The Dim in Beirut

Never Again

So a football manager announced his retirement this week.

Not just any football manager mind. Alex Ferguson, the manager of one of the biggest and most famous football clubs in the world. A man who has ruled English football with an Iron Fist for the past 2 decades or so. A man whose political connections are so far reaching, he was awarded a knighthood after helping out Tony Blair win his first prime ministerial elections.

This knight of the realm will, for the rest of his lifetime, be remembered as the greatest football manager in the history of football. What happens after he passes away though, no-one really knows. In England, your achievements are safe until you die. After that, all gloves are off.

The fact of the matter is that Ferguson has achieved so much during his 27 year tenure at Manchester United, that he deserves all the accolades he gets. What is also an undeniable fact though, is that so much of his success has been accompanied by the ugly stench of what Man United fans call coincidences and the rest of the world calls corruption.

From Ferguson’s first Premier League trophy at United when more than 7 minutes of injury time allowed his team to score 2 goals to set them up for the 1992/93 title.  To his last one, where his team did not concede a penalty ALL SEASON (not a single one in fact since October 2011) and did not have a man sent off until well after they wrapped up the league; United’s success have left a lot of football fans scratching their heads.

Ferguson has won 13 English league titles. And just 2 European Cups. The same as Juventus who are the most storied club in Italy. And much like Juventus, many question why United’s domestic dominance did not translate into a European one.

Maybe the simple explanation is that without English referees, United could not translate their dominance into Europe. After all, ask yourself this: would an English ref have dared send Nani off at Old Trafford against Real Madrid?

It’s no “coincidence” that the term “Fergie Time” has entered the football lexicon, a common an expression as any in English football. It’s no coincidence that gambling websites offered punters the chances to bet on Howard Webb becoming Fergie’s replacement at United (4 people actually put money on this!).

It’s no coincidence that Ferguson exits as he ruled: with the tongues of so many journalists wedged so far up his bottom that a sudden outbreak of Cherry Bosom poisoning on Fleet Street would not come as a surprise.

These journalists have been as complicit as anyone in allowing Ferguson an unhealthy amount of power in the English game .For example, Daniel Taylor of the Guardian wrote an article entitled “The Eulogy, the Apology, the Thank You”.

This is a man, like many others, who Ferguson has banned from Old Trafford for years. It did not stop all of them falling over each other to get down on their knees and bow to the “Great Man”.

The sycophancy of the press corps during this last week has been vomit inducing and completely unsurprising. In many ways, its akin to the North Korean’s media reaction to Kim Jong Il’s death.

Not a single article raised the fact of how powerful Ferguson was, or the unhealthy relationship which exists between his club and the Football Association. Not a single article highlighted the abuses of power, the bullying and the double standards that were such a fixture of Ferguson’s reign.

 And as for the issue of the refereeing selection process and the strange “coincidences” involving Manchester United...  forget about it. The media do not want to research, report of highlight this matter.

And not a single one highlighted a key fact: Ferguson has certainly left his club in very good hands. The new FA Chairman, Greg Dyke, is an ex Man United director. The FA Vice chairman is David Gill, current United CEO and future Board member (like a certain Mr. Ferguson). And the new Premier League chairman, Anthony Fry, is a self confessed United fan.

Taken individually, there is nothing wrong with that. The current FA Chairman has links to Man City while other heads of the FA have had links to football clubs.

But at no stage in history (anywhere in the world I imagine), has a club held all 3 powerful positions as strongly inside the country’s football institutions. That this has been allowed, without comment, to happen is the final nail in English football’s media “fair and balanced” reporting.

Ferguson leaving has to teach English football lessons. English football needs to put measures in place to ensure that the years of abuse of power that have formed Ferguson’s reign never happen again:

Never again should a football manager have so much power within the game, to the point where he has his key allies in positions of power inside the country’s football institutions

Never again should a football manager be allowed to abuse the system

Never again should a football manager have his colleagues punish other clubs for firing his son

Never again should a football manager be allowed to bully referees without punishment

Never again should a football manager be allowed to build political connections while working in the game

Never again should a football manager be allowed to ban and bully reporters at a whim

Never again should a football manager be allowed to tamper with the refereeing selection process

Never again should a football manager be allowed to go years without fulfilling his media obligations, with no punishment

Never again should a football manager be allowed to ban referees from taking charge of this team (ask Graham Poll or Jeff Winter)

Never again should a football manager force his players to use his son as an agent, and threaten punishment if they don’t

 

I suggest that the ideal person to take the first step is the new Manchester United manager, David Moyes.

After all, in 2009, Moyes, as Everton manager, demanded the FA investigate Mike Riley. Moyes wanted to ascertain whether Riley was a United fan, such was his bias while refereeing United games.

The investigation never came. Instead, Riley retired and then became the head of the PGMOB; the group responsible for assigning games to referees. He’s the man who decides who referees Man United games.

Over to you Davey.

Premier League Clubs as Lebanese Religious Sects

Christian Maronites- Liverpool Football Club

Rich history, always been present at the highest echelons of the game. Very attached to past legends. Deify ex managers.

Hugely influential in the 70s and 80s, where they went through triumphs and tragedies but been largely marginalized since 1990.

Returned in force on the world stage in 2005, but comebacks of past legends have not managed to bring back the glory days. Finding it hard to accept they may never reach the heights they did before. Going with youth now.

Recent history blighted by infighting.

Sunnis- Manchester United

Always present with big, huge numbers of followers. But only really dominated the local scene since the early 90s.

Blamed by many for having corrupted the local arena, credited by others for having revolutionized the modern game.

Have had the most wealth for the last 2 decades, but events since 2005 have weakened the purse strings. Currently rumored to be in debt.

Current owner considered to be risking his life if he ever comes back to Old Trafford. Have looked nervously at their noisy neighbors for a few years now who have recently surpassed them.

February is seen as a very dark month in their history, due to a tragedy which is remembered annually.

Druzes- Arsenal

While having a rich history themselves, never reached the heights or numbers of Sunnis or Christians- certainly not abroad.

Despite this, they’ve always been relevant and decisive on the local scene. Led by a cult like figure whose capacity to keep his club relevant despite their lack of numbers is admired by many.

Haven’t had real success for a while.

Shiites- Chelsea

Despite claims to the contrary, have always been present on the local scene- though never having the numbers to show it.

Only really made it big in the last decade. Known worldwide now but are often ridiculed for their lack of history compared to their rivals- though have been more succesful than bigger clubs in the last few years.  

While supposedly having several decision makers, only one (bearded) man really holds the power. Are largely financed by money coming from the East. Despite often seen as being in turmoil, regularly achieve success.

Hold the longest undefeated streak at home in the game. Defence was near impregnable around 2005/06.  Constantly strengthen their attacking arsenal much to the dismay and anger of their rivals.

Christian Orthodox- Everton

Few can compare with their history, but have struggled for a long time now. The Christian Maronites’ ugly sister.

Seem to be a tad more relevant nowadays but still a long way away from being decision makers on the local and international scene.

Copts- Fulham

Led by an Egyptian. They exist.

Apparently.

The only inoffensive sect out there. This is probably due to the fact that no-one has actually noticed they exist.

Jews- Stoke

Founding members of the football league. Been around for ages, since the genesis of professional football. Known for their unmerciful and unrelenting attacks from air and ground, bombing the opposing team back to the stone ages.

Owned by a man who made fortunes in the legalised gambling industry.

Spend their time bullying and using every dirty trick in the book to gain an edge on their rivals; are then incredulous with self rightheous indignation when said rivals react to their provocation.

Not liked by many. They don’t care.

Local presence nigh on invisible.

Allawites- Aston Villa

Rich in history- never been more in danger of ruin though.

Current  leader (who studied his trade in Europe), came into power under a wave of pomp and cicumstance with near unanimous backing from all key stakeholders.

At present , however, fans are said to be very much 50-50 as to whether he's the right man to lead them anymore.

Infighting between supporters a well reported theme at Villa Park.

 

 

AGREE OR DISAGREE

3 Liverpool, Man Utd and Spurs fans see if they can agree from 5 conclusions from the weekend’s Premier League action.

1) The North London derby is the most entertaining one in the league

Nadim: AGREE

The Manchester one is the most important nowadays, and the Mersesyide derby remains the most aggressive and unique. But for sheer unbridled fun and entertainment, the clashes between Arsenal and Spurs are undisputed number 1.

In the last few years we’ve had that crazy 4-4 game at the Emirates, the Spurs comeback from 2-0 down,  the Arsenal comeback last season and now last Saturday’s game. Full of goals and incidents. Just pure fun.

Joe: DISAGREE

 It is very exciting given the apparent animosity between the two clubs and when you add the flawed defending on show, it only adds to the excitement.

But the fixture cannot compare to the Manchester derby, we have been given a few examples of this in recent years and now that the game is a potential league decider then it only adds to the excitement.

Shep: AGREE

Neutral and fans alike love to watch goal laden fixtures and in recent  years this match has produced  them. I suppose it has a cycle as a George Graham Arsenal would have taking a beating for producing  such outcomes.

As entertaining as they are I think for the supporter this fixture highlights a great deal of deficiencies that will come to haunt them throughout the remainder of the season.

2) West Brom can get a European place

Nadim: DISAGREE

They’ve started well, better than anyone would have expected. But will they finish ahead of 14 teams in the division? I doubt it.

They don’t have the attacking quality of Newcastle last term to have a similar season. Their current run smacks of a team that’s in form, with lots of confidence and getting all the breaks. Won’t last.

Joe: AGREE

They CAN, but they probably won't. Granted they have a good strike force but the test will come when they visit the bigger clubs and have to soak up more pressure than they do at the Hawthorns.

So far they’ve taken a very creditable 6 points from 9 against City, Chelsea and Liverpool- but all those games have come at home. The away games will be a different test for them.

 Shep: AGREE

Great teams are built on solid foundations and usually the cost of putting such foundation runs into the millions. For me, the partnership of Mulumbu and Yacob is, pound for pound, the best midfield in the league.

The key for WBA is injuries and suspensions. The Christmas period, the run of games and the toll it takes on your squad can almost be season defining -and for West Brom I feel this period will be crucial. If it is kind then I'd expect Europa League at the Hawthorns and if not it will still be a very respectable, if not remarkable, season.

 3) 4^th spot is wide open

 Nadim: AGREE

All candidates for 4^th have major flaws. Everton’s small squad, Spurs’ adjustment to the post Modric world, Liverpool’s lack of forward options, Newcastle’s “second season” syndrome and Arsenal’s inconsistencies.

4^th spot is there for anyone that manages to consistently perform, win their home games while picking up some points on their travels.

I’d still expect Arsenal to get it though; just because they always do.

 Joe: DISAGREE

United and City will be in the top 4 for the foreseeable future. Arsenal always find a way of securing their place but for it to be wide open it would require an implosion at Chelsea.

Yes it happened last season and in recent weeks they have dropped points but the top 4 will be United, City, Arsenal and Chelsea

Shep: AGREE

The gulf in quality between the top 3 and the rest is vast so 4th is not guaranteed. At the minute, you look at Tottenham in 8th place and the situation doesn't look irretrievable.

I think the team that does the best business in a difficult January transfer window will ultimately reap the financial rewards that much coveted 4th spot brings.

 

 4) Harry Redknapp is the answer to QPR’s prayers

Nadim: DISAGREE

There’s a certain Spaniard living on the Wirral, with Champions League, La Liga, Uefa and FA Cup winners’ medals in his cabinet, who's out of a job…

Redknapp would do better than Hughes, no doubt. But with the investment QPR have put in into their playing squad, they need to look at someone who can change their youth setup too.

Benitez would be perfect for them. He’d get the best out of the current playing staff and make them very tough to beat. He’d get more out of Champions League players like Cesar, Mbia, Granero and Cisse than Redknapp. And he’d stamp his foot down and refuse to let the likes of Raheem Sterling leave the club.

Joe: AGREE

With the exception of the 2004-05 failed attempt at Southampton, Harry Redknapp knows how to secure a club's top flight status.

Granted, he will have his work cut out but with Fernandes' prepared to bankroll QPR, he could the one to save them. Although I read this morning that Benitez would be interested....

Shep: AGREE

If Tony Fernandes has dreams of QPR remaining in the division beyond May then Harry is his man.

He won't be cheap and imagine it will mean yet more expenditure in January but I believe if they act now they will beat the drop.

 5)  You are looking forward to watching tonight’s West Ham vs Stoke game.

Nadim: DISAGREE

El Shitico.

Carroll vs Huth. Crouch vs Collins. Vaz Te vs Shawcross. Diame vs Nzonzi. Allardyce vs Pulis.

Yummy…

Joe:  DISAGREE

Allardyce v Pulis... Not one for the purists as they say...

Two managers that know how to survive in the premier league but are prepared to swap substance for style.

What’s playing at the movies?

Shep:  DISAGREE

I love football and I am stupid so I will be watching. You occasionally watch a random game of football that becomes an unexpected treat.

However, I will purchase and eat a hat if this fixture becomes that treat…

 Thank God for Messrs Big Sam and Baseball Cap Tony, as thanks to them we manage to agree one something. Just the one from 5 this week. Thanks for reading, leave us your comments.

AGREE OR DISAGREE

3 LFC, MUFC and AFC fans see if they can agree on 5 conclusions from the weekend’s Premier League action. Thanks to @joethewag from http://thenotsoanonymousfootballfan.wordpress.com and @SamerF89 for their contributions.

1) Everton are serious contenders for 4^th place

Nadim: DISAGREE

Their squad is small and that will prove to be their undoing.

Everton are doing a Newcastle , in the sense that they’re beating the teams they should be beating at home and picking up a few points against the bigger sides along the way. 

The difference, however, is that Everton are potless. While the Geordies could go out and spend 10m on Papis Cisse last January to boost their challenge, Everton can’t. They’ll have to rely their small squad all season, which means a prolonged challenge will be next to impossible.

Joe: AGREE

Very well drilled team.

They seem to have confidence in their ability as comebacks often illustrate. Moyes has been successful in rebuilding his teams after some players left for bigger things.

 If only he got more investment then they would be pretty much a certainty for top 4.

Samer: AGREE

What a flying start to the season they’re having.

I have been pretty impressed with how they have approached their games recently. Moyes has done a great job.

Contenders, yes. Can they do it? We'll see. Top 7 come May for sure though.

2)  Fulham are great fun to watch

Nadim: AGREE

In Berbatov and Ruiz, they have 2 of the most elegant players in the entire Premier League. Just watching them play football is as relaxing as a full body massage.

 I was very impressed with them Saturday, especially with how they built from the back and were very patient on the ball. Martin Jol has done wonders for the team, taking them into the 21^st century after their flings with Hodgson and Hughes.

Joe: AGREE

Very well run club.

 With Berbatov at the fulcrum of their attack, a lot can go through him. No cloggers in their team and choose to play the “right way”.

Their biggest challenge will be when clubs come sniffing around their key men. Whilst they have done well since losing Dempsey and Dembele, can this go on forever?

Samer: AGREE

Martin Jol has transformed a usually typicaly English side into one worth watching.

He’s made some great signings and has a great approach which offers neutrals an entertaining brand of football.

Although they gave me a lot of heartache this weekend, they still deserve enormous praise for how they played at the Emirates. Not a lot of teams are able to come to Arsenal and do what Fulham did.

3) On the field, the 2 Manchester clubs biggest asset is their will to win

Nadim: AGREE

Absolutely.

Huge cliché, but it’s the mark of champions. Both clubs just refuse to get beaten. They’ve both gone behind numerous times this season and have almost always recovered (in City’s case, scratch the always).

United’s will to win is legendary; but it was absent last season. For City, it’s a new phenomenon; but a very welcome one. It’s what makes them both title favorites.

Joe: AGREE

Whilst they do have other assets, both clubs simply never give up and it is testament to their team morale that they can so often come from behind.

Two goals down would have been the end for most other teams but you just felt that once the 1^st goal went in, more would follow for United. As for City, there was the same inevitably as Aguero’s goal went in.

Samer: AGREE

As much as it hurts, it’s true.

Both teams have that never give up, no nonsense mentality. Everything was going against them this weekend. However, once both got their first goals, you just knew they'd go on and win it.

Europe is a different story, but in the Premier League both teams just don't know when to give up

 

4) Mark Hughes’ time at QPR is surely up

Nadim: DISAGREE

Any other club, I’d say yes.

But Tony Fernandes has been extremely vocal about his support for Hughes. I have no idea why though as he’s doing terribly. He was lucky to keep them up last year and with the money spent in the Summer, the fact they’re bottom is ludicrous.

Don’t know how bad it will need to get for Hughes to get fired, but I doubt it’ll happen this week.

Joe: AGREE

QPR’s season could mimic that of last: new manager, and money being spent in January to battle for survival.

Mark Hughes needs to take a long look at himself as a manager. His stock has plummeted. Perhaps managing abroad for a few years could do him the world of good?

Samer: AGREE

He's one of the worst managers in the league, he shapes his teams up well, yes, but the amount of money at his disposal at both City and QPR show how much of a fraud he is.

He left Fulham to find a better job… and went to QPR. His team is performing way below expectations. With those summer signings, results are not good enough.  His time at QPR is up. 

5) Unless they sign a new striker in January, Chelsea won’t win the title

Nadim: AGREE

Needing a goal on Saturday, United turned to Hernandez. On Sunday, City turned to Dzeko. Later on in the afternoon, in the same situation,Chelsea subbed off their main striker for the only other striker they have in the squad.

Much has been made of Liverpool having only 2 strikers, but it’s somehow not been noticed that Chelsea are in exactly the same situation. For title challengers, that’s ridiculous- especially when you consider how out of sorts their first choice striker is and how much money they have in the bank.

Joe: DISAGREE

Fernando Torres has shown signs of life this season and Sturridge and Moses can chip in with some goals.

They don’t have a great deal of striking options but remember in 2002-03; United got by with pretty much just Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Samer: DISAGREE

Recently some teams have proven that it is possible to win trophies without having too many strikers.

Barcelona and Spain, prime examples, both use players out of position in that striker role to their own benefit.

Chelsea have an array of attacking talent at their disposal. Even if Torres isn't scoring for fun, he's still linking up with Mata, Oscar and Hazard to create chances. They have more than enough firepower to challenge. 

So we manage to agree on 2 out of 5 conclusions from the weekend’s action. Thanks for reading and leave us your comments.

 

 

AGREE OR DISAGREE

3 Liverpool, Manchester United and Spurs fans see if they can agree on 5 conclusions from the weekend's Premier League action. Thanks to @joethewag from http://thenotsoanonymousfootballfan.wordpress.com/ and @irritableshep for their contributions.

1) Spurs’ loss at home to Wigan is the biggest shock of the season so far

Nadim: DISAGREE

A far bigger shock was the Norwich win against Arsenal. Busted my 14 game accumulator and cost me 1200 pounds. I’m still not over it.

While Spurs have been doing well recently, they still have an air of inconsistency about them and Wigan seem a much better unit this term then they did for 75% of last season. They also won at the Lane a couple of seasons back by the same scoreline.

It was definitely a surprising result, but not one that came as a shock.

Joe: DISAGREE

Yes it was a big shock and probably yet another sign of how much work Spurs still have to do to be considered serious title challengers.

A bigger shock was the Norwich victory against Arsenal a few weeks back.

Shep: AGREE

To many on the outside Tottenham's defeat will appear the biggest shock result of the season so far. Those who saw the game would say it was a well earned victory for Wigan and the margin of victory could and should have been greater.

8 points from a possible 18 at home, compared to 9 from 12 on the road suggests the side is better equipped to hit teams on the break. The sale of Modric and van der Vaart, coupled with injuries to key players, means there could be more days like these unless AVB is backed financially in January.

2) Arsenal will struggle to finish 4th

Nadim: AGREE

They’ve got 15 points from 10 games which is their worst start ever under Wenger and it could have been less if the linesman had not made a horrific offside call for Arteta’s goal last week.

At present, they look a very average side, void of any confidence and presence. However, they’ve had a very tough start with away trips to Liverpool, Stoke, and the Manchester clubs as well as a home game against Chelsea. Should get better these next few months, but they’ll face a very tough challenge from Spurs.

It’s going to be a dogfight for 4th.

Joe: AGREE

Yes they will struggle.

Whilst Wenger insists on making questionable tactical decisions (Ramsey on the right wing?) they will drop points in similar circumstances as they have done so already.

But they will make it. Other teams, like Spurs, are prone to bigger blips than Arsenal.

Shep: DISAGREE

As we saw last year, Arsenal had a rough start but finished the season strongly to get Champions League football at the Emirates. The dynamic changed when Chelsea invested heavily making it look like the top three seems a foregone conclusion leaving a host of teams fighting it out for the remaining spot.

The sale of Van Persie was a big blow and it looks like they are struggling to find the right combination up top. But overall, I think their midfield will do them proud in their quest for Champions League football whilst Spurs adapt to life under AVB and Newcastle come to terms with juggling Europa League commitments. As for Everton, I am unsure they have sufficient strength in depth for a sustained challenge.

3) You didn't see the Norwich revival coming

Nadim: AGREE

I have to admit, after Liverpool them 5-2 I thought they’d do a Derby County. There were times during that game when we made them look amateurish (we could have scored 10) and I really thought they were the worst team in the division.

7 points from the last 9 (and 2 clean sheets) and a win against Spurs in the League Cup have proven me very wrong. Still a long way to go, but I never saw it coming.

Joe: DISAGREE

The moment they beat Arsenal the signs were there that they would not do a Swindon 93/94 or Derby 07/08.

A spirited comeback against Villa and victory over Pulis' cloggers means that they have every chance of staying up.

Shep: AGREE

Going into the October International break following big defeats to Liverpool and Chelsea I thought they were dead and buried with another thumping defeat to Arsenal surely to follow.

The additions of Bassong and Tettey appear shrewd. Grant Holt seems to be returning to his talismanic best following his uncertain summer. I think if Norwich can keep him fit then Hughton has an exceptional chance of keeping them up.

4) The only thing keeping Martin O’Neill in the Sunderland job is his name

Nadim: DISAGREE

1 win out of the last 17 tells its own story but it took a long time for Sunderland to get rid of Bruce (who the fans were patently against). If Short was a trigger happy owner I suspect he’d have sacked Bruce a lot earlier than he did.

As such, O’neill has other factors in his favor bar his name; namely a patient owner. Considering how much money they’ve spent, Sunderland are the great underachievers of the Premier League , and there’s really no excuse for their performances and results. But it’ll need to get even worse for O’neill to go.

Joe: AGREE

The Rolling Stones will always have sell out tours. Noel Gallagher will always have chart topping music. Martin O'Neill will always find a premier league side to manage despite the fact that his managerial career is not living up to its promise.

It is hard to understand where the downward spiral started; but for a man once linked to the Liverpool and United jobs, O'Neill has a lot of work to do to keep his credibility intact.

Shep: AGREE

I think when Martin O'Neill got the Sunderland job the majority of us felt it was an exceptional appointment and feared that trips to the Stadium of Light were going to become difficult fixtures.

Yet with just the one win this season, the only one dating back seventeen games from the end of March, they are showing relegation form. How many other managers would be afforded as much patience in such a winless run?

5) There’s nothing wrong with Liverpool that a top class finisher wouldn’t solve

Nadim: DISAGREE

Liverpool certainly need a finisher, but they need a creator too.

At the moment, Luis Suarez is being asked to be the chief creator and chief scorer. He’s doing well enough with 7 goals and 3 assists in 10 games (don’t get me started on the “offside” goal at Everton last week) for a side with no number 9 and Joe Cole as number 10.

Adding a striker (and there’s strong rumors that Huntelaar is a done deal) will ease Suarez’s goalscoring burden but not the creative one. A top quality attacking midfielder is also greatly needed.

Joe: AGREE

Liverpool's season has seen youngsters such as Wisdom, Sterling and Suso join an impressive list of youth team players in the squad.

A bit more bite in the final third would see the team elevated to potential top 4.

Shep: DISAGREE

Liverpool, understandably, rely too heavily on Suarez. I feel for Rodgers as he is dealing with the legacy of the previous regime and their extravagant expenditure.

Whilst a clinical, proven finisher would alleviate the burden on Suarez, Liverpool need more to make them a team that can string a sequence of results that can trouble the top 5.

I think Liverpool need to look for a long term replacement for Gerrard to mentor. In addition, they need another tricky, quick, experienced wide man to provide goal threat and prevent the younger players like Suso and Sterling from burning out too soon.

So not a single conclusion manages to unite us 3 this weekend. Thanks for reading and leave us your thoughts.

AGREE OR DISAGREE

3 Liverpool, Arsenal and Man Utd fans from Lebanon and England see whether they can agree on 5 major talking points from the Weekend’s Premier League action.

1) Mark Clattenburg’s performance was yet more evidence of pro United refereeing bias

Nadim:   AGREE

I’ve written a lot on this subject so my views are clear on this.

There were bad decisions all weekend. The 3 games I watched (Arsenal vs QPR, the Merseyside derby and Chelsea vs United) were all decided by refereeing mistakes. The difference between all 3 games though is that I actually predicted what would happen in the United game- and indeed it actually fits into a pattern of behavior from referees that had gone a long time without reffing them.

Joe: DISAGREE

He certainly has a few bigger questions to answer for than those of United refereeing bias if he is guilty of what Chelsea have alleged…

The question of refereeing bias towards United is one that always intrigues me, for example the headlines will read United get lucky when on the same weekend Arsenal and Everton have questionable decisions go their way too.

Oh, and Villa should have definitely had Herd sent off for a dreadful challenge when already on a booking. Still it is United yet again that people will focus on and rightfully so as United got decisions going their way during a period of the game when they needed it most. Ivanovic had to go; Torres was very unlucky with his second yellow. Hernandez fell lucky of not so much refereeing bias but assistant referee ineptness.

Samer: AGREE

Clattenburg’s performance in the first half was acceptable. The Torres kung-fu kick wasn’t intentional. The second half is where the problems were and have been well discussed.

Not here to offer more to a conspiracy theory, however, the amount of decisions that Clattenburg gave United while they were under pressure are just too many in a short period of time. When united were cruising, he was top notch, guess he felt the same pressure they did when dropping a 2 goal lead.

Whether or not this conspiracy is true, the amount of refereeing decisions that United were awarded in that 2^nd half does give food for thought for any football fan of any kind, well except united supporters who enjoy a win over a team with 9 men and an offside goal.

2) There's no light at the end of the tunnel for Aston Villa, they're going down

Nadim: AGREE

I’ll be shocked if they don’t go down.

Their next few games are very tough (United, City and Arsenal in 3 of the next 4) and they look completely devoid of creativity or goal threat. From what I know of Villa, there’s very little money in the bank for January.

Villa have been regressing under 3 managers now. They’ve spent 3 years selling their best players to the extent that there’s very few players left that are any good. In all honesty, I can’t see one redeeming factor in their play and nothing to suggest there’s 3 teams worse than them. Going down.

Joe: AGREE

If Villa were to stay up then a victory against Norwich was crucial, but they found themselves down to 10 men (should have been 9!) and hanging on. Paul Lambert has a lot of cred amongst the footballing fraternity so people are not twisting the knife too much but deep down he must know that he is doomed this season.

Samer: AGREE

They’re running out of solutions. Paul Lambert has worked miracles with Norwich and Colchester in previous seasons. This time it might just be out of his reach. 

Lambert’s team at the moment isn’t anywhere near clicking. His top scorer starts on the bench and keeps sending out disgruntled messages; his backline could be playing for a U 21 team.  He’s got problems. They haven’t faced anyone tough in the league yet, bar Spurs.

Lambert is a good tactician and with one or two good signings in the winter window, he could pull off a good run of results to keep them up. Things at the moment look pretty tough and chances are pretty slim for them to stay up this year.

3) This could be the most exciting title race for ages

Nadim: DISAGREE

Genuinely think we’ll have a 3 horse race for the first time since 1999 (2002 race ended 1 month before conclusion).

Chelsea have improved a great deal while both City and United have looked shaky at times. United are the weakest of the 3 but have the best manager and that will to win of theirs (as well as other factors in their favor). It’s hard to separate the 3 teams, and I think it could well come down to head to head games between them. It’ll go to the wire.

But not to the 93^rd minute of the last game of the season. As such, disagree.

Joe:AGREE

With the organized chaos that both Manchester clubs appear to indulge in when chasing the league added to Chelsea’s in house drama, this season is all set to be another exciting one right to then end.

No team will run away with the league. Question marks over how much Spurs or Arsenal can chip in as Spurs have previous for caving in but if we have 4 teams still in it come December and then 3 by March the neutrals are in for a treat.

Samer: AGREE

The big three are favorites, but it’s hard to ignore how much of a role Arsenal and Tottenham may have in the title race. I do believe Arsenal does have an outside chance, but it’s a small chance, it’s nice to believe though.

 City have been stuttering, but still getting the results. United have started strong and Chelsea before yesterday were absolutely flying, although their fixture list has been kind to them. The league starts to shape up around December, Come May, one of that list will be crowned champion, one thing’s for sure, and it won’t be as easy many think.

It’s going to be a long, controversial and enjoyable title race.

4) Luis Suarez is the most entertaining player in the league

Nadim: AGREE

Love him or hate him (and I don’t know of a single Red who doesn’t love him and a single non Red who doesn’t hate him), the boy is great value.

You can’t take your eye off him. He’s the sort of player who gets you off your seat the minute he gets on the ball if he’s on your team. Concurrently, he must scare the living daylights out of you if he’s playing against you.

And you’ve got all that other stuff coming with him, the dive yesterday was pure comedy gold. His reactions to decisions at times are hilarious. If he was in the WWE, you’d pay good money to watch him get beaten up. The perfect villain but so entertaining.

Joe: AGREE

Entertaining but not necessarily the best because on current form, that title would go to Juan Mata who is the best player for the best team as the current table stands.

Suarez is giving fans the pantomime villain that they have craved since Cristiano Ronaldo left in 2009. Fans will go to games ready to goad him, defenders too. One thing for sure though is that he is a marvel to watch, no quiet moment when he is on the pitch.

Samer: AGREE

I have to admit; he’s got a great touch, lovely movement, tremendous skill and can probably  be called the Premier League’s nutmeg king.

 He does have a negative side to him, many would call him being singled out or victimized, but if you see the series of incidents he involves himself in, he doesn’t do himself any favors.

He is dirty with undoubted ability and skill. If anyone were to ask me if he was the best footballer in the Premier League, I’d say no but he’d be in the top 5.

On the entertainment side in general, he’s undisputed number 1 – with only PL referee’s being his out and out rival.

5) Stoke and Sunderland are the worst teams to watch in the Premier League

Nadim:AGREE

They’re just atrocious to watch.

I’ve watched 4 Sunderland games and seen them create 2 chances. Sessegnon is the only player with any creativity in that side and he’s had an awful start to the season. They rely heavily on their wingers who are giving them nothing at the moment.

Stoke are a bit more fun, simply because their style of play is such a relic to days gone by and there’s usually a good atmosphere at the Britannia. But God knows what they do in training. Kick, long ball, header, throw in, tackle, foul. Do they work on anything else? Do they even have coaches? Surely they don’t need them.

Joe:AGREE

Sunderland will move into November with only 1 player registering a goal as Stephen Fletcher…

A shocking stat.

Even the generous refereeing which resulted in them facing 10 men for the majority of the Tyne-Wear derby could not allow them to buck this trend and they needed an own goal to help them out. I would hate to support them.

But not as much as I would hate to support Stoke. Pulis claims to be attempting to adapt their style… really? With the players he has at his disposal don’t expect any tika taka anytime soon.

Samer: AGREE

Stoke usually are at the bottom of my watching list, unless they’re playing against us. Regardless my personal opinion about Stoke, they always have come across as big bullying footballers who have zero tolerance for mistakes. Even when they added players with pace and flair, their game focuses on being the bigger bully.

It’s been a rough and boring start to the season for both teams, Even MOTD chose to play their game last and it’s going to be a long season for both clubs’ supporters.

Until there’s some sort of improvement, it’ll be a long time before any “neutral” supporter will want to be watching one of their games.

 So there you have it, 3 conclusions from the weekend out of 5 that a Liverpool, Arsenal and United fan agree on. Please leave us your comments should you have any.

Great Moments of Football Part 4: Leeds are Alive.

FA Cup 3^rd Round 2010, Manchester United 0-1 Leeds United

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjEnEjfiWWk

In all of my football supporting life, I’ve never seen a fall from grace quite as hard or rapid as the one Leeds United endured during the last decade.

They entered the year 2000 with one of the best young teams England had seen for years and left their mark on the last title race of the 20^th century by beating Arsenal 1-0 to hand arch rivals Manchester United the first part of their historic treble.

With Harry Kewell, Lee Bowyer, Oliver Dacourt, Robbie Keane, Mark Viduka, Alan Smith in midfield and attack, Rio Ferdinand and Jonathan Woodgate in defence with Nigel Martyn in goal, Leeds had serious aspirations to rule the first decade of the new millennium.

It’s easy to forget, but in 2001 they were 90 minutes away from the Champions League final. They then entered 2002 top of the league having signed Robbie Fowler from Liverpool to boost their front of line.

But that was as good as it got.

For the rest of the decade, Leeds suffered a lot of downs and very little ups.  Through financial mismanagement, Leeds lost a lot of money and started selling their players. By 2003 they were flirting with relegation. In 2004 they went down. A few years later, they went into administration and were relegated to the 3^rd tier of England football.

I’ve seen other sides fall from grace with a thud. Manchester City for example. But not a single one fell so fast and so hard. One second they were fighting for the title and the next they were in league 1.

I can’t fully comprehend how much Leeds fans suffered during this period, but I can imagine it wasn’t easy.  Losing your best players to your rivals, witnessing your side get relegated, missing out on promotion in the playoff finals, relegation again, administration,  going to every ground to hear “You’re not famous anymore” chanted at you, playing against some minnows week in week out, living in fear of receivership, spending your time thinking just how the hell things got this bad, wondering whether you’ll ever recover.

It must have been nightmare.

But the beautiful thing about football is that it always gives something back. No matter how bad things get, football always gives you a lifeline; a reward for enduring through the bad times.

The 3^rd round cup game at their arch rivals Old Trafford in 2010 was that moment for Leeds fans.

Now in League 1, this was their biggest game since relegation from the premier league in 2004. This was Leeds’ moment in the spotlight, a reminder to the world that they had not died, that they were marching on together once again.

In the bright Manchester sunshine, Leeds took the lead through Jermaine Beckford in the first half and defending like lions from then on. They were leading 1-0 at the champions’ home ground and the fans were going wild.

Personally, I was convinced United would come back. Unfortunately, that’s what they do. I kept betting on them throughout the game, as the odds got bigger and bigger.

But by the last 10 minutes, I’d stopped betting. I could barely watch the game. I was so nervous, as nervous as ever been during a game that has no effect on Liverpool. I wanted this so bad for Leeds. I wanted them to get their reward for the all anguish they’d suffered. I wanted a fairytale story for them, a reinforcement of my belief that football ultimately is a metaphor of life; that however hard we fall we can always get back up.

Leeds held out and their players went mad while their fans were in tears. They’d finally, after so many years of hurt and embarrassment, got something to cling to. They wrote history once again.

Today they’re in the championship. The premier league needs Leeds United. I’ll be rooting for them to come up.

But even if they do, I’d wager nothing will beat this game in the hearts of Leeds fans. This was the moment they showed the world they didn’t die.

This was when Leeds lived again.

Great Moments of Football part 3: The day Brazil died.

 

1986 World Cup Quarter Finals, Brazil 1 – 1 France, France win 4-3 on penalties

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9OxeeU7UYM&feature=related

To understand the Brazil of today, you need to understand the modern  history of Brazil at the world cup.

 For so long, the world cup WAS Brazil. The 2 intertwined. Brazil gave football its first global superstar (Pele), were the first team to win the cup 3 times and epitomized what beautiful football was to the purist and casual fan alike.

The 1970 Brazil team is still regarded as the best of all time. The 4^th goal from Carlos Alberto in the final is still regarded as the best team goal of all time. For years before David Beckham came along, lobbing the keeper from the half way line was called “doing a Pele”.

Brazil, to this day, remain the world cup’s main attraction. The main event. The real deal. Everyone’s attracted to the iconic yellow shirt. Everyone can hum the Brazilian national anthem. I’m even doing it now and I don’t have much love for them.

But in reality, Brazil stopped being the real Brazil a long time ago. The Brazil we were told tales about no longer exists. Joga Bonita is an advertising catchphrase but on the pitch, Brazil rarely practices the beautiful game. The Hype is all that’s left.

 The Brazil they sold to us died a long time ago.

 I can even give you the time and place: 21^st of June 1986 in Guadalajara, Mexico.

There are 3 great Brazil teams: the 58-62 winners of 2 world cups, the 1970 winners in Mexico with Pele at his apex and the 1982-86 vintage. Winners of nothing.

In 1982, Brazil had probably the most exciting side in its history. Zico, Falcao, Socrates, Eder, Junior et all lit up the tournament with some of the most beautiful football ever witnessed in history. They tore into the second round of group stages with every single one of their goals potential goal of the tournament contenders.

Don’t believe me? Check this out. You’ll struggle to find a better way of spending 5 minutes and 47 seconds of your time (skip to 1m30)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZxvYy5-ekI

They were odds on favorites. After tearing Argentina to shreds to the point where a fed up Diego Maradona got sent off for kicking a defender in the nether regions, Brazil faced Italy knowing a draw would suffice in order.

In one of the biggest shocks in the history of the world cup, Brazil lost to 3 Paulo Rossi goals to 2 and were knocked out of the tournament to the dismay of neutrals everywhere. A dodgy keeper and lazy defending led to their downfall as the opportunistic Rossi, recently back from a year’s ban for match fixing, sent suicide rates back in Rio sky high.

Brazil regrouped and targeted Mexico 86. Again they started strong, playing some fantastic stuff with full back Josimar scoring some outstanding long rangers including this, quite frankly, ridiculous one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvroUsu6VgM&feature=related

They drew France in the quarter finals.  A side that, themselves, had axes to grind from the world cup in 82 where they were knocked out by the Germans on penalties in the Semis. This was a glorious French team with one of the best midfields ever seen in world football, led by the sublime, and 3 consecutive ballon d’or winner, Michel Platini.

It was a clash of the titans and remains, to this day, one of the best and most dramatic matches in the history of the world cup.

Careca (who partnered Maradona at Napoli) put away the opener after a wonderful free flowing one touch move. Platini equalized after another mix up in the Brazil defence.

The game swung left and right. Brazil hit the post. Tigana missed a one on one for France. It was 2 attacking teams going all hell and leather in the Mexican sun.

Then, late in the second half, Zico- the original and only white Pele- played a beautiful ball to Branco who was felled by the keeper, Joel Bats. Penalty. Brazil had a golden chance to put the game way and reach the semis.

Zico- so often the hero for Brazil- stepped up and saw his penalty saved by Bats. Extra time.

In a dramatic 30 seconds, Platini played in a beautiful through ball to Bellone who was 1 on 1 with the keeper. The keeper rugby tackled him but the referee kept his whistle in his mouth, No foul. The French went crazy, forgetting the ball. Socrates immediately had an open goal at the other end but let the ball pass through his legs.

Just as you thought the drama would end, the game went to penalties. Socrates missed the first one and all the others scored (including an Amoros one that rebounded off the keeper via the post- wrongly allowed by the awful ref) until Michel Platini, France’s talisman, missed the 4^th one. It was 3-3 with one pen each.

Julio Cesar stepped up for Brazil and smashed his penalty against the post with such power the ball went back to the center circle. Luis Fernandez then took France’s last one and put it away, sending his team into the last 4 and Rio into another spate of suicide.

But this time, the loss would have long lasting effect. It was a footballing cataclysm.  A string of Brazilian managers decided that Brazil could no longer honor their purist roots and play a wide open attacking game. From now on, defensive solidity would be the priority and attacking innovation would come from the brilliance of certain individuals.

 They’ve won 2 of the 6 world cups since then and reached a final, but it isn’t the same. No Brazil side since the 82-86 team has captured the imagination of the casual fan or the appreciation of the critic. We’ve seen great players like Romario, Bebeto Roberto Carlos, Cafu Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka et all come and go but we haven’t witnessed a truly glorious Brazil side since that day in Guadalajara.

In fact, it’s not outlandish to say that we haven’t witnessed a great Brazil match since that day. Think of all the 6 world cup campaigns they’ve played in. I struggle to think of a classic. The Holland 3-2 victory in 94 could probably be on the list, but it would be an extremely short list.

The Brazil we were taught about, read about, saw videos about and dreamed about exists no more. Today, their best players are defenders (Thiago Silva, Lucio) and their big names imports to Europe disappoint (Robinho). Gone are the sides which defined football, which made you dream and rendered everyone else basic in comparison.

That Brazil died on the fields of Mexico in 1986.

Great Moments of Football Part 2: The Miracle of La Riazor

2004 Champions League Quarter Final 2^nd leg, Deportivo 4 -0 Milan. (1^st leg Milan 4-1 Deportivo)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPGzaS9lvUA

In a Champions League season full of shocks, which ended up with 2 rank outsiders facing each other in the final, one game stood head and shoulders above all.

Deportivo la Coruna, managed by Javier Irureta, went into the second leg of their quarter final matchup with holders AC Milan, 4-1 down from the first leg.

It was supposed to be a rubber match. Coruna were surely down and out. They had been overpowered in the first leg at the San Siro by comfortably the best Milan side since the 1994 vintage.

European golden ball winner Andrei Shevchenko spearheaded an attack with future European golden ball winner, Kaka, playing off him. In midfield were Pirlo and Gatusso, 2 players that would lead Italy to the World Cup 2 years later and the legendary Clarence Seedorf. To round it off, the venerable Paolo Maldini, the culture Allesandro Nesta, the fearsome Jaap Stam and probably the epitome of the modern full back, Cafu comprised the defence.

It was a tall order for any team, of any era, to claw their way into the semis with a 3 goal disadvantage against such a side. Noone gave Super Depor a chance.

But what transpired was one the most astonishing games in Champions League history.

With razor sharp attacks, playing at a high tempo, Coruna tore Milan to shreds. They pressed high up the pitch, won the ball close to Milan’s goal, rode their luck and went into half time with a 3 goal lead in front of a disbelieving Riazor stadium.

Milan were shocked to the core and never recovered. Depor added a 4^th in the second half and knocked the holders out of the cup, 4-0 the incredible final score. More importantly, they planted a seed of doubt in every European Club’s minds about the greatness of this Milan team which would have ramifications for some time.

On the long run, this would prove to be Depor’s peak. They’d get knocked out in the semis to Jose Mourinho’s Porto before getting tonked 8-2 in the next season’s tournament by Monaco. They’ve never recovered and now play in Spain’s division 2.

For Milan, this would prove to be the beginning of the end. They would have justly been crowned favorites had they gone through but had to wait until the next year to get to final of the Champions League.

 In that final in Istanbul, they were once again  the unfortunate victims of yet another miracle which resounds in history. While all glory and credit was rightly given to Rafa Benitez and his Liverpool team for that incredulous comeback, the roots of Milan’s downfall in Turkey started on a balmy night in Spain where little Deportivo shook the world.

Great Moments of Football Part 1: Uruguay make all of the World cry.

 

World Cup Quarter Finals 2010, Ghana 1-1 Uruguay, Uruguay win 4-3 on Penalties.

 Download Uruguay vs Ghana - YouTube

I was called a heartless prick amongst many other things, but when Uruguay dumped Ghana out of the world cup in South Africa 2 years ago, I was absolutely buzzing.

One major reason for my happiness was that I’d backed Uruguay to reach the semi finals at 17/1. I put 50 quid on them and I stood to win 750 pounds if they pulled it off. Needless to say, I wanted them to win.

But that wasn’t the only reason I was in joy when they won. Just as important was the fact that I was going crazy at how much the entire world media was pushing for Ghana to win. As if an African team making it to the semi final in South Africa would be the answer to all the world’s prayers or erase the colonialism and destruction developed countries have inflicted on them for centuries.

The commentators throughout were rooting for Ghana. It was excruciatingly blatant. Plucky Ghana. Brave Ghana. Glorious Africa. They mentioned several times how much the entire world was behind Ghana.

 Fuck that. Uruguay is a country of 4 million people surrounded by footballing giants Brazil and Argentina. For decades they’ve had to endure the taunts of their neighbors and the indifference of the footballing world.

The entire world was against Uruguay. They were playing in an African city, with Ghana basically as the home team. They went behind. They conceded a last minute of extra time penalty. Yet they still won, sticking 2 fingers up to the rest of the world.

Not only did they win, but they owed heavy thanks to their number 9 Luis Suarez who first blocked a shot off the line with his legs than saved a header with his hands. This was the moment Luis Suarez became public enemy number 1 in world football (on a side note, check out the video. I’d never noticed that Fucile, the defender in front of Suarez, tries to save with his hands as well but he misses it).

 As far as I was concerned, any fan, player or coach who pretends he wouldn’t have done the same thing was a lying, two faced bastard. Simple as.

But it was in Africa they screamed!! Against Ghana!!

So fucking what? What was Suarez supposed to do? Think to himself “You know what: I can save my team and my country here but fuck it, waka waka, this time for Africa. I’ll let it go in”??

Seriously?

He wasn’t a Red then but I had no issue with it. In fact I admired his balls and his acting as he looked shocked when the ref sent him off and laughed my arse off at his celebrations.

And thanks to him, in a world cup which saw both Brazil and Argentina knocked out in the quarter finals, Uruguay, the tiny nation of warriors of South America, were through to their first  semi final since 1950. In a way which made the whole self righteous world rage at the unfairness of it all.

And I loved them for it.

 All 750 pounds richer of me.