tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68389381982860006412024-02-08T10:18:24.867+00:00Lovely Touch For A Big ManLovelyTouchForABigManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641655125354253551noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838938198286000641.post-52377536168881267802013-02-13T14:05:00.002+00:002013-02-13T14:05:37.251+00:00The Importance of Being Europa for Liverpool
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">By Lee Jaundrell
13/2/2013<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Liverpool will kick
off in Russia Thursday teatime, with a clear intention of taking the remainder
of their Europa League campaign seriously. This season as seen a familiar path
throughout, encouraging displays giving momentum to a growing side, being
curtailed by a shocking result. See Aston Villa, Oldham and on Monday evening
West Brom. Liverpool had come from a good display away to Arsenal and excellent
display away to the Champions Man City, only to stutter once more at home to
the baggies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Liverpool weren’t
terrible at home to West Brom; they just couldn’t turn possession and territory
into goals. If a penalty had not been missed, the game could easily of faded
into a 1-0 home win, a forgettable match but 3 points, onwards and upwards to
the next league game at home to Swansea, and maybe a late season surge towards
Champions League football. But Foster saved Gerrard’s spot kick and half of
Liverpool’s fans are up in arms. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The Europa League
game against Zenit St Petersburg now takes on greater significance. A cup win
couldn’t save Dalglish his job, but even though Rodgers shouldn’t fear for his
job, the Europa League could give him a chance to prove that his Liverpool have
that winning mentality. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Rodgers hasn’t had
the same backing as Dalglish with regards transfers, but there has been ample money
spent. The outlay on Borini, Allen, Sturridge and Coutinho is the best part of
£50million, yet only Sturridge is a guaranteed regular starter. Sturridge and Coutinho
will not be available for Liverpool on Thursday, but Allen and Borini should
start. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The tie against
Zenit will be a tough prospect, Russian football has come a long way in the
past 10 years, floods of money invested by giant corporations, including
Gazprom who own Zenit, has made the Russian sides strong. Zenit themselves won the second string European
trophy in 2008, which followed on from CSKA Moscow who won it in 2005.
Liverpool will need to be on their game, and will most likely need to be
ruthless in front of goal and solid at the back. Liverpool have conceded at
least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 games.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">What was seen as
an inconvenient burden a few days ago is now the most important game of
Liverpool’s season. Win the Europa League and optimism will be strong in
Liverpool and in Rodgers. Lose to Zenit and it’s a disastrous season, one that
could be difficult for an inexperienced manager to turn around next season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->LovelyTouchForABigManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641655125354253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838938198286000641.post-29618187180116756882012-12-16T11:47:00.002+00:002013-02-09T14:28:16.366+00:00The Trouble with Liverpool<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"><i>Sitting
back occasionally isn’t always a negative approach </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Several
years ago, while in America, I came across boxing on the tv. It was a fight
between a talented up and coming fighter and a journeyman. It was meant to be
an easy task. The up and comer was on the attack from the off, but the
experienced opponent had a great defence, and no adventure whatsoever. Round by
round went by, all going along the same lines. Attack against defense, but with
no joy. The up and comer wanted to look good, the journeyman just wanted to
survive. Then late in the fight the up and comer did something which I had
never seen before or since, he feigned injury, pretended the journeyman had
caught him and stumbled a step or two back. The journeyman attacked for the
first time. Three punches later the journeyman was out cold, face down on the
canvass. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">I
came to remember this fight towards the end of last season, when Barcelona
played Chelsea in the Champions League. Barcelona had one tactic… Attack. Chelsea
prevailed though, with dogged defending and some luck. Barcelona had so little
space to play in. I began to wonder, what if Barcelona, just for a portion of
the game sat back for a while. Let Chelsea on to them, and counter
themselves, would the result have been different?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">I
had the same thought while watching the first half an hour of Liverpool against
Aston Villa. You couldn’t have found a more one-sided match at that point.
Liverpool attacked, Villa defended. Then Villa countered, attacked the space
left from Liverpool’s attacks and they were soon 2-0 up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Liverpool
looked so vulnerable to Villa’s forays up field. Lucas looked lost, Agger and
Skrtel exposed. It is well documented that Liverpool lack numbers in attacking
areas, highlighted at the weekend with 18 year old Raheem Sterling starting on
the left, his 16<sup>th</sup> league start in a row, and 20 year old central
midfielder Jonjo Shelvey starting on the left of the front 3. But what was
really alarming was Liverpool’s defending, and the transition from attacking in
numbers to losing the ball and defending lightly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">On
paper, Liverpool’s first choice back 7 looks very strong. Reina; Johnson,
Agger, Skrtel, Enrique; Lucas, Allen. That’s a top 4 defensive block, so how
did Villa, who aren’t exactly Barcelona, tear this lot apart (it wasn’t all
down to Downing who started instead of Enrique)?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">In
the first half Liverpool committed lots of players forward, both fullbacks were
high up the pitch for pretty much the whole half. Allen joined attacks on a
regular basis. This left a recently returning Lucas, who has been out of the
game for the best part of a year, Agger and Skrtel to hold the fort. Villa’s
movement on the break, in particular Benteke, was excellent, finding the acres
of space left. What needs to be asked of Brendan Rodgers is, why the urgency?
Is this overloading of players in the attacking third over compensating for the
lack of natural, experienced attacking players? Liverpool have been far from
clinical all season. They let go 2 wide players who score goals in the summer
(Maxi & Kuyt) and haven’t replaced them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">It
is very commendable of Rodgers to try and attack, attack, attack, but Villa
highlighted the problems of this. If it had been a Benitez’s Liverpool playing
Villa, the full-backs, especially in the first half, would hardly have crossed
the half way line. The defensive cover of 2 midfielders would generally have
held their defensive positions. This does a number of things, it shows
patience, a game can be won in the last minute as well as the first. It keeps
the defense solid, and unexposed, and it could also frees up space, space which
Suarez, Gerrard etc. would expose. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Maybe
all will be solved with 2 or 3 big signings in the January window. Players who
can create and score goals, to help Suarez and give Sterling a rest. These
goals would then take away the pressure on the defense. If Liverpool had been
clinical in that first 30 minutes, the game would have been won by half time,
then the team can maybe sit back a bit, and not force it so much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">There
is also the benefit of Lucas, who struggled at the weekend, getting better with
the more matches he plays. A concern is the form of Joe Allen, the shirt has
appeared heavy in recent weeks, and should have improved when moved into his best
position, between Lucas and Gerrard. It would appear he needs a rest. Jordan
Henderson has looked hungry in recent displays, and maybe deserves a run of
games. Nuri Sahin, although he hasn’t set the world on fire, could also come in
to freshen up what looked a tired midfield.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">It’s
not all darkness for Liverpool though, 4<sup>th</sup> place is still within
their sights. No one has got a grip on 4<sup>th</sup>, Everton have won just 2
of their last 10 games, Tottenham and Arsenal have been ridiculously
inconsistent. So January could be a massive month for all these sides. The one
who gambles could gain all the riches. FSG have a lot to prove to the Liverpool
fans after a problematic summer transfer window. They need to put up or shut
up. The rumours of signing Tom Ince and Daniel Sturridge are a promising
thought, but does this show a problem with the scouting system at the club.
Surely there are cheap, talented options abroad. Jelavic and Cisse were bought
by Everton and Newcastle last January and were very effective.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Rodgers
cannot be judged yet though, he inherited a side which finished 8<sup>th</sup>
last season, he had to cut the wage bill, and is trying to bring in new ideas.
He should be backed in the transfer market; otherwise it could be a long hard
drag to the end of the season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->LovelyTouchForABigManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641655125354253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838938198286000641.post-76673398191941729662012-12-12T15:52:00.000+00:002012-12-12T15:52:53.133+00:00Penalty - Crime and Punishment<br />
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">By Lee Jaundrell 12/12/12</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Sometimes in football you don’t get what you deserve, you play well, make chances, but the ball just doesn’t go in the net. You lose, it happens. Sometimes you get more than you deserve, and on occasions this is due to the rules, sorry the LAWS of the game.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">At the weekend Joe Allen handled a Diame shot in the box. There was much debate as to whether this should of been a penalty, but as the laws stand it was a definite penalty. Allen was stood 2 yards away from Diame, the shot was hit with power and Allen had no chance of moving his arm out of the way. Not necessarily deliberate, but we are to interpret the law in such a way that because Allen’s arm was head height, it was in an unnatural position, therefore a penalty. If his arms had been down beside him and the ball hit an hand then this wouldn’t be a penalty.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; min-height: 14px;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Anyway, this isn’t actually the point I am looking to make. The shot from Diame was heading high over the bar if the unfortunate arm of Allen hadn’t got in the way. The punishment for this was a one on one shot at the goal from 12 yards. This is hardly fair. There was no danger of the shot of threatening the goal. The punishment does not fit the crime. The rule is plain wrong.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The week before Newcastle were awarded another debated penalty against Wigan, this time Maynor Figueroa shoved Papiss Cisse in the box has he was running onto the ball, and probably about to get a shot on goal. It was an harsh decision but probably the correct one to award the penalty, Figueroa was then shown a red card. Roberto Martinez, the Wigan manager, after the game questioned the decision, “I think a penalty and a red card is too much punishment. I thought it was harsh.” Basically, Wigan were punished twice, firstly with the penalty and then with the sending off. You may argue that the sending off is an added punishment to deter future ‘Willie Youngs”.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">For all you kids out there, Willie Young was a Scottish centre half who played for Arsenal in the 70s and early 80s, and was famous or infamous for a tackle on Paul Allen in the 1980 FA Cup Final between West Ham and Arsenal. Paul Allen was at the time the youngest player to play in a cup final at 17 years and 256 days, and was one of the major stories leading up to the big game. Late in the game with West Ham leading 1-0 Allen found himself through on goal when Young hacked down from behind just outside the box. Young was booked, Allen didn’t quite have the fairytale goal. This was before it was a sending off offence to deny a goalscoring opportunity.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In my opinion, on that May day in 1980, West Ham should have been given a penalty, even though it was outside the box. It would have been the fair punishment. Or maybe, they could have been given a choice, a penalty or a free kick outside the box and Young sent off. Newcastle last week should maybe have been given a similar choice between a penalty, and a free kick and a sending off. What would you choose?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Everyone remembers the Louis Suarez handball against Ghana in the 2010 World Cup, and also the Phil Neville goal line handball in the Merseyside derby a few years ago, when Lucas’ goal bound shot was knocked away. Ghana by rights would have scored if Suarez hadn’t intervened with his hand. Suarez was sent off, Ghana awarded the penalty as the rules dictate. But, Ghana didn’t take advantage. In both incidents the referee should have the option of awarding a goal. Or again offer the offended team the choice, a penalty and a sending off or a goal. Again, what would you choose?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This is very important area of the pitch, and if the laws are wrong, you’re not going to get what you deserve. In the 2 Allen and Figueroa incidents the punishment was too harsh, whereas in the Suarez and Neville incidents the punishment plain wrong.</span></div>
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LovelyTouchForABigManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641655125354253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838938198286000641.post-72740671115707884432012-09-14T20:01:00.000+01:002012-09-14T20:01:29.532+01:00After the Truth Comes Justice<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">By Lee Jaundrell 14/9/12</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Since that fateful day in April 1989, I have tried many times to put my thoughts and feelings of that day in writing, but have been unable to. The emotions I have are hard to explain, but they have made it impossible for me to commit it to the written word. Even in conversations with friends and family I have struggled to talk about Hillsborough. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The 15th of April 1989 has shaped my life for over 23 years, for good and for bad. In those years I haven’t really known what I wanted. I have been asked several times during the years about what I was looking for from the campaign for justice, my reply would be generally along the lines of, “Who am I to judge how someone mourns a lost loved one? I want whatever the families of the 96 who died want. Whatever would give them closer, help them through the pain. If they want justice, I want justice.”</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">On Wednesday 12th September 2012, I was working a 12 hour shift, but followed the news coming from the HIP on the internet, twitter and television the best I could. I had to fight back my tears and emotions on numerous occasions, it was a hard day to struggle through, but I now know that it was the day I had been waiting for for 23 years. A cloud, for me, has been lifted. A weight which has burdened me for a long long time was gone. I feel cleansed. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I woke Thursday trying to explain to myself why this was. Deep down I have always known the truth, that a catalogue of errors, mistakes and bad management by the authorities had caused the disaster, but due to the police/media smear campaign I now realise that I had a small nagging doubt. Had I somehow also been part of the cause? Was I somehow partly responsible?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There were four of us who travelled to Hillsborough that day, two of us with tickets in the Leppings Lane end, one with a ticket for the stand, one without a ticket who had come for the day out and no intention of trying to get into the match, and we did what we did for dozens of away games in the past. We always got to the towns/cities early. It was all about the (away) day out, something different to the normal visits to Anfield. We wanted to see some of Sheffield, experience the pre match atmosphere in the city. We got to Sheffield around noon, we ate, visted a couple of pubs, laughed and joked with Liverpool and Forest fans. I was driving so didn’t drink, my friends did have a drink but nothing excessive. We got to the ground around 2.30pm, and got caught in the masses outside the Leppings Lane turnstiles. It was chaos. We got through the turnstiles, tickets intact, and entered the only visible entrance to the terraces. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">What happened next is well documented, even more so after this week’s events. Then the smear campaign started. People believe what they see and read. If the first reports on the news and in the papers is that it was the fans fault, it sticks. There’s no smoke without fire. But it was all lies. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">What I needed was for everyone to know the truth. There are no longer any doubts. Nothing nagging me.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The families who have fought for this are remarkable and amazing people and I thank them unreservedly. They have acted with a dignity far beyond which could be expected. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Although I have my closure, I now, more than anything, want the families to have theirs.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">AFTER THE TRUTH COMES JUSTICE.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">What has happened is much worse than an hit and run. At least with an hit and run you could argue the run was a spare of the moment action. The police smear campaign was far from that. It was a premeditated action to protect their own, and those responsible must feel the full force of this countries judicial system. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I can look forward to my future with a renewed optimism. My wife is expecting a baby next month, and we will be moving house soon. I can finally move on, hopefully the families can move on too, sooner rather than later.</span></div>
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LovelyTouchForABigManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641655125354253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838938198286000641.post-65170537540199758532012-08-16T14:31:00.001+01:002012-08-16T14:31:08.425+01:00FFF - Fantasy Football Facts<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">By Lee Jaundrell 16/8/12</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It’s that time again, all the excitement. It’s all about to begin, the meaningless internationals are out of the way, and the most important league in the world is about to get under way. No,no, not the Premier League, the most important league is your Fantasy League with your mates and colleagues. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Never mind that your favourite team, challenging for a Champions League spot, failed to score, you had oppositions goalkeeper in your fantasy team and that’s an extra 4 points. Result. Below are some of my ramblings, things I have noticed, read, digested and regurgitated. Some things that I have probably just made up. Take it or leave it, but these are the FFFs - Fantasy Football Facts;-</span></div>
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<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Check the double game weeks.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Chelsea and Reading have a double game week in week 1.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Fernando Torres is Chelsea’s only fit striker.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Fernando Torres has 2 games in the first week, against 2 of the favourites for relegation, away to Wigan and at home to Reading.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Fernando Torres is £10 million, Rooney is £12m, Van Persie is £13m.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Fernando Torres is Chelsea’s only fit striker. (Yes I know I’ve said this,but it deserves a repeat).</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Ivanovic is </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;">not</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> suspended following his red card in the charity shield.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Ivanovic is £6.5m, Luiz is £6.5m, Cahill is £6.5m, Terry is £7m</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Ivanovic will play.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Chelsea have 2 games in week 1.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> I like to repeat things, in order to pad things out a little</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> It can be worth having a cheap goalkeeper.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> At £4.5m, Reading’s Federici is as cheap as they come for a starting goalkeeper.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Jaaskelainen is £4.5m, Davis is also £4.5m</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Reading have 2 games in week 1</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Vorm of Swansea was the cheapest starting goalkeeper last season at £4.5m</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Vorm got 14 clean sheets last season</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Cech got 10 clean sheets last season, Reina 12, Szczesny 13</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Vorm is £5.5m this season</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Some of you may have noticed that I have stolen the format of this fantasy list from Matthew Berry of ESPN. If you enjoy Fantasy NFL and good fun reading material look him up.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Imitation is the highest form of flattery</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Gerrard will be playing high up the pitch this season.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Despite playing deep last season Gerrard scored 1 less goal than David Silva.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Silva only scored 6 goals for the rampant Man City</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Silva is £10m</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Juan Mata also scored just 6 goals last season</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Chelsea have bought Hazard, Oscar and Marin this summer</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Mata is £9.5m</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> When fit, Gerrard will be playing the second striker role this season</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Gerrard is 9.5m</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Ramires scored 1 less goal than Mata last season</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Ramires is class and will play</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Chelsea have 2 games in week 1</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Ramires is £7m</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Man City have made 1 major signing so far this summer. Jack Rodwell.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Rodwell becomes another DM, along with Barry & De Jong in their squad</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Yaya Toure is a monster</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Toure will in all probability play the attacking midfield role, and terrorise defences with his marauding brilliance</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Toure is £8m</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Moussa Dembele is a future World Cup winner with Belgium</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Dempsey could be leaving Fulham soon</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> A question, who will replace the goals provided by Dempsey in his absence?</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Dembele is £6m</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Sometimes you take a gamble, sometimes you play it safe.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Dempsey is £9.5m</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> I have just returned from lunch in the pub, I had gammon and eggs, and ‘some’ beer.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Alex Song had 13 assists last season.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Song is rumoured to be a Barcelona target this summer.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Adam Johnson had 6 assists last season, Aaron Ramsey had 6 assists too.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Johnson is £7m, Ramsey is £6m.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Song is £6m</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Gervinho is £7.5m</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Newcastle kept 15 clean sheets last season, only bettered by Man City</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Tim Krul is £5.5m, Joe Hart is £7.5m</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Tony Hibbert has never scored a goal for Everton</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Hibbert did have 5 assists, 1 behind Patrice Evra and Ashley Cole.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Hibbert is £5.5m</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Hibbert is a gamble.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> A. Cole is £6.5m</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Chelsea have 2 games in week 1</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> A.Cole is playing it safe</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Stewart Downing didn’t score a goal last season, and had just 2 assists (not including the sacking of the manager)</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Downing’s position has changed from last season, from left midfield, to right sided attacking winger. He can cut in and shoot from the right.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Downing has already scored this season.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Downing is £6.5m, he is a gamble, but Gervinho is £7.5m</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Nikica Jelavic scores goals</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Jelavic will start every league game</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Jelavic is £8.5m</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Andy Carroll is £8.5m</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Carroll has scored 6 league goals in 18 months at Liverpool</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Carroll will not start every game</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Lukas Podolski is £8.5m</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Podolski scores goals, but.......</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> In his first season at Bayern Munich he scored 4 league goals</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> In his first season at FC Koln he scored 2 league goals.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Podolski takes time to settle</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Jelavic scored 9 goals in 13 league games for Everton</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Torres is the only fit striker at Chelsea</span></li>
<li style="color: #1900ae; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Matthew Berry’s 100 facts can be found here; <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/football/ffl/story?page=NFLDK2K12_100facts"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/football/ffl/story?page=NFLDK2K12_100facts</span></a></span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> The current strikers at Tottenham are Defoe, Giovani, Kane and Lancaster.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Jermaine Defoe is £7.5m</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Danny Graham of Swansea scored more points than Luis Suarez last season</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Graham 138 points, Suarez 136 points.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Grant Holt also got 138 points</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Graham is £6.5m</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Holt is £6.5m</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Suarez is £9.5m</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Jay Rodriguez is £5.5m</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Rodriguez would be a gamble</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Away from Fantasy Football for a moment, Man Utd will have 4 strikers next season, Rooney, Van Persie, Wellbeck & Hernandez. Man City have Aguero, Tevez, Dzeko & Ballotelli. Chelsea have Fernando Torres and Sturridge. Aguero, Rooney and Van Persie are all shorter price to be top goalscorer this season. Torres is 10/1.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Dembele is 125/1. Defoe is 50/1. Carroll & Podolski are 33/1.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Always check team news, as late as possible.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Ba, Cisse & Sammy Ameobi could all be missing this weekend.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Shola Ameobi is fit to play</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Cisse is £9.5m, Shola is £5.5m</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Always make use of your transfers, even if it costs you points.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> If the team is right, don’t change it</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> When it comes to your captain, the obvious choice is the only choice, don’t try and be clever.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Torres is Chelsea’s only fit striker, he will play 2 games in week 1 against 2 of the weaker teams in the league, he is the obvious and only choice for captain this week.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Good luck</span></li>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Fantasy football can be played at <a href="http://fantasy.premierleague.com/"><span style="color: #1900ae; letter-spacing: 0px;">http://fantasy.premierleague.com</span></a> it is free and by far the best fantasy around, and if you want to join me in my league, the entry code is 418762-117593.</span></div>
LovelyTouchForABigManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641655125354253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838938198286000641.post-70474719370730154062012-05-12T11:42:00.001+01:002012-05-12T11:42:58.091+01:00England - The Squad<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">By Lee Jaundrell 12/5/12</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">On Wednesday Roy Hodgson will name his England squad, if he is struggling to choose the players, I’m going to help him. I am going to pick the squad for him, it will be a combination of the players I would pick, along with the players I think will suit Hodgson’s style of play and tactics. This won’t necessarily be my ultimate squad. Well here goes;-</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Goalkeepers;-</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Joe Hart</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Ben Foster</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Scott Carson</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Joe Hart is an automatic choice, the best English keeper around at the moment. Ben Foster has improved since leaving Man Utd and playing regular football, he still has a tendency to push shots back into danger but is a decent back up. Hodgson will probably try and bring him out of his England self exclusion. Scott Carson was a bright, young up and coming goalkeeper, who had his confidence smashed by that fateful night against Croatia. He has talent, if that belief comes back, then he is a solid third choice keeper.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Defenders;-</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Glen Johnson</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Micah Richards</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Rio Ferdinand</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Gary Cahill</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Joleon Lescott</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Phil Jones</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Ashley Cole</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I would like to see Cahill and Lescott starting in the centre of defence, they have both had excellent seasons, and are arguably the form central defenders. John Terry is left out due to the probable negative effect he would have on the squad. He caused problems in South Africa and his record isn’t great since. Ferdinand goes instead, he will probably start, and barring injuries I’d expect him to have an excellent tournament.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Johnson would be my first choice right back, with Micah Richards the back up. Kyle Walker is quick and talented, great going forward but with occasional defensive lapses, basically a younger version of Johnson. I’ve chosen Richards instead due to his ability to play in the centre, he has generally played second fiddle to the brilliant Zabaleta but when called upon he has been strong and aggressive going forward, while dependable at the back.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Phil Jones is the other covering player, who is versatile, and could cover right back, centre half, or play in midfield. This could be needed this summer. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I have chosen just Cole at left back, as Johnson and Lescott can both cover. It’s a shame for Leighton Baines, but needs must.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Midfielders;-</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">James Milner</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Adam Johnson</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Theo Walcott</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Gareth Barry</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Scott Parker</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Steven Gerrard</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Frank Lampard</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Ashley Young</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I am presuming England will play 4-4-2, with the choice of Johnson, Walcott or Milner on the right, Young or Milner on the left. I actually expect Milner and Young to start, with the pace of Walcott or the trickery of Johnson being brought on if needed. In the centre for me it’s Barry plus another. The same Barry who looked like he was going backwards when Ozil sped past him in South Africa. He is one of the first names on Man City’s teamsheet, and holds City together with his defensive awareness and simple but effective passing. He may lack pace, but his anticipation and experience more than makes up for it. He is ten times the player of the press darling but headless chicken who is Scott Parker. Saying that Parker would go to the Euros too.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Gerrard will probably play as the second striker in the absence of Rooney in the first 2 games, so Lampard should start alongside Barry. Yes, lets go back to the future. Chelsea have turned their season around, and that is in no small part due to Frank Lampard. He was superb in both games against Barcelona, especially when going down to 10 men in the Nou Camp. If Jack Wilshire had been fit, Lampard may have been surplus to requirements, but needs must, and Frank’s in.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Forwards;-</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Wayne Rooney</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Andy Carroll</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Peter Crouch</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Danny Welbeck</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Daniel Sturridge</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Hodgson has already stated Rooney will be in the squad, and will start when free from suspension, but who else goes. Who suits Hodgson’s tactics, who could cause problems for International defences? I’ve gone for big Andy Carroll. If you have read anything by me this season, you’ll know I’ve been quite critical of ‘ponytail’, but in the past few weeks we have seen glimpses of the beast unleashed. The player we all hoped he would be. Don’t get carried away they are only glimpses. A last minute winner against Blackburn, a late winner in the FA Cup semi-final against Everton, through in the barn storming cameo in the final against Chelsea, when he scored one and was unlucky not to have taken it to extra time. He also bullied Terry and Ivanovic in the league game the following Tuesday. Carroll is not only in the squad, he starts against France!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Crouch has his detractors and will always have them. But as target men go he is excellent. He holds the ball well, has great feet, and causes problems with his height. Throw in his record of 22 goals from 42 internationals, who else would you want coming on with 20 minutes play when you’re a goal down?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There’s a case to take Jermain Defoe, but I would rather take a couple of youngsters, who could prosper. Welbeck as shown some class at times this season, and for the most part as kept Hernandez out of the Man Utd team. He has a good playing relationship with Rooney, which may be needed.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Sturridge is young, greedy, a bad decision maker, doesn’t work hard enough for the team and wouldn’t fit well into a Roy Hodgson team. But he has time on his side, could learn to become the striker he thinks he already is. He scored 8 from 12 games during a loan spell to Bolton playing as a striker, and has 11 from 28 league games this season playing on the right of a front 3 with Chelsea. I’d take him, he may not get a game, but that could do him the world of good.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There you go, the squad for Euro 2012. I still think it’ll struggle to get out of the group but fingers crossed.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>LovelyTouchForABigManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641655125354253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838938198286000641.post-2570370071054496492012-04-20T10:30:00.002+01:002012-04-20T10:41:19.730+01:00France and a Little Bit of Nick Faldo<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">By Lee Jaundrell 20/4/12</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Euro 2012 is just around the corner, and now is the time to place your bets or rather the one bet. In a few weeks time, odds compilers around the world will turn their attention to the tournament, so place your bets now before they realise what a rick they’ve made. Get on France @ 14/1 while they’re not looking.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">“France? Meh!” I hear your cry. Well come with me and lets see if I can persuade you.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Spain are the favourites, they won the last World Cup and also Euro 2008. The team is built around Barcelona, who are quite good at football. So, they are worthy favourites for the tournament. Well I disagree. I love this Spanish team, I backed them 4 years ago to succeed and again 2 years ago, but they won’t see any of my money this time around. There are 2 reasons for this, and I know you can prove anything with stats, but no team has won 3 major international tournaments in a row, ever! The second reason is tiredness. The Spain squad will likely be made up of around 9 players from Barcelona, 4 from Real Madrid, and 6 or 7 from Athletic Bilbao, Valencia and Atletico Madrid. All these teams are in the semi-finals of the Champions League or Europa League. Barcelona and Real are also fighting out a tight, titanic title race, and both are showing signs of fatigue. Most of you will of seen Bilbao play in the Europa League this season, with their high intensity game of pressing and man-marking all over the pitch. This must take it out of the players, the excellent Martinez, Muniain and Llorente must be feeling it now. For the first few months of the season, David Silva was the best player in England, his form has dipped recently, and Juan Mata also appears to be feeling the heat of a long hard season. Throw into the mix David Villa broke his leg in December and Fernando Torres has all but forgotten where the goal is, this makes Spain @ 5/2 a very poor bet.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This current German side is arguably the best they’ve had for years. In particular due to a strong central midfield of Khedira, Schweinsteiger and Ozil, and the goalscoring exploits of Gomez. They have dozens of good young players to choose from, in all positions. The one area where they might struggle is in defence. Experience can be vital, and apart from Lahm, they could struggle. Mertesacker is currently injured (though should recover in good time) and hasn’t pulled up trees at Arsenal this season while Friedrich is in semi-retirement playing for Chicago Fire. Saying that, Germany do have a great chance this summer, they qualified in a stroll, winning 10 from 10, and you just can’t write off the Germans (sorry!). The last friendly match, though, saw an home defeat to France. I’ll say that again, the last friendly match, though, saw an home defeat to France.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Nick Faldo was an excellent golfer, winning several majors, and was very popular with the British public. Every major he played in, you would be guaranteed to see a flood of bets on him to win, no matter what his chances were. He’d be priced up at a low price, which didn’t reflect his actually chances of victory. The money would still come regardless. This is what I like to call ‘The Nick Faldo Factor’. England suffer from The Nick Faldo Factor. Patriotic money keeps the England price lower than it should be, and it always has done. British bookmakers have dominated the world of betting for years, and therefore lead the way with the prices, foreign firms just fall into line. England are currently around 9/1 to win Euro 2012. </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">During the Eriksson years, England did actually stand a chance in the tournaments they played in, partly due to some good players, and partly due to there not being an outstanding international team between France 2000 and Spain 2008. Eriksson kept things simple with his England team, he played the best players. If fit you could guarantee the following would play, A.Cole, Ferdinand, Terry, Gerrard, Lampard, Beckham, J.Cole, Rooney and Owen. Right back was a bit of an issue, but meh! They weren’t a great team, qualified easily for tournaments, but never had that little bit extra to go all the way, maybe all they needed was a little bit of luck. Now can you name the England team for their first game against France in Euro 2012? Hart in goal, Cole at left back is about as far as I got for certainties. Will Terry and Ferdinand play? Or will Lescott and Cahill start? Centre midfield is actually all over the place, there’ll be no Wilshire, so who starts out of Parker, Barry, Gerrard, Lampard, Carrick or even Scholes? Ashley Young would appear to have dived into the role on the left, but who’ll play on the right? Walcott? And who plays up front? Wellbeck? Sturridge? Or possibly Fraizer Campbell? Andy Carroll is even making a late push. No wonder Harry Redknapp has looked lost over the past few weeks. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">England are 9/1, while France are 14/1. A France side which has been transformed by Laurent Blanc into a united, unbeatable force. They are on a run of 18 matches unbeaten, coming into form at just the right time. Their players are generally fresh, and have some very good, almost unknown players ready to set the world on fire this summer. No one really takes that much notice of French club football, except for maybe Graham Carr the head scout of Newcastle. This French team have a top goalkeeper in Hugo Lloris, every bit as good as Joe Hart, and probably better. There is experience in defence with Evra, Mexes and Sagna in particular. A central midfield which could include Newcastle’s Cabaye, one of the players of the year in England, following a season captaining Lille to the French title, and the new star of French football Yann M’Vila. M’Vila won’t be staying at Rennes this summer, a big money move to one of Europe’s giants awaits. He is being bigged up as being better than Viera. Out wide France can count on Ribery, Nasri and the well rested Malouda. Up front is interesting, firstly there is Benzema, the likely starter, but he is under pressure from this season’s revelation in France, Olivier Giroud with 23 goals from 35 games for unfashionable Montpellier. Throw in players such as Loic Remy, a possible inclusion of Hatem Ben Arfa and the creative midfielder Marvin Martin, and France are looking good for the summer. They are hitting form at the right time, including beating Germany in Germany recently.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">England are 9/1, while France are 14/1.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The other major contenders include Holland, who at 7/1 are probably priced correctly, Van Persie will surely be popular for a top goalscorer bet. They were functional during the World Cup, and had Robben. They stand a chance in the summer, but have recently faltered against Sweden and lost 3-0 in Germany. Others appeal more.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Cesare Prandelli is a manager I like, but hasn’t set the world on fire with his Italian side, and recent back to back home defeats to Uruguay and USA have dampened expectations. Italy are likely to be Italy in the Euros. Solid, hard to beat, could improve as the tournament goes on, but will probably come up short.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Spain and Germany are entitled to lead the betting lists, but France are the value @ 14/1. Back it now while no one is looking. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>LovelyTouchForABigManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641655125354253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838938198286000641.post-10605024499210208722012-04-05T18:51:00.002+01:002012-04-05T18:51:08.467+01:00Liverpool - What the future may hold<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">By Lee Jaundrell 5/4/12</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Liverpool could end the season with 2 trophies, which has to be considered a success. But, the league campaign has been a bit of a disaster, currently 8th, 16 points behind the Champions League placings, the target for the season. Being outside the top 4 for another season may mean Liverpool may need to cut their cloth accordingly. FSG threw money at the situation last summer but I don’t see them investing big again this coming summer, in fact, it wouldn’t surprise if they break even on transfer fees in the next window.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The investment since FSG took charge has generally been on talent with a future, players mid/low 20s, with 5-10 playing years to come, such as Carroll, Henderson, Suarez, Downing, Enrique, Adam and Coates. FSG having spent big to be in the Champions League and failed, and now must take a very long term view on the future, which could mean looking for slow improvement of the team and the squad. Trusting the players already at the club, in the first team squad, and the young ones coming through. This could be a project that could take years to place Liverpool back where they belong.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There are already noises that older, high earning players such as Kuyt and Maxi will leave in the summer, Bellamy another year older and Carragher will surely be spending more time coaching than playing. This will leave holes in the squad, and with Liverpool not being an exciting prospect for top class players, the coming seasons could be a struggle. Commolli will really need to earn his corn. Good players are available. Newcastle are being held up as the true ‘Moneyball’ team, with the excellent purchases of Tiote, Cabaye, Ben Arfa, Ba & Cisse and prove that the talent is there.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So next season will see experienced players leave, and be replaced by young players coming through the club, and also 2 or 3 ‘gamble’ signings which need to work. It’s not all doom and gloom though. Lucas has been sorely missed and will be back next season. Downing and Henderson will hopefully improve on their debut season, and if Agger stays fit, Liverpool’s defence is strong and well balanced with 2 good attacking full-backs in Johnson and Enrique. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Liverpool seem blessed with talented youngsters at the moment, Shelvey has talent and will improve, Kelly solid when given his chance and Flanagan and Robinson have some experience now. Others who will surely make a mark over the next few months, Suso, Eccleston, Coady, Wisdom, McLaughlin and the very exciting prospect Sterling. It would be foolish to think all 10 of these players will prove up to the standard required, but if 2 or 3 make it, the club could have a solid base from which to build.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In conclusion, it is doubtful Liverpool will get a short term fix to their problems in the summer, but things are not as dark as been made out. While the top 4 may be out of reach for another season or 2, progress can and will be made. </span></div>LovelyTouchForABigManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641655125354253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838938198286000641.post-38740259109357756162012-03-29T15:16:00.001+01:002012-03-29T15:16:18.177+01:00Dalglish - Above Average Reds<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">By Lee Jaundrell 29/3/12</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>‘If you buy above average players, you end up with an above average team.’</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I don’t know who actually said that about the current Liverpool team, but I think they got it spot on. Kenny Dalglish (and Damien Comolli) have spent a lot of money (also recouped a sizeable amount) on players in the past 15 months, but have Liverpool really had a chance of a top 4 finish with the quality of player bought? Dalglish has been fighting a losing battle to be honest. Throw in some bad luck, a few poor performances and you have a team currently lying seventh in the league, an above average position.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This is a season which has seen Chelsea struggle, Arsenal play poorly until a recent upsurge and Tottenham falter lately. It is a season with top 4 places were up for grabs. Next season I believe will be tougher, at least 2 of those 3 will improve, if not all 3. The top 5 will look impregnable, maybe for some time.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So where did it all go wrong (to steal a bellboy’s question to George Best) for the Carling Cup winners/FA Cup Semifinalists? The above average signings!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Andy Carroll;- A cult hero in Newcastle, big, strong, great in the air, are all the things we expected from big Andy (or ponytail as my wife calls him) but have seen very little of this. The odd good flick on, a couple goals but thats about it. The stat doing the rounds on Twitter of Liverpool’s record when he starts recently is astounding, won 5 and drawn 2 of the last 7 games he’s started. It would appear he brings the best out of the players around him. If he is to prove successful, surely he needs to start every game. But to date at the price paid I’d rate him a 5 out of 10 signing. Average</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Jordan Henderson;- A lot of money was spent on this up and coming midfielder. Young, English, good one touch player, plays with his head up and obviously has ability, but maybe he hasn’t done it for the reds so far this season is because he doesn’t have game intelligence. He seems lost being played out of position on the right. He never makes the right run, he receives the ball, plays a quick one touch pass then looks lost to what to do next. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In Dalglish’s first spell as Liverpool manager he had the out and out winger on the left John Barnes and the more flexible Ray Houghton cutting inside to help the midfield from the right, unfortunately Downing and Henderson are not Barnes and Houghton.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The big hope for Henderson is that he will blossom playing as a box to box central midfielder, he reminds a bit of David Platt but without the goals. Saying that, was David Platt really that good without the goals? 5/10. Average</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Stewart Downing;- Liverpool needed a left winger, they went out and bought the ‘best’ available English left winger, and paid what was needed. That’s part of what the Moneyball principle says,‘fill what’s needed, pay what’s needed.’ But Downing has been, for want of a better word, pants. Bought, you would think, to provide the service from wide for Ponytail, sorry big Andy Carroll to thrive on. Downing this season couldn’t cross a road. I don’t have the stats. but the number of crosses that reach a Liverpool player in the box is minimal. In some quarters Downing was made Man of the Match in the Carling Cup final against Championship Side Cardiff, but in the whole of that game, I can remember only one cross which reached it’s target. Maybe he’ll improve, but will he get the chance? Raheem Sterling came on against Wigan and looked bright. Dalglish has a decision to make between now and the end of the season, 2 of Downing, Bellamy, Maxi or Sterling to compete for the left sided role, in my opinion, Downing is forth on that list. 1/10. Poor</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Charlie Adam;- Oh Charlie, Charlie! £6million isn’t a lot of money is this day and age, Liverpool should of had a bargain, but it hasn’t quite worked out. Adam has talent, an excellent range of passing, a good dribbler and £10million’s worth of corners. Firstly, those corners, Liverpool have scored 4 goals from 247 corners in the league this season, read that slowly 4 from 247! Adam had had some good games, but the bad ones far outweigh them. Poor decision making, especially after a good surging run has been part of the downfall, and talking of downfall, why oh why do you fall over so often looking for free kicks. 6/10. Slightly above average considering his cost</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Not one of the above 4 signings would get close to getting into the sides in the top 5, how can we of expected Dalglish to make Liverpool a top 4 team with these 4 in the heart of the team?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There have been good signings too; Bellamy has been an excellent free transfer, his performance against Man City in the Carling Cup Semi Final was just immense. Enrique has been part of a very strong defence (Johnson, Skrtel & Agger included), and offers variety going forward. He is quick, strong, good on the ball and is very confident, though at times he hangs onto the ball a little too long. That leaves the one major successful signing, Luis Suarez, for effort, skill, and will to win you couldn’t ask for more.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This leaves the question of whether with these signings, and the unfortunate injuries to key players, did Dalglish have a chance of taking Liverpool back into the Champions League?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The squad appears deep in above average talent, but seems to lack a very strong first 11. Which seems to be the complete opposite of the time under Benitez, when the first 11 was very strong, but underneath there wasn’t much. At times Liverpool have been excellent, the defensive partnership of Agger and Skrtel is arguably as good as it gets in the league this season, with Skrtel, in particular, putting in a player of the season performances, well until he was moved from right side centre back to left side to accommodate Carragher in Agger’s absence, and has looked quite shaky against QPR and Wigan.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In attack the team has produced chance after chance, though not always clear cut. Suarez being at the heart of these chances, either creating of trying to finish, and in most cases both. He is trying too hard, if that’s possible, that when a chance comes is way, is finishing has been poor due to the effort used in creating. Gerrard is currently Liverpool’s best finisher, as the game against Everton again proved, but he has been playing far too deep for most of the games he’s played.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Lucas has been a big loss, Spearing, although committed, wouldn’t get into most Premier League sides, he was shown as a level or 2 below by Man Utd away earlier this season, buying a defensive midfielder last January was imperative if the top 4 was to be a realistic target.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So, in conclusion, the signings are not up to top 4 class, blame can be apportioned to both Dalglish and Comolli for this. The side has also lacked direction at times, are we a pressing side, or a sit back and absorb side. At times it has been both, at times neither.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">If Liverpool are to get back into the Champions League soon, radical changes are needed. Whether that is massive investment in players during the summer, or a new radical, progressive manager is put in place instead of Dalglish to push the side on, or maybe both is in fact needed. One thing is for certain, if things stay the same, and above average players are again bought in the summer, another season of being above average is in store. Dalglish 6/10. Comolli 3/10.</span></div>LovelyTouchForABigManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641655125354253551noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838938198286000641.post-82922407870918874062012-01-20T12:27:00.002+00:002012-01-20T12:27:29.716+00:00I am Waving an Imaginary Red Card....<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">By Lee Jaundrell 20/1/12</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I am waving an imaginary red card to all the fools who are in so much outrage at players/managers who wave imaginary cards.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Apparently waving this imaginary card is worse than an out of control two-footed tackle which could finish a players career. Why are you so outraged? Is asking for a player to be booked or sent off so wrong, even worse than the offence which this card is being asked for?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I heard Andy Gray on Talksport even go as far to say that Mancini asking for a player to be sent off on the sidelines with suitable Italian hand gestures was worse than Rooney running and screaming hands raised in a referees face. How? Why? Where? When? etc.....</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When I was 14 or 15, due to a couple of players being late, I was asked to turn out for a local pub side. The basic instructions I was given, was to run around a lot and claim for everything. Every throw in, every corner, every foul. “REF” was being screamed all game long, but this was the norm of sunday league football. If the referee wasn’t sure, he may just go with the side that screamed the loudest. Claiming for a corner which you clearly know is a goal kick is surely much worse than asking a referee to book someone who has hacked you down for the tenth time.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Mancini is doing nothing wrong in my eyes, nor is any player who asks a referee to take action for an offence committed. But we’re English and we don’t do that, do we? It does feel that there is a bit of little englander about the whole commotion caused by this, which appears to be what this season has been all about so far.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I am still waving an imaginary red card. Now shut up and get on with the game.</span></div>LovelyTouchForABigManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641655125354253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838938198286000641.post-64886412250528929212012-01-10T19:28:00.000+00:002012-01-10T19:28:53.454+00:00The Quiz Show Dilemma<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span class="TextRun SCX19275949" style="font-family: Calibri, Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt;" xml:lang="EN-US">Picture the scene, you have just got through to the final round of a major quiz show, and you now have the chance to win £1million. To win this prize you have the choice of 3 boxes, in 1 box is the £1million, in the other 2 boxes is a dusty bin and a blankety blank cheque book and pen. Now choose your box; 1, 2 or 3.</span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX19275949" style="font-family: Calibri, Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt;" xml:lang="EN-US">After making your choice, Terry Monkhouse (the host) then takes away one of the other boxes saying the million pounds is not in it that one, and then offers you the chance to change your mind on which box you want. For example, you originally choose box 1, the host then takes away box 3. Do you keep box 1 or change to box 2?</span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX19275949" style="font-family: Calibri, Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt;" xml:lang="EN-US">What would you do?</span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX19275949" style="font-family: Calibri, Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt;" xml:lang="EN-US">I'm guessing you would probably stick to your original choice, but I would suggest 100% that you should always swap for the other box. And here's why;-</span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX19275949" style="font-family: Calibri, Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt;" xml:lang="EN-US">When you have the choice of 3 boxes, there is a 33.33% chance of the money being in any box, or in betting terms each box is a 2/1 chance, so as the example goes you pick box number 1;-</span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX19275949" style="font-family: Calibri, Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt;" xml:lang="EN-US">Box 1 - 33.33% chance</span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX19275949" style="font-family: Calibri, Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt;" xml:lang="EN-US">The host takes away box 3, leaving the chances of the money in each box as;-</span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX19275949" style="font-family: Calibri, Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt;" xml:lang="EN-US">Box 1 - 33.33%</span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX19275949" style="font-family: Calibri, Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt;" xml:lang="EN-US">Box 2 - 66.67%</span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX19275949" style="font-family: Calibri, Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt;" xml:lang="EN-US">Or in other words, it is odds on (1/2) that the money is in box 2, and a 2/1 chance of the money being in box 1. But, you will forever regret changing your mind if the money is in fact in box 1. That's the Quiz Show Dilemma.</span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX19275949" style="font-family: Calibri, Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt;" xml:lang="EN-US">What would YOU do? </span></div>
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</div>LovelyTouchForABigManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641655125354253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838938198286000641.post-90034087257293407932011-12-30T17:23:00.004+00:002011-12-30T17:26:41.969+00:00Liverpool - What do they need?<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">By Lee Jaundrell 30/12/11</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">In a couple of days the transfer window opens, and all sides have the chance to improve their teams, put right what’s going wrong. You hear from managers that January is a bad time to buy players, Chelsea bought Torres last January which has been an undoubted failure, and also bought Sideshow Bob (Bob would be much better than David Luiz). </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Liverpool bought Suarez and Carroll. Up to a point Suarez has been a brilliant success, he is a superb talent always involved in the game, loved by the fans, but whose finishing could be better. He is currently banned for the game against Newcastle, and is about to be banned for a further 8 games for his confrontation with Evra (plenty has been written elsewhere which I’m unqualified to really add to). Suarez is no good to anyone sat on the bench. Carroll, to me, has been a failure, and not lived up to what was expected of a big money signing. But that could of been so much different if his last minute efforts against Man City and Blackburn had not been impressively saved by Hart and Bunn respectively. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Liverpool are currently 6th in the league, just 3 points behind Chelsea in 4th place. They would be 4th now if Carroll’s late efforts against Man City & Blackburn hit the back of the net. Liverpool would be more than happy with 4th place at the end of the season, which they are very much in the hunt for, but something isn’t quite right. The summer signings haven’t quite hit off. Enrique has been excellent at left back, possibly the best player in the league at that position at the moment. Adam has been inconsistent so far, for every good game (Chelsea away) there are two poor games (Swansea & Blackburn at home). Downing has generally been poor, for a player who was bought for his creativity, he hasn’t had one assist or one goal this season. Henderson has been moved around the pitch by Dalglish, sometimes wide, sometimes central. His best position is probably attacking centre midfield, which he has shown flashes of good play, he is hard working but sometimes as is normal for young players he goes missing. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Other players haven’t contributed what they should, Gerrard has been injured, while Kuyt, who would normally contribute 10 - 12 goals a season, hasn’t got any in league this season. Fortunately the defence has been impeccable, and the foursome of Enrique, Agger, Skrtel and Johnson are as good as anything around. The team are creating chances, apart from poor performances away to Tottenham and at home to Swansea, Liverpool could argue they had enough chances to win all the other games. They have produced more crosses than any other team, and hit the woodwork more than anyone else. So have they been unlucky? Or is there something fundamentally wrong? What does the team need to improve and can this be done in January.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>GOALSCORER</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">If only Ian Rush was 25 years younger. With the number of chances created and crosses provided, is it only an out and out goalscorer needed? This would mean playing 4-4-2, with a goalscorer playing alongside Suarez. But with Lucas missing for the season, defensively this would underman the central areas, unless the wide players tucked in and the full backs provided the width. Liverpool has performed well in recent years with Torres up front on his own, supported by 3 attacking players (generally Gerrard, Kuyt and A.N Other). Could Suarez drop deeper, solidify midfield, while provide creativity in the final third. Is he capable of that position?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>CENTRAL MIDFIELDER</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">With Lucas missing for the remainder of the season, a defensive midfielder would be preferable in this window. Spearing is ok, but not top class. If the Champions League is a genuine target, 2 from Adam, Spearing, Gerrard and Henderson is not strong or disciplined enough for me. It will be interesting if Liverpool show an interest in Tiote of Newcastle. Newcastle don’t need to sell, but as the Carroll deal showed money speaks volumes.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Downing and Kuyt have underperformed this season, Henderson though showing willing is not suited to playing wide. While Maxi and Bellamy have played well, they have been underused, though they are both 30+ and may not be able to perform to high standards week in week out. Is a new wide player needed? Or will the width be provided by the excellent Enrique and Johnson from fullback. A new strong defensive midfielder would release these two more, meaning a wide player not as necessary as a holding midfielder.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The next few weeks will be interesting from Liverpool’s point of view. They have played well in patches, created lots of chances but not always been ruthless enough. Major surgery of the team isn’t needed, but the odd tweak, and maybe 1 or 2 key signings could push them forward in a very open race for Champions League places. Do the owners want to make that push now? Are there suitable players available?</span></div>
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</span>LovelyTouchForABigManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641655125354253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838938198286000641.post-78627903435907353602011-12-12T18:27:00.002+00:002011-12-12T18:28:10.673+00:00Luis Suarez - The Tony Soprano of Football<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">By Lee Jaundrell 12/12/11</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Tony Soprano really isn’t very likeable. He is a gangster mafioso who kills people, cheats on his wife and is extremely (as Daffy Duck would say) despicable. But don’t ya just love him!?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Jimmy McNulty is a character from The Wire, he is ‘good police’, who drinks, cheats on various women, and even, to keep police funding up, fakes a serial killer who attacks homeless people. But don’t ya just love him!?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Luis Suarez is a footballer for Liverpool, who allegedly cheats by diving, who may be racist, though probably not, and was insulting towards Fulham fans. But don’t ya just love him!?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Suarez is the bad guy that you’re actually routing for (though I am biased). He has cheated Ghana out of the World Cup, and bit an opponent in Holland before he even arrived in England. But right now, he is the most watchable player playing in the Premier League and possible the world. He is always involved, continuously on the move, trying to win at all costs, both legally and by the Dick Dastardly rule book. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">He gave a performance against Q.P.R on Saturday which was amazing, turning and twisting everywhere, creating chances, shooting on goal, how he came away with only 1 goal and no assists is bewildering, though if he could finish he would already be on 30 goals for the season and Liverpool would be riding much higher in the league. He has given this type of performance numerous times this season without due reward. One such performance came for Uruguay against Chile where he scored 4 goals, and could have scored 10, there will be games like that this season, and I pity the opponent it comes against.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">There are currently two FA charges against him, one of racism towards an opponent, and the other for an insulting gesture towards fans. Liverpool fans will tell you it’s a witch hunt, while opposing fans will want him banned for their game against him. Now I don’t condone double standards but it really would be a shame if Suarez was banned for several games, as everyone loves a good villain, a good bad guy, a Tony Soprano, a Jimmy McNulty. The racism charge is fraught with enough language difficulties and nuances that it would be difficult for the charge to be upheld by the FA, though the insulting gesture charge will end with a ban, and that would be a bad thing for everyone, because as I said he is the most watchable player around. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">You wouldn’t watch The Sopranos without Tony, and The Wire without McNulty would just be like watching Treme! English football would be much less enjoyable without Luis Suarez.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>LovelyTouchForABigManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641655125354253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838938198286000641.post-38842033973398935422011-11-05T08:57:00.002+00:002011-11-05T08:57:15.436+00:00Newcastle!?!.... Harry Hindsight is Back and Living Right Here.<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">By Lee Jaundrell 4/11/11</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Where were you in August? When there was all the doom and gloom around Newcastle. They had sold Andy Carroll a few months earlier, and sold key players Joey Barton, Kevin Nolan and Jose Enrique in the summer and did not replace them. You, yes you sat there, you were saying “RELEGATION FOR NEWCASTLE”.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">But, in the summer Newcastle added the classy Yohan Cabaye to compliment the excellent Chiek Tiote in midfield. A midfield which already consisted of the solid and consistent Jonas Gutierrez. On the other wing Gabriel Obertan has looked an excellent signing from Man Utd, showing pace, directness and a clinical presence when in good positions. In the wings for a starting place on the wing (see what I did there?) is Hatem Ben Arfa, slowly coming back from his horrendous injury, and the injury prone Sylvain Marveaux, who apparently (I haven’t seen him play much) is quick, skillful and a good passer. That barring injuries is a decent midfield, and is proving so. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Up front they bought Demba Ba for free, yes they have changed strikers for a profit of £35 million. Ba scored roughly a goal every other game while playing half a season at bottom of the table, relegated West Ham. He is scoring hat-tricks now almost as quickly as Lionel Messi (well 2 to Messi’s 4 this season). Along side Ba is the utter rubbish Leon Best. When I say utter rubbish, I mean I always thought he was a championship player at best (that’s an accidental pun!), but this season, he is scoring goals, creating goals, working hard and causing a general nuisance of himself.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">They also have an experienced manager, one who has had reasonable success, Alan Pardew did after all come within a Steven Gerrard special of winning the FA Cup with West Ham, after taking them to promotion from the Championship. He also did decent jobs at Reading and Southampton. What struck me, was how well organised they were as a unit against Stoke on Monday night, the back four being very tight, and if they didn’t win the first ball coming into the box they crtainly won the vast majority of the second balls. This is credit to Pardew and his team. They remind me a little of Liverpool under Gerard Houllier, organised two banks of four, tough to get in behind, and pace in attack on the break.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Now, I don’t want to sound like Harry Hindsight, but I probably will. Newcastle were predicted by all and sundry to struggle this season. They were given an insulting 37 points start on the Premiership Handicap Market, which I helped myself to at 16/1. They are currently top of the league in this market, a point clear of Norwich, and 25 points ahead of Man City. It is still early days, if there is one problem for the Toon, it is their strength in depth. Guthrie played instead of Tiote on Monday night, and equipped himself well, but you wouldn’t want him playing there for 15 to 20 games. If Ba gets injured, the Ameobis will get a game. But, with Newcastle sitting in the top 4, the Carroll money still in the bank, maybe they will spend in January, on a striker, a midfielder and maybe a right back. If they do, they could just hang around near the top for a very long time.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Newcastle take on Everton at lunchtime today, it won’t be a game for the purists. Two pragmatic teams, who will both think about keeping it tight to begin with. The game could go either way, Everton could easily come away with a slender victory, and if they do it’s how Newcastle react to a defeat that could decide their season. Whether they whither away to a safe mid-table position, or whether they keep up a top 4 challenge. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">They have already passed a number of tests this season, as we know, the litmus test of any team or player is, can they do it on a cold wet night at the Britannia, and the answer in Newcastle’s case is a resounding yes.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>LovelyTouchForABigManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641655125354253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838938198286000641.post-83975775554722415402011-10-13T16:45:00.000+01:002011-10-13T16:52:39.489+01:00Carroll or No Carroll - That Really Is THE Question<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10px;">By Lee Jaundrell 13/10/11</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Saturday lunchtime Liverpool will take on Man Utd in what is still THE fixture of the English football calendar. The two most successful sides in the game up against each other for the first time this season. A rampant free scoring Man Utd against a resurgent Liverpool. It promises to be an excellent encounter, but the main question that puzzles me is whether Andy Carroll should, would or could play.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Big old Andy Carroll, a guy who promised so much rampaging through defenses for Newcastle like some big, old rampaging thing. But is he all that? Was his performances a myth, or was that Newcastle team just designed to bring the best out of him?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">He has scored a few goals since arriving at Liverpool, and put in a couple of good performances, most notably against Man City last season with a couple of excellent goals which were typical of his time with the Geordies, and also at home to Wolves a couple of weeks ago, when his performance really deserved a goal. He also scored the important first goal against local rivals Everton, which could just be the catalyst to better things.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">These performances and goals have so far been few and far between. Why is that? Liverpool paid an enormous amount of money for him (though in the context of selling Torres and making £15million it isn’t quite as bad as it seems), and you expect there to be a plan to incorporate Carroll’s talents. He is strong, good in the air, a cracking shot especially with his left foot, and with a bit of coaching his hold up play will become genuinely excellent. So why has it not happened for the Geordie hero?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Liverpool’s football has flowed much better when Carroll has not been on the pitch. A combination of Suarez, Kuyt, Maxi, Downing and before he left, Meireles buzzed with movement and intent. Is the problem for Carroll that Suarez is just so bloody brilliant, that the team demands to be built around him rather than Carroll? And Suarez is that good. He dominates games, with his movement, skill, touch and sheer effort, and needs to be involved continuously. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Dalglish has a real dilemma. Does he persevere with Carroll and Suarez together, with the long term goal that the more they play together the better the combination becomes. Or does he play Suarez up front on his own, with Kuyt, Gerrard and Downing behind, which at the moment would give the team a much more balanced threatening appeal.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This dilemma comes to a head this weekend, Liverpool play their biggest game of the season, a win will put them just 3 points behind their rivals from up the East Lancs road. At around 11.45am on Saturday we will know the answer, and Dalglish’s selection will tell us all a lot more about the direction his Liverpool team is heading.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Carroll or no Carroll, that is the question.</span></div>LovelyTouchForABigManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641655125354253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838938198286000641.post-24285513556581079682011-10-04T11:55:00.000+01:002011-10-04T11:55:58.463+01:00Say ‘NO’ To The International Break<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">By Lee Jaundrell 4/10/11</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I love football, I love Premier League football and I really love Liverpool fc, and I have to wait 2 weeks for our next game. Liverpool have just won their last 2 games, against Wolves and away to Everton, our form is decent and maybe we could go on a run. Our next game is at home to our biggest rivals Man Utd. This International break is an inconvenience to the players and an inconvenience to us fans.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Why can’t all international football be played at the end of the season?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Surely this would benefit everyone, and for a number of reasons. Firstly, from an England point of view, since the poor performance in the World Cup last year, numerous fans have fallen out of love with the national team. Capello’s tactics along with several key players underperforming have left fans disaffected. A qualifying tournament every odd numbered year, with 6 to 8 games played over a 4 to 5 week period in May/June would bring international football to the forefront of everyone’s minds. It would allow managers time to get their players to gel as a team, and hopefully produce better football.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Secondly, injuries would affect the national teams and not their clubs. Liverpool over the years have suffered more than most. I remember John Barnes rupturing his achilles in 1992 playing for England, and was out for 6 months, Jamie Redknapp always seemed to get injured playing for England, Steven Gerrard recently messed up his groin in an England game which he is just coming back from, and Fernando Torres got injured 3 or 4 times while away with Spain. Obviously major injuries affect everyone, but the odd strained calf or pulled hamstring would not affect the clubs paying the players wages. There's nothing more annoying than your star player or players coming back from international duty injured.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Thirdly, and most importantly, the Premier League season would not be interrupted. I don’t know about you but I’m bored and it’s only Tuesday. I’ll have to watch rugby and other sports at the weekend and I may even have to talk to the wife.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">While we’re changing international football, we should change the European Qualifying format. There are just too many games. Too many pointless games. What do Andorra, San Marino etc. gain from being thrashed every match? A 2-0 defeat for San Marino against, say, Austria would be treated as a victory. Surely, San Marino would gain more from a ‘competitive’ match against Andorra, than 8 games losing 5-0 in each. San Marino’s current record in qualifying for 2012 Euro is played 9, lost 9, scored 0, conceded 49.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">24 teams will take part in the 2016 European Championship, bear with me while I explain how I think the qualifying should work;-</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The hosts France qualify, well as hosts.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Leaving 23 places. There are 52 teams wanting to qualify, and I propose breaking this up into 11 groups of 4, with 8 teams missing out. Therefore, first and second in each group qualifies and the best third place. The teams that finish forth (last) in each group would have to enter a preliminary qualifying round against the 8 teams who missed out to gain entry to the qualifying for the next major tournament.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The 8 teams missing out will be the worst performing teams in the previous qualifying tournament, currently the 8 worst teams are;- Andorra, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Malta, San Marino and (sorry) Wales.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This leaves every team a 6 match qualifying tournament, which should be played in a 4/5 week period at the end of the season after a couple of friendlies as preparation.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The Premier League season wouldn’t be interrupted, and interest at the end of the season for international football would be immense compared with fans reaction towards the current qualifying tournament.</span></div>
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'Football is a simple game complicated by people who should know better' Bill Shankly</div>
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LovelyTouchForABigManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641655125354253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838938198286000641.post-77911763587071501712011-10-03T14:41:00.000+01:002011-10-03T18:15:20.754+01:00Four Four F*****g Two<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Before I start rambling about football tactics, I would just like say that I am not really qualified to write about tactics, I am not Jonathan Wilson of the Guardian and author of various books nor am I Zonal Marking of ZonalMarking.net. In fact, the following analysis will most likely be a load of tosh not worth the paper err Internet thingy it’s written on. And now that I have lowered your expectations, I shall begin;-</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">4-4-2 used to be the default tactic of pretty much every team in England, nowadays the most common formation is 4-2-3-1, but are we heading back to the old fashioned 4-4-2? A number of Premier League sides have played 4-4-2 this season, from Man Utd at the top of the league to Bolton at the bottom. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Man Utd have obviously done well so far this season, playing Young & Nani either side of Anderson & Fletcher/Cleveley in a 4 man midfield with Rooney up front with either Hernandez or Wellbeck. Going forward it has been very successful but defensively they haven’t been as strong as recent years, although this could have something to do with Vidic being missing and Ferdinand coming to the end of his playing days. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Liverpool have varied their tactics and formation this season and last, but with Carroll and Suarez so expensively put together, it looks likely that 4-4-2 will be the future of this reds team. Liverpool’s form has been indifferent, so far, with a poor second half against (a 4-4-2) Wolves and also a shocking performance away to (a 4-4-2) Tottenham, but they are currently on target to finish in the top 4.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Also playing 4-4-2 is Tottenham who now they have Parker and Adebayor in their team have performed very well and look very likely to carry on this way having beaten their two main rivals (Arsenal and Liverpool) for a Champions League spot. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">But Bolton, accepting their difficult start, have underperformed, and West Brom having played very well with a 5 man midfield and 1 up front under Hodgson (and Di Matteo) last season, have struggled this season with the addition of, the very good, Shane Long playing Hodgson’s two banks of 4 and 2 up top.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Will this be the norm as this season goes on? Man Utd have given up plenty of chances to the opposition, but have the players to change their tactics. Liverpool haven’t dominated games as they would of liked, and also have a strong squad this year with options to revert back to 4-2-3-1. Bolton and West Brom don’t have as many options to change things. Once the excellent Stuart Holden comes back from his injuries Bolton’s midfield is strengthened, while West Brom have tried Odemwingie wide in a midfield 5 away to Everton in the Carling Cup and probably played some of their best football so far this season.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">It would appear that 4-4-2 isn’t dead just yet......</span></div>
LovelyTouchForABigManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641655125354253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838938198286000641.post-62207794001150307052011-10-01T09:13:00.000+01:002011-10-01T09:13:51.731+01:00Jordan Henderson - Is he all that?<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">By Lee Jaundrell 1/10/11</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When I first read Liverpool were likely to be signing Jordan Henderson for around £16million, I wouldn’t say I was unimpressed rather I was kind of indifferent. He was a player I had heard of, I player I knew I had seen play when watching Sunderland matches, but I couldn’t really say what kind of player he was. He never stood out in the games I saw. The thing I hear most about Henderson is that he goes missing, and I can’t disagree with that view.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I tried to take more notice of him during the Under 21 tournament in the summer, but found myself drifting away from actually watching him, and yes he went missing. He is still young, turned 21 in the summer, and has two full Premier League seasons in the bag. Also, Kenny Dalglish and Damien Comolli both know more about football than I do, so I have to give young Jordan a chance.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Having now seen him play several times in the red shirt of Liverpool, I can say the lad has ability. He has a good touch, plays with his head up, and has plenty of energy. He scored a quality goal against Bolton, with his wrong foot, and although he missed a couple of chances when through on goal against Stoke, he had the pace, energy and awareness to make the run and get himself in the position to score. Yet the majority of Liverpool fans would have Dirk Kuyt in the team instead.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">At 21 does Henderson just need time in the team, another season playing 30 odd games at this level, helping him develop into the player Dalglish obviously believes he can become. There are plenty of examples of players taking time to settle in top teams, some taking half a season, such has Evra and Vidic, or even a full season such as Pires at Arsenal. Looking closer to home a good example of a player taking time to settle is Liverpool’s very own Lucas Leiva, who was a target for the boo boys for a number of seasons, before finally looking very adept last year, and winning the supporter’s player of the season award.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Lucas came out in defence of Henderson recently saying,"I don't blame the young players because I have been in their position for a few years," the Brazilian said. "He is English and has already adapted to the Premier League.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">"But to change your club and move to a big place like Liverpool is difficult. I think he is playing well. He will get confidence when he gets more minutes and understands the role he needs to do more.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">"We just have to keep encouraging him and give him the confidence to keep improving."</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Also, would Henderson get more time to adapt, from the fans, if he had been born in Bootle, and come through the Liverpool ranks. The likes of Jay Spearing and Martin Kelly have not been criticised in their fledgling careers to the extent that Henderson has been in just a few games.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In conclusion, Henderson obviously has plenty of qualities, yes he goes missing, but he is still young and learning the game. He will get the best coaching possible at Liverpool, and us fans must put our trust in Kenny Dalglish and get behind the lad, who could just possibly become a Liverpool great, or at least a very good dependable player for years to come, just like Lucas Lieva. A good place to start would be at Goodison Park today.</span></div>
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LovelyTouchForABigManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641655125354253551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838938198286000641.post-60271273998738019382011-09-30T16:46:00.000+01:002011-09-30T16:48:05.221+01:00The 10 Best Premier League Players Right Now<div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b></b></div><div style="font: 14.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px;"><b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">By Lee Jaundrell 30/9/11</span></b></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span></b></div><b><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">An unbiased view (well I tried to be unbiased)</div></b><b> <div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>No.10 - Yohan Cabaye - Newcastle</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">When everyone predicted a tough start, the former captain of the French Champions settled everything down and help move the geordies into the top 4. I’d have him in my team ahead of Nolan or Barton any day.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b></b></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>No. 9 - Edin Dzeko - Man City</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Did you see the 4 goals against Spurs?</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>No. 8 - Nani - Man Utd</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">A bit of a pansy but sure knows how to light up a game with skill, flair and finishing ability</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>No. 7 - Ramires - Chelsea</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">A slow start to his Chelsea career last season, but looks every inch a Brazilian international now. Hard working box to box midfielder who is scoring his fair share of goals too.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>No. 6 - Sergio Aguero - Man City</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Scoring goals for fun in the new look attacking Man City team, and looking worth every penny of the £38million they paid for him. An off game against Bayern keeps him out of the top 5</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>No. 5 - Ashley Young - Man Utd</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Young has fitted straight into Man Utd. He looked a good player at Villa, but looks a great player at Utd, linking brilliantly with Rooney.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b></b></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>No. 4 - Vincent Komany - Man City</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Unsung hero (though not to me) of Man City’s great start to the season, a rock in their defence. The guy is achieving everything Football Manager 05 predicted for him.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 18.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>No. 3 - Luis Suarez - Liverpool</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Every Liverpool fan I know would have him at number 1, and they wouldn’t swap him for any other player in the world with the exception of Messi. The guy is just mental. An example of Suarez’s character can be epitomised by one moment in the game against Bolton, leading 3-0 the game done and dusted, Jaaskelainen picked up what looked to be a back pass. Suarez claimed profusely to the referee, the linesman, to everyone he could, like it was the final minute of a World Cup final poised at 0-0, and the Liverpool fans loved him for it.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 18.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>No. 2 - Wayne Rooney - Man Utd</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Held off from the number 1 spot due to currently being injured, though a return is imminent. Rooney is in the form of his life, scoring goals for fun, and dominating every opposition he is coming up against. This isn’t a vintage Man Utd team around him, which makes his achievements so far this season even more remarkable. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 18.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>No. 1 - David Silva - Man City</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Just watch him, just watch him play football. The movement, the passing, the vision. He is delight to watch and I would presume a delight to play with. How good is the Spain midfield if this gem of a player isn’t guaranteed a place in their starting line up?</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">He is scoring goals, he is creating goals, and he is a constant menace. The way he floats across the field, always looking for space between the opposition’s defence and midfield is astounding, head up searching for that little pass, or a sway of the hips to open up a shooting chance for himself. Class</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>And the worst... Carlos Tevez - Man City</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">No matter how good a player you are when you’re on the pitch, you’re no better than me (I’m not even good enough to be described as a pub player) when you’re sat on the bench refusing to play.</span></div></b>LovelyTouchForABigManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12641655125354253551noreply@blogger.com0