A Football Report

By Andy Jones, writing from London

After Sunday’s trouncing at the hands, or feet I should say, of a German team brimming with talent, technique and teamwork, it is not only the current national side that must go back to the drawing board, but every team in the country, ranging from the top clubs in the Premier League to the Sunday league teams for 6 and 7 year olds which start the players’ journeys into becoming professionals.

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By Andy Jones, a distraught Arsenal supporter writing from London

What can I say, as an Arsenal fan this is definitely some of the worst news we can hear, Fabregas wanting to leave. He is our heartbeat, the definition of modern day Arsenal, sleek, sublime, the greatest passer we have, and, of course, our Captain.

The fact that only this season he was handed a new contract, with some of the highest wages the club has ever paid out along with the fact that Wenger choose to give him the arm band ahead of say van Persie, the team being built around him, from the way we moved him further up the pitch and have a holding midfielder to give him freedom on the pitch and the fact the fans completely loved him (this has changed for some), makes his asking to be sold, for me personally, a hurt wrenching insult to the club and us fans. Yes, he has the right to be happy and to go back to his boyhood club, but after signing a new contract so recently and knowing full well that this summer the club has the financial power to buy players of his calibre to balance out the team, his moment to say he wants to leave is selfish.

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By Andy Jones, writing from London

A league and FA Cup in Carlo Ancelotti’s first season and Chelsea’s first league and Cup double is something truly special, for any team. Some say the game was a thrilling encounter, the woodwork keeping it down to a low scoring game, despite being hit five times. Perhaps the highlight of all of them was Kalou missing from a couple of yards out and hitting the bar! All this put together with with one saved penalty, Cech not letting Kevin Prince Boateng put Pompey ahead and one put wide by a certain Lamps, lead to a game that could have had a historic scoreline!

Portsmouth could of defied the odds today; a second cup FA cup in 3 years for a team about to drop down into the Championship and with a team full of players who could all be shipped and sold off this summer. It’s a testament to Grant that, with a little bit more luck, Pompey could of won.

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By Andy Jones

Well, in the last two weeks we have seen the title race go from a three horse race to a two horse race and the chase for fourth place looks like it’s going to right down to the wire. Will Spurs finally get their elusive chance in the Champions League or will City hit their target and finish in the top four, while Arsenal will want to make sure they don’t loose 3rd place and attempt to finish the season strongly. At the bottom end of the table Burnley, Hull City and West Ham are all still fighting it out, you might even say Wolves are still too near the drop zone while Wigan’s surprising 3-2 win over Arsenal may have just pushed them into safety. Liverpool, in the mean time, will be hoping that Villa slip up so that they can at least guarantee Europa League football seeing as the Champions League is well and truly out of their grasp.

With only about three or four games left for each team, every game is a “cup final” and a single loss at this stage could prove pivotal in a team getting relegated or a team losing the title. You can also be sure that every fan of the top eight teams knows who the team above and below them is playing that weekend and what happens if they lose and those other teams win and you know that the teams on the verge of relegation will have their fingers and toes crossed praying for salvation as well as always checking the score of their relegation rivals’ games.

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By Andy Jones

An interesting week; domestically, United took a beating at home to Chelsea, while on the European front they were so close to going through to the semi finals of the Champions League. Arsenal too were thumped by Barca and Messi, or should I say Messi with a little help from Barcelona. With no English teams left, for the first time in a number of years there will be those who simply won’t follow the Champions League and while I myself would have liked to see at least one English team go through (preferably my own), I am looking forward to this new “experience” and I think it clearly highlights that slowly, the shift of footballing power is moving away from England. However, with the title trio, now all out of the Champions League, it means they can all concentrate their efforts on the Premier League, which should add to this enthralling final couple of games. In the Europa League, Liverpool saved themselves at Anfield. That place is still a European fortress while Fulham continue their hunt for glory by winning one nil against the German Champions all thanks to a Bobby Zamora goal, surely Capello has got to be keeping his eye on him for the World Cup.

And on the topic of cups, this weekend sees Spurs take on Portsmouth, a game which they should easily win and I’m sure Harry Redknapp is over the moon that the game is being played at Wembley rather than his old stomping ground down at Portsmouth. I would like to say you could see a bucket load of goals in this game, especially as Tottenham have been in good form at the moment. But Portsmouth have been a completely different team in the FA Cup compared to the league, they’ve got grit and determination, they know this is their only chance of winning something now that they are certain to get relegated, so who knows maybe the underdog will win? The other semi final is Aston Villa vs Chelsea, and while I’d like to be kind to Villa, they haven’t hit the same heights as last season and the 7-1 thrashing Chelsea gave them not too long ago will be on their minds. Chelsea should go through, but they too can have an off day. Expect Villa to play with some venom, closing players down and making use of Milner and Young down the wings, especially when Yuri Zhirkov, the attack minded left back, goes bombing down the field. There will be a hole and you can expect Villa to try and exploit it.

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So I haven’t really made it a secret (at all), but I’m incredibly proud to have brought together such an amazing group of writers from all over the world for A World Cup Report, which will be home to AFR’s coverage of the month-long madness over the next few months!

The regular class-acts who have already established themselves here (besides Jordan & myself) at AFR, Dominic Vieira (Portugal), Andy Jones (England), & Mirko Corli (Italia) will all be joining relatively new, quality contributors with American, Brazilian, France, Asia & African, Greek, Scottish, English, & Spanish perspectives.

I’ve already introduced the community to Oliver Sparrow (England fan based in England), Nick Lichtenberg (USA supporter based in New York City), Lawrence Prince-Wright (Greek-blooded supporter studying at Emory University), Fernando Sell (Brazil supporter based in Juiz de Fora, Brazil), Ryan Morrison (Glasgow-based Scotland supporter, a “neutral”), and Dylan Lebecki (Spain supporter who is an Ecuador-born American living in Portugal, but will be going to university in Spain next year).

I’m ecstatic to announce the final two additions to the World Cup Report team: Soraya Soemadireja and Ulysse Pasquier!

Soraya describes herself as just another recovering diplobrat with a passion for the beautiful game! She’s particularly fascinated by the socio-political aspects of football, which she often mentions in her own blog. Having grown up transcontinentally, trailing after parents in international development and working in humanitarian relief, she has experienced first hand how football truly does bridge linguistic, religious, cultural, economic and age gaps…as much as it can divide. A hard-core Madridista, Soraya also follows Liverpool FC and Toronto FC, but grew up with radio and tv glued to Eredivisie, Serie A and Bundesliga. When it comes to the World Cup, she is all about the developing nations, since her Indonesia and her former hosts, the Philippines, have yet to break through (though she does have a startling large collection of Spanish jerseys…). Currently studying at the University of Toronto, Soraya cannot wait to share her intelligent insight from the perspective of those who are not heard the loudest in both politics and football.

Mr. Ulysse Pasquier, on the other hand, is a France-born, Quebec-based student at McGill University. Born in Paris, Ulysse moved to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia when he was 10 years old where he discovered the English Premier League and quickly grew a passion for it. Staying up late at night to watch the games, it was love at first sight when he saw Thierry Henry’s Arsenal play and he has been a devoted Gunners fan ever since. Thierry is still Ulysse’s favourite footballer of all time and my biggest regret will always be to never have witnessed his skill in Highbury’s glory. Now studying Political Science and Geography at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, his love for football has spread to the Spanish Liga and the Ligue 1. When it comes to international football however, he is still a Frenchie after all, and he does support Les Bleus.

So there you have it! A complete team that will be covering all the class, cunning, controversy on A World Cup Report. Though still starting up, the site is sure to be an amazing read encompasing the diversity that really embodies the tournament as a whole. The world’s game captured by global perspectives. What more can you ask for?

Cheers,

Eric Beard

By the way, if you haven’t been hiding under a rock (ahem, Real Madrid fans), then you know that the second leg of the Champions League tie between Arsenal & Barcelona finished Lionel Messi 4-1 Arsenal (6-3 Barcelona on aggregate, 4-3 Messi on aggregate). Barcelona will now face Inter Milan (who won 2-0 on aggregate against CSKA Moscow). That’s right, the Messiah is back, and I’m sure he’ll have something to say about this very soon. Until then, here are the highlights of the little Argentine’s destruction.

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By Andy Jones

Well it’s been quite a week in football. Domestically, Tottenham look like they are finally going to get that top four finish that has eluded them for so long, even though Man City and Liverpool are hot on their tail (two and four points behind). The title race between the top three will hit its climax this weekend with United and Chelsea clashing. Rooney though is absent, and with reports that Drogba could start it makes for a mouth-watering clash. The rumour mills are starting up with Martin O’Neill possibly on the way out from Villa at the end of the season and Steve Clarke going to replace Zola as boss at West Ham.

But this week, again, all eyes have been on Europe. Arsenal vs Barcelona no doubt being the biggest match, with Arsenal somehow pulling of a brilliant comeback, but what would have happened had Barca kept up the pressure and not taken their foot of the gas or if Almunia hadn’t been on form? United went down 2-1 to Munich, but you would back them to win the return leg at Old Trafford, despite Rooney most probably being absent. However, in the league, can you really see Berbatov being United’s salvation? In a number of articles, the United strike force has been cross examined, people wondering if it will be one of the youngsters,  Macheda or Diouf who can make a difference. I think Ferguson will play Berbatov up front with the likes of Park who has found his shooting boots, Valencia and Giggs playing off the big man. This is the time for someone to make themselves the season’s unlikely hero, just like Macheda did last year, but I wouldn’t put my money on it being him again after a season disrupted by injury.

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By Andy Jones

Tonight we see two giants of the beautiful game clash and by bea-u-ti-ful I mean the two teams who play the most easy on the eye football, they set the standard for which other teams should aspire to play like so it’s no surprise that fans and neutrals alike are looking forward to this match in apprehension. Arsenal has asked it’s fan to wear all the red and white they can and to create a thunderous atmosphere at the Emirates, while the return of club legend Henry is certainly going to cause some noise, we just have to hope the football is going to live up to its billing.

All eyes tonight will be on Messi, he has the world at his feet. Quite Literally. He has to be considered one of the greatest ever and yet he is still improving. Expect some mazy runs and wonderful skills from him, he has the explosive pace to leave the Arsenal defence looking like it’s standing still, the only player who may keep up with him is Clichy who will definitely have his hands full and probably won’t be bombing down the wing to support the attack as much as he is use to. But with all the focus on how the Arsenal defence will handle Messi, Ibra & co, no one has really looked at a rather slow Barça back line, Dani Alves has pace, but is just like Clichy, prone to charging forward on the attack and players like Arshavin will love the hole he leaves.

Midfield will also come under close scrutiny, with Iniesta already ruled out and Cesc facing late fitness tests. This is where the game will be won and lost in my opinion, if either team gets into their passing rhythm, then the other will find it alot harder to get in the game. Expect Song and Keita in both teams to be working damn hard to break up play, they will be alot more important than people think. However, Arsenal will need Cesc for this game. No matter how well Nasri played against Porto, Cesc is what really makes Arsenal tick and without him it changes the whole dynamics of the game.

Finally, my guess on the final score, this is of course influenced by the fact I’m an Arsenal fan. I won’t deny it (plus I feel my fellow AFR writer Dominic was rather tough on my team) I think Arsenal could win this! We are at home, Barcelona are not as attacking away from the Nou Camp. Either way I think it will be a close game as long as the Arsenal defence keep their concentration or Messi will make them pay. I would like to say if Arsenal win, it will be 2-1, but I can see a 2-2 draw, I think it will be a lot harder for Barcelona to win here in London. Either way I am looking forward to this game like a kid looks forward to Christmas, let’s hope we see a truly amazing game.

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By Andy Jones

In a week where domestic football didn’t contain any real surprises, all eyes have been on the European competitions with some wonderful football on display by a top London team and no, I don’t mean Arsenal or even Chelsea (I would never give them that credit!) all jokes aside, I mean Fulham who took Juventus to pieces and have well and truly earned they’re way through to the next round and I truly hope that they go to win it, I’d much prefer them to Liverpool (the other English side left) as I think it would mean a lot more to their fans and to their club as a whole.

The Champions League draw for the quarterfinals was also made today and in case you haven’t seen them, this is how it all stands:
Lyon v Bordeaux
The all French tie, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top, my gut feeling is telling me Bordeaux even though they are considered the underdog, but with starlet Gourcuff pulling the strings we could be in for quite an enthralling match.
Bayern Munich v Manchester United 
A repeat of the ‘99 final, will it go all the way to extra time with Bayern one up and United needing two? I doubt it, expect Rooney to torment the Bayern defence, but don’t right Bayern off if Ribery and Robben are form with the work horse Schweinsteiger could see Bayern shock us all, but I doubt it.
Arsenal v Barcelona
Another final repeat, of course as a Arsenal fan I’ll be hoping it goes Arsenal’s way, but I have to be realistic and Barca are odds on favourite in this game.  Messi will no doubt be in everyone’s thoughts, but the media are sure to make a circus out of Theirry Henry returning to the Emirates, I expect the fans will give him a great welcome.
Inter Milan v CSKA Moscow
The last of the ties, with Inter supposedly getting the easiest opponent, but the Russians are home can be a very tough opposition, but we should expect Inter to just cruise through this match, but will they be able to go all the way, will Mourinho do what he couldn’t with Chelsea, a notable absentee this round.

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By Andy Jones

What a week? Now I know I’m meant to focus on the Premier League, but may I say congratulations to both Arsenal and United for their demolitions of Porto and AC Milan.

And in relation to these two giants of the game, I want to begin my focus on managers this week by commenting on the two of longest serving managers in the history of the English game, Sir Ferguson and Mr Wenger. Ferguson has been at United since 1986 while Wenger has been at Arsenal since 1996. Both have led their clubs through their most successful periods, Ferguson racking up a record breaking number of 11 league titles and Wenger building a team who went a whole season undefeated in the league, these are no easy feats. As I said, both managers have led their respective clubs through their most successful periods and you have to look at the other clubs in the league, especially those who change their managers frequently and wonder, what if that manager was given an actual chance instead of just one or two seasons?

Ferguson didn’t win anything for his first three years, the FA Cup being his first trophy and the Premier League another two years after that. Wenger took one year to win his first League title, but arguably he had it easier than Ferguson as he had one helluva mean defence, but remember it did have it’s problems, with one player being an alcoholic.

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By Andy Jones

This week in football has been pretty good (from my point of view that is and possibly for some neutrals as well). Chelsea lost while Man United won in midweek, and Arsenal won at Stoke, making the title race come down to just 2 and 3 points difference now. At the same time, Sunderland continued their free fall and extended their winless streak to 14 games. 14 games for any team is tough to take, but considering Steve Bruce did have substantial funds available in the summer (I believe the amount touted around was £200 million by their Chairman Ellis), his team really should be doing better. In fact, I expected them not to be challenging for Europe, but to be a comfortable mid-table team in the positions between 9 to 12, but I was clearly wrong.

On the topic of players who signed for teams, the rumour mill over who is going where in the summer and who is staying put has begun with news that West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola and owner David Sullivan are apparently disagreeing and beginning to fall out over discussions about a number of players being sold and offered new contracts. The three biggest players who are at the center of this argument are Behrami, Diamanti and Jack Collinson. Personally I think if West Ham have the financial clout to hold on to all three of these players, especially Collinson, as he is a young talent who is only earning £2000 a week and was going to be offered a contract of £4000 a week, because these three have been stand out players throughout the season and with the vultures probably circling around players such as Carlton Cole and Upson, they need to keep hold of everyone they can.

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By Andy Jones

I feel I should of done this post earlier and I am not waiting till my weekly post tomorrow, but I am sure you will all join me in taking a moment to remember Keith Alexander, Macclesfield Town Manager, who passed away on Tuesday night after his side’s 1-0 defeat to Notts County.

Yes, the black armbands worn by the England Squad yesterday where in memory of Keith Alexander. Now you may think a League Two Manager is not normally recognised, and while he was not an outstanding player or manager, he was the first black manager in this country and had a few games gone other ways in the past he may of managed higher up teams. He also did a lot of work with The Prince’s Trust charity and so not only should we recognise him as a footballing man, but in general one of the few truly good people out there.

“I’m just another human being, judge me not by the colour of my skin but as a person and a football manager.” - Keith Alexander

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