creative players

English Premier League

Talking Tactics: The success behind Chelsea’s lack of width in attack

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Talking Tactics: The success behind Chelsea's lack of width in attack is a post from: Just Football

The London Derby between Chelsea and Arsenal at the weekend highlighted perfectly the success Chelsea has had early this season because of its lack of width in the final third of the pitch.

Van Persie, Rooney, Welbeck, Hernandez: Manchester United’s attacking options now equal of Man City’s

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Van Persie, Rooney, Welbeck, Hernandez: Manchester United's attacking options now equal of Man City's is a post from: Just Football

by Jake Meador

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Manchester's blue half should be feeling pretty chuffed right now.

Last year Manchester City won the Premier League on the strength of a half dozen prodigious attacking talents regularly cycling into four attacking roles, a sturdy-but-not-spectacular holding duo and an elite center half.

Manchester City take the Premier League initiative, but did Sir Alex Ferguson get United’s tactics wrong?

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Manchester City take the Premier League initiative, but did Sir Alex Ferguson get United's tactics wrong? - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

In a tight and nervy encounter on Monday night, Manchester City took the initiative in the Premier League title race with a 1-0 win over rivals and current champions Manchester United.

Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham - What did you think of it?

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Chelsea and Spurs drew this one 0-0 this afternoon in a tight tense affair. Being honest, Spurs had the better of the chances and Chelsea never really did enough to create Spurs problems. Juan Mata hit the post, Gareth Bale hit the Crossbar, Petr Cech saved from Van der Vaart from close range and Gary Cahill cleared off the line when it looked like Adebayor would score.

The Top Creative Arsenal Players since 2007 - Fabregas and who else?

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After my piece in defence of Aaron Ramsey on Sunday, it seemed only fitting that whoscored.com would publish this piece today, which looks at the Premier League's most creative players since 2007.

It divides the number of minutes played by the chances that a player created from open play, producing a mixture of expected and surprising results.

Bale living up to the hype for Tottenham

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Bale living up to the hype for Tottenham - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

According to Castrol EDGE Performance analysis, Gareth Bale has been one of the Premier League's best performers this season, with the Welsh winger both scoring and creating regularly for his high-flying Tottenham side.

Karl Henry – Wolves’ not-so-tough tackler?

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By Oli Baker

At the time of writing, no side in Europe's top five leagues has made as few tackles per game as Wolves (15.4) or as few interceptions (11.9).

For a team that gained a reputation as being tough and uncompromising last season, these are startling statistics.

Although Wolves do fare quite well in the possession stakes, averaging 50.

Karl Henry – Wolves’ not-so-tough tackler?

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By Oli Baker

At the time of writing, no side in Europe's top five leagues has made as few tackles per game as Wolves (15.4) or as few interceptions (11.9).

For a team that gained a reputation as being tough and uncompromising last season, these are startling statistics.

Although Wolves do fare quite well in the possession stakes, averaging 50.

Match Report: WBA 1-3 Tottenham Hotspur

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THFC1882 present a writing debut from Twitters @Brettsayid reporting on yesterday's match:

West Bromwich Albion 1 (Mulumbu 10 ) Tottenham Hotspur 3 ( Adebayor 26 , 90, Defoe 81 )

Line ups : WBA Foster , Reid , Olsson, Mcauley , Shorey , Brunt , Mulumbu , Morrison , Thomas , Gera ( sub , Cox ) Long ( sub , odemwinge )

Spurs Friedel , Walker , Kaboul , King, BAE , Lennon , Sandro (sub, Livermore), Parker , Bale , Adebayor , Defoe .

Arsenal

The Nuri Sahin twist and turn now favours Liverpool

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Finally the M57 to Liverpool to end all this in-sahinity

Reports from Spain, the Guardian, and the Beeb indicate that Arsenal were unwilling to budge from their position to keep Nuri Sahin on just a year long loan move seeking instead a provision to make him permanent. This did not find favour with Real Madrid.

Whitecaps sell Chiumiento to FC Zurich

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As the Vancouver Whitecaps prepare for an all-Canadian battle with Toronto FC tonight, they'll do so without one of their most inventive and creative players.

The Whitecaps sold Davide Chiumiento to FC Zurich for an undisclosed transfer fee, a move that abruptly ends the playmaker's time in MLS.

English youth project continues to grow

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Racing Portuense academy manager John Gontier has proudly revealed the placement of two players following the completion of NextStars' first year in Spain.

NextStars, a project created for the development of young English footballers, continues to welcome more aspiring players to Racing Portuense but in May, the joy was for players going in the opposite direction.

Arshavin move is super-confusing + fire in bellies needed against Spurs

All Four One, and One Four All! at related • 0 views

Build-up to North London derbies is usually fraught with a gamut of emotions; excitement, nervousness, disbelieving head-shaking as Spurs go on ego-massaging trips and superior sniggers as they trip on the field. Well, that's what they did until a few years ago at least. This new and improved Spurs are disappointingly far removed from a travelling circus and resemble a football team like few of their predecessors ever did.

possession

Japan - France Women's Olympic Semifinal

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A clash of truly tricky and skilled teams! A chance to see some of my favorite creative players in the women's game in action.
France v Japan, naturally.
Japan should take it, but never count the Frenchies out - especially since they can match Japan skill for dribbling skill in team passing.

Recap: Portland almost returns to 2011 form but still earns a draw

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Quick Recap: The Portland Timbers looked terrible in the first and were very lucky to only give up 1 goal. Portland responded well to whatever John Spencer said at half time and looked like a different team in the 2nd half but only got the equalizer. 1 to 1 on the road.

First Half:

It was as if Portland decided to remind the fans what they were like on the road during the 2011 season.

Revs Vets Ready for New Season

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Revs captain Shalrie Joseph believes an improved squad will lead to more exciting soccer in 2012 season. (Photo Credit:Â Joshua Pearson)

Entering the 2012 season, goalkeeper Matt Reis and midfielder/captain Shalrie Joseph are clearly the veteran leaders of the New England Revolution.

little trouble

UEFA Euro 2012 Group C Preview

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Group C features the defending champions Spain along with Italy, Ireland, and Croatia. Spain are expected to finish first but it is expected to be an even race for second place. Below is a preview for the group with the list of fixtures.

Fixtures

10 June 2012 Spain Match 5 Italy Republic of Ireland Match 6 Croatia 14 June 2012 Italy Match 13 Croatia Spain Match 14 Republic of Ireland 18 June 2012 Croatia Match 21 Spain Italy Match 22 Republic of Ireland

Group Outlook

Almost everyone agrees that Spain will win the group and should have little trouble against the other three teams.

2012 UEFA Euro Group C Preview

The 90th Minute Soccer Blog at related • 0 views

Group C features the defending champions Spain along with Italy, Ireland, and Croatia. Spain are expected to finish first but it is expected to be an even race for second place. Below is a preview for the group with the list of fixtures.

Fixtures

10 June 2012 Spain Match 5 Italy Republic of Ireland Match 6 Croatia 14 June 2012 Italy Match 13 Croatia Spain Match 14 Republic of Ireland 18 June 2012 Croatia Match 21 Spain Italy Match 22 Republic of Ireland

Group Outlook

Almost everyone agrees that Spain will win the group and should have little trouble against the other three teams.

Fulham 1-0 Liverpool: The View From South Texas

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(Rich's report was eaten by the internet, so here's the next best thing: HatterDon's View From South Texas)

Historic Victory for Fulham At Uninspired Liverpool

Ho-hum, yet another double by the Mighty Whites.

There's a point to be made that Liverpool purposely fielded a weakened XI against Fulham Tuesday evening, since they have the FA Cup Final on Saturday.

Fulham 1-0 Liverpool: The View From South Texas

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(Rich's report was eaten by the internet, so here's the next best thing: HatterDon's View From South Texas)

Historic Victory for Fulham At Uninspired Liverpool

Ho-hum, yet another double by the Mighty Whites.

There's a point to be made that Liverpool purposely fielded a weakened XI against Fulham Tuesday evening, since they have the FA Cup Final on Saturday.

midfielders

Last minute goal sends DC United to a 1-0 opening loss

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It was a classic opening game. The fans came hoping to see signs of a rebirth with new acquisitions and a team style that had finally gelled. They went away disappointed as DC United remained mired in the same ineffective scoring rut that ended the 2011 season.

Kansas City was superior in possession and earned far more good shooting chances.

KENNY DALGLISH confirms: "LFC don't need to buy anybody else..."

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Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva will miss the rest of the season through injury, and there have been suggestions that the club will have to buy someone in January as direct cover for the Brazilian. However, according to Kenny Dalglish, spending money on a Lucas replacement is not a realistic option.

Ajax

Generation 2022: Al-Kass Under-17 International Cup – Scouting Report

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Generation 2022: Al-Kass Under-17 International Cup Scouting Report is a post from: Just Football

Always on the lookout for new talent here at Just Football, we sent our man in Qatar to check out the inaugural Al-Kass International Under-17 tournament. A warm welcome to Raphael Nawari, who reports on a competition full of promising youngsters:

In a small secluded part of the world, the new stars of tomorrow are taking part in a newly formed tournament, which in years to come will be considered as one of the better known youth tournaments, rivalling the Milk Cup and others where the likes of Wayne Rooney, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi have graced us with their precocious talents.

LUIS SUAREZ: Should Liverpool be concerned about this...?

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Liverpool have been blessed with some amazing creative players over the years, and Luis Suarez is the latest in a long-line of 'edge of your seat' players to grace Anfield. Given Suarez's superb performances for the club, it probably seems churlish to highlight an area of possible improvement, but no player is 100% perfect, and in El Pistolero's case, his recent goal record in the Premier League is arguably a cause for minor concern.

The Rest

Sounders at FC Dallas - Gamethread

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Beating the current version of FC Dallas isn't easy. They have enough quality in all phases of play that on a normal day they are tough when healthy. In near 100 degree heat they gain another advantage. Still, there are opportunities. Dallas is fairly weak defending open play crosses which should bode well for a Sounders team that has a rested and ready Adam Johansson and Mauro Rosales.

Thank God we have RvP!

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Ducky's Note:Â @machiviga is back with a look at the RvP story to date. And how it has meant that Rooney's injury doesn't result in panic stations for United anymore. Also, see how many words from the Barron's GRE book you can find below...

Let's be honest here. A season ago, Rooney's  injury and the resulting layoff would have had all of us pissing in our pants.

On the Right Path

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The Revolution added Honduran forward Jerry Bengtson on Thursday in the hopes of bolstering its attack. Bengtson will occupy the team's second designated player spot. (Photo: New England Revolution)

The New England Revolution have been behind the ball on signing Designated Players far too often over the years at least, according to fans yearning for a big-name, big-market player.

England At Euro 2012: A “Neutral” Speaks

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Eamon Dunphy got it right. The "outspoken" pundit for Irish state television (RTE) said on Saturday night that "England won't score, they have no creative players...it'll go to penalties and Italy will go through." It was a stroke of luck for Dunphy, who rather slurred his way through a short interview on RTE Radio, as he "was preparing for the Spain v France game.

Reaction from both sides: A chat with the Brotherly Game

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I had the opportunity to sit chat with SBN's Brotherly Game's Scott Kessler about the recent trade between the Portland Timbers and the Philadelphia Union. I will break our chat into the questions I asked and the questions he asked of me.

Questions asked:

If memory serves me Mwanga has been in and out of Nowak's line-up.

Han Berger: Can you help us - because we can help you.

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We the grassroots of Australia would like to create more creative players but when we send them off to Rep teams and then watch them at National Championsips we're faced with this:

Massive pitches for U13 -

Han can you please inform me how this encourages players to overlap, to play through balls, for coaches to take a few risks, to encourage the smaller play - he or she of little legs on the massive pitch.

Manchester United: 5 Players The Club Should Sell or Let Go

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For most Manchester United fans, this season has been a downer. For the first time since the 2001-02 season, the fans find their beloved team not contesting for any cup final. The Europa League, which was seen as a walk in the park, turned out to be an embarrassment for Sir Alex and his men.

Barcelona hard to resist but Chelsea need to keep David Luiz!

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I read a rumour on this the other day and saw David Luiz's comments and wasn't surprised to be honest. The news that Pep Guardiola is eyeing up a summer move for our Brazilian is something you could see coming really.

There is an argument that Luiz is one of our most creative players in the side.