Thursday, 1 July 2010
I'll Be Back
Having been in New York for the past few weeks, my blog posts have somewhat died. I have good reason for that which i will fill you in on in due time. Until then.....get ready for some ramblings.
Thursday, 27 May 2010
Can Following A Football Team Be An Addiction?
A article by Proffessor Mark Griffiths from Nottingham Trent University.
"I have spent the last 23 years carrying out research into ‘behavioural addictions’ – that is, addictions that don’t involve drugs such as addictions to gambling, videogames, sex, the Internet and exercise. Just before the 1998 World Cup, I began to carry out some research into football fanaticism and whether football fanatics could be considered ‘addicted’ to following their football team. This is easier said than done as it all depends upon how addiction is defined, and if ‘football addiction’ exists, what are people actually addicted to?
For many years, I have defined addiction as any behaviour that features what I believe to be the six core components of addiction (i.e., salience, mood modification, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, conflict and relapse). Throughout my career, I have consistently argued that any behaviour that fulfils the six criteria below should be considered as a genuine addiction. If you were addicted to following your football team, this is what I would expect:
Salience – This occurs when following your football team (and doing things related to your football team) becomes the most important activity in your life and dominates your thinking (total preoccupation), feelings (cravings) and behaviour (deterioration of socialized behaviour). For instance, even if you are not actually engaged in something football-related, you will be thinking about the next time that you are.
Mood modification - This is the subjective experience that you would feel as a consequence of following your football team (i.e. you experience an arousing ‘buzz’ or a ‘high’ – or the exact opposite – a tranquilizing feeling of ‘escape’ or ‘numbing’ when following your team).
Tolerance - This is the process whereby increasing amounts of activity related to your football team are needed to get mood modifying effects. This basically means that if you were engaged in activities related to following your football team, you would gradually build up the amount of the time you spend engaged in those activities.
Withdrawal symptoms - These are the unpleasant feeling states and/or physical effects (e.g., the shakes, moodiness, irritability etc.) that occur when you are prevented from following your football team or stopped from engaging in football-related activities.
Conflict - This refers to the conflicts between following your football team and those around you (interpersonal conflict), conflicts with other activities (your job, schoolwork, social life, hobbies and interests) or from within yourself (knowing you are doing too much of the activity and/or subjective feelings of loss of control) which are concerned with spending too much time following your football team.
Relapse - This is the tendency to revert back to earlier patterns of behaviour (following your football team and engaging in football-related activity) after a period of abstinence.
Using these criteria, I have come across very few genuine examples of someone addicted to a football team. The most extreme case I have come across was one woman who left her husband because of his ‘addiction’ to Chelsea. She told me that their bedroom was a shrine to Chelsea, he watched almost every Chelsea game home and away (including European away matches), spent all their joint savings and ran up huge debts following Chelsea, and eventually got sacked from his job because he kept ringing in sick whenever Chelsea were playing hundreds of miles from home during midweek games. Out of season he would be constantly depressed and would try to alleviate his mood by endlessly watching videos of Chelsea’s greatest games. Once the football season started, his depression would lift. I never met this individual but he appears to have fulfilled my criteria for addiction.
For most people, enthusiastically following your team – even to excess – is unlikely to be an addiction. The main difference between a healthy excessive enthusiasm and an addiction is that healthy enthusiasms add to life and addictions take away from it."
Professor Mark Griffiths, psychologist, Nottingham Trent University
"I have spent the last 23 years carrying out research into ‘behavioural addictions’ – that is, addictions that don’t involve drugs such as addictions to gambling, videogames, sex, the Internet and exercise. Just before the 1998 World Cup, I began to carry out some research into football fanaticism and whether football fanatics could be considered ‘addicted’ to following their football team. This is easier said than done as it all depends upon how addiction is defined, and if ‘football addiction’ exists, what are people actually addicted to?
For many years, I have defined addiction as any behaviour that features what I believe to be the six core components of addiction (i.e., salience, mood modification, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, conflict and relapse). Throughout my career, I have consistently argued that any behaviour that fulfils the six criteria below should be considered as a genuine addiction. If you were addicted to following your football team, this is what I would expect:
Salience – This occurs when following your football team (and doing things related to your football team) becomes the most important activity in your life and dominates your thinking (total preoccupation), feelings (cravings) and behaviour (deterioration of socialized behaviour). For instance, even if you are not actually engaged in something football-related, you will be thinking about the next time that you are.
Mood modification - This is the subjective experience that you would feel as a consequence of following your football team (i.e. you experience an arousing ‘buzz’ or a ‘high’ – or the exact opposite – a tranquilizing feeling of ‘escape’ or ‘numbing’ when following your team).
Tolerance - This is the process whereby increasing amounts of activity related to your football team are needed to get mood modifying effects. This basically means that if you were engaged in activities related to following your football team, you would gradually build up the amount of the time you spend engaged in those activities.
Withdrawal symptoms - These are the unpleasant feeling states and/or physical effects (e.g., the shakes, moodiness, irritability etc.) that occur when you are prevented from following your football team or stopped from engaging in football-related activities.
Conflict - This refers to the conflicts between following your football team and those around you (interpersonal conflict), conflicts with other activities (your job, schoolwork, social life, hobbies and interests) or from within yourself (knowing you are doing too much of the activity and/or subjective feelings of loss of control) which are concerned with spending too much time following your football team.
Relapse - This is the tendency to revert back to earlier patterns of behaviour (following your football team and engaging in football-related activity) after a period of abstinence.
Using these criteria, I have come across very few genuine examples of someone addicted to a football team. The most extreme case I have come across was one woman who left her husband because of his ‘addiction’ to Chelsea. She told me that their bedroom was a shrine to Chelsea, he watched almost every Chelsea game home and away (including European away matches), spent all their joint savings and ran up huge debts following Chelsea, and eventually got sacked from his job because he kept ringing in sick whenever Chelsea were playing hundreds of miles from home during midweek games. Out of season he would be constantly depressed and would try to alleviate his mood by endlessly watching videos of Chelsea’s greatest games. Once the football season started, his depression would lift. I never met this individual but he appears to have fulfilled my criteria for addiction.
For most people, enthusiastically following your team – even to excess – is unlikely to be an addiction. The main difference between a healthy excessive enthusiasm and an addiction is that healthy enthusiasms add to life and addictions take away from it."
Professor Mark Griffiths, psychologist, Nottingham Trent University
Alive and Kicking?
What a difference a few days can make. It seems like only yesterday in the NBA that we had the Lakers and Celtics coasting to easy Conference Finals victories. The Lakers led 2-0 and the Celtics led 3-0. Suddenly the Lakers are all tied up at 2-2 and the Celtics lost last night in Orlando with the series now at 3-2 in their favour.
The Lakers i have no fear for though. I see them winning back in LA tonight and then if they need to go to Game 7, i can't see them losing. The Celtics however is a different story.
The general concensus after the first three games was that the Celtics were a machine that the Magic couldnt handle, that they would be lucky to take it to game 5. The hype was fair enough. It was understandable. If the Celtics are going to go out and dominate like they did in the first three games (2 away from home) like they did then you got to expect praise to be showered your way. They then slipped up at the end of the game in game 4. They had the ball, the clock running down. One shot would win it and finish off the series. Paul Pierce fumbled the ball and gave Orlando one more chance to keep the series alive. In Orlando, they did just that.
Here's the thing though, the defeat will not hurt the Celtics the most, the injuries that they sustained will. 2 concussions and one back spasm. Add a possible suspension to that and suddenly three key players could be missing for the home game tomorrow night. The Celtics, the public and even Doc Rivers, the head coach has been saying that his team are one of the best around when everyone is healthy. Well suddenly they are dropping like flies. Whilst they may be leading 3-2 with a home game to come, it seems weird to say the momentum is with Orlando and I see a game 7 coming.
I am a Celtic fan. I am huge KG fan for his pure desire to win and hatred of losing. "We do not take losing lightly around here." Do what you do KG. Get the boys back on track.
Friday, 21 May 2010
Friday - Get Going!
It's Friday and it is time to look at the 'mugs', for want of a better word, of the past few weeks.
We start here in the UK and with Kevin Prince Boateng. The German born Ghanian footballer missed a penalty in the FA Cup Final. With the scores at 0-0, it was a pivotal moment of the game. KPB didnt just miss, he hit one of the most feable penalties to be seen at Wembley steraight down the middle. Tears ensued at the final whistle, understandably as he had a shocker. KPB go to either side!
We stay in England and with the FA as Lord Triesman was found to be criticising the integrity of Russian and Spanish officials at the World Cup. As i have said, i feel slightly sorry for the Lord. He has a learnt lesson the hard way. Not to trust a 'flousy' have his age. Triesman go to bed....alone!
From the FA we head to the USA and more specifically the NFL. Darnell Docket, defensive tackle of the Arizona Cardinals has had to apologise this week for an act he performed over the internet. I'll explain..... Dockett promoted over his twitter that he was going to video himself having a shower and put it over USTREAM for all his followers to see. Now at times i like to put pictures to my posts in this blog but i refuse to on this one. If you really feel the need then it is easily accesible over the web but i warn you; nightmares will follow. So an international sportsman has a shower live on internet tv! This is absurd! He claims he did it for a $1000 bet. $1000 is nothing to him with the kind of money he makes. He has embarrassed himself and brought media to his team that i am sure they weren't looking for. He has since apologised over twitter but that is not important. He needs to apologise for his family. Those on twitter chose to watch it so dont apologise to them. Darnell Dockett, get out of the shower and get some clothes on and go to training! For f*cks sake!
We start here in the UK and with Kevin Prince Boateng. The German born Ghanian footballer missed a penalty in the FA Cup Final. With the scores at 0-0, it was a pivotal moment of the game. KPB didnt just miss, he hit one of the most feable penalties to be seen at Wembley steraight down the middle. Tears ensued at the final whistle, understandably as he had a shocker. KPB go to either side!
We stay in England and with the FA as Lord Triesman was found to be criticising the integrity of Russian and Spanish officials at the World Cup. As i have said, i feel slightly sorry for the Lord. He has a learnt lesson the hard way. Not to trust a 'flousy' have his age. Triesman go to bed....alone!
From the FA we head to the USA and more specifically the NFL. Darnell Docket, defensive tackle of the Arizona Cardinals has had to apologise this week for an act he performed over the internet. I'll explain..... Dockett promoted over his twitter that he was going to video himself having a shower and put it over USTREAM for all his followers to see. Now at times i like to put pictures to my posts in this blog but i refuse to on this one. If you really feel the need then it is easily accesible over the web but i warn you; nightmares will follow. So an international sportsman has a shower live on internet tv! This is absurd! He claims he did it for a $1000 bet. $1000 is nothing to him with the kind of money he makes. He has embarrassed himself and brought media to his team that i am sure they weren't looking for. He has since apologised over twitter but that is not important. He needs to apologise for his family. Those on twitter chose to watch it so dont apologise to them. Darnell Dockett, get out of the shower and get some clothes on and go to training! For f*cks sake!
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Lord Triesman Affair
Well it is getting quite interesting now isnt it? Lord Triesman, where ever he is now, must be sitting in amazement at what a few private words and his honest personal feelings have created. A media sh*tstorm as it is known to everyone who is in the position to say what they want.
Not only has he been removed from his high postition in the FA but he is now been singled out as the person that has single handedly lost England it's hope of holding the 2018 Football World Cup.
Here's the thing that has frustrated me. It is not his fault. It is not the fault of the deceiving little witch that leaked the secret conversations between the two of them. No, it is simply the fault of the Mail on Sunday for publishing the story and splashing it over every page they could manage.
Now i am not taking sides and saying Triesman is a saint and that there is no wrongdoing on his part. I think it is a very sad situation that a man can not say what he truly feels privately in fear of it becoming public knowledge however when you have postitions of great power and influence you do need to think twice about how you act and what you say. Sadly it is too late.
As for our World Cup bid, i dont know how much damage this has really done. Sepp Blatter is mad most of the time so we cn only hope that he was in an accepting mood when he first heard about this.
Interesting to see Gary Linekar has quit his column in the Mail on Sunday saying that they have seriously dented England's chance of hosting the World Cup. Maybe im synical but could it be Gary using a great media opportunity to make himself look good? I think i am. Good on him for quiting that rag. Daily Mail is not a paper, it's a magazine. They and their writers need to realise that.
Not only has he been removed from his high postition in the FA but he is now been singled out as the person that has single handedly lost England it's hope of holding the 2018 Football World Cup.
Here's the thing that has frustrated me. It is not his fault. It is not the fault of the deceiving little witch that leaked the secret conversations between the two of them. No, it is simply the fault of the Mail on Sunday for publishing the story and splashing it over every page they could manage.
Now i am not taking sides and saying Triesman is a saint and that there is no wrongdoing on his part. I think it is a very sad situation that a man can not say what he truly feels privately in fear of it becoming public knowledge however when you have postitions of great power and influence you do need to think twice about how you act and what you say. Sadly it is too late.
As for our World Cup bid, i dont know how much damage this has really done. Sepp Blatter is mad most of the time so we cn only hope that he was in an accepting mood when he first heard about this.
Interesting to see Gary Linekar has quit his column in the Mail on Sunday saying that they have seriously dented England's chance of hosting the World Cup. Maybe im synical but could it be Gary using a great media opportunity to make himself look good? I think i am. Good on him for quiting that rag. Daily Mail is not a paper, it's a magazine. They and their writers need to realise that.
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
New Kits - Inter Away - Really??
We are at that stage where new kits are being released, sold and paraded in end of season games. We saw Chelsea's new outfit in the FA Cup Final and now Inter Milan have released their away kit. One website has described it, very intelligently, as 'a bit mental.' Whilst this description throws forward the image of a 13 year old writing the website entries, it is quite a good way to explain the thoughts behind the clubs new idea.
The new kit sees a large blue snake feature on one side. The serpent is not a random design image plucked from google's library of images - a grass snake, or 'biscione', is one of Inter's symbols and also features prominently in the heraldry of the city of Milan. So there is some method in trhe madness hwoever i just don't think it has turned out as they had hoped. I'll let you be the judge....
World Watch
As it has been a few days since i have posted anything, i thought it time to get back into the swing of things with a look at what has happened Worldwide.
First stop is our laid back, Mediterranean and sometimes ever so slightly racist friends Spain. What has been quite a captivating La Liga season ended as expected with Barcelona being crowned Champions for the second year in a row.
A comprehensive 4-0 win in front of a packed Camp Nou was enough to seal Pep Guardiola's second League title in two years. They may have failed to defend their Champions League and Copa Del Rey trophies but pipping a Real Madrid team, who spent ridiculous amounts of money to acquire the best players in the world to end Barcas dominace of the Spanish game, will be cause for great celebration in the Basque region. Highlights can be found HERE
Meanwhile, we stay in Spain as Sevilla qualified for the Champions with a stunning 3-2 victory away at Almeria. Sevilla needed a win and with the scores tied at 2-2, Alvaro Negredo decided that he would make their task even harder by getting himself sent off. The game looked to be ending in a draw until 19 year old Rodri scored a stunning winner in the 93rd minute. Highlights can be seen HERE
From Spain we head to England and take a look at the Football League Playoffs. In League One, Swindon saw off Charlton on penalties to book themselves a place in the League One playoff final. They await the winners of Millwall vs Huddersfield who play their second leg tonight, after a 0-0 draw at Huddersfield in the first leg. In the Championship, Ian Holloway has taken his Blackpool side to the Finals to face Cardiff city. The playoffs have created some great games and some big scorelines. Should be a cracker of a game this saturday.
The big boys, a given that is the last time Portsmouth will be described as such, battled it out at the FA Cup Final. Chelsea and Portsmouth. The Rich vs the Poor. The champions versus the relegated. It ended how many imagined, with John Terry lifting the cup. What no one saw though was a 0-0 halftime scoreline and then Portsmouth getting the opportunity to create the greatest sports story in the world.
A pompey penalty and suddenly Kevin Prince Boateng was 12 yards away from giving Pompey the biggest lifeline in their history. It is amazing what a penalty can do to a player. Once he hit it, it had no chance of going in. Cech had time to dive both ways and still save it. I felt sorry for Boateng at the end but that is the difference between top quality and the also rans. KPB misses from 12 yards out and within 157 seconds, Didier Drogba strikes one from 30 yards out. Two David Jame's wouldn't have got to it. It was inch perfect. Lampard also missed from the penalty spot in the final moments but that was due more to complacency than lack of skill. The fact that he was perfection personified throughout the game, i think we will let him off. Congratulations Chelsea. A just English Double.
From Wembley we head to the States and specifically the NBA. The Playoffs have come down to the Conference Finals with the Boston Celtics matching up against the Orlando Magic and the LA Lakers facing the Phoenix Suns. The Celtics and Magic got the Finals off and running with Game 1 in Orlando. Doc Rivers and the Celtics came away with a Game 1 win after Orlando played three dreadful quarters of basketball.
Dwight Howard, their main go to guy and one of the best players in the League couldnt get it going. Perkins and Wallace, most notably the latter, of the Celtics owned Howard by getting in his face and under his skin. The Celtics were physical and clinical. Only a late 4th quarter surge from the Magic gave them a chance but in the end, their effort in the first 3 quarters had left them too much of a mountain to climb. I am sure it will be a different story in game 2.
Meanwhile the Lakers took a 1-0 series lead as they defeated the Suns in Los Angeles. And who came up big? Kobe Bryant. Who else? A 40 pioint game for Bryant proved that he still gets it done when needed. Old age? What old age? The critics will keep suggesting he is slowing down and that he cant bail a team out like he used to. I am still waiting to see that....
First stop is our laid back, Mediterranean and sometimes ever so slightly racist friends Spain. What has been quite a captivating La Liga season ended as expected with Barcelona being crowned Champions for the second year in a row.
A comprehensive 4-0 win in front of a packed Camp Nou was enough to seal Pep Guardiola's second League title in two years. They may have failed to defend their Champions League and Copa Del Rey trophies but pipping a Real Madrid team, who spent ridiculous amounts of money to acquire the best players in the world to end Barcas dominace of the Spanish game, will be cause for great celebration in the Basque region. Highlights can be found HERE
Meanwhile, we stay in Spain as Sevilla qualified for the Champions with a stunning 3-2 victory away at Almeria. Sevilla needed a win and with the scores tied at 2-2, Alvaro Negredo decided that he would make their task even harder by getting himself sent off. The game looked to be ending in a draw until 19 year old Rodri scored a stunning winner in the 93rd minute. Highlights can be seen HERE
From Spain we head to England and take a look at the Football League Playoffs. In League One, Swindon saw off Charlton on penalties to book themselves a place in the League One playoff final. They await the winners of Millwall vs Huddersfield who play their second leg tonight, after a 0-0 draw at Huddersfield in the first leg. In the Championship, Ian Holloway has taken his Blackpool side to the Finals to face Cardiff city. The playoffs have created some great games and some big scorelines. Should be a cracker of a game this saturday.
The big boys, a given that is the last time Portsmouth will be described as such, battled it out at the FA Cup Final. Chelsea and Portsmouth. The Rich vs the Poor. The champions versus the relegated. It ended how many imagined, with John Terry lifting the cup. What no one saw though was a 0-0 halftime scoreline and then Portsmouth getting the opportunity to create the greatest sports story in the world.
A pompey penalty and suddenly Kevin Prince Boateng was 12 yards away from giving Pompey the biggest lifeline in their history. It is amazing what a penalty can do to a player. Once he hit it, it had no chance of going in. Cech had time to dive both ways and still save it. I felt sorry for Boateng at the end but that is the difference between top quality and the also rans. KPB misses from 12 yards out and within 157 seconds, Didier Drogba strikes one from 30 yards out. Two David Jame's wouldn't have got to it. It was inch perfect. Lampard also missed from the penalty spot in the final moments but that was due more to complacency than lack of skill. The fact that he was perfection personified throughout the game, i think we will let him off. Congratulations Chelsea. A just English Double.
From Wembley we head to the States and specifically the NBA. The Playoffs have come down to the Conference Finals with the Boston Celtics matching up against the Orlando Magic and the LA Lakers facing the Phoenix Suns. The Celtics and Magic got the Finals off and running with Game 1 in Orlando. Doc Rivers and the Celtics came away with a Game 1 win after Orlando played three dreadful quarters of basketball.
Dwight Howard, their main go to guy and one of the best players in the League couldnt get it going. Perkins and Wallace, most notably the latter, of the Celtics owned Howard by getting in his face and under his skin. The Celtics were physical and clinical. Only a late 4th quarter surge from the Magic gave them a chance but in the end, their effort in the first 3 quarters had left them too much of a mountain to climb. I am sure it will be a different story in game 2.Meanwhile the Lakers took a 1-0 series lead as they defeated the Suns in Los Angeles. And who came up big? Kobe Bryant. Who else? A 40 pioint game for Bryant proved that he still gets it done when needed. Old age? What old age? The critics will keep suggesting he is slowing down and that he cant bail a team out like he used to. I am still waiting to see that....
Thursday, 13 May 2010
You Got To Love The Pre Game
Sport can be the most emotive of beings. It can provied suspense, angst, fear and pure joy, what's more, it can provide all of these in the space of one evening. Sometimes the best aspects of a sporting contest come outside of the teams actually doing battle.
For example, the Boston Celtics take on the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at the TD Garden in Boston. It is game six and if Boston win, they go through. The importance around the game is huge which itself produces a hype that is unrivalled. Oh to be at the Garden tonight....
For example, the Boston Celtics take on the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at the TD Garden in Boston. It is game six and if Boston win, they go through. The importance around the game is huge which itself produces a hype that is unrivalled. Oh to be at the Garden tonight....
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
World Cup Squads Throw A Few Surpirses
The World Cup finally feels like it is around the corner. Once we get the European Finals and the FA Cup out of the way, the best torunament in the World will suddenly get the full attention of football lovers everywhere. With the majority of the World Cup squads being announced, the interest is starting to grow.
The squad announcements have been dragging for a while now. Constant friendlies, unfortuante injuries and players hitting rich veins of form have given us hours of will he, won't he press columns and tv air time. Finnaly we know who is in the running for a World Cup call up. Whilst it has all panned out pretty much as we expected, there are a few interesting selections or omissions.
Let's start with England. Media hype has been at its highest in recent days with the impending news that Fabio Capello would be announcing the squad of players that will surely (as always!) bring back the World Cup to this country. While a lot of Fleet street's finest have been quick to condemn his decisions, i think it is a pretty good squad. He has rightly given Darren Bent a chance to show he can cut it at the highest level. The only query i would have is Carragher's inclusion. Having said that international football is no longer for him, it is interesting to see Carragher back in the fold. His performances this season have been far from comforting, as any Liverpool fan will tell you. However, if he can reproduce the type of form he showed when helping Liverpool to Champions League glory, then that will be forgotten.
Meanwhile, handball specialist's France have announced a few surprise ommisions. While Premier League talent such as Clichy, Evra, Gallas, Malouda and Anelka have been selected, coach Raymond Domenech has left out former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Viera and current Arsenal play maker Samir Nasri. Viera, i hear has not taken kindly to Domenech's decision, as he faces being left out of the squad for the first time since he was part of that 3-0 win over Brazil in the 1998 Final. Nasri must also be shocked to hear he will not be needed after been one of the shining stars of an otherwise dim season for Arsenal. Put it this way, Diaby made it while Nasri didnt. Has Domenech been watching Arsenal at all? Another interesting note is the inclusion of Thierry Henry and the exclusion of Real Madrid's big summer signing, Karim Benzema. Domenech has been quoted as saying Benzema didnt feature enough for Real and he needs players who have played good amounts of football recently. I dont know if he has watched any of Barcelona's recent games but Thierry has done a magnificent job at sitting in one place for the whole 90 minutes. That place being the bench.
But finally, lets look at Argentina as they have surpirsed me and confused me the most. Now, i am a big fan of Argentina. I love to watch Messi play, have always admired Argetnian football and until his move across the city of Manchester, was a massive admirer of Carlos Tevez. Then there is Diego Maradona. How can you not love one of the greatest players to ever have played the game and now one of the most eccentric managers around. Sadly though i think his eccentricity is going to be a negative aspect to what could be a great team. Maradona has omitted big name players from his squad, such as Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti. Both players have been pivotal in bringing yet another Serie A to Inter Milan and also in helping the Italian giants reach the Champiosn League semi Final. They have shown they can still cut at the top level and instead of including experienced heads like those, Maradona has gone for an inexpereienced side. In fact, if you like your facts and figures 21 of the 30 (70%) of his squad have never featured in a World Cup. Whilst i admire evertyhing Maradona has done in his career (almost everything) and i wait on baited breath for his pre and post match interviews as there is a high possibility that something outrageous and sometimes racist can be said, i hope this eccentricity that is tagged to him doesnt cloud sensible judgement and get in the way of what could be a very very good team.
The squad announcements have been dragging for a while now. Constant friendlies, unfortuante injuries and players hitting rich veins of form have given us hours of will he, won't he press columns and tv air time. Finnaly we know who is in the running for a World Cup call up. Whilst it has all panned out pretty much as we expected, there are a few interesting selections or omissions.
Let's start with England. Media hype has been at its highest in recent days with the impending news that Fabio Capello would be announcing the squad of players that will surely (as always!) bring back the World Cup to this country. While a lot of Fleet street's finest have been quick to condemn his decisions, i think it is a pretty good squad. He has rightly given Darren Bent a chance to show he can cut it at the highest level. The only query i would have is Carragher's inclusion. Having said that international football is no longer for him, it is interesting to see Carragher back in the fold. His performances this season have been far from comforting, as any Liverpool fan will tell you. However, if he can reproduce the type of form he showed when helping Liverpool to Champions League glory, then that will be forgotten.
Meanwhile, handball specialist's France have announced a few surprise ommisions. While Premier League talent such as Clichy, Evra, Gallas, Malouda and Anelka have been selected, coach Raymond Domenech has left out former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Viera and current Arsenal play maker Samir Nasri. Viera, i hear has not taken kindly to Domenech's decision, as he faces being left out of the squad for the first time since he was part of that 3-0 win over Brazil in the 1998 Final. Nasri must also be shocked to hear he will not be needed after been one of the shining stars of an otherwise dim season for Arsenal. Put it this way, Diaby made it while Nasri didnt. Has Domenech been watching Arsenal at all? Another interesting note is the inclusion of Thierry Henry and the exclusion of Real Madrid's big summer signing, Karim Benzema. Domenech has been quoted as saying Benzema didnt feature enough for Real and he needs players who have played good amounts of football recently. I dont know if he has watched any of Barcelona's recent games but Thierry has done a magnificent job at sitting in one place for the whole 90 minutes. That place being the bench.
But finally, lets look at Argentina as they have surpirsed me and confused me the most. Now, i am a big fan of Argentina. I love to watch Messi play, have always admired Argetnian football and until his move across the city of Manchester, was a massive admirer of Carlos Tevez. Then there is Diego Maradona. How can you not love one of the greatest players to ever have played the game and now one of the most eccentric managers around. Sadly though i think his eccentricity is going to be a negative aspect to what could be a great team. Maradona has omitted big name players from his squad, such as Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti. Both players have been pivotal in bringing yet another Serie A to Inter Milan and also in helping the Italian giants reach the Champiosn League semi Final. They have shown they can still cut at the top level and instead of including experienced heads like those, Maradona has gone for an inexpereienced side. In fact, if you like your facts and figures 21 of the 30 (70%) of his squad have never featured in a World Cup. Whilst i admire evertyhing Maradona has done in his career (almost everything) and i wait on baited breath for his pre and post match interviews as there is a high possibility that something outrageous and sometimes racist can be said, i hope this eccentricity that is tagged to him doesnt cloud sensible judgement and get in the way of what could be a very very good team.
Monday, 10 May 2010
Rondo Lighting It Up
Rajan Rondo lit up the TD Garden in Boston last night as his triple double helped the Celtics beat the Cavaliers and tie the series 2-2. Moment of the night came on the Celtics breakaway.....
Chelsea Champions Of England 2009-10
Here in the Uk, Sky sports, the main sports network, had geared themselves up for what could have been the most dramatic finale to a season in the Permier League's rich history. The adverts depicted two horses racing neck and neck, one jockey cleverly wearing blue and the other cleverly wearing red, just in case some viewers were confused.
The horses jostled for position as they approached the final furlong. All very exciting stuff. The only issue was, the way it actually panned out was more reminiscent of Usain Bolt's blistering 100 metre win when he slowed up 10 metres before the line to look back at his oppostion struggling to keep up. When the pressure was on, he didnt just win the race, he did it in a way that no one expected.
Chelsea did the exact same yesterday as they routed Wigan 8-0, whilst their nearest contenders Man United could only manage a 4-0 win over Stoke. The table may say that Chelsea won the league by only one point but they seemed to have done so in 2nd gear for the last few weeks. Then, when the time came, the clutch went down and Chelsea went into overdrive. To win 8-0 is a feat in itself but when you remember that they have also put 7 past Stoke, Villa and Sunderland it makes it even more incredible. Chelsea are deserved Champions.
And so to United. Even a 4-0 victory yesterday could not hide the disappointment on the player's faces at handing over their Premier League crown to Carlo Ancelotti's men. It was interesting to see Alex Ferguson on the field at the end of the game addressing the crowd and delcaring the trophy 'will be back where it belongs next year.' A big statement but a stated that is expected none the less. While it is no consolation, United should be proud in the way they have pushed Chelsea all the way. In the wake of Ronaldo and Tevez leaving Old Trafford, everyone was quick to dismiss United's chances at retaining any silverware this season. Whilst they only have the Carling Cup to place in the trophy cabinet, they came very close to adding a Premier League title and possibly another Champions League title. One bad week in which they lost home and away to Bayern Munich and at home to Chelsea effectively cost them both trophies. Ferguson will know that there is no need for alarm bells, no need yet that is.
What Ferguson will be very well aware of, is the reliance United have placed on Wayne Rooney. Rooney has had his best season in a United shirt since joining from Everton and Ferguson knows that priority number one must be finding someone to help him. Without their danger man, United suddenly start to look a little lost. This raises the big question of Dimitar Berbatov and his future at Old Trafford. Many have been quick to say he will and must go. I am not one of those. Whilst i completely agree that his form has been indifferent to say the least, i am of the belief that he is a very talented player. So talented, on the basis of his efforts at Tottenham, that it has to show soon. I would give him another season and i believe Sir Alex will. We will surely see another striker and most likely a high profile name arriving at Old Trafford but we won't see Berbatov leaving.
So there we have it, the Premier League is over. New boys Birmingham and Wolves have survived and will be amongst the big boys again next season whilst Burnley head back down to the Championship with Hull and debt ridden Portsmouth. However 2009/10 belongs to West London and to Chelsea. Champions for the first time in three years and one game away from the first double in their History. You said you wanted to win trophies Fernando Torres, were you watching on Sunday....?
The horses jostled for position as they approached the final furlong. All very exciting stuff. The only issue was, the way it actually panned out was more reminiscent of Usain Bolt's blistering 100 metre win when he slowed up 10 metres before the line to look back at his oppostion struggling to keep up. When the pressure was on, he didnt just win the race, he did it in a way that no one expected.
Chelsea did the exact same yesterday as they routed Wigan 8-0, whilst their nearest contenders Man United could only manage a 4-0 win over Stoke. The table may say that Chelsea won the league by only one point but they seemed to have done so in 2nd gear for the last few weeks. Then, when the time came, the clutch went down and Chelsea went into overdrive. To win 8-0 is a feat in itself but when you remember that they have also put 7 past Stoke, Villa and Sunderland it makes it even more incredible. Chelsea are deserved Champions.
And so to United. Even a 4-0 victory yesterday could not hide the disappointment on the player's faces at handing over their Premier League crown to Carlo Ancelotti's men. It was interesting to see Alex Ferguson on the field at the end of the game addressing the crowd and delcaring the trophy 'will be back where it belongs next year.' A big statement but a stated that is expected none the less. While it is no consolation, United should be proud in the way they have pushed Chelsea all the way. In the wake of Ronaldo and Tevez leaving Old Trafford, everyone was quick to dismiss United's chances at retaining any silverware this season. Whilst they only have the Carling Cup to place in the trophy cabinet, they came very close to adding a Premier League title and possibly another Champions League title. One bad week in which they lost home and away to Bayern Munich and at home to Chelsea effectively cost them both trophies. Ferguson will know that there is no need for alarm bells, no need yet that is.
What Ferguson will be very well aware of, is the reliance United have placed on Wayne Rooney. Rooney has had his best season in a United shirt since joining from Everton and Ferguson knows that priority number one must be finding someone to help him. Without their danger man, United suddenly start to look a little lost. This raises the big question of Dimitar Berbatov and his future at Old Trafford. Many have been quick to say he will and must go. I am not one of those. Whilst i completely agree that his form has been indifferent to say the least, i am of the belief that he is a very talented player. So talented, on the basis of his efforts at Tottenham, that it has to show soon. I would give him another season and i believe Sir Alex will. We will surely see another striker and most likely a high profile name arriving at Old Trafford but we won't see Berbatov leaving.
So there we have it, the Premier League is over. New boys Birmingham and Wolves have survived and will be amongst the big boys again next season whilst Burnley head back down to the Championship with Hull and debt ridden Portsmouth. However 2009/10 belongs to West London and to Chelsea. Champions for the first time in three years and one game away from the first double in their History. You said you wanted to win trophies Fernando Torres, were you watching on Sunday....?
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Crouch Books European Tour For Tottenham
"An International striker needs to take chances from 5 yards out, I'm sorry, he just has to." These were the damming words levelled at Peter Crouch by commentator Andy Gray, after Crouch missed arguably the chance of the game with a free header, from 5 yards out. Five minutes later, with some sort of poetic justice, Younes Kaboul rifled the ball across the box. It took a slight deflection on it's way, meaning on loan Man City goalkeeper could only parry. 5 yards out and who did it fall too? Peter Crouch. The England striker was given what some are calling a £30 million second chance. This time, he made no mistake.
Tottenham held on for what is the biggest win of their sesaon. Finally they have reached the Champions league. Finally the years of heartache and shortcomings have been forgotten. Finally they are no longer 'the other' team in North London.
Harry Redknapp knows that this is the beginning of the journey. He will be quick to correct any players who think the hard work has been done. Their joy at reaching the Champions league may be unfounded but Redknapp will explain that their reward is simple. It means they need to work harder, to train more intensely and most importantly, play even better than they have done this year. No longer is the North London derby or their fascinating battles with Chelsea going to be the biggets games of the season. They, given that they get through their qualifier, are challenging Europe's elite. Tottneham have wanted to be a great club. They are halfway there. Consitency from now on will determine how close they get to their goal.
That aside, hats off to redknapp and his coaching team. Years ago, Tottenham teams of old will have fallen away in the latter stages of the season. Not so this year. In fact they have started to look more dangerous. City should take note. Both teams play a similar way. Wide wing men getting at the full backs with a holding midfielder allowing the more creative player ahead of him to pull the strings. The one and major difference i saw between the two teams was Peter Crouch. When City would play the ball into Adebayor, more often than not, he would get dispossessed meaning they would have to go directly to Bellamy and Johnson. In doing so, the centre backs King and Dawson can tuck in behind their full backs and give them cover. Tottenham however would find Crouch and the ball would stick. He may not look stylish in doing so, at times he looks like he may fall over but he keeps it and brings Bale and Lennon into play well. With the ball going into Crouch before finding it's way wide, it gives the widemen space as they receive the ball. Space and pace terrify defenders.
And so finally, what next for Mancini? He looked dejected and confused at the final whistle. How could City not get the goal needed with all that firepower on the fire. He looked like a man who could not find the answer. Regardless of wether he goes or stays, City have had their best season in years. However, here's the thing. Mark Hughes was sacked and we were told that the reason was that they didnt feel he would reach the 70 point target the owners had set for City. Should someone gently make the owners aware that after last night's result the maximum points City can end on is 69? I would be more than willing too....
Tottenham held on for what is the biggest win of their sesaon. Finally they have reached the Champions league. Finally the years of heartache and shortcomings have been forgotten. Finally they are no longer 'the other' team in North London.Harry Redknapp knows that this is the beginning of the journey. He will be quick to correct any players who think the hard work has been done. Their joy at reaching the Champions league may be unfounded but Redknapp will explain that their reward is simple. It means they need to work harder, to train more intensely and most importantly, play even better than they have done this year. No longer is the North London derby or their fascinating battles with Chelsea going to be the biggets games of the season. They, given that they get through their qualifier, are challenging Europe's elite. Tottneham have wanted to be a great club. They are halfway there. Consitency from now on will determine how close they get to their goal.
That aside, hats off to redknapp and his coaching team. Years ago, Tottenham teams of old will have fallen away in the latter stages of the season. Not so this year. In fact they have started to look more dangerous. City should take note. Both teams play a similar way. Wide wing men getting at the full backs with a holding midfielder allowing the more creative player ahead of him to pull the strings. The one and major difference i saw between the two teams was Peter Crouch. When City would play the ball into Adebayor, more often than not, he would get dispossessed meaning they would have to go directly to Bellamy and Johnson. In doing so, the centre backs King and Dawson can tuck in behind their full backs and give them cover. Tottenham however would find Crouch and the ball would stick. He may not look stylish in doing so, at times he looks like he may fall over but he keeps it and brings Bale and Lennon into play well. With the ball going into Crouch before finding it's way wide, it gives the widemen space as they receive the ball. Space and pace terrify defenders.
And so finally, what next for Mancini? He looked dejected and confused at the final whistle. How could City not get the goal needed with all that firepower on the fire. He looked like a man who could not find the answer. Regardless of wether he goes or stays, City have had their best season in years. However, here's the thing. Mark Hughes was sacked and we were told that the reason was that they didnt feel he would reach the 70 point target the owners had set for City. Should someone gently make the owners aware that after last night's result the maximum points City can end on is 69? I would be more than willing too....
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
Happy time people
It's Wednesday, we are halfway through the week and in ode to the great PTI show, it's time to get happy.
Firstly Happy Anniversairy to Sunderland fans. On this day in 1973 you beat Leeds United 1-0 in the FA Cup Final. In doing so, you became the firt side to win the FA Cup whilst fielding a side with no full internationals.
Happy Birthday James Cracknell. Born in 1972, Cracknell is undoubtedly one of Britains most succesful rowers. Now a turned journalist/ tv presenter Cracknell can list 2 Olympic gold medals and 6 World Championships Gold in his achievements.
Happy Birthday Chris Brown. Brown turns 21 and is one of the most succesfull young singers in the music business at this current time. With a double platinum debut album behind under his belt, his reputation took a slight knocn when he pleaded guilty to assault on, then girlfriend and fellow signer, Rihanna. Brown was sentenced with 5 years probation and six months commuity service.
Finally, many respects to William (Bill) Musselman. Bill was an American Basketball coach in many division but most notably in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers, The Minnesota Timberwolves and The Portland Trailblazers. Known throughout the game for his passion, he is remembered best for one of his most famous quotes. "Defeat is worse than death, because you have to live with defeat."
Firstly Happy Anniversairy to Sunderland fans. On this day in 1973 you beat Leeds United 1-0 in the FA Cup Final. In doing so, you became the firt side to win the FA Cup whilst fielding a side with no full internationals.
Happy Birthday James Cracknell. Born in 1972, Cracknell is undoubtedly one of Britains most succesful rowers. Now a turned journalist/ tv presenter Cracknell can list 2 Olympic gold medals and 6 World Championships Gold in his achievements.
Happy Birthday Chris Brown. Brown turns 21 and is one of the most succesfull young singers in the music business at this current time. With a double platinum debut album behind under his belt, his reputation took a slight knocn when he pleaded guilty to assault on, then girlfriend and fellow signer, Rihanna. Brown was sentenced with 5 years probation and six months commuity service.
Finally, many respects to William (Bill) Musselman. Bill was an American Basketball coach in many division but most notably in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers, The Minnesota Timberwolves and The Portland Trailblazers. Known throughout the game for his passion, he is remembered best for one of his most famous quotes. "Defeat is worse than death, because you have to live with defeat."
Judgement Day For Spurs and City
Well this is it. A game that has so much hype around it, it is almost like a title decider. In one corner we have Tottenham Hotspur. For Spurs, it has been years of hope and promise. We have seen years of 11th place finishes being coupled with 'we should be in the top four,' statements. We have seen Champions League football only one game away, only for West Ham and Lasagna to get in the way. For Spurs, the Champions League has been a dream, an oasis on the horizon that, as soon they get close to it, disappears before they can even dip their toe in the water.
In the other corner we have Manchester City, a sudden contender in the Premier League. Unlike Spurs, City have not trekked across the desert for years to find the oasis. They have been flown in, sat first class and simply are just waiting to clear customs. Their fans have not felt the heartache of failing to make it over the final hurdle. They are in unfamiliar territory yet due to the endless financial backing they have at their disposal, they have this air of arrogance. The believe that this is their destiny.
Only a fool would agree and that fool would most likely be clad head to toe in sky blue Man City gear. But even if you don't like it, you have to accept it, City are going to be there sooner or later. The big question is, will they do it first time?
Looking at the last five games, Tottenham are most definitely the in form side at the moment. Victories over rivals Arsenal and Chelsea have shown their ability to
challenge the big sides this season. City meanwhile have shown their ability to dispose easily of the weaker sides in the league and also spring a surprise on the 'big boys,' most notably by doing the double over Chelsea.
What is guranteed is that it will be a fascinating encounter. This game means so much for each club. If Tottenham come away with anything but a defeat, they will almost be guaranteed that coveted fourth place finish. It will inject around £20 million into the club and suddenly, given that they win their qualifying game at the start of next year's campaign, they will be dining with the finest at European football's top table.
Man City need all three points. Anything less and they will have to settle with 5th place. If they acheive those three points however, the cash injection will mean nothing to them. To the owners of the richest club in the world, £20 million has only one use and that's as a wedge to balance the awkwardly unstable table in the boardroom. What the three points and Champions League football will mean most to City and it's Arabic Owners, is recognition. Suddenly they have an aura. If this is acheived, which by the way i severely hope it isnt, not least because i'm a United fan but if it is, here's the thing. It will open the cheque book to possibly the biggest summer spending spree football has seen. Suddenly the big names like Kaka, who turned down City before as they were'nt a big enough club, will sit up and take note. Not only will they consider coming to City to play on a wage that is even far fetched on Championship Manager but they will also be playing in Europe and quite possibly challenging Chelsea and United for the Premier League.
If Mancini's men beat Spurs tonight, the Manchester City Brochure, that up until now had blank pages in the European section, will have been edited, completed and already in the post, winging it's way to Europes elite. Sadly, if they lose tonight, roberto Mancini may not even feature in said Brochure.
In the other corner we have Manchester City, a sudden contender in the Premier League. Unlike Spurs, City have not trekked across the desert for years to find the oasis. They have been flown in, sat first class and simply are just waiting to clear customs. Their fans have not felt the heartache of failing to make it over the final hurdle. They are in unfamiliar territory yet due to the endless financial backing they have at their disposal, they have this air of arrogance. The believe that this is their destiny.Only a fool would agree and that fool would most likely be clad head to toe in sky blue Man City gear. But even if you don't like it, you have to accept it, City are going to be there sooner or later. The big question is, will they do it first time?
Looking at the last five games, Tottenham are most definitely the in form side at the moment. Victories over rivals Arsenal and Chelsea have shown their ability to
challenge the big sides this season. City meanwhile have shown their ability to dispose easily of the weaker sides in the league and also spring a surprise on the 'big boys,' most notably by doing the double over Chelsea.What is guranteed is that it will be a fascinating encounter. This game means so much for each club. If Tottenham come away with anything but a defeat, they will almost be guaranteed that coveted fourth place finish. It will inject around £20 million into the club and suddenly, given that they win their qualifying game at the start of next year's campaign, they will be dining with the finest at European football's top table.
Man City need all three points. Anything less and they will have to settle with 5th place. If they acheive those three points however, the cash injection will mean nothing to them. To the owners of the richest club in the world, £20 million has only one use and that's as a wedge to balance the awkwardly unstable table in the boardroom. What the three points and Champions League football will mean most to City and it's Arabic Owners, is recognition. Suddenly they have an aura. If this is acheived, which by the way i severely hope it isnt, not least because i'm a United fan but if it is, here's the thing. It will open the cheque book to possibly the biggest summer spending spree football has seen. Suddenly the big names like Kaka, who turned down City before as they were'nt a big enough club, will sit up and take note. Not only will they consider coming to City to play on a wage that is even far fetched on Championship Manager but they will also be playing in Europe and quite possibly challenging Chelsea and United for the Premier League.
If Mancini's men beat Spurs tonight, the Manchester City Brochure, that up until now had blank pages in the European section, will have been edited, completed and already in the post, winging it's way to Europes elite. Sadly, if they lose tonight, roberto Mancini may not even feature in said Brochure.
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
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