AVB hasn't exactly had it easy since he has come to Chelsea has he?. He came into the club as a breath of fresh air speaking of motivation, fine tuning the team and with his technical staff getting the best out of everyone.
Chelsea sit fourth just ahead of the likes of Newcastle, Liverpool and Arsenal and a whopping 12 points behind United and Man City and more importantly seven points and four goals behind Spurs.

One thing I have noticed in recent weeks is the lack of real chances we are creating for ourselves. The thing is, because of this happening, the likes of Danny Sturridge (as he demonstrated yesterday) have taken a selfish approach to his game and is shooting whenever he gets the ball in or around the box rather then lift his head up and look for a killer pass or to create a chance for someone else.

The Colorado Rapids are shifting their philosophy after going through a front office and technical staff overhaul, and that change is spreading to the field as well after the club announced the signing of Colombian attacking midfielder Jaime Castrillon from Independiente Medellin.

Arsene Wenger in his press conference asked about his somnolent transfer activity in the January window:

" You cannot buy a player every time you have an injury: where do you finish? England is bankrupt, the whole of Europe is bankrupt and everyone continues to spend like nothing happened.

This must be the millionth time I've said this, but I can't say it enough, because this team keeps on giving me reason to. I am so fucking proud of them. I love them so fucking much. This team is just something else. Such pride, such heart, it's unmatchable. After the last Clasico, where we beat them 3-1, I was talking to a fellow Culita about how Barca play these games and win them with their hearts.

This must be the millionth time I've said this, but I can't say it enough, because this team keeps on giving me reason to. I am so fucking proud of them. I love them so fucking much. This team is just something else. Such pride, such heart, it's unmatchable. After the last Clasico, where we beat them 3-1, I was talking to a fellow Culita about how Barca play these games and win them with their hearts.

You'll like this. The difference between success and failure in football can be minute you need every edge you can get. And when you think about it, so much of football is in the mind. We talk about teams playing with confidence: that's a mental state. We talk about players looking nervous, or not knowing what they're supposed to be doing, or playing tentatively, or showing complacency.

It's done.

No, really. I'm serious, man. Just take a glance at the image below. Look, I swear it's not photoshopped. Look at his hair. I mean, how could I 'shop that?

Jack Bauer stylings

From now forth or at least until he fucks up Gary Cahill is a Chelsea player.

Let's be honest here, and I have said it before, the whole situation with the transfer saga of Gary Cahill has us all wondering what the hold up could be. I cannot remember Chelsea agreeing a fee with a club and then literally taking weeks to conclude the terms with the player. It's a sign that times are a changing at Chelsea, or have they already?

Elite coaching is an art.

This is my response to reader John, who left an excellent set of comments. The last of which I'll address here.

Specifically:

I'd love to see you talk about specific tactics, Gary. I have no doubt that you are very a bright guy, but I wish you'd share your knowledge with us.

LFC: 'Kenny wants us to enjoy it'

Jose Enrique believes Kenny Dalglish's footballing philosophy has the players and fans enjoying their football.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2012-01-10 10:49:47 from: Liverpool FC

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Major props to MLS for getting the schedule out earlier than ever in recent memory. Supporters Groups can now plan trips to even the early games. I know one the questions at the fore for all of the Timbers Army is if the unbalanced schedule going to help or hurt the Timbers. The answer to that question depends on if Portland's follows the Trailblazers' unofficial philosophy, namely "get energy from the fans at home and win (mostly) but go out on the road and get pushed around.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish undeterred by club's lack of goals this season

The Reds boss insists he will not change the philosophy at Anfield despite their recent drought, with his side finding the net just 21 times in 18 games this campaign

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-12-29 16:23:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

FC Dallas will now play in FC Dallas Stadium. (Getty Images)

Side note: sorry for the lack of updates these last couple weeks, I've been super busy at the day-job and with just life in general. Maybe after the New Year things can get back to normal around here.

Say good bye to Pizza Hut Park.

Former boss Gerard Houllier believes Liverpool will finish in the top four this season and challenge for the title next year.
The Frenchman, who managed Liverpool between 1998 and 2004, feels this year is a season of transition under boss Kenny Dalglish, who returned to the club in January to replace Roy Hodgson.

U.S. U-23 men's national team coach Caleb Porter has 28 players in camp in Lakewood Ranch, Fla., preparing for Olympic qualifying in March.
"We have nearly 50 players we see as potential players for the group, realistically, who we feel are capable of contributing or deserve an opportunity to be looked at," Porter said.

Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez were very different managers in many ways but one thing they shared was a preference for hard-work and stamina over unpredictable flair and creativity. Players like Dirk Kuyt and Emile Heskey symbolised the footballing philosophy of both managers, and Liverpool legend John Barnes believes that Liverpool are still suffering as a result of prioritising hard-work

Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy has set his sights on football coaching and management at the end of playing career.
The Welsh international, renowned for his fiery character on the pitch, has enjoyed a successful return to Anfield after moving to the club on a free transfer on deadline day.
But at 32-years-old, the former Newcastle and Manchester City forward admits his mind has pondered life after professional football, and Bellamy is hopeful he can stay in the game.

Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy has revealed that he plans to move into football coaching/management once his playing career is over.
Given his forthright, opinionated nature, Bellamy is an ideal candidate for management, and he has some very specific ideas about how he wants to do things:
"I have a philosophy on football about how it should be played but I'd like to start off at a young age and find my feet, and work my way up through the ranks and learn that way.

Liverpool are in the midst of a brilliant 10-game unbeaten run, which for most managers would be a reason to celebrate, but for Kenny Dalglish, it's not good enough. Liverpool have drawn five home games this season, dropping 10 valuable points in the process, and despite the high level of performance, Dalglish is (rightfully) not satisfied.

A defeat tomorrow is unthinkable but based on how we have been playing and in particular defending, is something we have to think about. It really has turned to this now and I am sure the majority of you have the worry in the back of your minds!
It's a far cry from a couple of seasons ago, even further back to Jose's time here when Chelsea were difficult to beat, workman like throughout and always a threat.

That's the verdict of AVB has he took on his press conference with the media ahead of tomorrow's game against Newcastle.
As we all know the pressure on the manager here is immense according to the media because of the levels of expectation that is demanded by the owner. AVB was quick to defend his role here and said:

"I am 100 per cent certain I will be at Chelsea at the end of the season.

If someone asked you about Carlo Ancelotti and his managerial style you would think of his time here in his first season winning the double, his time at AC Milan and the relationships he built with "his players".
Renowned for getting the maximum out of ageing players, Ancelotti was always one to stand up for the old guard and defend them to the hilt especially when he was here for two seasons.

Craig Bellamy is the latest in a long line of great attacking players to strut their stuff at Anfield, and since returning to the club, the Welsh international has played an integral role in helping Liverpool' rediscover its 'pass and move' footballing philosophy. Fellow Welshman Ian Rush is arguably Liverpool's greatest ever striker, but Bellamy has a slightly different view on Rush's ability.

Never one to shirk away from this responsibility to speak to the media, Andre Villas-Boas was quick to speak honestly and openly about our recent form. He said:

It looks bad for us at the moment. It has not been the brightest of starts - the worst for quite some time - but we have to have belief and believe in the work to get back to winning ways.

Sigi Schmid With Far Reaching Interview With Select Reporters

Topics include;
* season review
* nature of lockerroom
* individual coaching review (note Joachim Thomassen is likely the LB referenced. 23 years old. 90% available minutes played. 2 goals, 2 assists in Norway)
* goalkeeping philosophy
* replacing the keeper (including a near trade for keeper from MLS)
* building expansion protected list
* young players that need to step up
* gunning for Supporters Shield and MLS Cup if not more

Of course, Newcastle United are still riding high and are still undefeated in the Premier League at the moment, with Alan Pardew seemingly sticking steadfastly to an "if it ain't broke, dont fix it!" philosophy in our Premiership campaign so far. Obviously, when a team which should be nestling somewhere the middle of the table [.

Liverpool owner John W Henry praises Damien Comolli for 're-establishing a philosophy' at Anfield

American lauds the "unseen" accomplishments of "stability, clarity and purpose" brought back to the club, and says the Frenchman works "very, very well" with Kenny Dalglish

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-11-10 08:41:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Via Daring Fireball, Adobe is stopping development of its Flash plugin for mobile devices, choosing instead to focus on HTML 5, CSS, and Javascript moving forward.

Now if they could only do the same for the desktop.

See also Microsoft, which announced a year ago that it's giving up on Silverlight for web content delivery.

"It's no secret that I'm still a believer in American players. We have a large number of American players that play here [Los Angeles Galaxy]. Some of the teams in this league have very few. I think that's foolish. There has to be the right balance. This league is here to help develop the game in this country.

Eric Cantona, who was a key figure in bringing Sir Alex Ferguson his first title with Manchester United in 1993, has talked about his relationship with our manager on the 25th anniversary of him taking charge of the club.

"I remember my first meeting with Sir Alex when he wanted to sign me from Leeds and in the first minute I knew that I had to work with the man," said Cantona.

Kenny Dalglish has revealed that the FA has concluded the Liverpool part of its investigation into the Luis Suarez-Patrice Evra race row, and he has once again called for a swift resolution to the situation.
Last week, Dalglish accused the FA of 'dragging its feet' with the investigation.

AVB along with Branislav Ivanovic as posted in my previous blog post, took centre stage yesterday ahead of tonight's game in the Champions League against Genk and has spoken openly about a disastrous week in the Premier League but of a determination to stick to his attacking philosophy.
Now I posted yesterday asking for your opinions on whether or not we need to be more defensive minded first to ensure we stop conceding goals, but like I said, AVB has revealed he will never change his style, the style he believes will bring success.

I am asking the question here because of our poor defensive displays of late. In my previous post where I have asked you to give your opinions on what you believe is our strongest back four, and this follows on from that.
We all know Roman wants to see attacking football and being honest AVB has delivered fantastic football at Chelsea.

Gary Gillespie played under Kenny Dalglish for much of his career at Liverpool, so he's well qualified to comment on the qualities that made Dalglish such a success at Anfield. What was the secret coaching ingredient that underpinned Liverpool's all conquering side of the late 1980s? It's not what you think.

photo by Tony Quinn/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

The Caleb Porter era is underway.

A day after being named head coach of the U.S. U-23 men's national team, Porter held a telephone conference to discuss his new role, plans to qualify for the upcoming Olympics and what he wants to achieve.

Athletic Bilbao showed further signs of adapting to new coach Marcelo Bielsa's philosophy by beating Osasuna 3-1 Monday after first-half goals from Iker Muniain, Igor Gabilondo and Javi Martinez.

Muniain opened the scoring in the 30th minute, Gabilondo added the second in the 38th and Martinez headed in the third at the back post in first-half stoppage time.

Steven Gerrard can remain at Liverpool past 2013, says Kenny Dalglish

• Dalglish says Gerrard's existing contract need not be his last • Midfielder set to make first start in seven months on Saturday Kenny Dalglish has told Steven Gerrard he can remain a Liverpool player beyond his existing contract to 2013 as the captain's recovery from groin surgery faces its next test, against Manchester United.

For regular readers of my blog, you would have seen my post yesterday. For those of you that haven't you can catch it here. Basically, I posted comments made by Bruce Buck about AVB and the fact that he could be our manager for the next 10-15 years. Deja-vu don't you think considering this is what was said of Jose Mourinho.

A group of Cologne fans hijacked the Podbielskiallee in Berlin-Dahlem to honor their icon.

Not that Lukas Podolski's performance against Hertha as such warranted naming a street after him, but it was part of a bigger picture. One that could ultimately lead us to world peace.