King Kenny got his team selection and tactics wrong on Saturday afternoon against Man Utd.
He oped for a cautious, defensive line-up with Luis Suarez up-front as Kuyt lined up on the right
wing and youngsters Spearing and Henderson were in midfield, bizarrely at the expence of Charlie
Adam.
We have seen how Liverpool suffered this season without any pace and creativity from midfield.
Dalglish's preferred midfield foursome of Downing, Adam, Gerrard and Lucas will pass the ball to
death but neither is comfortable to run with the ball.
Against teams that park the bus, especially teams that come to Anfield, the lack of
unpredictability in the Liverpool play has caused the mighty Reds dearly.
Image: REUTERS/Gleb Garanich.
The Platium Hotel near Kiev is the next location to highlight on our EURO 2012 Stalker's Map,
Kickettes. This delightful hotel is where the Sweden NT are rumoured to be resting between their
group games vs. England, Ukraine and France.
The Hall
Image: REUTERS/Gleb Garanich.
Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool: Bellamy Stars in Reds' Stroll
First-half goals from Craig Bellamy and Martin Skrtel gave Liverpool a comfortable victory over
a lacklustre Aston Villa at Villa Park. The Reds were two-up within 15 minutes and, but for the
woodwork denying them yet again, they could have racked up more against a Villa side which offered
nothing in response.
Even Gervinho can't miss this one
December is here but Arsenal continued where they left off. Four goals victory at the DW
Stadium. Four different players added goals to their statistics for the season and we're now up to
just one place behind fourth spot (until Liverpool's match against Fulham tonight at least).
The Interview: Just Football meets Jonathan Pitroipa is a post from: Just Football
Jonathan Pitroipa's transfer to Rennes in Summer 2011
immediately looked a very shrewd piece of business when the Burkina Faso international took to
Ligue 1 like a duck to water, instantly endearing himself to supporters with his dazzling pace and
trickery down both flanks and a hugely welcome, late, point-rescuing goal against Paris-Saint
Germain in a 1-1 draw early in the season.
Even though tonights game was a International Friendly, It was never gunna be a friendly with all
the pre-match hype, Denmark and Sweden have obviously got a big history + rivalry both from being
from Scandinavia. Nicklas Bendtner had hit 3 goals and an assist in his last 3 games for Denmark,
so he was on fire going into tonight's game.
Even though tonights game was a International Friendly, It was never gunna be a friendly with all
the pre-match hype, Denmark and Sweden have obviously got a big history + rivalry both from being
from Scandinavia. Nicklas Bendtner had hit 3 goals and an assist in his last 3 games for Denmark,
so he was on fire going into tonight's game.
An exciting new service from TOMM to you, dear reader! Choose a match report from the two
options available! No need to argue or comment, just read the one you agree with and carry on with
your day happy in the knowledge that you were right all along!!!
Option 1 Gritty Spurs Rearguard Action Sees Us Through
In the old days, stretching back as far as, oh, 6 or even 7 months ago, Spurs would have let
this one slip.
Stick or Twist: Kenny's Dilemma...
So everyone's fit. Which way will Kenny turn? It's not as impossible as picking a Rafa selection
but here goes... Pepe will distribute like Beckenbauer from the back. Ahem. Right back is a big,
big call. Dalglish considers his best right full to be Glen Johnson but Martin Kelly is the man in
possession and has done little wrong.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Remember that vid we posted a few weeks ago featuring British magician Dynamo freaking Nemanja
Vidic out so badly with his playing card based trickery that the Hot Robot almost blew a
gasket?
Well, mesmerising footballers has become something of a hobby for the crafty conjurer and this
edition features him baffling the hell out of, among others, Jermain Defoe, Jermaine Jenas and
Bobby Zamora.
Much will be depended on the duo today
Match day today. A trip is Ewood Park it is. Coming on the back of a recent mini-revival, it is
absolutely vital that we continue our progression and improvement. Pat Rice will have to continue
his unbeaten run at the helm another day as Arsene Wenger returns to the bench.
Much will be depended on the duo today
Match day today. A trip is Ewood Park it is. Coming on the back of a recent mini-revival, it is
absolutely vital that we continue our progression and improvement. Pat Rice will have to continue
his unbeaten run at the helm another day as Arsene Wenger returns to the bench.
The signing of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Southampton this summer was met acrimoniously by
many sectors of the Emirates faithful. Over the international break, Chamberlain went some way to
justifying the money that Arsene Wenger paid for the talented teen and giving Arsenal fans a taste
of what is to come.
Why complacency is as big a threat to England than Wales on Tuesday
The danger for England on Tuesday is that the memory of such an easy victory at the Millennium
Stadium in March could still be floating around the minds of the squad as it prepares for the
penultimate Euro 2012 qualifier.
Everton have announced the loan signing of Real Madrid winger Royston Drenthe. The 24 year old
Dutchman joins the club on a season long loan from Los Blancos, and is expected to
immediately slot into David Moyes' side.
Drenthe impressed during his time at Feyenoord, operating as a skillful and quick left back, and
promptly earned a €14 million move to Real Madrid.
Liverpool have announced a late transfer that sees striker Craig Bellamy return to Anfield. Few
rumors had been linking Bellamy with a return to the club, but Reds boss Kenny Dalglish has pulled
a trick out of his sleeve as the transfer window shut an hour ago.
Liverpool had funds to sign Bellamy following the unlikely departure of midfielder Raul Meireles
to Chelsea.
Football matches come, of course, in all shapes and sizes the critically important and the
relatively inconsequential, local derbies steeped in decades of mutual loathing and round-trips
which measure thousands of miles and have never been undertaken before. Occasionally, though,
context isn't everything.
Yikes. A horror show from Fulham, the sort of performance that really causes fans to question
the team's direction, second league game of the season or otherwise. Wolves are a handy side, of
course, and were at home, but we'd expect to have given them more of a game. We'd expect to not
play so carelessly, so.
Sterling Dismisses Bolton Speculation
Raheem Sterling has dismissed reports linking him with a loan move to Bolton, insisting he has
not been involved in any negotiations. What's more, at 16 he is also too young to be taken on loan
by another Premier League club. Sterling has been tipped as a deal sweetener in Liverpool's
reported attempts to lure Gary Cahill to Anfield, but the youngster today announced via his twitter
account that he was set to stay put.
By Eric Beard, writing from Boston
Every tournament in football contains, at least to a certain degree, a sense of discovery.
Commentators enlighten us with facts and subtle connections that the average fan does not have on
their radar. However, the difference between the World Cup and the Women's World Cup seems to be
the amount of knowledge about the players, the tactics, and the teams the average viewer holds.
Well, no one can say that Henry is not taking the MLS seriously. In a fiercely competitive and
entertaining game, Henry was red carded late for forcefully tapping the head of a Portland Timbers
player. I personally did not think that it was a big deal, but I guess you can make the argument
that he should see red for the offense.
Well, no one can say that Henry is not taking the MLS seriously. In a fiercely competitive and
entertaining game, Henry was red carded late for forcefully tapping the head of a Portland Timbers
player. I personally did not think that it was a big deal but I guess you can make the argument
that he should see red for the offense.
There's nothing like a USA National Team loss to get the fingers on the keys.
Sure, there are parallels to the New England Revolution's loss last night, with both teams
frustratingly not turning it on until it was too late. However, the emotion surrounding the two,
for me at least, isn't the same.
The New England Revolution looked dangerous on offense and created plenty of chances, but in the
end could not overcome an equally dangerous New York Red Bulls side in Harrison as they lost 2-1. A
Ryan Cochrane own goal and some trademark trickery from Thierry Henry put the Red Bulls in the lead
before Zak Boggs' first goal of the season nearly represented a Revolution comeback in the second
half.
By Azeem Banatwalla
"I am not a man of many words, but I can honestly say that playing football is all I have ever
wanted to do" - departing words from one of football's understated legends. Another member of
United's class of ‘92 announced his retirement today, lowering the curtain on an illustrious
career with tons of trophies, but sparing individual honors.
Short, left-footed, technically gifted Argentines are a hot commodity in the world of football.
Beginning with the unrivaled trickery of Diego Maradona twenty years ago to the present day
footballing wizard that is Lionel Messi, there is something to the reputation that warrants
investigation. A third player in a similar mold has been brought to attention in recent weeks: a
superbly gifted.
While the Serie A has lost its next season fourth Champions League spot to the German Bundesliga,
next season will be the last one in which we'll have the chance to see four Italian teams in
Europe's top competition. Udinese have made it to the Serie A's fourth Champions League spot, just
edging ahead of Lazio thanks to a superior goal difference.
The video of this interesting free kick suggests that it's from a college soccer match; however,
considering the video has a May 3, 2011 date stamp, my guess is that's from a high school soccer
match. If you have information on the teams involved in this match, please feel free to share it in
the comments section.
Inter Milan's attacking midfielder Phillippe Coutinho has emerged as a summer transfer target for
Liverpool according to insidefutbol.com.
The highly rated Samba star has fallen down the pecking order at the San Siro, since the arrival of
current coach Leonardo, who replaced former Anfield boss Rafael Benitez at the helm of the Serie A
club.
On a day when very little mattered in terms of result, United produced an exciting, well drilled
performance against a young, inexperienced Leeds United team that simply couldn't compete. Paul
McGuiness fielded a strong team with the youth cup final just around the corner. Michele Fornasier
missed out due to an apparent hernia injury that threatens to rule him out of the final, so Sean
McGinty moved into the middle with Tyler Blackett, playing possibly his last game of the season due
to suspension, slotting in at left back.
Schalke are through to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time after a comprehensive
7-3 aggregate victory over holders Inter Milan.
Raul's 71st Champions League goal right before half-time killed off any faint hopes the
Nerazzurri had of mounting an unlikely comeback from their 5-2 deficit.
While Serie A fans have been aware of the talents of Udinese's Alexis Sanchez for some time now,
it can't be long before he becomes a household name a la Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Another mesmeric strike from the Chilean at the weekend and two assists for striker partner Antonio
Di Natale make his performance in the 4-0 drubbing of Cagliari just the latest in a string of
outstanding performances for the Bianconeri, who are sitting in fourth place and have a good chance
to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in six seasons.
Time to beat the Blaugrana..
The football-ing world has been buzzing with excitement. A contest that will be relished by
everybody is in store. We here at 11G are just as excited about the Champions League encounter as
any of you fans out there. Yes! Barcelona is coming to the Emirates; again.
Sean Oakes has been a Gooner for 32 years. He is a freelance journalist and
writer and his favourite player of all time is Liam Brady. He will be a regular columnist on The
Goon Blog and has a deep knowledge of who we are tracking, scouting and what players we are looking
to bring into the club.
Arsenal host Barcelona in the Champions League this Wednesday, hopeful their improvement as a
team can make up for a chastening experience in the same competition last year.
Kept in the tie by Manuel Almunia and a rousing first-leg comeback, Arsenal were embarrassed by
their esteemed opponents at the Nou Camp, losing 6-3 on aggregate, but will go into the game
believing that, despite the improvements Barca have made, they are a closer match this time
round.
A second string Manchester United side progressed to the 5th round of the FA cup after coming from
behind against an exciting Southampton side. The Saints had taken a deserved lead late in the first
half after Richard Chaplow blasted home an emphatic finish from inside the box past Manchester
United debutant Anders Lindegaard.
This was the image towards the end of our previous final:-
Next month when we play on the same stage, albeit at a different stadium, this team are
determined that picture won't be replicated across the back pages the following day. They have
worked to get to their first Wembley final in a long, long time and if the attitude and
determination of the players last night is anything to go by it will be a successful one.
Arsenal travel to Elland Road for a fixture we could have done without. Nevertheless, it's a
game we have to play and must win.
I was not happy with the result in the original fixture but the performance of Leeds was
commendable. They seem like a team from the same mould as Blackpool or WBA and their manager
Grayson reminds me a bit of Holloway.
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We love you Bacary!
The commentators said that the difference between the two sides was the fact that Arsenal made
it count when it mattered, as opposed to Birmingham. We have been on the receiving end of the same
for a long time and it was nice to see a change. Is this for real or is it just blip in our rather
abysmal consistently inconsistent graph?
