365 jibe about his abilities, phoned up to sensationally claim: "I'm not the world's worst footballer."
General, Midfield - Midfielder possessing of five key attributes: good engine, can tackle, able to pass the ball without humping it into the stand, intimidates referee, penchant for violence.
Germany - Modest nation noted for their flamboyant football, well-dressed fans, brilliant musical taste and legendary sense of humour.
George, Charlie - Glamorous - i.e. long-haired - Arsenal legend famed for celebrating lying flat on his back. As many a footballer has done since, in the post-match warm-down/roasting extravaganza.
Gerrard, Steven - One-man Liverpool team noted for confused, squinty expression, brilliance, trenchant views on the despicable practice of diving to win a penalty, and diving.
Ghosting - Ronism denoting a stealthy movement towards the Back Stick, often in anticipation of Giving It The Full Gun.
Ghostwriter - Journalist charged with the thankless task of turning typical life story of 20-year-old footballer ("I got born, I started playing football, I was well good at it, now I do it all the time, apart from other stuff that I won't discuss") into 90,000-word idiot-bait in Smiths.
Giggs, Ryan - Hairy-chested, ageless Manchester United winger who has played 2,500 times for club and, so legend dictates, once or twice for Wales when his mysterious week-long international week injuries allowed.
Gillespie, Keith - Northern Irish winger who once had his clock cleaned by Alan Shearer. Loved betting. Was an early example of "it's sickening how much they earn" tabloid staple when it emerged that he spent 62 grand on slow nags in three days. Only 20 grand a day? Seems almost sweet now, doesn't it?
Gilt-Edged - What a chance is...just after Dirk Kuyt has missed it.
Ginger Lad, Little - Favoured Ron description, along with Street Fighter and Little Ratter In Midfield for his beloved Paul Scholes who isn't, actually, especially little.
Ginola, David - Hair model, shampoo salesman, sometime pundit and all-round housewives' choice. Fitfully brilliant, then brilliantly fat.
Glaring - Always paired with 'error', almost always by a goalkeeper.
Glasgow - Scottish city famous for drinking, fighting, European heartbreak.
Glass, Jimmy - Proof that once, just once, in a million times, the keeper coming up for a corner can work.
Go, Give And - Negotiation technique involving an agent, a brown envelope and name deleted for legal reasons.
Gooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllllllllll - A goal in South America. Even a tap-in or a penalty.
Goalkeeper - Smallest or weediest child in a social group.
Goalpost - Part of pitch often fashioned from jumpers and often run into in 'hilarious' stocking-filler blooper videos.
God - Fans' favourite, see Fowler, Robbie and Le Tissier, Matthew (French: Le God). Also, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient deity beloved of various African footballers, Mad Hodd.
God, Hand Of - Scotland's greatest-ever World Cup moment.
Gomes, Nuno - Pretty but essentially useless forward. See Inzaghi, Simone; Dani; Samaras, Georgios.
Goram, Andy - Superb, if latterly salad-dodging, Scotch goalie whose personal problems were sensitively summed up in the chant: "Two Andy Gorams."
Gordon, Craig - Keeper who has to explain any howlers to Roy Keane. No pressure, then.
Graft, Plenty Of Hard - Polite modifier sometimes used when describing activities of crap player.
Graham, George (also 'Stroller') - Popular former Tottenham manager who brought glory days back to White Hart Lane with the 1999 League Cup.
Greavsie - One half of jumpertastic broadcasting duo Saint And Greavsie. Liked a drink, didn't like Geoff Hurst. STILL has column in The Sun.
Greece - Footballing superpower put to the sword by England hero David Beckham, who showed the men from the land of tzatziki and Parthenons just who had the greatest-ever empire. When we drew 2-2 with them at home.
Green, Alan - Norn Irish football radio commentator rendered miserable by the cosmic unfairness of having to commentate on football for the radio.
Green, Rub Of - TheSex act performed on the above by Mrs Green.
Gregory, John - Former Aston Villa manager famed for views on Dwight Yorke - "if I had a gun I would have shot him" - and mental illness: "I could understand a single mother in a council flat suffering from depression, but not a well-paid footballer." No wonder poor Stan was upset.
Grimsby, A Wet Tuesday Night In - Phrase popular with pundits questioning a foreign player's desire to Get Stuck In.
Grobelaar, Bruce - Wobbly-legged, brilliant goalkeeper. Just not all the time.
Groves, Perry - Arsenal cult whose fans set up an internet campaign to ensured his autobiography outsold that of another Arsenal cunlt, Ashley Cole.
Guivarc'h, Stephane - Half-forgotten Frenchie, surely the worst striker ever to win the World Cup. Confirmed that France 1998 wasn't a one-off with dismal spells at Rangers and Newcastle. Crazy apostrophe in surname has been inspirational to various manufactured pop bands.
Guppy, Steve - One-cap wonder, but his name lives on.
Gutted - Football for 'unhappy'.
Guv'nor, The - Nickname of Paul Ince, used (only) by Paul Ince.
Gaffer, The - Footballerism misleadingly implying that the player has a subservient relationship with the team's current manager and can be fired by him rather than - as is in fact the case - the other way round.
Gangly - Adjective applied to Two-Metre Peter Crouch et al. Carries an implication that the player is somehow lacking in moral fibre or unsound in some fundamental way, as opposed to being simply tall.
Garrincha - Legendary Brazilian winger and p***-artist known as the 'Little Bird' and famed for having an enormous wang.
Gascoigne, Paul - Football genius, human idiot. Highlights have included: Italia 90, fake breasts, burping at press conference, 'F*** off, Norway', free-kick for Spurs, goal v Scotland, dentist's chair, booking referee, making Five Bellies eat mince pie filled with cat poo...
Gattuso, Gennaro - Possibly the only ugly person in Italy, almost as if they took enough ugliness for an entire country and shoved it all into one body.
Gemmill, Scott - Journeyman midfield battler who, in response to Football365 jibe about his abilities, phoned up to sensationally claim: "I'm not the world's worst footballer."
General, Midfield - Midfielder possessing of five key attributes: good engine, can tackle, able to pass the ball without humping it into the stand, intimidates referee, penchant for violence.
Germany - Modest nation noted for their flamboyant football, well-dressed fans, brilliant musical taste and legendary sense of humour.
George, Charlie - Glamorous - i.e. long-haired - Arsenal legend famed for celebrating lying flat on his back. As many a footballer has done since, in the post-match warm-down/roasting extravaganza.
Gerrard, Steven - One-man Liverpool team noted for confused, squinty expression, brilliance, trenchant views on the despicable practice of diving to win a penalty, and diving.
Ghosting - Ronism denoting a stealthy movement towards the Back Stick, often in anticipation of Giving It The Full Gun.
Ghostwriter - Journalist charged with the thankless task of turning typical life story of 20-year-old footballer ("I got born, I started playing football, I was well good at it, now I do it all the time, apart from other stuff that I won't discuss") into 90,000-word idiot-bait in Smiths.
Giggs, Ryan - Hairy-chested, ageless Manchester United winger who has played 2,500 times for club and, so legend dictates, once or twice for Wales when his mysterious week-long international week injuries allowed.
Gillespie, Keith - Northern Irish winger who once had his clock cleaned by Alan Shearer. Loved betting. Was an early example of "it's sickening how much they earn" tabloid staple when it emerged that he spent 62 grand on slow nags in three days. Only 20 grand a day? Seems almost sweet now, doesn't it?
Gilt-Edged - What a chance is...just after Dirk Kuyt has missed it.
Ginger Lad, Little - Favoured Ron description, along with Street Fighter and Little Ratter In Midfield for his beloved Paul Scholes who isn't, actually, especially little.
Ginola, David - Hair model, shampoo salesman, sometime pundit and all-round housewives' choice. Fitfully brilliant, then brilliantly fat.
Glaring - Always paired with 'error', almost always by a goalkeeper.
Glasgow - Scottish city famous for drinking, fighting, European heartbreak.
Glass, Jimmy - Proof that once, just once, in a million times, the keeper coming up for a corner can work.
Go, Give And - Negotiation technique involving an agent, a brown envelope and name deleted for legal reasons.
Gooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllllllllll - A goal in South America. Even a tap-in or a penalty.
Goalkeeper - Smallest or weediest child in a social group.
Goalpost - Part of pitch often fashioned from jumpers and often run into in 'hilarious' stocking-filler blooper videos.
God - Fans' favourite, see Fowler, Robbie and Le Tissier, Matthew (French: Le God). Also, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient deity beloved of various African footballers, Mad Hodd.
God, Hand Of - Scotland's greatest-ever World Cup moment.
Gomes, Nuno - Pretty but essentially useless forward. See Inzaghi, Simone; Dani; Samaras, Georgios.
Goram, Andy - Superb, if latterly salad-dodging, Scotch goalie whose personal problems were sensitively summed up in the chant: "Two Andy Gorams."
Gordon, Craig - Keeper who has to explain any howlers to Roy Keane. No pressure, then.
Graft, Plenty Of Hard - Polite modifier sometimes used when describing activities of crap player.
Graham, George (also 'Stroller') - Popular former Tottenham manager who brought glory days back to White Hart Lane with the 1999 League Cup.
Greavsie - One half of jumpertastic broadcasting duo Saint And Greavsie. Liked a drink, didn't like Geoff Hurst. STILL has column in The Sun.
Greece - Footballing superpower put to the sword by England hero David Beckham, who showed the men from the land of tzatziki and Parthenons just who had the greatest-ever empire. When we drew 2-2 with them at home.
Green, Alan - Norn Irish football radio commentator rendered miserable by the cosmic unfairness of having to commentate on football for the radio.
Green, Rub Of - TheSex act performed on the above by Mrs Green.
Gregory, John - Former Aston Villa manager famed for views on Dwight Yorke - "if I had a gun I would have shot him" - and mental illness: "I could understand a single mother in a council flat suffering from depression, but not a well-paid footballer." No wonder poor Stan was upset.
Grimsby, A Wet Tuesday Night In - Phrase popular with pundits questioning a foreign player's desire to Get Stuck In.
Grobelaar, Bruce - Wobbly-legged, brilliant goalkeeper. Just not all the time.
Groves, Perry - Arsenal cult whose fans set up an internet campaign to ensured his autobiography outsold that of another Arsenal cunlt, Ashley Cole.
Guivarc'h, Stephane - Half-forgotten Frenchie, surely the worst striker ever to win the World Cup. Confirmed that France 1998 wasn't a one-off with dismal spells at Rangers and Newcastle. Crazy apostrophe in surname has been inspirational to various manufactured pop bands.
Guppy, Steve - One-cap wonder, but his name lives on.
Gutted - Football for 'unhappy'.
Guv'nor, The - Nickname of Paul Ince, used (only) by Paul Ince.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Someone's got to keep this blog going until dez finishes that post on Ziggy
Fabregas, Cesc - Brilliant midfielder who added "total disregard for own safety" to his list of attributes when trying to step to Mark Hughes after bad tempered match.
Faint - What WAGs do in nightclubs when the papers can't definitely, categorically, prove that drugs are involved. See Exhaustion, Nervous and Infection, Kidney.
Fair Play Award - Given to Premiership teams who aren't very good at all so they can enjoy a nice couple of trips to Albania and Luxembourg before getting knocked out of the UEFA Cup by someone like Rennes.
Fair, To Be - What Peter Beardsley always, always is. See Obviously, Well.
Fans - Blight on the game, but nevertheless a traditional revenue source. Plans to phase out by 2050, when robots with urge to spend £500 per week on merchandise will come on-stream.
Faroe Islands - Small, part-time, amateur international football team, once embarrassed by draw with Scotland.
Fashanu, John - Burly striker who, fortunately, nailed down the nickname 'Fash The Bash' before his tragic brother.
Fayed, Mohammed - Shopkeeper, football fan and conspiracy theorist with aim to make Fuggham the biggest club in the land and prove that Chris Coleman killed Lady Di.
Ferdinand, Anton - Poster boy for Baby Bentley culture and all-round plonker.
Ferdinand, Rio - Defender who sometimes forget where he has to be, both in terms of positioning on pitch and in weeing into a cup.
Ferguson, Sir Alex - Angry Scotsman whose managerial achievements include nine Premiership titles, five FA Cups, three Scottish League titles, one UEFA Cup and one European Cup. Also noted for community and charity work, providing bed and board to such unfortunates as John O'Shea.
Ferguson, Barry - Midfielder who bucked the trend of all other fighty Weegies by making it Doon Sooth and then actually deciding to return to Glasgow.
Fiorentina - Former club of Baggio and Batistuta, relegated to the Italian equivalent of the Isthmian due to financial disasters, also invented a type of pizza.
Fisticuffs (usually 'Bout Of Fisticuffs') - The amusing spectacle of two footballers trying to have a fight and instead just camply smacking each other like a pair of squabbling schoolgirls. See Handbags.
'Five Star Performance' - Phrase used in tabloids when a team has won a game scoring five goals. See Four-midable; The Joy Of Six; Seventh Heaven.
Flamini, Mathieu - Not, as name suggests, a New York City Meatpacking District cage dancer, male stripper or Naples gigolo, but - in fact - something altogether more mincy: an Arsenal midfielder.
Flanks - Territory of a Good Old Fashioned Winger
Flapping - See Robinson, Paul.
Flitcroft, Garry - Footballer most noted for terribly ill-advised attempted gagging order. The thought of Garry at it with a stripper was proven in court sufficient to make most right-thinking people gag.
Flo, Jostein - Former Sheff Utd beanpole whose name always makes one want to double check spelling.
Flo, Tore Andre - Robocrouch v1.0
'Flying Dutchman' - Tabloid phrase for any speedy player from the Netherlands. Also see variation Non-Flying Dutchman, for Dennis Bergkamp.
Football, American - Ridiculous sport played, as name suggests, with the hands.
Football Focus - Ray Stubbs-fronted preview showed largely based on chumminess and inevitable features on, e.g., postman who is part-time winger for FA Cup third round minnows.
Football Special - A type of train used at weekends that would have the RSPCA up in arms, were it to be transporting live veals.
Foreigners - Suspicious types who are Ruining Football by preparing for important football matches with pasta and mineral water rather than pints of WKD, a KFC and a spot of sexual assault; can trap and pass the ball - and even speak coherent English.
Forest Of Legs - A poorly maintained Danger Area that has been allowed to overgrow.
Fortune-West, Leo - One of those footballers who isn't as posh as he sounds. See Noel-Williams, Gifton and Reo-Coker, Nigel.
Foster, Steve - Headband!
Foulke, William (Fatty) - Britain's fattest-ever keeper... until dotage of Big Nev.
Fowler, Robbie - Fancy dress expert, Le Suax baiter, mimed sniffing, fat arse, former goal machine, now property magnate, supported dockers, never did it for England, had funny nose attachment (nothing to do with sniffing mentioned above).
Fox, Ruel - Lively little Spurs winger, known to friends as 'Cruel'.
France - Nation of brilliant footballers whose citizens, annoyingly, don't even seem to particularly like football.
Francis, Gerry - Magnificently-barneted former QPR and Spurs manager.
Francis, Trevor (Tricky) - Britain's first million pound player, turned gloomy manager and pundit who often seems genuinely hurt by what he is watching.
Free, Leaving On A - The last recourse available to a player when he realises, with a heavy heart, that the "club's ambition does not match his own" and he must, "for the sake of his career", move on. See Money, They'll Pay Me More.
Free, Released On A - What happens when a footballer is so crap the club would rather pay up his contract than have him cluttering up the place and risk his uselessness rubbing off on other players.
Free Role - Position between midfield and attack for forwards too slow or old to be proper strikers. Often "revelled in". See Role, The Teddy Sheringham.
F**k Off - Customary under-breath witticism to ref after booking.
Fuel - What today's players "take on board" rather than dull old "eating food". See also Habits, Refuelling.
Fulham - Unfashionable West London club miraculously lifted from second bottom in Football League to Premiership mediocrity by Mr Fayed. Michael Jackson attended match v Wigan in 1999. Not a youth team one, thankfully.
'Full Backing' - What the Board gives a manager shortly before sacking him. See also Confidence, The Dreaded Vote Of
Full Flow - Commentator term for state entered by Manchester United teams when playing well, and Sir Alex Ferguson when teams playing badly or referee has temerity to give a decision against them.
Faint - What WAGs do in nightclubs when the papers can't definitely, categorically, prove that drugs are involved. See Exhaustion, Nervous and Infection, Kidney.
Fair Play Award - Given to Premiership teams who aren't very good at all so they can enjoy a nice couple of trips to Albania and Luxembourg before getting knocked out of the UEFA Cup by someone like Rennes.
Fair, To Be - What Peter Beardsley always, always is. See Obviously, Well.
Fans - Blight on the game, but nevertheless a traditional revenue source. Plans to phase out by 2050, when robots with urge to spend £500 per week on merchandise will come on-stream.
Faroe Islands - Small, part-time, amateur international football team, once embarrassed by draw with Scotland.
Fashanu, John - Burly striker who, fortunately, nailed down the nickname 'Fash The Bash' before his tragic brother.
Fayed, Mohammed - Shopkeeper, football fan and conspiracy theorist with aim to make Fuggham the biggest club in the land and prove that Chris Coleman killed Lady Di.
Ferdinand, Anton - Poster boy for Baby Bentley culture and all-round plonker.
Ferdinand, Rio - Defender who sometimes forget where he has to be, both in terms of positioning on pitch and in weeing into a cup.
Ferguson, Sir Alex - Angry Scotsman whose managerial achievements include nine Premiership titles, five FA Cups, three Scottish League titles, one UEFA Cup and one European Cup. Also noted for community and charity work, providing bed and board to such unfortunates as John O'Shea.
Ferguson, Barry - Midfielder who bucked the trend of all other fighty Weegies by making it Doon Sooth and then actually deciding to return to Glasgow.
Fiorentina - Former club of Baggio and Batistuta, relegated to the Italian equivalent of the Isthmian due to financial disasters, also invented a type of pizza.
Fisticuffs (usually 'Bout Of Fisticuffs') - The amusing spectacle of two footballers trying to have a fight and instead just camply smacking each other like a pair of squabbling schoolgirls. See Handbags.
'Five Star Performance' - Phrase used in tabloids when a team has won a game scoring five goals. See Four-midable; The Joy Of Six; Seventh Heaven.
Flamini, Mathieu - Not, as name suggests, a New York City Meatpacking District cage dancer, male stripper or Naples gigolo, but - in fact - something altogether more mincy: an Arsenal midfielder.
Flanks - Territory of a Good Old Fashioned Winger
Flapping - See Robinson, Paul.
Flitcroft, Garry - Footballer most noted for terribly ill-advised attempted gagging order. The thought of Garry at it with a stripper was proven in court sufficient to make most right-thinking people gag.
Flo, Jostein - Former Sheff Utd beanpole whose name always makes one want to double check spelling.
Flo, Tore Andre - Robocrouch v1.0
'Flying Dutchman' - Tabloid phrase for any speedy player from the Netherlands. Also see variation Non-Flying Dutchman, for Dennis Bergkamp.
Football, American - Ridiculous sport played, as name suggests, with the hands.
Football Focus - Ray Stubbs-fronted preview showed largely based on chumminess and inevitable features on, e.g., postman who is part-time winger for FA Cup third round minnows.
Football Special - A type of train used at weekends that would have the RSPCA up in arms, were it to be transporting live veals.
Foreigners - Suspicious types who are Ruining Football by preparing for important football matches with pasta and mineral water rather than pints of WKD, a KFC and a spot of sexual assault; can trap and pass the ball - and even speak coherent English.
Forest Of Legs - A poorly maintained Danger Area that has been allowed to overgrow.
Fortune-West, Leo - One of those footballers who isn't as posh as he sounds. See Noel-Williams, Gifton and Reo-Coker, Nigel.
Foster, Steve - Headband!
Foulke, William (Fatty) - Britain's fattest-ever keeper... until dotage of Big Nev.
Fowler, Robbie - Fancy dress expert, Le Suax baiter, mimed sniffing, fat arse, former goal machine, now property magnate, supported dockers, never did it for England, had funny nose attachment (nothing to do with sniffing mentioned above).
Fox, Ruel - Lively little Spurs winger, known to friends as 'Cruel'.
France - Nation of brilliant footballers whose citizens, annoyingly, don't even seem to particularly like football.
Francis, Gerry - Magnificently-barneted former QPR and Spurs manager.
Francis, Trevor (Tricky) - Britain's first million pound player, turned gloomy manager and pundit who often seems genuinely hurt by what he is watching.
Free, Leaving On A - The last recourse available to a player when he realises, with a heavy heart, that the "club's ambition does not match his own" and he must, "for the sake of his career", move on. See Money, They'll Pay Me More.
Free, Released On A - What happens when a footballer is so crap the club would rather pay up his contract than have him cluttering up the place and risk his uselessness rubbing off on other players.
Free Role - Position between midfield and attack for forwards too slow or old to be proper strikers. Often "revelled in". See Role, The Teddy Sheringham.
F**k Off - Customary under-breath witticism to ref after booking.
Fuel - What today's players "take on board" rather than dull old "eating food". See also Habits, Refuelling.
Fulham - Unfashionable West London club miraculously lifted from second bottom in Football League to Premiership mediocrity by Mr Fayed. Michael Jackson attended match v Wigan in 1999. Not a youth team one, thankfully.
'Full Backing' - What the Board gives a manager shortly before sacking him. See also Confidence, The Dreaded Vote Of
Full Flow - Commentator term for state entered by Manchester United teams when playing well, and Sir Alex Ferguson when teams playing badly or referee has temerity to give a decision against them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)