As many have noted since yesterday, Downing's two strikes against the woodwork bring Liverpool's
league total to 33 for the season, a seemingly egregiously large number. Rubbing salt in the
wounds, after the 0-1 loss to West Brom, Opta Joe noted that Liverpool would be fourth in the
league if all the shots which hit the frame were goals.
West Brom manager Roy Hodgson has been given a four-year contract to take charge of the England
team and serve as primary scapegoat/punching bag and The Sun ensured that the job began right
away.
"I would hope if I was offered the England job," Hodgson told The Sun two days ago, "it would be
with the backing of the important people — the fans and media.
I know I'm probably in the overwhelming minority but, for what it's worth, I quite like Steve
Kean. There, I said it.
It's not that I believe he's a perfectly competent coach being made a scapegoat and it's not
that I really have any faith in his managerial fortitude what-so-ever.
With MLSSoccer.com reporting that the New England Revolution are planning on taking Juan Toja
with their first pick in the current allocation order and that they are entertaining offers for the
services of the Colombian play-maker, there has been talk around the Internet that the Timbers
should make a play of their own.
It was like the first seven seconds of that Revolution TV spot.
Black and white scenes of frustrated players. Mistakes. Distorted audio. General malaise.
Although the Revolution followed the philosophy Jay Heaps drove him in the second part of that
spot "We're going to attack" they fell into their 2011 form when Luiz Camargo equalized in the 87th
minute.
White Hart Slain: Villas-Boas to sell Michael Dawson to QPR - originally posted on
Soccerlens.com
Tottenham's appointment of Andre Villas-Boas was on the condition that the Portuguese trainer
had money to spend and control over his inherited squad. After less than two months in charge the
new man is certainly making his presence felt, with the club's playerbase being tailored to his
liking.
White Hart Slain: Villas-Boas to sell Michael Dawson to QPR - originally posted on
Soccerlens.com
Tottenham's appointment of Andre Villas-Boas was on the condition that the Portuguese trainer
had money to spend and control over his inherited squad. After less than two months in charge the
new man is certainly making his presence felt, with the club's playerbase being tailored to his
liking.
Candles may have been lit, and there may even have been hushed talk of a silent vigil outside
of White Hart Lane. Meanwhile, on social media platforms such as Twitter men grown men - threw
around comments which indicated that many of them had jumped straight to the second stage of the
Kübler-Ross Model five stages of grief anger having scarcely had the opportunity to feel the
transient and illusory feeling of denial.
The above headline is a thought that's been brought up on several occasions, most notably by
Alan Hansen every time he asked about City on Match of the Day. It's an opinion that's
been thought and voiced so much in the last few months that it's turned into a rhetorical question.
Mario Balotelli is affecting City's title pursuit in a negative manner.
On the weekend just past the Spanish daily newspaper, Marca, released what they claimed to be an
exclusive. The newspapers football journalists had found out that Jose Mourinho, the Real Madrid
coach, was dissatisfied with the level of hostility targeted in his direction and believing that
his work was not recieving the plaudits he felt it welcomed he was going to leave his position at
the end of the current season.
Luis Suarez, fresh from a disciplinary hearing at the FA where he was found guilty of racism and
given an eight match suspension, has now been disciplined with another suspension. This time it is
for only one match and supposing that there is no immediate appeal it will be served in Liverpool's
next match, at Anfield against Newcastle United.
"People just don't know how good Lucas is," prophesised Rafael Benitez, three years ago to the
month. It was December 2008, and Liverpool had found themselves in a somewhat unfamiliar position
by recent standards. Top of the table, ahead of the pack and with just one defeat for the first
half of the season away to Spurs, the only problem was a smattering of frustrating draws.
There is a bittersweet feeling in the air at Red Bull Arena. Though today's press conference
to officially announce the signing of Tim Cahill will surely nab headlines, a disappointing loss in
Montreal will undoubtedly bubble beneath the surface.
The US's January Cupcake Campers took on Venezuela's B-minus side Saturday night in Glendale,
Arizona.
And while the run of play favored the States, it was unlikely former scapegoat in Rico Clark who
provided the only nail in the coffin as the US opened their pair of camp-closing games with a 1-0
victory.
Today, Andy Johnson officially signed for QPR on a two year contract, leaving Fulham after four
seasons of patchy service. Tim has a great run down of Andy's impact at Fulham from earlier this
year here, albeit with some not particularly glowing conclusions.
So what will we remember of Andy's time at Fulham?
Today, Andy Johnson officially signed for QPR on a two year contract, leaving Fulham after four
seasons of patchy service. Tim has a great run down of Andy's impact at Fulham from earlier this
year here, albeit with some not particularly glowing conclusions.
So what will we remember of Andy's time at Fulham?
Let me start by reiterating where I stand re Aaron Ramsey, or for that matter, on any young
Gunner who wears the shirt with pride and gives their all for the team: I support them
unreservedly.
For me, they are not machines from which we can pull the plug if we don't like what we are
seeing.
Let me start by reiterating where I stand re Aaron Ramsey, or for that matter, on any young
Gunner who wears the shirt with pride and gives their all for the team: I support them
unreservedly.
For me, they are not machines from which we can pull the plug if we don't like what we are
seeing.
Arsenal star midfielder Mikel Arteta has dealt another immense injury blow to his French manager
Arsene Wenger after the many he has received over the course of the season. According to the many
reports, Mikel is out for good this season after the Wigan game. With four matches still to go in
the Premier League, [.
I almost fell off my stool at the pub Sunday. No, not what you think (this time), but I was all
cocky, telling everyone who'd listen (no one did) that interviews after games are too predictable.
1. Resurrection-Â Two games, two deficits, two wins. Suddenly Arsenal have fight, suddenly Arsenal
have character. With Andrey Arshavin gone, the media must identify a new scapegoat. Thus far, the
Gunners have denied them. Rosicky is approaching his...
The numbers simply don't lie: Seven years without a trophy. The worst Arsenal team in ten years.
Arsenal appears to be in a state of crisis, but there are yet more questions than answers
concerning any resolution. Arsenal fans are demanding to know whether Arsene had access to the fat
reserve account, whether he should be the target of blame and villified or else forgiven.
The numbers simply don't lie: Seven long years without a trophy. Comments regarding the team's
demise have been loaded with vitriol: "The worst Arsenal team in ten years," for instance. Arsenal
as a team appears to be in a state of crisis, but there are yet more questions than answers
concerning any resolution.
Something rather remarkable happened on Tuesday night. Did you spot it?
No, I don't mean the FFB (Fat French Benchwarmer) peeing his sky blue pants (size XL) at the
very sight of Emmanuel Frimpong.
Nor do I mean two rookie Arsenal midfielders with the amusing acronym of "CoqPong" completely
dominating the expensively acquired internationals in the Abu Dhabi City line-up.
Something rather remarkable happened on Tuesday night. Did you spot it?
No, I don't mean the FFB (Fat French Benchwarmer) peeing his sky blue pants (size XL) at the
very sight of Emmanuel Frimpong.
Nor do I mean two rookie Arsenal midfielders with the amusing acronym of "CoqPong" completely
dominating the expensively acquired internationals in the Abu Dhabi City line-up.
THE HORROR! After a ridiculous (we mean it, in every sense of the
word) 2-1 defeat to Mexico in the Olympics Football Final on Saturday, Brazil have one last
friendly against Switzerland to play in on Wednesday. As written on Neymar's face, they'd prefer to
head home now, if you'd kindly please, or at least take a break before
the domestic season starts!
In the wake of the bizarre circumstances surrounding the Danny Califf trade, it is clear that
the Unionare a team in crisis. I was previously willing to make excuses for a slow start that could
be turned around in the latter half of the season. Given the lack of transparency with both the MLS
and the Union, it's unclear where the source of the problems lies.
Sir Alex Ferguson has gone on record this morning as saying that he's 'had a word' with Ashley
Young about his fetish for humping the turf at Old Trafford with gay abandon telling the press
that, while he feels that Young is being made a scapegoat of due to his affiliation with United
(all that bloody diving's not really helping either), he fully expects the flimsy winger to curb
his theatrics from now on.
On this week\'s review section we congratulate Messi, Dortmund and Celtic, while we report on Arjen
Robben\'s nightmare game and sympathise with English referees.
The day after U.S. soccer fans celebrated the women's CONCACAF win and their Olympic
qualification comes word that the WPS is on ice for the 2012 season.
Word began to filter out via players and bloggers on social networks like Twitter Monday
morning, and the league officially made the announcement midday.
