Written by Double98

Is everyone delighted with the return of the King?...

I am not so sure. Maybe it is the Gooner DNA in me that requires that I suffer even in triumph, I must temper joy with regret but I just can't forget how we parted...

Do you remember?

With the New Year come and gone, it's time to start looking forward to the 2012 season. Soon the training camp will open and all of the Timbers players will once again resume training ahead of the 2012 season. More than that, though, there are still more than a few open positions available on the Timbers roster so it will be interesting to see who comes in and who goes (if anybody).

Isn't it funny how different people see different things? I know opposing managers will see one incident in very different ways. For one it was a penalty, for the other his defender just got a touch of the ball.

But I'm genuinely curious as to how Alex McLeish thinks Arsenal players 'conned' Alan Hutton into getting sent off the other night.

photo courtesy of Jarred Donalson
The rumors have been around basically since the season ended. The fact that Omar Bravo had only played 5 minutes in Sporting KC's playoff run certainly did nothing to temper those rumors. In the offseason Bravo's been linked with every club in Guadalajara, from Chivas to cash strapped Tecos.

The U-17ers moved as one on Sunday...

A surfing nod in that title.

As you become older, wiser and more experienced in surfing, you learn that Mother Ocean always wins. So when sets of 12-foot waves are hurdling towards you, you wait until the set of waves subside or you sort of stick-and-move your way out to the line-up, prodding for the little channel that way exist.

I'm taking The Mail at face value, even though the whole Seyi Ojo thing blew up in our faces, and saying that this is a done deal. A DONE DEAL. More, after the jump:

Planning for the future

Not much can be reported about the kid. Except that he's a central defender, and will join an already brimming crop of talent at The Bridge, including Jeffrey Bruma, Tomas Kalas, Nathaniel Chalobah, Nathan Ake, et all.

UPDATE: Guys, this is real. No official confirmation from the team, but...look, you'll have to trust me. It's real.

By now I'm sure you've all read the big news. The Boston Globe reports that Jay Heaps is set to be named the next New England Revolution head coach.

Wayne Rooney is often considered one of England's brightest talents, however, there is one thing that stands in his way of following in the footsteps of fellow legends Allan Shearer and Paul Gascoigne - his temper.

After last month's horror lash out on Miodrag Dzudovic during the 2-2 draw with Montenegro in a Euro 2012 qualifier, it became apparent that Rooney has a problem handling his anger.

Andre Villas-Boas has dismissed suggestions that Chelsea need to reconsider their aggressive playing style and insists that attack will remain the best form of defense at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues have struggled defensively in recent matches and Villas-Boas was criticized for not being able to control the temper of his players during last weekend's 1-0 defeat at QPR.

Last season, Wayne Rooney swore during the celebration of one of his goals against West Ham and was banned.

Rooney broke Law 12 and was charged with using "offensive, insulting and/or abusive language". Despite players directing this language at referees and opponents on a weekly basis and receiving no punishment, the FA banned Rooney for two games.

Just a week ago, it all seemed to finally be moving in the right direction. After a painful start to the season, including some terrible losses and a coaching change, Inter looked to be turning the corner. Claudio Ranieri arrived to take command and seemed to be bringing back the old Inter, winning his first two games.

There isn't any football fan on the planet that cannot fail to be impressed (even if they don't want to admit it) with the way United and Wayne Rooney have started this season. He has started the season on fire scoring goals for fun and will no doubt be looking to continue his form against us this Sunday.

There isn't any football fan on the planet that cannot fail to be impressed (even if they don't want to admit it) with the way United and Wayne Rooney have started this season. He has started the season on fire scoring goals for fun and will no doubt be looking to continue his form against us this Sunday.

30 shots, six on target, six blocked, zero goals. 76% possession to the opposition's 24%. 400 more passes attempted than the opposition. Statistically, it seems impossible.
Obviously, it's not. Because it's happened twice in three years. The above stats are from when Liverpool met Stoke at Anfield in September 2008.

The king is dead. Long live the king. Well, not dead exactly. Rather, removed from the Arsenal. Yes, Cesc Fabregas has finally moved to Barcelona. The news broke last night and he is undergoing a medical in Spain now. The fee is around £35million but the money isn't important because we probably won't spend it.

Colombia international manager Hernan Dario Gomez has apologised for punching a woman "twice", after she critised his work on a Saturday night on the Town.

The woman who was reportedly drunk critised Gomez over his teams quarter-final Copa America exit to Peru last month, which lead to him losing his temper and punching the woman twice.

Summer; where the heat does something to the minds of everyone and stories spawn from nothing. Well, here's something that isn't the Daily Mail speculating the best way to make Spurs' players looking like they all want to jump ship. And guess what? Not only is it highly speculative, it's not players or even likely to happen this season.

I am with you, I totally understand all the frustrations and disgust you are feeling about the 1 win in 10. Sometimes the play has been amazing and sometimes it has been down right horrid. I have felt the same feelings, the sense of bitter disappointment after the loss to Seattle. The frustration with the last road loss after being the better team for a lot of the first half.

My SI.com article got quite a bit of response, and I've posted a few emails here that are pretty representative overall.


From M.S.:
C'mon Andrea, everyone knows what a mean and nasty bastard Wynalda is -- he's lucky to still have a job on the air with his bitter criticism of everyone and everything always leaking out all over the place.

An early goal by none other than Dynamo Player of the Year candidate Brad Davis was not enough to seal the deal for our beloved Orange. I wish I could honestly start off this column with love for Davis, but all the love I have for Davis right now is overshadowed and engulfed by extreme hatred at the continued incompetence of the officials who referee the MLS matches.

From arrogant Swedes to bratty Brazilians, there are many players who will have a big spotlight on them in the upcoming season. While some of these players are about to make the biggest move of their career, others will need to solidify their position they hold at their current club. For some, this season could be the last one which they're considered worth looking at.

As much as I'd like to rant and rant about the fact that referees continue to find ways to screw up nearly every MLS match, what's the point. It's tough as an observer and fan to look at a call that potentially cost your team a point with an objective eye. We're forced to temper frustration with the reality of the difficulty involved with officiating a professional soccer match and remember that in the end, they're only human.

Tweet

Below is a summary of tweets from May 22nd, 2011

@: kop_that: Liverpool iron-man Skrtel has not missed a minute this season thanks to his guiding principle veni, vidi, vici http://bit.ly/jhywY4 #LFC 21 May 11 22:19
@: kop_that: Wilshere and Carroll are OUT of the England U-21 squad http://bit.

Liverpool vice-captain Jamie Carragher admits he will have to modify his ultra-competitive on-field attitude if he eventually decides to go into management.
The 33-year-old still has more than a year left on his current deal at Anfield but has long been linked with a move into coaching.
Carragher, the club's second highest appearance-maker with 667, is playing under his fifth Liverpool manager in Kenny Dalglish and accepts he has learned much from all of them.

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it. | Subscribe: Weekly Football Phrase

Every week during the 2010-11 season, the languagecaster team explain a football phrase or cliche for learners of English who love the sport. Click on the link below to hear the word or phrase and you can also read the transcript below that.

Arsene Wenger had his pre-Blackpool press conference today. It looks like most of the journalists are saving post-match comments that they got for the papers tomorrow, but it seems like we will have a lot of big quotes to chew over. I watched the presser "as live" on ATVO, so I'll try to sum up what we do know for now.

Spent a week away in the Cotswolds and it seems while I did Cameron has shown his true colours yet again. Losing his temper and dispensing petty, personal jibes yet again at prime-minister's questions and then his government try to bully the BBC and criticise them for describing the budget cuts as "cuts" and try to get them to use the word "savings".

Michael Emenalo our assistant first team coach has spoken of Frank Lampard and has admitted that we badly missed him when he was injured and that with him back fit and playing in the side, he can be "devastating" for us during the run in to the end of the season.
He said:

"When Frank Lampard was injured we said he needed to take his time to come back because he's such an important player for us.

There seemed a deliberate tactic by Stoke City to try to get Joey Barton to lose his temper in last Saturday's game. Good shot of Joey Barton in action against Stoke One blatant foul on Joey late in the second half, that went unpunished by the way, was when Ricardo Fuller kicked Joey off the [...]

Manchester City's dream of finishing their season with a trophy starts to evaporate again as one of their target has now officially gone after City got knocked out from the Europa League by Ukrainian top side, Dynamo Kiev.

The Eastlands actually picked up a victory on the second leg match at home as Alexander Kolarov's free kick blast pass Kiev's goal in the first period, but one goal wasn't enough for the home team as they were beaten 2-0 in the first leg.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has praised Andy Carroll after the striker made his long-awaited debut for the club in the 3-1 victory over Manchester United at Anfield.
The £35 million record signing came on as a substitute in the 74th minute with the game all but won for the Reds, and Dalglish feels that although the former Newcastle man has to "temper his enthusiasm a bit", he can go on to become a Kop legend.

Arsene Wenger is extremely impressed with his young terrier of a midfielder, Jack Wilshere, and although he wants him to keep his temper in check, he also loves to see him fighting for every ball. "It's more than aggression," Wenger said. "I'd call it commitment......" "Aggression is something negative but he has a committed attitude [.

Impressions (some are more rants):

1. How much more time do we give Gibson before completely writing him off? I've been saying (to myself as much as to anyone else) that we should temper our frustration at the younger players with an understanding that they need to mature into their positions and understanding of the game.

Pots, kettles etc Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has simultaneously lost his temper and his irony detector. The Portugal international has spoken out against Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli for his constant media outbursts. In a media outburst, Ronaldo said: "He is a good player but he has to speak less and play more.

Whenever I get to watch Newcastle United, my eyes aren't on Andy Carroll, emerging young star that he is, but on Joey Barton always on Joey Barton. What's especially fascinating about Barton is the disjunct between his repeatedly bizarre, boorish, and criminal behavior and his typical on-pitch demeanor.

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

BY ADAM SERRANO

The life of a professional soccer player can change in just a moment.

One well-timed pass or run can change a player's life.

The U.S. team will miss the Chinese New Year on Feb. 3, but already you can see preparations being made around Chongqing, with many decorations being hung.
2011 is the Year of the Rabbit and a FIFA Women's World Cup Year. The last Year of the Rabbitt? 1999. Hmmmmm....
The U.

It's been an interesting, yet quiet week for me. I'm really not a fan of the transfer window periods, there's so much nonsense being regurgitated. Some of it by people who don't know any better, but mostly by people who know full well that they're peddling baseless speculation in search of traffic.

Bacary Sagna will miss Arsenal's next three matches after the Gunners' decided against appealing the Frenchman's red card against Manchester City.

The Frenchman was shown red in the closing stages of Wednesday's clash after squaring up to Pablo Zabaleta and making contact with his head.