Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has stated that he was happy with his team’s performance on Monday night, as his men drew 0-0 with Tottenham.
The Anfield crowd saw a positive display from The Reds and Luis Suarez return from the bench, but no goals against the north London side.
The Scottish coach applauded how the Merseysiders went about their business, despite not recording a victory.
“I think the most important thing for us was we’re really pleased with the way the team played,” he told Sky Sports after the stalemate.
“We put them under an awful lot of pressure. We kept our own shape, purpose and determination.
“Like any other game you just need the bounce of the ball to go your way. If we’d got one to go our way we possibly would have won it.
“We’ve played all the top sides here, Tottenham are a top side, and we’ve done very well against them.
“So whether we think it’s just or unjust is irrelevant at the moment. The most important thing for us is we’re really pleased with the way everyone performed.
“Everybody deserved credit. Pepe didn’t have much to do. Everyone made a contribution.
“It would have been disappointing had we not got anything from the game. I don’t think the harshest of the critics would have said we deserved nothing.
“Andy Carroll was very, very good tonight. We’re delighted with him.
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“We’re in a better position than we were in last year. We’ve got a cup final to look forward to.
“Like everyone else we’d like to convert more chances. There’s not another team that has constructed as many chances as we have, I don’t think. And there’s not as many teams that has lost of few goals as we have. So we’re three quarters of the way there,” he concluded.
If Nicolas Anelka’s international career wasn’t over with the 18-game ban he has been issued with by the French Football Federation (FFF), then his comments in reaction to them certainly sealed the deal. Anelka said today:
“For me, this whole commission thing is a nonsense, a charade not to lose face. The so-called punishment has no relevance whatsoever because, for me, the French national team was an issue which ended on the 19 July when I was kicked out of the training centre at Knysna. This is just to entertain the public, to turn the page because Laurent Blanc needs to be able to work in peace. These people are clowns, I am dying with laughter.”
Only the people involved during France’s camp in South Africa will really know what happened, but what we know is what the rest of the world saw: an embarrassment of the greatest proportions. What started as a fall-out between a player and his coach – Anelka had told Raymond Domenech to ‘Go f**k yourself, you son of a whore’ – during half-time in France’s game with Mexico, turned into a state of affairs where Anelka was sent home, the players went on strike, the head of the FFF resigned and eventually the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, stepped in to enquire as to what on earth was going on.
Whether Nicolas Anelka was willing to play for France after the incident is ambiguous, the issue seems to have been with Domenech, and as he no longer resides as the French coach, Anelka may have been happy to play under Blanc. However, the cold truth, regardless of Anelka’s intentions, is that the FFF had to make an example of someone simply to save face. Raymond Domenech’s reputation is in tatters (although it was pretty ropey to begin with) and so simply laying the blame on him would not have washed. If the players involved had got off scot-free what sort of example would that set in terms of dealing with in-house arguments? Anelka was the original offender and so suffered the brunt of the punishment, Evra got his ban (5 games) for his role as captain, Jeremy Toulalan (one) for writing the statement and Ribery (three) for I’m not quite sure why – maybe because he was vice-captain, maybe for allegations of underage prostitutes, or maybe because even amongst that squad, he stood out as particularly terrible at the tournament .
Laurent Blanc needed a clean slate, and after dropping every player for his first game in charge, he needs a sense of authority that exudes over his players i.e. that sort of behaviour will not wash regardless of whether you agree or not. By the same token, the FFF needed to get a grip on matters after they spilt out so disastrously in South Africa. Anelka is a good player, but at 31, he is expendable in the eyes of the FFF for their next qualifying campaign. Had it been England and Wayne Rooney, or a player of that importance to the French side, there is no way that player would have received that punishment.
Overall, the FFF had no choice but to make a big, public show of the punishment that they dished out. I will be very surprised if any French players do something similar again in the near future, although stranger things have happened in football, and the team now has an opportunity to leave this incident behind. Maybe this will be a stark reminder to players of what a privilege it is to be asked to play football for your country. Anelka has to accept that he is, rightly or wrongly, the fall guy. If his country is to get back on track, then they must now try to rediscover the success that they had at the turn of the century. This is the right step forward and Anelka is a sacrifice for the greater good.
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With the World Cup only a few million seconds away- probably- the excitement is now reaching boiling point, especially for those of us who’ve allowed ourselves to get carried away with the idea that England can actually win.
While the dream of seeing Rio Ferdinand lift the coveted trophy in just 40 days time, may be just like the dream I used to have of bedding Pamela Anderson when I was younger- i.e, never going to happen, rather than anything wet, I still can’t help but have a faint glimmer of hope, dare I say even expectation.
It’s at such times that the cynic in me raises his gloomy, pragmatic head and reminds me that not only are England seemingly destined to never win the World Cup in my lifetime but that, along with certain other things are pretty much guaranteed at this summer’s tournament. Here’s a list of ten things that will more than likely happen in the next few weeks.
10. Let’s not drag it out or hide it in the middle or near the bottom, England go out on penalties. There I’ve said it. Despite my overwhelming faith in Wayne Rooney and unshakeable optimism bordering on blind faith, the odds are that England will be eliminated on penalties. I may be wrong and of course I hope I am but as the World Cups of 1990, 1998 and 2006 showed us, not to mention Euro’s 1996 & 2004, the national team’s predilection for penalty elimination in major tournaments has become something of a tradition.
9. A co-commentator/pundit will use the tournament to try and get the job full-time or impress us all and instead merely become very annoying. I remember in 1994 listening to John Fashanu state: “He’s just nutmegged the defender- which is pushing the ball between your opponents legs.” before being thanked by his colleagues for explaining such things to the many people who may be watching football for the first time. There was also the Martin O’Neill; I’m going to get my point across, even if it runs through the second half performance of France ’98. Let’s of course not forget the various Ron Atkinson ’isms’ which lit up Japan and South Korea 2002- on second thoughts, let’s forget all about them. I’m half expecting Ian Holloway to be wearing a fez in the studio banging a tambourine and ‘amusing is all with ‘crazy‘ metaphors- the joker.
8. Maradona will cost Argentina the world cup with a bizarre substitution. I was going to say silly tactical decision but giving the plumped, shaking slightly, Hand of God’s fondness for those it seemed a bit too broad. I expect it to be a substitution that does for the two-time winners. Just as it did in Germany 2006 when Jose Pekerman removed man-of-the-match Juan Riquelme during the quarter-final game against the hosts. The difference between then and now is that Pekerman was by all accounts a sane individual despite making a poor decision, something his successor could never be accused of. Expect Lionel Messi to be dragged off for only hitting the bar with a 30-yard lob, or perhaps Juan Sebastian Veron to be asked to fill in between the sticks following a goalkeeping error, with Maradona in charge- of the team if not his faculties – anything’s possible.
7. There will be no surprise packages. This sounds harsh, after all doesn’t every World Cup have a team that comes from nowhere to get to the quarter-finals or even the semi’s. Okay, you may get an African nation in the last eight, but would that really be a shock? I don’t think the final four of the tournament will be of any great surprise, expect Keaton, McManus, Fenster, Kint, et al to be there- did you see what I did there? In other words, Germany, Spain, Brazil, Argentina-unless Maradona acts quicker than I expect- to all be there or there abouts.
Which leads me onto my next one…
6. Germany will progress further than England. Again I’m listening to my head rather than my heart as I still think we, yes ‘we’ are going to win the World Cup and am so confident have even bet an entire tenner on it, but realistically ‘we’ won’t. Not only that, our former military adversaries- oops don’t mention the ’you know what’ always seem to do better than we do when it comes to the World Cup -unless it’s in England of course, and there’s a Russian linesman. Since the day that everyone over fifty won’t stop going on about, Germany have almost always gone at least one better than us. Mexico 1970’s quarter-final defeat to them was the beginning of a pretty shabby run from England. 1986 we made the quarter-finals they made the final. 1990 we made the semis, they won it. 1998 we made the second round; they made the quarter-finals. 2002 we made the quarter-finals they made the final. 2006.…..you get the point.
Click here to see the TOP 5
5. Emile Heskey will not score a single goal.
4. Peter Crouch will.
3. Nelson Mandela will be shown on the television at least 54 times a day and how far South Africa has come as a nation over the past 16 years will be mentioned at least every 3 minutes by every commentator.
2. A Premier League player will win the Golden Boot. At first this may seem like I’m stating the obvious as due to the fact Ji Sung Park plays in the EPL then there can be no doubt what I’ve said is true. However with Fernando Torres- if he makes it, not to mention Wayne, oh you know the one, Rooney that’s it. Plus Carlos Tevez, Robin Van Persie and Didier Drogba all representing their country, it’s not the most far-fetched notion I’ve ever heard of. Unlike a recent ten pound bet I made earlier.
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1. A single person will be blamed for England’s exit. As far back as I can remember -or even google for that matter, without fail at every major tournament it has been the act of one man that has let this nation down. Sometimes before we’ve even got -or not got- to a tournament, look up Assenmacher if you don’t believe me. It was David Beckham in ‘98, David Seaman in 2002- by some critics, not all I might add, 2006 it was obviously Cristiano Ronaldo for having the temerity to wink after Rooney got sent off. Let’s not forget the Euro’s as well, where we’ve even seen a penalty spot, come under scrutiny for England’s exit. Admittedly you could argue that if Fabio Capello picks the wrong side or whatever, then obviously he’ll be to blame but I’m not talking about that, I’m on about burning effigies of Stephen Warnock for giving away that 93 minute throw-in on the half way line that led to the equaliser. Or perhaps we’ll find ourselves boycotting Spain as a holiday destination because David Villa dived in the box to win a penalty against us. Chances are though it could be some previously unheard of referee who finds himself public enemy number on in England for making a suspect decision which was without a doubt the turning point in our quarter-final game.
Read more of Justin’s work at his excellent blog ‘Name on the Trophy’
When the Champions League draw was made, many Arsenal fans had a feeling they were going to draw Barcelona. Arsene Wenger’s side threw their group away, and this is the punishment Arsenal are going to face. Barcelona have been sensational for the past three years, and seem to be getting better. I wouldn’t give Arsenal too much of a chance against them – if they continue to play like they have over the past weeks. A defeat may actually help Arsenal’s long term Premier League aspirations.
Arsene Wenger must know that the Premier League is there for the taking this season. Although Arsenal have fallen behind Manchester United, they are still very much in it. Arsenal need to get their priorities right. Winning the Champions League would be a fantastic achievement but becoming Premier League champions has to be the priority. There are no certainties in football, however, Chelsea and Manchester United have been handed very favourable draws, and Tottenham stand a good chance of defeating Milan. A defeat against Barcelona would not be the end of the world in terms of the Premier League.
The longer Manchester United and Chelsea are in the competition, the better for Arsenal. Manchester United have a backlog of fixtures coming up, mix that with the FA Cup and they could struggle. Do Manchester United have the squad capable of challenging on three fronts in 2011? It would seem they do not, Arsenal could take advantage of this. Chelsea will also be competing on three fronts with a paper thin squad. Add to this, Chelsea’s obsession to win the Champions League and they may take their eye off the Premier League.
Again, nothing is certain in football. I am not saying for one moment that Arsenal will not beat Barcelona. However, going on last year and the way the two sides have played this season, the likelihood is that Barcelona will win the tie over the two legs. Arsenal have a better team this year, but so do Barcelona. They have added David Villa to their strike force, and his performance in the recent Catalan derby was majestic. If Barcelona go into the Arsenal game in this form, Arsenal will be put to the sword again. Arsene Wenger’s side have come a long way since being destroyed in the Nou Camp but again, so have Barcelona. There would be no disgrace in losing to Barcelona, it could help them.
If Arsenal lose to Barcelona but win the Premier League in May, it may be seen as a blessing in disguise. It is completely hypothetical but we have to accept that in all probability Chelsea and Manchester United will go further in the Champions League. If the Arsenal squad has their eye on the ball, fighting for one championship, Arsenal could very well become 2010-2011 Premier League champions.
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Just prior to the Euro 2012 final, Jordi Alba completed his move from Valencia to Barcelona; marking the occasion with an outstanding effort in front of goal against Italy. The left-sided attacker joins Barcelona as the most recent La Masia graduate who got away, only to return to the nest a number of years later. It’s no doubt an expensive (and perhaps frustrating) exercise for Barcelona to undertake, but their signings have been smart and important for the future successes of the club.
Gerard Pique returned home following a quiet spell in England: A talented centre-back who maybe struggled with a combination of limited playing time and the demands of the Premier League. At the time, it was the weighing up of whether Pique or Manchester United’s other young centre-back Jonny Evans would remain at the club. Likely with a degree of regret (certainly in hindsight) Alex Ferguson allowed Pique to rejoin Barcelona for a small fee.
Pique’s lack of matches in England was of little concern to new manager Pep Guardiola. The youngster combined exceptionally well with veteran centre-back Carles Puyol and formed the bedrock of a stubborn but hugely gifted defensive line. His participation in Barcelona’s rise to world dominance has been greatly important due to his footballing education in the club’s La Masia academy. Not only was Pique blossoming into one of Europe’s leading defenders, he also possessed the technique and composure to involve himself in Barcelona’s passing game. His late goal against Inter Milan in the 2010 Champions League semifinal was an excellent display of his ability in unfamiliar territory.
In much the same way, Jordi Alba will add significantly to Barcelona’s game for many years. His game is much more similar to that of right-sided attacker Dani Alves: A quick, wonderfully talented attacker who sometimes doubles up as a full-back. Former Valencia manager Unai Emery’s decision to rotate the left-back and left-wing spot between Jeremy Matieu and Jordi Alba allowed Barcelona’s new signing to play a significant role in Valencia’s attack, while still having the insurance of the Frenchman in defence.
Alba’s performances for Spain this summer is no great surprise; he’s been producing them on a consistent basis with Valencia. But again, his education and ability to slip so effortlessly into Spain’s first XI would have been a significant bonus in bringing him back to the Nou Camp. His contract at Valencia would have expired next season, but Barcelona were clearly motivated to act quickly ahead of a chasing pack with much more financial power.
Although the Catalans are playing this expensive game after many of their players find admirers around Europe, the issue of buying back their former graduates is not exclusive to them. Real Madrid have also gone about similar business over the years in re-acquiring Alvaro Negredo and Esteban Granero, among others. But Real Madrid and Barcelona noticeably carry out a different transfer policy, one which suits their club’s philosophy on the pitch.
A superstar is never unwelcome at the Nou Camp, but for the most part in recent years, Barcelona genuinely have created their own superstars. The purchase of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to enhance the club’s attack turned out to be a failed attempt. The Swedish international simply could not integrate into a team where there is no single defined star. Arguably Lionel Messi holds that position, but his numbers are the only thing that separates him from the rest of his team mates.
Much like their business to ensure former players and people familiar with the club take up roles in the hierarchy, Barcelona go about their transfer dealings in a similar way. It allows the club to remain successful over the long term without sacrificing the playing philosophy that was introduced by Johan Cruyff.
In the same way that Cesc Fabregas so effortlessly made himself a part of Barcelona’s game on the pitch, Jordi Alba will undoubtedly have a similar impact. Fabregas, who has had to adapt to different roles in the Barcelona team, instantly rediscovered the on-field connection with Lionel Messi that the two had in their La Masia days. His performances dropped off later in the season, as did the rest of the team’s, but his flurry of goals in his first few months proved that Barcelona bringing in Pique a few season’s earlier was no one hit wonder.
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The way Jordi Alba found himself so far up the field and receiving a perfect pass from Xavi seemed the best way to mark his transfer to Barcelona. An expensive transfer considering his origins with the club, but absolutely a necessary one.
Liverpool attacker Dirk Kuyt has spoken of the impact of Craig Bellamy, and feels his team-mate has improved since his first spell with the Merseyside club.
The Wales international has scored nine goals since moving to Anfield from Manchester City in the summer, and Kuyt is full of admiration for Bellamy’s ability.
“Craig has been unbelievable. He looks even better now than he did the first time he was here – it’s not very often you can say that about someone who spends two spells at a club,” the Netherlands international told Mirror Football.
“Usually, the first time is better, but this time, with Craig in better shape, he knows exactly what he can do and he’s really professional in training every day, not just helping himself, but the whole of the squad.”
Bellamy was awarded the club’s Player of the Month award for January, for the second time in a row, but has stated that success for the team is more important.
“I’ve always had the view that a goal is a bonus for me. They don’t alter how I go about my game,” Bellamy said.
“The aim for me is to try and win and to try and play as big a part as I can in the game. And if I’m able to score or create one, it’s a bonus.
“If goals come, great, but winning games is more important for me.
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“To win the player award two months on the run means something to me. Do I think I’ll get a third? No, so I’m going to milk it this month!” he admitted.
Since getting promoted to the top flight in 2007/8, Stoke City have embarked on a project; transforming themselves from relegation favourites into a stable Premier League force. While they will always have their detractors, it may be about time that the somewhat patronising platitudes and plaudits finally heading their way come to an end, for they could be a serious threat to those with Europa League aspirations this term.
Of course, Stoke are already competing in Europe this season courtesy of an FA Cup final appearance last term against Man City, yet people still feel the need to belittle their achievements as merely a blip on the radar before the status quo is rightly resumed.
Whenever an article is written about Stoke praising their progress it is often met with the caveat about their style of play. It’s become an obsession for most that when discussing Stoke (granted, I accept the irony that I may be falling into that very same trap now) that to praise them is to highlight their limitations at the same time. With no other club in the Premier League does this happen.
Under Tony Pulis’s astute leadership Stoke have finished 12th on 45 points, 11th on 47 points and 13th on 46 points. This summer’s heavy spending in the transfer market then can be seen as nothing more than a statement of intent through fear of giving way to stagnation.
Cast your eye around Stoke’s squad now and it’s filled to the brim with Premier League, and in some cases, international quality players. The arrivals of Peter Crouch, Wilson Palacios, Jonathan Woodgate and Matthew Upson this summer all signify a step in the right direction and fittingly for a Tony Pulis signing, they all arrive with a point to prove.
We’ve all fallen into the trap before of praising ‘little old Stoke’ for doing well, but the biggest compliment that you can pay them is that last weekend’s 1-0 defeat of big-spending Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium didn’t come as a surprise. I’ve long been a fan of Pulis’s side and welcome the change for once of a team not merely settling to make up the numbers – see here for further proof of an article I did just over a year ago on the topic – https://www.footballfancast.com/2010/09/football-blogs/fortune-favours-the-brave-for-bold-stoke
Could they emerge as a serious threat to those challenging for a Europa League place this season?
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Most certainly. Spurs are a dishevelled and deeply unsettled side after this summer’s transfer window. Arsenal, while they have strengthened, are susceptible to a challenge and have shown time and time again that they lack the desired mental strength over the course of a long campaign. Liverpool are likely to be inconsistent for the majority of the campaign as they begin to blood new faces. Everton are well and truly skint and a top-half finish would be an achievement in itself for Moyes’s charges and Aston Villa look like a side on the precipice of regression under Alex McLeish.
It’s far from certain, but when you analyse their nearest challengers, Stoke have the most dependable back line out of the aforementioned sides and the least amount of outside pressure on them. They will still struggle to score goals (Cameron Jerome, why?) but they remain difficult to break down and a pain to play.
They’re the model by which future Championship sides will base their first summer in the Premier League on. It seems that only now are they beginning to garner the plaudits that they truly deserve.
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They’ve been labelled as ‘honest’, ‘hardworking’, ‘committed’ and ‘tough’ in the past, but perhaps before we all give way to the worst kind of revisionist thinking, it would be best just to praise Stoke for what they are good at for once, as opposed to judging them for what they aren’t.
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England manager Roy Hodgson has stated that Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson is likely to get his England debut in the side’s next friendly fixture.
The full-back has had an impressive start to the 2012-13 campaign, and was touted as an outside chance for the upcoming Three Lions squad to take on San Marino and Poland in World Cup qualifiers.
Despite Jenkinson being left out of the squad for October’s games, Hodgson has confessed that the Gunners’ prospect will be involved against Sweden in the next friendly game. In November
“We kept Jenkinson up our sleeves on this occasion, but he’ll be in our thoughts for the next friendly,” Hodgson is quoted as saying by The Sun.
Jenkinson also qualifies to represent Finland, but is thought to have decided to play for England internationally.
Another player of dual nationality is Raheem Sterling, and it is also believed that the Liverpool youngster will play in the fixture against Sweden to prevent him representing the country of his birth, Jamaica.
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Keith Downing believes West Brom boss Steve Clarke has provided a seamless transition from the Roy Hodgson era as the Baggies prepare to tackle Capital One Cup holders Liverpool.
Assistant head coach Downing believes Clarke has combined the defensive solidity of current England boss Hodgson with a more attacking approach. Albion are fourth in the Premier League and will be looking to complete a quick-fire double over Liverpool after their 3-0 opening-day win at the Hawthorns. Downing told Sky Sports:
“The manager (Clarke) takes a lot of credit because he stepped into some big shoes in terms of Roy’s work previously. Steve is a very quiet man, he doesn’t take the plaudits too much and he does his work in the background. But the transition has been seamless. He has come in and put his own slant on it. He has worked off Roy’s principles but put his own mark to it.”
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When asked to compare the qualities of the duo, Downing said: “They are very similar, very organised, structured, know exactly what we are doing on the pitch. In general terms, Steve has added a bit in terms of ideas going forward on the offensive side. But there are a lot of principles in terms of what Roy has done in terms of structure and team ethic and he has carried that on. The sensible thing is Steve has realised what is good and added the things he feels need improving and has done that really well.”