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A Football Report

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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 Today saw Portsmouth FC go into administration and be given a 9 point penalty. In situations like these you must ask yourself, what is actually on the FA’s fit and proper person’s test that allows someone to come in and buy a club and then not intervene when a club is clearly going to fail financially. Anyway, there is not much to be said on the matter, the 9 point penalty will almost certainly consign Portsmouth to relegation. But on to the future and a quick look at this weekend’s games, a lot of eyes will be on Villa and United in the Carling Cup final, which I feel could go either way despite Wayne Rooney’s magnificent form. Villa are one of these teams that no matter whether they are having a terrible run, I would never write off their ability to move the ball quickly, pass it, play the long pall, or take a direct approach is brilliant, and their well-organised defence means they will always provide any opponent with a tough game. Who do you think will win? I would normally say United, but I’d take a punt and I like supporting the underdog, so I’m going to say Villa.Another topic which hasn’t been in the news or anything like that, but I have been thinking about is rivalry between teams, we have the classics: Arsenal vs Spurs, City vs United, Liverpool vs United, Pompey vs Southampton and such. But I’ve been thinking I can easily see a new rivalry between Man City and Chelsea forming, because City did get Robinho when Chelsea wanted him, City have stolen Chelsea’s title as the richest club, they could realistically become a huge power house in a matter of seasons, just like Chelsea. Oh and we musn’t forget the whole Terry and Bridge scenario, that will add something extra to the game. But all of this makes me think how fast the landscape of football changes and just how much a few players moving around can complete change the tempo of the league, because United without Ronaldo are a completely different Animal, Arsenal without Adebayor (seeing as Bendtner has been injured for a while even though he’s back) do not have a big target man and have lost their aerial threat. Liverpool seem to be settling for buying players who just don’t quite cut it, bar one or two such as Torres, while teams like Villa, City and hell even Tottenham are going from strength to strength. I wonder in what new rivalries will exist in a couple of years. Final word though, as always, is the pick of the weekend games:Tottenham vs Everton, as both are pushing to finish in the top 6, if not top 4 for Tottenham. Yes Everton have some catching up to do, but after beating United last week (despite Sporting Lisbon thrashing them yesterday in Europe) they are looking like the well-oiled machine that they normally are under David Moyes’ tenure. I think the main battle in this game will be Mikel Arteta vs Wilson Palacios, the Spanish Maestro who can make Everton tick will be against the Honduran Enforcer who will be looking to keep him shackled.

By Andy Jones

Today saw Portsmouth FC go into administration and be given a 9 point penalty. In situations like these you must ask yourself, what is actually on the FA’s fit and proper person’s test that allows someone to come in and buy a club and then not intervene when a club is clearly going to fail financially. Anyway, there is not much to be said on the matter, the 9 point penalty will almost certainly consign Portsmouth to relegation.


But on to the future and a quick look at this weekend’s games, a lot of eyes will be on Villa and United in the Carling Cup final, which I feel could go either way despite Wayne Rooney’s magnificent form. Villa are one of these teams that no matter whether they are having a terrible run, I would never write off their ability to move the ball quickly, pass it, play the long pall, or take a direct approach is brilliant, and their well-organised defence means they will always provide any opponent with a tough game. Who do you think will win? I would normally say United, but I’d take a punt and I like supporting the underdog, so I’m going to say Villa.

Another topic which hasn’t been in the news or anything like that, but I have been thinking about is rivalry between teams, we have the classics: Arsenal vs Spurs, City vs United, Liverpool vs United, Pompey vs Southampton and such. But I’ve been thinking I can easily see a new rivalry between Man City and Chelsea forming, because City did get Robinho when Chelsea wanted him, City have stolen Chelsea’s title as the richest club, they could realistically become a huge power house in a matter of seasons, just like Chelsea. Oh and we musn’t forget the whole Terry and Bridge scenario, that will add something extra to the game. But all of this makes me think how fast the landscape of football changes and just how much a few players moving around can complete change the tempo of the league, because United without Ronaldo are a completely different Animal, Arsenal without Adebayor (seeing as Bendtner has been injured for a while even though he’s back) do not have a big target man and have lost their aerial threat. Liverpool seem to be settling for buying players who just don’t quite cut it, bar one or two such as Torres, while teams like Villa, City and hell even Tottenham are going from strength to strength. I wonder in what new rivalries will exist in a couple of years.


Final word though, as always, is the pick of the weekend games:
Tottenham vs Everton, as both are pushing to finish in the top 6, if not top 4 for Tottenham. Yes Everton have some catching up to do, but after beating United last week (despite Sporting Lisbon thrashing them yesterday in Europe) they are looking like the well-oiled machine that they normally are under David Moyes’ tenure. I think the main battle in this game will be Mikel Arteta vs Wilson Palacios, the Spanish Maestro who can make Everton tick will be against the Honduran Enforcer who will be looking to keep him shackled.


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By Andy Jones With very few Premier League games in this last week, it has been rather quiet. Yes some teams played in Europe and I could comment on those games, but I’m sure you all either watched them, have seen replays or read about them. One match in particular I didn’t like involved a silly goal keeper. Anyway, here the two games that took place this week in the league where Wigan (0) vs Bolton (0) and Stoke (1) and Man City (1). Personally I would of felt Wigan could of beaten Bolton, I’m not quite sure why. I just feel they have a better calibre of players even if they are significantly weaker than last season when they had Cattermole, Palacios and Valencia as well as Zaki and it just highlights how small teams can have have to struggle to hold onto their best players, because let’s be honest, Wigan weren’t a terrible side with atleast the first 3 of those 4 players in their team, it gave them a back bone, the tough tackling Palacios combined with the work-horse Cattermole who could both tackle and pass along with the quick and direct Valencia down the wings. For me I like it when the underdog triumphs, it makes me smile (bar when they are playing Arsenal) but with teams constantly changing, players leaving every season to “bigger” teams it makes me think, well why not stay? Why as a group of players make the decision to really go for it, change the team from a stop gap and a place where players just showcase themselves for the next buyer to a team who are at least challenging for the Europa League and maybe with some luck challeneging for one of the cups like the FA or Carling. The other thing I read when I buy FourFourTwo is a section called “The Boy’s A Bit Special” and it’s a quick, slightly comical interview with a up and coming player and they always ask them where they want to be in 5 years I think it is and almost every single one if not all of they say “Playing for a big team and winning trophies” or something similar to that generic statement. I have yet to read (I may be wrong) of one of them saying “Promoted with this club” or “Still here with this club and alot higher in the table”.I can understand people’s desire to move to the best clubs and to be challenging or silverware, but it would be nice for some loyalty to be shown to the people who have spent a long time and probably alot of money training you only to see you jump ship. Maybe I’m just being old fashioned, who knows. That’s why, even though I really don’t like Man City for coming in and spending millions of pounds, atleast they are bringing something new to the league, adding some competition to the usual big clubs. What’s your opinion on this?Finally, Pick of the weekend games:For me, I will be watching my beloved Arsenal, but this weekend I think the game to watch is The Toffees (Everton) vs The Red Devils (Manchester United). The Beast that is Rooney is on fire and playing at a whole new level, while Everton are back on form and salvaging their season, United will be favourites, but with Rooney returning to his boyhood club, Everton have former United players Neville and Saha in their rank and maybe the Frenchman can sink United just like he did Chelsea?

By Andy Jones

Football - Manchester United v Burnley Barclays Premier League

With very few Premier League games in this last week, it has been rather quiet. Yes some teams played in Europe and I could comment on those games, but I’m sure you all either watched them, have seen replays or read about them. One match in particular I didn’t like involved a silly goal keeper. Anyway, here the two games that took place this week in the league where Wigan (0) vs Bolton (0) and Stoke (1) and Man City (1). Personally I would of felt Wigan could of beaten Bolton, I’m not quite sure why. I just feel they have a better calibre of players even if they are significantly weaker than last season when they had Cattermole, Palacios and Valencia as well as Zaki and it just highlights how small teams can have have to struggle to hold onto their best players, because let’s be honest, Wigan weren’t a terrible side with atleast the first 3 of those 4 players in their team, it gave them a back bone, the tough tackling Palacios combined with the work-horse Cattermole who could both tackle and pass along with the quick and direct Valencia down the wings.


For me I like it when the underdog triumphs, it makes me smile (bar when they are playing Arsenal) but with teams constantly changing, players leaving every season to “bigger” teams it makes me think, well why not stay? Why as a group of players make the decision to really go for it, change the team from a stop gap and a place where players just showcase themselves for the next buyer to a team who are at least challenging for the Europa League and maybe with some luck challeneging for one of the cups like the FA or Carling. The other thing I read when I buy FourFourTwo is a section called “The Boy’s A Bit Special” and it’s a quick, slightly comical interview with a up and coming player and they always ask them where they want to be in 5 years I think it is and almost every single one if not all of they say “Playing for a big team and winning trophies” or something similar to that generic statement. I have yet to read (I may be wrong) of one of them saying “Promoted with this club” or “Still here with this club and alot higher in the table”.

I can understand people’s desire to move to the best clubs and to be challenging or silverware, but it would be nice for some loyalty to be shown to the people who have spent a long time and probably alot of money training you only to see you jump ship. Maybe I’m just being old fashioned, who knows. That’s why, even though I really don’t like Man City for coming in and spending millions of pounds, atleast they are bringing something new to the league, adding some competition to the usual big clubs. What’s your opinion on this?


Finally, Pick of the weekend games:
For me, I will be watching my beloved Arsenal, but this weekend I think the game to watch is The Toffees (Everton) vs The Red Devils (Manchester United). The Beast that is Rooney is on fire and playing at a whole new level, while Everton are back on form and salvaging their season, United will be favourites, but with Rooney returning to his boyhood club, Everton have former United players Neville and Saha in their rank and maybe the Frenchman can sink United just like he did Chelsea?


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The Virtuoso’s View is written by Andy This week’s post will be a little short and for that I apologise, but I wanted to focus on one subject really. So where to begin in this week of glorious football, the financial problems of numerous clubs? No, I think that point is exhausted for the moment, or perhaps looking at managers and how a few bad results can lead to them being sacked but one big win can see them called a tactical genious? No, this week I want to start with the 22 men on the pitch and what they mean to us. In this last week we’ve seen some great football I think and seen some of the much weaker teams currently in the league, such as Wolves beat Spurs 1-0 while Everton are back to their best I think, a great steady hard working team and not just because I’m an Arsenal fan, but because I genuinely like the way Moyes has built a team on a shoelace transfer budget, was I so happy that they beat Chelsea on Wednesday. It’s those moments when the “small” team triumphs over the “big” team is when you see some real passion from players, when you as a fan feel like your team is playing for you and just you, when the player slides across the grass on his knees or runs and punches the air, you are on cloud nine and this thought made me think of a newspaper article I read a while ago, it stated those who where depressed and felt the need to kill themselves, but were staunch football fans and loyal to a team, quite often wouldn’t because of their love for their team and their want to be there for the highs, even if they have to suffer the lows, crazy eh? But I think it shows the draw that this sport has on us and how the power of football is truly underestimated.What’s also interesting how players use their position as role models in society, some clearly make no attempt to behave in a good manner, while others such as Didier Drogba, who is probably not liked by many, has played a hugely influential role back home in the Ivory Coast and is actually a very charitable man, I think the thing that made me change my opinion of him isn’t just because he is a ambassador for some charity or because he gives some money here and some money there, but because he is with help of others, attempting to build a childrens hospital in the Ivory Coast, now that is giving something back from football.Pick of the weekend games: With no premier league football on, the FA Cup has central stage and for me Manchester City vs Stoke is the game to watch. Stoke has a well organised defence and under Tony Pulis they can be a very tough opposition, so lets see how the money men of city do against them.

The Virtuoso’s View is written by Andy

This week’s post will be a little short and for that I apologise, but I wanted to focus on one subject really. So where to begin in this week of glorious football, the financial problems of numerous clubs? No, I think that point is exhausted for the moment, or perhaps looking at managers and how a few bad results can lead to them being sacked but one big win can see them called a tactical genious? No, this week I want to start with the 22 men on the pitch and what they mean to us. In this last week we’ve seen some great football I think and seen some of the much weaker teams currently in the league, such as Wolves beat Spurs 1-0 while Everton are back to their best I think, a great steady hard working team and not just because I’m an Arsenal fan, but because I genuinely like the way Moyes has built a team on a shoelace transfer budget, was I so happy that they beat Chelsea on Wednesday. It’s those moments when the “small” team triumphs over the “big” team is when you see some real passion from players, when you as a fan feel like your team is playing for you and just you, when the player slides across the grass on his knees or runs and punches the air, you are on cloud nine and this thought made me think of a newspaper article I read a while ago, it stated those who where depressed and felt the need to kill themselves, but were staunch football fans and loyal to a team, quite often wouldn’t because of their love for their team and their want to be there for the highs, even if they have to suffer the lows, crazy eh? But I think it shows the draw that this sport has on us and how the power of football is truly underestimated.


What’s also interesting how players use their position as role models in society, some clearly make no attempt to behave in a good manner, while others such as Didier Drogba, who is probably not liked by many, has played a hugely influential role back home in the Ivory Coast and is actually a very charitable man, I think the thing that made me change my opinion of him isn’t just because he is a ambassador for some charity or because he gives some money here and some money there, but because he is with help of others, attempting to build a childrens hospital in the Ivory Coast, now that is giving something back from football.


Pick of the weekend games: With no premier league football on, the FA Cup has central stage and for me Manchester City vs Stoke is the game to watch. Stoke has a well organised defence and under Tony Pulis they can be a very tough opposition, so lets see how the money men of city do against them.


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By Andy, whose footballing expertise lies in the Premier League, as well as in European and South American football. This week, football for a number of reasons: the good, the bad and the down right sad. The good, United’s emphatic win over Arsenal (it hurts me to say that being an Arsenal fan), John Terry’s transgressions being the bad, and Portsmouth’s fourth owner being the sad part. It’s never nice seeing any club in this sort of financial predicament, forget the footballers who most have enough in the bank to last a life time or the owners who screwed it up, it’s sad for the supporters who turn out week in week out to support their team through thick and thin. This past week has seen alot of football, with some surprise results, Chelsea dropping two points at Hull, Burnley pushing Chelsea all the way too, while Birmingham continue their great form in the top half by holding Tottenham to a draw with a extra time goal. My pick of the weekend games (Villa vs Fulham) ended with Villa winning 2-0.This week instead of focusing on football and the premier league first, I want to look at what’s dominated the headlines: John Terry and his extra marital affairs. Personally, I think cheating in any kind of relationship, from a 15 year-old couple to people who have been married years, is wrong. To relate my point to football, I agree with the view that footballers are role models and thus have to act in a professional and honest manner, both on and off the pitch. Going all the way back to ‘66 when England won the World Cup, we had a great Captain who led from the front, acting accordingly both on and off the pitch. Terry could do with taking a leaf out of Moore’s book.Regarding actual football, we saw the transfer window close with a couple of signings on deadline day. The most notable were Keane going from Spurs to Celtic, while young starlet Johnson joined Man City from Middlesbough and Wigan snapping up the exciting talent that is Victor Moses from Crystal Palace. That final one I mentioned, Moses, for me is the most interesting of the transfers, he reportedly could of joined a number of teams including Arsenal, United and a number of other clubs “bigger” than Wigan. While I would of loved to see such young, exciting and English talent at Arsenal, I am glad in a way that for once the big bucks of clubs like Arsenal and United didn’t triumph, I feel Moses could get alot of playing time at Wigan and it would be beneficial for him obviously, but also for the national team. The overall transfer window in contrast to others was dead, barely 50 million pounds was spent whereas in past seasons it’s gone over 100 million pounds. This summer will be interesting, as a lot of teams have aging squads or aging star players, while a lot of players can leave their clubs on Bosman’s (free transfers). A big player who has yet to sign a new contract at their club is Joe Cole, it will be interesting to see if he stays at Chelsea.Anyway I think I better wrap it up here, but one last thing:Pick of the weekend games: The Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton along with the London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea have to be the games of the week, but if you want a game between smaller teams, then I would suggest Sunderland vs Wigan, with two points seperating the teams who occupy 13 and 14 I think we could see more attacking football from them than we normally would. Send Andy a message at andyjay17@hotmail.co.uk. Have your say about “The Virtuoso’s View” below!

By Andy, whose footballing expertise lies in the Premier League, as well as in European and South American football.

This week, football for a number of reasons: the good, the bad and the down right sad. The good, United’s emphatic win over Arsenal (it hurts me to say that being an Arsenal fan), John Terry’s transgressions being the bad, and Portsmouth’s fourth owner being the sad part. It’s never nice seeing any club in this sort of financial predicament, forget the footballers who most have enough in the bank to last a life time or the owners who screwed it up, it’s sad for the supporters who turn out week in week out to support their team through thick and thin.


This past week has seen alot of football, with some surprise results, Chelsea dropping two points at Hull, Burnley pushing Chelsea all the way too, while Birmingham continue their great form in the top half by holding Tottenham to a draw with a extra time goal. My pick of the weekend games (Villa vs Fulham) ended with Villa winning 2-0.


This week instead of focusing on football and the premier league first, I want to look at what’s dominated the headlines: John Terry and his extra marital affairs. Personally, I think cheating in any kind of relationship, from a 15 year-old couple to people who have been married years, is wrong. To relate my point to football, I agree with the view that footballers are role models and thus have to act in a professional and honest manner, both on and off the pitch. Going all the way back to ‘66 when England won the World Cup, we had a great Captain who led from the front, acting accordingly both on and off the pitch. Terry could do with taking a leaf out of Moore’s book.


Regarding actual football, we saw the transfer window close with a couple of signings on deadline day. The most notable were Keane going from Spurs to Celtic, while young starlet Johnson joined Man City from Middlesbough and Wigan snapping up the exciting talent that is Victor Moses from Crystal Palace. That final one I mentioned, Moses, for me is the most interesting of the transfers, he reportedly could of joined a number of teams including Arsenal, United and a number of other clubs “bigger” than Wigan. While I would of loved to see such young, exciting and English talent at Arsenal, I am glad in a way that for once the big bucks of clubs like Arsenal and United didn’t triumph, I feel Moses could get alot of playing time at Wigan and it would be beneficial for him obviously, but also for the national team. The overall transfer window in contrast to others was dead, barely 50 million pounds was spent whereas in past seasons it’s gone over 100 million pounds. This summer will be interesting, as a lot of teams have aging squads or aging star players, while a lot of players can leave their clubs on Bosman’s (free transfers). A big player who has yet to sign a new contract at their club is Joe Cole, it will be interesting to see if he stays at Chelsea.


Anyway I think I better wrap it up here, but one last thing:

Pick of the weekend games: The Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton along with the London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea have to be the games of the week, but if you want a game between smaller teams, then I would suggest Sunderland vs Wigan, with two points seperating the teams who occupy 13 and 14 I think we could see more attacking football from them than we normally would.

Send Andy a message at andyjay17@hotmail.co.uk. Have your say about “The Virtuoso’s View” below!


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A Football Report is proud to introduce...

Written by Andy, whose footballing expertise lies in the Premier League, as well as in European and South American football. Andy is your average bloke; he has three loves: university, the pub, and most importantly football.

Let me just say a couple of words before I start talking about the beautiful game, I hope to live up to your expectations and I’m extremely happy to be writing for AFR. If you have anything you want to ask me or any comments, my email is listed at the end of the article. I won’t talk about every team each week, otherwise this post could turn out to be stupidly long, but I will try and vary what teams I talk about and the different things I talk about. This week I’m just going to look back on whats gone on in the last few days and whats coming up in the league.


We’ve seen the title race hot up in the last couple of days with Chelsea showing their strength in depth by thumping Birmingham 3-0 without Drogba and Essien, and Birmingham have not been a push over side this season, they’ve had a organised defence and a whole hearted team effort in every game which has seen them sit comfortably in the top half for quite a while and with the takeover by Carson Yeung providing them with money in the transfer windows, they look like could become a regular fixture. Manchester United have also shown that despite this been their weakest team in a long time they can still pack a punch by beating Hull 4-0 and Rooney showing off why he is one of the deadliest strikers in the world, while during midweek in the Carling Cup beating Man City 3-1, that they can still play some wonderful football. Arsenal may have stumbled against Villa, with Campbell making a return to premier league football after Vermaelen hobbled off injured, but after being written off last November, they are well and truly in the hunt for their first league in a long time. As for Liverpool, they continue to flounder, leaving the door completely wide open for any of City, Spurs or Villa to replace them in the “top four”.


The bottom of the table is still open to a number of teams falling into the bottom three, with a number of teams not finding any sort of form this season and some clubs in complete turmoil, such as Portsmouth who are struggling on the pitch as well as off it, with it’s finances in shambles, the club can no longer even afford to keep it’s official website online. West Ham, another team who have not faired too well so far have been taken over, 50% of the club being bought by former Birmingham owners, Gold and Sullivan. The new owners have stated their intention to go out and buy two “quality” strikers and possibly another player, but with most of their targets so far, Van Nistlerooy, Benjani and Gudjohnsen opting to join other clubs, has the takeover come too late for it to have a true impact on the east London club’s chances of surviving in the premier league? Would Van Nistlerooy, Benjani or Gudjohnsen have even had a huge impact anyway? Van Nistlerooy is pretty old now, Benjani too and neither one has been playing regularly, while Gudjohnsen isn’t a player with the sort of flair that can change a game in seconds. However it does look like the club will be landing Benni McCarthy from Blackburn Rovers, with James Beattie and Roman Pavlyuchenko being touted as other possible targets. And on the topic of transfers, City have been flashing their cash, having bids for Gago and Behrami turned town, while Tottenham have landed Gudjohnsen on loan and Manchester United have signed promising Fulham defender Chris Smalling for 7 million pounds (he will move in the summer). But you musn’t forget that huge figure City shelled out for Robinho, 32 million pounds, well he’s off to Santos, back in Brazil.


Final word: In these last couple of days of the transfer window, we could see some movement, especially in east london with West Ham trying to find some new players so as to salvage their season, while Portsmouth could conduct a bit of a fire sale as they try to stave off administration.

Pick of the weekend games: If you’re looking to watch a big match, then Arsenal vs United is the one for you. If you want another game that could be a great one to watch then I recommend Aston Villa vs Fulham, both teams are strong, both have some attacking flair, Villa more than Fulham, but both are good teams and both have good managers, Fulham could hold up Villa and give them a tough game.

Have a question for Andy or just want to welcome him to the AFR community? Send him a message at andyjay17@hotmail.co.uk. Have your say about “The Virtuoso’s View” below!


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