Saturday, June 30, 2007
Why EPL Clubs Should Buy English Not Foreign Players
By John Nicholson
Here's a mantra you'll all be familiar with: English born players are over-priced. That's why clubs buy so many overseas players. You get good players for much less money.
That's the received wisdom. We can all point to examples to prove this. Everton paid just a couple of million quid for Arteta who was one of the best, most creative midfielders last season; an absolute steal for that money.
And initially, when you see Darren Bent's transfer for the thick end of £16million, you'd think it was undeniable that Englishmen are vastly over-priced. But I've just realized that it's not true. Let's stop defaulting to the usual stand point and look at the situation a bit closer.
The first thing we need say is that the majority of transfers of players so far this summer have been on a free or for minimal money. Indeed, it's a sign of the times that relatively high profile players as diverse as Claudio Pizarro, Steve Sidwell, Tal Ben Haim, Sylvain Distin, Sanli Tuncay, Mark Viduka, Antoine Sibierski all come to new clubs for nothing except their massive wages. Hosts of transfers have been made for anything from nothing to a couple of million.
Transfers that involve serious money are few and far between. And while it may have been true in the past that English players are over-priced, we're starting to see a change. The over-valuation of foreign imports to the Premiership has always gone without enough comment. There is a school of thought that seems to think a non English player is always good value. But it's time to question that.
Liverpool has just paid £27 million for Torres (pictured). Torres is 23, so he's not really, really young, he's just coming into his prime. But how good is he? 14 goals in 42 games for Spain is good but not brilliant. 82 goals in 212 for Atletico Madrid is steady but not world beating. For £27 million you want a lot more than a goal every third game. That kind of record nets you about 13 goals in the Premiership season which won't good enough to win Liverpool the league. So Benitez is gambling on Torres improving substantially.
There are no reasons to think he won't improve but there are equally none to suggest he will. Many players come to the Premiership and fail to perform, regardless of their previous qualities. Shevchenko is just the most recent in a long line of players who just can't adapt to the Premiership. So be under no doubts, the Torres deal is a big and expensive gamble.
Now when it come to Bent who is costing 10 million less - which is a lot less - he has already proven to be able to score regularly in the Premiership, even at a poorly performing club. You can argue that Bent isn't as good a player as Torres and not a proven international and you'd be right, but that might be irrelevant. Veron proved that being a big money, established international doesn't automatically mean you'll be able to perform in this league.
Spurs are gambling far less than Liverpool are and it's that safer bet that drives English Premiership transfers up. You want a player to come to the club, fit in right away and perform right away. No club wants to wait a season for a player to adjust......there's no reason why they should. Hell, its still football, it's the same game, why should it take a year to learn to run a bit faster?
Being a proven Premiership player is worth a lot financially and rightly so. Newcastle are paying about one and a half million less for Joey Barton than Portsmouth are for Muntari. Muntari might be brilliant, but he might not be. We don't know yet. Big Sam already knows what he's going to get from Barton. Again, its less of a gamble and by paying a couple of million less he's got some cash in reserve to bail Joey out of jail after he's eaten someone during a mid-season break in Spain.
Manchester United's purchase of Nani and Anderson for over 31 million collectively is another huge gamble and one which would have raised eyebrows if it had been done for a couple of promising English players. Clearly they have huge potential and are already internationals but so were Djemba Djemba and Kleberson and they were utter, utter shite for Manchester United.
It's time to revise our opinion of the worth of English players. Suspicion remains that the idea that they are over-priced is just all part of the anti-English snobbery that some in England like to indulge in; self flagellation being one of the countries' favourite pastimes.
John Nicholson writes each week for Football 365 and EPL Talk. You can listen to John's wonderful stories on episode 30 and 45 of the EPL Talk Podcast, as well as purchase his excellent Footy Rocks book and order one of his unique rock'n roll T-shirts.
Labels: anderson, fernando torres, john nicholson, nani
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Friday, June 29, 2007
Argentina 4-1 United States: The Harsh Reality
It's the morning after the night before and all throughout America I imagine there are many soccer fans with their heads stooped a little lower today. After being convincingly beaten 4-1 by Argentina in their first match in the Copa America, the harsh realization is that the United States was outclassed, outplayed and soundly beaten.
The irony is that the United States had a fantastic first half performance and, when the second half began, the U.S. side started weaving the ball around as if they were the ones in the famous blue and white stripes (that of Argentina, not the US of A). What became the US's downfall however was static defending. The team was outwitted by Riquelme's tricky free kick for Argentina's first goal and left Crespo with too much space for his first and second goal in the match.
When Aimar knocked in the brilliant header to make it 3-1, this was a classic case of U.S. defenders standing around as the ball was floated into the box and no one picked up Aimar who was streaming into the area.
On the fourth and final goal, Tevez (Liverpool should be signing him, not Torres) made a clinical run into space to beautifully control a pass over the U.S. defenders and then carefully knocked the ball into the back of the net with his first attempt. In this one, Jay DeMerit - who had a magnificent game - made one mistake and kept Tevez onside, which led to the goal.
The irony is that the United States had a fantastic first half performance and, when the second half began, the U.S. side started weaving the ball around as if they were the ones in the famous blue and white stripes (that of Argentina, not the US of A). What became the US's downfall however was static defending. The team was outwitted by Riquelme's tricky free kick for Argentina's first goal and left Crespo with too much space for his first and second goal in the match.
When Aimar knocked in the brilliant header to make it 3-1, this was a classic case of U.S. defenders standing around as the ball was floated into the box and no one picked up Aimar who was streaming into the area.
On the fourth and final goal, Tevez (Liverpool should be signing him, not Torres) made a clinical run into space to beautifully control a pass over the U.S. defenders and then carefully knocked the ball into the back of the net with his first attempt. In this one, Jay DeMerit - who had a magnificent game - made one mistake and kept Tevez onside, which led to the goal.
During the early period of the second half, I was watching this match and thinking that I can't remember the last time I saw England play this well. United States's B-side was far better than England's galacticos by far.
Lastly, let me add that the United States needs to play more meaningful matches against quality opposition such as this one. They'll learn more in one match against Argentina than they will against countries such as Guatemala, Denmark, China and Switzerland combined.
Lastly, let me add that the United States needs to play more meaningful matches against quality opposition such as this one. They'll learn more in one match against Argentina than they will against countries such as Guatemala, Denmark, China and Switzerland combined.
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Sky Sports Not Making Life Easy for Setanta in UK
EPL Talk reader Tokyo Toffeeman wrote in to say how "coincidental" it was that Sky Sports decided to broadcast its live Championship coverage for the 07/08 season at the same time that Setanta will be broadcasting its package of matches. Seems like Sky is already trying to make life difficult for Setanta.
For example, Setanta will be showing the 12:15pm ET match on Saturdays in addition to some of the Monday 3pm matches. When the Football League announced its schedule for the 07/08 Championship season, Sky followed up to say that it would be broadcasting the Championship matches at the aforementioned times. For example, on the opening weekend, Sky Sports will be showing Wolverhampton Wanderers against Watford at 12:20pm ET.
For example, Setanta will be showing the 12:15pm ET match on Saturdays in addition to some of the Monday 3pm matches. When the Football League announced its schedule for the 07/08 Championship season, Sky followed up to say that it would be broadcasting the Championship matches at the aforementioned times. For example, on the opening weekend, Sky Sports will be showing Wolverhampton Wanderers against Watford at 12:20pm ET.
The TV schedule for the opening weeks of the 07/08 Premier League season hasn't been released yet, but if you're interested in being one of the first to read it, keep on checking back on this blog (or, better yet, subscribe to our RSS feed; scroll down and look for the RSS symbol in the left column).
Labels: setanta sports, sky sports
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Thursday, June 28, 2007
New Blogger Joins the EPL Talk Community
The number of bloggers contributing to the EPL Talk Community has grown by one. Michael James, aka, is now the sixth blogger with the launch of his English Soccer Talk blog.
You may know Michael from his postings on the Soccer Shout comments section or his original English Soccer Talk blog at Blogspot.
Please welcome him aboard and watch out for more posts from him after he returns from vacation in early July.
If you're interested in having your own blog on the EPL Talk Community, please contact thegaffer[at]epltalk[dot]com
You may know Michael from his postings on the Soccer Shout comments section or his original English Soccer Talk blog at Blogspot.
Please welcome him aboard and watch out for more posts from him after he returns from vacation in early July.
If you're interested in having your own blog on the EPL Talk Community, please contact thegaffer[at]epltalk[dot]com
Labels: epl talk community
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Hear the new English Premier League Theme Song
The English Premier League will unveil a new anthem starting with the 2007/2008 season with a theme song entitled "My Saturday Self" by musician Peter Lawlor, and you can hear a shortened version of the song here first courtesy of a tip-off by reader David Carroll.
The song definitely sounds like The Who and was recorded at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London. The track will be played prior to each English Premier League match as well as on the English Premier League Preview and Review TV shows.
Joining Peter Lawlor on the track were Levine Andrade (strings), Johnathan Noyce (bass), Smiley Barnard (drums), Pete Murray (piano) and Daryl Griffiths (conductor).
Lawlor's company, Water Music, specializes in creating music for advertising. His portfolio includes work for BBC1 and Levis.
The song definitely sounds like The Who and was recorded at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London. The track will be played prior to each English Premier League match as well as on the English Premier League Preview and Review TV shows.
Joining Peter Lawlor on the track were Levine Andrade (strings), Johnathan Noyce (bass), Smiley Barnard (drums), Pete Murray (piano) and Daryl Griffiths (conductor).
Lawlor's company, Water Music, specializes in creating music for advertising. His portfolio includes work for BBC1 and Levis.
Labels: english premier league, peter lawlor
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Mexico Stuns Brazil in Another Copa America Shock
For the second night in a row, there's been a huge upset in Copa America. The opening night it was Peru's emphatic 3-0 win against Uruguay. Tonight, it was an even bigger shock as Mexico annihilated Brazil with a 2-0 win.
I say annihilated because Brazil was hardly in the match. After a lacklustre first half performance, this Brazil side looked nothing like their former self. Albeit, the Brazilian squad was very much a B-side with stars such as Kaka and Ronaldinho taking the summer off, but there should be no excuses for a Brazilian side who were an embarrassment.
The executives at GolTV must be grinning like cheshire cats with all of the entertainment we've seen from Venezuela in just two days on the network. While Brazil looked weak, all credit has to go to Mexico who seized their chances. Nery Castillo, who was a revelation in this match, scored the first goal proceeded by exquisite ball control. And Ramon Morales curled the second goal in from a fantastic free kick.
Speaking of Mexico, be sure to download the fifth episode of the Major League Soccer Talk Podcast which was recorded live in Mexico by Kartik Krishnaiyer who's currently on vacation there. Kartik, joined by BCJohn, recaps the Gold Cup, talks Copa America and, as the name suggests, discusses news from Major League Soccer also.
Back to Copa America and GolTV coverage for a second, my only criticism regarding the network's broadcast for the second night is the use of native Spanish speaking announcers and commentators who spoke English. When English isn't your first language, it doesn't roll off your tongue as eloquently as a Ray Hudson, Lindsey Dean, Kelly O'Donnell or Phil Schoen. Other than that, though, GolTV is doing a fantastic job.
Also congratulations go to Chile for an incredible comeback against Ecuador to win 3-2. Out of the four matches played in Copa America thus far, there hasn't been one disappointing match yet. Please take note FIFA (the World Cup), UEFA (Euro Championships) and BPL (English Premier League)!
To get the most out of the Copa America, be sure to join BCJohn in the EPL Talk chat room during matches (more details on the EPLTalk.com homepage).
I say annihilated because Brazil was hardly in the match. After a lacklustre first half performance, this Brazil side looked nothing like their former self. Albeit, the Brazilian squad was very much a B-side with stars such as Kaka and Ronaldinho taking the summer off, but there should be no excuses for a Brazilian side who were an embarrassment.
The executives at GolTV must be grinning like cheshire cats with all of the entertainment we've seen from Venezuela in just two days on the network. While Brazil looked weak, all credit has to go to Mexico who seized their chances. Nery Castillo, who was a revelation in this match, scored the first goal proceeded by exquisite ball control. And Ramon Morales curled the second goal in from a fantastic free kick.
Speaking of Mexico, be sure to download the fifth episode of the Major League Soccer Talk Podcast which was recorded live in Mexico by Kartik Krishnaiyer who's currently on vacation there. Kartik, joined by BCJohn, recaps the Gold Cup, talks Copa America and, as the name suggests, discusses news from Major League Soccer also.
Back to Copa America and GolTV coverage for a second, my only criticism regarding the network's broadcast for the second night is the use of native Spanish speaking announcers and commentators who spoke English. When English isn't your first language, it doesn't roll off your tongue as eloquently as a Ray Hudson, Lindsey Dean, Kelly O'Donnell or Phil Schoen. Other than that, though, GolTV is doing a fantastic job.
Also congratulations go to Chile for an incredible comeback against Ecuador to win 3-2. Out of the four matches played in Copa America thus far, there hasn't been one disappointing match yet. Please take note FIFA (the World Cup), UEFA (Euro Championships) and BPL (English Premier League)!
To get the most out of the Copa America, be sure to join BCJohn in the EPL Talk chat room during matches (more details on the EPLTalk.com homepage).
Labels: brazil, chile, copa america, ecuador, gol tv, goltv, mexico
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Back From The Dead: A Game of Two Halves Podcast
For many of you old timers to the world of soccer podcasts, your first foray into soccer podcasts may have been The Treble or A Game of Two Halves. While the former continues, the latter has been missing in action for over six months. Until now, that is. A Game Of Two Halves has returned from the ashes with hosts Mark Hesketh and Chris Knowles at the helm once more.
The lads from down under are back with another episode available via iTunes or their web site here. They're gearing up for a new Premier League season, which usually consists of two podcasts per week: one as a preview of the weekend's action, and another one to wrap up the weekend that was.
To learn more about how A Game of Two Halves got started and the history up to now, listen to the EPL Talk Podcast interview with the hosts from last year.
Welcome back AGOTH!
The lads from down under are back with another episode available via iTunes or their web site here. They're gearing up for a new Premier League season, which usually consists of two podcasts per week: one as a preview of the weekend's action, and another one to wrap up the weekend that was.
To learn more about how A Game of Two Halves got started and the history up to now, listen to the EPL Talk Podcast interview with the hosts from last year.
Welcome back AGOTH!
Labels: a game of two halves, podcasts
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Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Copa America Kicks Off on GolTV
I had the pleasure yesterday evening to watch the opening match of Copa America as Peru shocked Uruguay 3-0 in a thoroughly entertaining match. The Peruvians were incredibly impressive in all areas of the pitch. And what a magnificent goal by Juan Carlos Marino to make it 2-0 for Peru.
If you watch the above clip from Sky Sports and you watched the same match on GolTV as I did, take notice of the difference in crowd noise. While it was a pleasure to listen to Phil Schoen and Ray Hudson commentate the game for GolTV, the crowd noise on GolTV seems to be considerably less than the Sky coverage.
Does that matter? To me, it's an emphatic yes. The louder the crowd is, the more goosebumps I get on my skin and the more exciting it becomes.
Does that matter? To me, it's an emphatic yes. The louder the crowd is, the more goosebumps I get on my skin and the more exciting it becomes.
My only other criticism of the GolTV coverage was Phil Schoen's comment that this 3-0 result was the biggest result in the history of Peruvian football. For example. Peru beating Brazil 3-1 (in Brazil, may I add) in 1975 in the semi-finals of the Copa America was a more historic win.
If you're interested in catching the Copa America fever, be sure to join host BCJohn at the EPL Talk Chat (from the homepage of EPLTalk.com), where he'll be hosting the following matches over the coming weeks:
June 27 8:50: Brazil v Mexico
June 28 6:35: Paraguay v Columbia
June 28 8:50: Argentina v United States
June 30: 4:05: Bolivia v Uruguay
July 1 4:05: Brazil v Chile
July 2 6:35: United Stated v Paraguay
July 2 8:50: Argentina v Colombia
July 3 6:35: Peru v Bolivia
July 3 8:50: Venezuela v Uruguay
July 4 6:35: Mexico v Chile
July 4 8:50: Argentina v Paraguay.
July 7: To be decided
July 8 4:05: Group B Winner v 2nd Group C
July 8 6:50: Group C Winner v 2nd Group A
July 10 8:50: 1st Group A/2nd Best Third v Best Third/2nd Group B
July 11 8:50: Winners of the July 8th games.
July 15 5:05: Winners of games played July 10 and 11.
All times are PM and Eastern.
If you're interested in catching the Copa America fever, be sure to join host BCJohn at the EPL Talk Chat (from the homepage of EPLTalk.com), where he'll be hosting the following matches over the coming weeks:
June 27 8:50: Brazil v Mexico
June 28 6:35: Paraguay v Columbia
June 28 8:50: Argentina v United States
June 30: 4:05: Bolivia v Uruguay
July 1 4:05: Brazil v Chile
July 2 6:35: United Stated v Paraguay
July 2 8:50: Argentina v Colombia
July 3 6:35: Peru v Bolivia
July 3 8:50: Venezuela v Uruguay
July 4 6:35: Mexico v Chile
July 4 8:50: Argentina v Paraguay.
July 7: To be decided
July 8 4:05: Group B Winner v 2nd Group C
July 8 6:50: Group C Winner v 2nd Group A
July 10 8:50: 1st Group A/2nd Best Third v Best Third/2nd Group B
July 11 8:50: Winners of the July 8th games.
July 15 5:05: Winners of games played July 10 and 11.
All times are PM and Eastern.
Labels: copa america
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Chelsea & Aston Villa U.S. Friendlies on Fox
This July, Fox Soccer Channel will be broadcasting Chelsea's first friendly of the summer against the Suwon Bluewings on Tuesday, July 17, live at 11pm ET. The match will debut Chelsea's new yellow dayglo away jersey.
Eight days later, you can watch the Toronto FC v Aston Villa friendly on Fox Soccer Channel. The match will be shown live on Wednesday, July 25, beginning at 7pm ET.
While they're not an English side, they are British. That's Celtic who will be playing Chicago Fire in a friendly, which will again be shown live on Fox Soccer Channel beginning at 8pm ET on Sunday, July 22nd.
Lastly, here's confirmation that Fox Soccer Channel will be broadcasting the 2007 Community Shield live from Wembley Stadium on Sunday, August 5 at 10am ET. The match will showcase Manchester United against Chelsea.
Regarding the other friendlies involving English sides in North America this summer, the July 21st debut of David Beckham for the LA Galaxy against Chelsea is scheduled to be broadcast live on ESPN (presumably ESPN or ESPN2). No word yet on TV coverage for the Everton versus Real Salt Lake friendly (which just so happens to be on the same night as the LA Galaxy v Chelsea match), and no word on TV coverage also for the Aston Villa against Columbus Crew friendly scheduled for Saturday, July 28.
If you're planning on attending any of the Chelsea, Everton or Aston Villa friendlies in the States this summer and you're interested in writing up an article about your experiences (to be published on the EPL Talk Blog), please contact thegaffer[at]epltalk[dot]com.
Eight days later, you can watch the Toronto FC v Aston Villa friendly on Fox Soccer Channel. The match will be shown live on Wednesday, July 25, beginning at 7pm ET.
While they're not an English side, they are British. That's Celtic who will be playing Chicago Fire in a friendly, which will again be shown live on Fox Soccer Channel beginning at 8pm ET on Sunday, July 22nd.
Lastly, here's confirmation that Fox Soccer Channel will be broadcasting the 2007 Community Shield live from Wembley Stadium on Sunday, August 5 at 10am ET. The match will showcase Manchester United against Chelsea.
Regarding the other friendlies involving English sides in North America this summer, the July 21st debut of David Beckham for the LA Galaxy against Chelsea is scheduled to be broadcast live on ESPN (presumably ESPN or ESPN2). No word yet on TV coverage for the Everton versus Real Salt Lake friendly (which just so happens to be on the same night as the LA Galaxy v Chelsea match), and no word on TV coverage also for the Aston Villa against Columbus Crew friendly scheduled for Saturday, July 28.
If you're planning on attending any of the Chelsea, Everton or Aston Villa friendlies in the States this summer and you're interested in writing up an article about your experiences (to be published on the EPL Talk Blog), please contact thegaffer[at]epltalk[dot]com.
The EPL Talk Blog has moved. Be sure to visit epltalk.com and update your bookmarks!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Deal Between Setanta and DISH Network Imminent
EPL Talk can exclusively reveal that the deal between Setanta Sports and DISH Network will be completed within weeks according to an unconfirmed source.
Elsewhere there are strong rumors that Setanta Sports will be available in Canada in the very near future. As soon as we hear more news, we'll let you know.
Elsewhere there are strong rumors that Setanta Sports will be available in Canada in the very near future. As soon as we hear more news, we'll let you know.
Labels: DISH network, setanta sports
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Sunday, June 24, 2007
The Madness of Thierry Henry and Thaksin Shinawatra
This past week, the two names you can't escape are Arsenal's Thierry Henry and soon-to-be conqueror of Manchester City Thaksin Shinawatra. I've purposefully stayed away from writing about them. Why? If you're like me, I'm a bit sick of hearing their names in the news so often, which is why I've waited until now to share my thoughts.
On Monday, Thierry Henry will be unveiled as Barcelona's newest striker. I totally respect what Henry was done at Arsenal. As one of the most classiest players to ever have graced the English game, he is totally irreplaceable.
On Monday, Thierry Henry will be unveiled as Barcelona's newest striker. I totally respect what Henry was done at Arsenal. As one of the most classiest players to ever have graced the English game, he is totally irreplaceable.
However, his departure from the Gunners is probably the best thing that could happen to the club right now. That is, if they can keep Wenger and replace him with two strikers.
Back to Henry for a minute. While the talisman has brought so much glory to Arsenal, his attitude off the pitch during the last 12 months has been detrimental to the club. He holds too much power and, to me, has been too vocal with his opinions telling the media what he believes is best for Arsenal.
I don't think Arsenal fans or the club should be in a state of panic regarding Henry's departure. With Stan Kroenke on the horizon, the club has an opportunity to receive enormous amounts of investment to buy the best talent available. While that day hasn't come yet, let's hope that Wenger stays in charge and steadies the ship. The Gunners fans will want a new signing quickly to distinguish the fire of outrage among many Arsenal fans devastated by Henry's departure.
Thaksin Shinawatra, meanwhile, is a whole different kettle of fish. To me, the only two things worse than Man City's last season are one, relegation and two, bankruptcy. With the former Thai prime minister in charge of City (if the Premier League deems him a fair and proper person), how much worse can it get? With his enormous amounts of cash, City can buy their way to comfortable safety next season. Without him, City's forthcoming season could be in grave danger.
Back to Henry for a minute. While the talisman has brought so much glory to Arsenal, his attitude off the pitch during the last 12 months has been detrimental to the club. He holds too much power and, to me, has been too vocal with his opinions telling the media what he believes is best for Arsenal.
I don't think Arsenal fans or the club should be in a state of panic regarding Henry's departure. With Stan Kroenke on the horizon, the club has an opportunity to receive enormous amounts of investment to buy the best talent available. While that day hasn't come yet, let's hope that Wenger stays in charge and steadies the ship. The Gunners fans will want a new signing quickly to distinguish the fire of outrage among many Arsenal fans devastated by Henry's departure.
Thaksin Shinawatra, meanwhile, is a whole different kettle of fish. To me, the only two things worse than Man City's last season are one, relegation and two, bankruptcy. With the former Thai prime minister in charge of City (if the Premier League deems him a fair and proper person), how much worse can it get? With his enormous amounts of cash, City can buy their way to comfortable safety next season. Without him, City's forthcoming season could be in grave danger.
Note from The Gaffer: Tonight's episode of the EPL Talk Podcast featuring an interview with BBC Five Live commentator Mike Ingham will be delayed and released on Monday night instead. Reason being is that I'm still hard at work at the redesign of the EPL Talk site (and related sections such as the podcast page, community, etc). Thanks for your patience.
Labels: Arsenal, thaksin shinawatra, thierry henry
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Saturday, June 23, 2007
Bring Back the British Home Championship
By John Nicholson
It seems likely that a revamped version of the Home Internationals will be revived in a couple of year's time. England will be invited to join Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in the end of season tournament but the F.A is likely to turn it down because it thinks England needs to be playing other European friendlies and their place will be taken by Ireland to make a Celtic Cup competition.
This is a wonderful idea and I'd like England to be involved. It'd be much more fun to watch than seeing England play the likes of Albania in a meaningless friendly. But hey, we're just the fans, what do we matter? It's not as if the way we've operated in the 20 odd years since the Home Internationals were abandoned, has brought England any success.
The FA doesn't seem to consider that football as a sport and as a nation needs to keep its fans entertained. Team England is not there just to give them a job or to allow them to suck down free gravy, though it does exactly that. It's there to give us; the paying public a good time and feel a bit of pride in our country. We all know that playing the other UK countries and Ireland too would be excellent competitive fun for fans and players alike.
Sometimes it seems as if that's exactly why the FA doesn't want to do it. Lets' have some more meaningless games against Estonia instead. Isn't playing International games with something win, with some degree of tension better practice for the European Championships and World Cup's than just trotting out a half strength side against Slovenia in a meaningless friendly? Yes. It is. So let's do it.
But even without England I would love to see a Celtic Cup. It's a great idea because it allows all those national sides to play in a competition that would have some status and which they'd have a chance of winning. It would also be a great way to fill some of the barren summer months. Yes players and managers will complain about being tired after a 'long' season. That's a convenient excuse for being out of form, nothing more.
Don’t forget, as I write this, EPL players are all on holiday on full pay and most of them have been for over a month and a half already. Even players involved in the Champions League finally have had a month off already and still have 7 weeks before the new season starts. There'll be a bit of pre-season training before then but basically they have almost 3 months off without playing game. How can that be right? No athlete needs 3 months off when all they have to do during the season is play 3 hours of football a week. How can anyone be tired doing so little work? No one said they were tired when they had to play 42 league games in the 1970s on pitches made of glue and sand with only a cold sponge and an ex-army psychopath for physiotherapy. Though a lot of players these days behave like a lot of pre-menstrual prima-donnas, they could certainly manage to play a couple more games without losing valuable time getting their nails manicured or getting expensive hair cuts.
So clearly, that isn't a real issue to stop the return of Home Internationals, especially as all it would do is replace a couple of friendlies that are already booked in for the national side.
Of course, the fans of Scotland and England famously used to tear each other apart when they played in the 70and I hear people say that's another reason not to bring the games back. But time has moved on. The culture of football has changed. We don’t fight in the streets any more. Not much. It's policed better and CCTV monitors us all so we can be nicked even after the event. I don't see that as a problem.
If fans can exert any pressure on the FA, which remains in doubt, the vast majority would be in favour of the Home Internationals, including England finishing off each season. But I despair of the FA ever doing anything that fans want. Unrivalled as a bunch of fat arsed amateurs concerned only with preserving their own power and their unearned income, I doubt they know or care what regular football people think about anything. You don't get to hear much with your head in a trough.
It seems likely that a revamped version of the Home Internationals will be revived in a couple of year's time. England will be invited to join Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in the end of season tournament but the F.A is likely to turn it down because it thinks England needs to be playing other European friendlies and their place will be taken by Ireland to make a Celtic Cup competition.
This is a wonderful idea and I'd like England to be involved. It'd be much more fun to watch than seeing England play the likes of Albania in a meaningless friendly. But hey, we're just the fans, what do we matter? It's not as if the way we've operated in the 20 odd years since the Home Internationals were abandoned, has brought England any success.
The FA doesn't seem to consider that football as a sport and as a nation needs to keep its fans entertained. Team England is not there just to give them a job or to allow them to suck down free gravy, though it does exactly that. It's there to give us; the paying public a good time and feel a bit of pride in our country. We all know that playing the other UK countries and Ireland too would be excellent competitive fun for fans and players alike.
Sometimes it seems as if that's exactly why the FA doesn't want to do it. Lets' have some more meaningless games against Estonia instead. Isn't playing International games with something win, with some degree of tension better practice for the European Championships and World Cup's than just trotting out a half strength side against Slovenia in a meaningless friendly? Yes. It is. So let's do it.
But even without England I would love to see a Celtic Cup. It's a great idea because it allows all those national sides to play in a competition that would have some status and which they'd have a chance of winning. It would also be a great way to fill some of the barren summer months. Yes players and managers will complain about being tired after a 'long' season. That's a convenient excuse for being out of form, nothing more.
Don’t forget, as I write this, EPL players are all on holiday on full pay and most of them have been for over a month and a half already. Even players involved in the Champions League finally have had a month off already and still have 7 weeks before the new season starts. There'll be a bit of pre-season training before then but basically they have almost 3 months off without playing game. How can that be right? No athlete needs 3 months off when all they have to do during the season is play 3 hours of football a week. How can anyone be tired doing so little work? No one said they were tired when they had to play 42 league games in the 1970s on pitches made of glue and sand with only a cold sponge and an ex-army psychopath for physiotherapy. Though a lot of players these days behave like a lot of pre-menstrual prima-donnas, they could certainly manage to play a couple more games without losing valuable time getting their nails manicured or getting expensive hair cuts.
So clearly, that isn't a real issue to stop the return of Home Internationals, especially as all it would do is replace a couple of friendlies that are already booked in for the national side.
Of course, the fans of Scotland and England famously used to tear each other apart when they played in the 70and I hear people say that's another reason not to bring the games back. But time has moved on. The culture of football has changed. We don’t fight in the streets any more. Not much. It's policed better and CCTV monitors us all so we can be nicked even after the event. I don't see that as a problem.
If fans can exert any pressure on the FA, which remains in doubt, the vast majority would be in favour of the Home Internationals, including England finishing off each season. But I despair of the FA ever doing anything that fans want. Unrivalled as a bunch of fat arsed amateurs concerned only with preserving their own power and their unearned income, I doubt they know or care what regular football people think about anything. You don't get to hear much with your head in a trough.
John Nicholson writes each week for Football 365 and EPL Talk. You can listen to John's wonderful stories on episode 30 and 45 of the EPL Talk Podcast, as well as purchase his excellent Footy Rocks book and order one of his unique rock'n roll T-shirts.
Labels: british home championship, England, home internationals, john nicholson, northern ireland, scotland, wales
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$200 Million Buyout of GolTV Falls Through
The proposed agreement for GolTV to be purchased by SCP Worldwide for $200 million has fallen through, according to the St. Louis Business Journal.
The Business Journal reporter quotes industry sources speculating that the deal fell through because SCP Worldwide, owned by Dave Checketts, "could violate Major League Soccer non-compete rules because SCP, owner of the St. Louis Blues hockey team, also owns MLS team Real Salt Lake. But SCP executive Chris Bevilacqua said that was not true."
Whatever the reason for the deal falling through, the news will come as a blow to GolTV after an agreement had been made in principle in March. Even at that time, questions were raised about the possibility of the deal being signed, however.
To soccer fans in the States, a concern now will be what TV network will acquire the rights to the South American World Cup qualifying matches for the 2010 World Cup because SCP Worldwide owns that rights. It was presumed that GolTV would get those rights.
For GolTV, meanwhile, the network has increased its awareness within the U.S. soccer community during recent months as the home to La Liga on television in the States, the growth in popularity of its American Soccer TV show, more professional graphics on screen, quality programming and growing popularity of presenters such as Phil Schoen and Ray Hudson.
Even though the deal has fallen through, GolTV is ripe for purchase. It's a flourishing network with tremendous amounts of potential and now that the deal with SCP Worldwide has fallen through, there should be several interested parties willing to step in and begin serious business conversations.
Labels: dave checketts, goltv, phil schoen, ray hudson, scp worldwide
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Friday, June 22, 2007
MLS Clubs Taking Advantage of EPL Fans in States
If you're planning on going to see Everton play Real Salt Lake on July 21st, be prepared to be disappointed. According to their web site, you won't be able to buy single tickets to the match but will be forced instead to buy tickets to three matches instead.
The trend is becoming more common with MLS clubs as they seem to be trying to take advantage of the popularity of Premier League sides in North America. Toronto FC, for example, are doing the same when Aston Villa visits in July. So too is the LA Galaxy for the visit of Chelsea, and even supposed fan-friendly Columbus Crew is up to the same tricks for the visit of Villa.
I understand where those MLS clubs are coming from, but why not offer the flexibility to allow fans to decide which matches they want to go to? If they enjoy the friendly against the English side, chances are they may come back to see the MLS side play.
Of course, the reality is that these friendlies are meaningless games where the English sides usually play lots of second-string players and make plenty of substitutions.
For example, you can purchase a ticket to watch Real Salt Lake play DC United tomorrow night (June 22) for as little as $17, which will get you a seat in the North Goal Bleachers section. The most expensive ticket is $40 for a chair in the West Side section.
However, if you visit the Real Salt Lake ticket centre online, there's no option to buy a single ticket to the Everton match. Instead if you want to see the Toffees, you're forced to buy a pack which includes a ticket to the Everton friendly, the Boca Juniors friendly and one of three regular season MLS matches. The cheapest ticket for this pack is $55 with prices as high as $150 for the better seats.
That's very affordable for three separate matches and, sure, Boca Juniors and Everton are quality sides, but what if you're only able to see one match? What if you're not from Salt Lake and you want to fly into Salt Lake City to watch the one match?
Major League Soccer clubs are doing a disservice to the fans by employing these inflexible ticket offers. I understand the marketing behind it and why the MLS clubs feel they should "herd the cattle" to three games instead of one, but first impressions are everything. Give me a sour taste in my mouth when I try to buy one ticket, which I can't do, to see Everton play and chances are you've already lost the trust of admiration of that consumer.
The trend is becoming more common with MLS clubs as they seem to be trying to take advantage of the popularity of Premier League sides in North America. Toronto FC, for example, are doing the same when Aston Villa visits in July. So too is the LA Galaxy for the visit of Chelsea, and even supposed fan-friendly Columbus Crew is up to the same tricks for the visit of Villa.
I understand where those MLS clubs are coming from, but why not offer the flexibility to allow fans to decide which matches they want to go to? If they enjoy the friendly against the English side, chances are they may come back to see the MLS side play.
Of course, the reality is that these friendlies are meaningless games where the English sides usually play lots of second-string players and make plenty of substitutions.
For example, you can purchase a ticket to watch Real Salt Lake play DC United tomorrow night (June 22) for as little as $17, which will get you a seat in the North Goal Bleachers section. The most expensive ticket is $40 for a chair in the West Side section.
However, if you visit the Real Salt Lake ticket centre online, there's no option to buy a single ticket to the Everton match. Instead if you want to see the Toffees, you're forced to buy a pack which includes a ticket to the Everton friendly, the Boca Juniors friendly and one of three regular season MLS matches. The cheapest ticket for this pack is $55 with prices as high as $150 for the better seats.
That's very affordable for three separate matches and, sure, Boca Juniors and Everton are quality sides, but what if you're only able to see one match? What if you're not from Salt Lake and you want to fly into Salt Lake City to watch the one match?
Major League Soccer clubs are doing a disservice to the fans by employing these inflexible ticket offers. I understand the marketing behind it and why the MLS clubs feel they should "herd the cattle" to three games instead of one, but first impressions are everything. Give me a sour taste in my mouth when I try to buy one ticket, which I can't do, to see Everton play and chances are you've already lost the trust of admiration of that consumer.
Labels: aston villa, Chelsea, everton, LA Galaxy, major league soccer, MLS, real salt lake, toronto fc
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Thursday, June 21, 2007
How Rupert Murdoch Changed Football: For Better or Worse
Here's an interesting article you may have missed: How Rupert Murdoch Changed Football. The tycoon launched Sky Sports and changed the history of English football forever. The question is: Did he change it for better or worse?
Meanwhile, at EPL Talk HQ, I'm busy working on a redesign of the EPL Talk site. As we've grown over time, many of the sections of the site (the blog included) look inconsistent with other pages. Expect a brand new and more appealing look-and-feel beginning in late July. We'll also be moving the eplleague.blogspot.com URL -- and redirecting anyone who goes there to the EPL Talk Blog, which will be hosted at EPLTalk.com
Meanwhile, at EPL Talk HQ, I'm busy working on a redesign of the EPL Talk site. As we've grown over time, many of the sections of the site (the blog included) look inconsistent with other pages. Expect a brand new and more appealing look-and-feel beginning in late July. We'll also be moving the eplleague.blogspot.com URL -- and redirecting anyone who goes there to the EPL Talk Blog, which will be hosted at EPLTalk.com
Labels: rupert murdoch, sky
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Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Damn The Torpedoes: Two New Soccer Blogs
The quality of soccer blogs throughout the blogosphere is continuing to increase. The difficult part is finding them.
Two new ones I uncovered and highly recommend are:
Two new ones I uncovered and highly recommend are:
- Pitch Invasion: It's not just the pretty pictures at Pitch Invasion which make the blog stand apart, although the images definitely do help. Blogger Tom Dunmore creates a 'thinking man's blog' with plenty of appealing and irreverant soccer stories.
- The 100 Football Grounds Club: If you've been following me the past couple of years, you'll know I'm a sucker for soccer stadia. So it was a breath of fresh air to find this blog, which mixes humor with history and packs the pages with plenty of eyeopening images. Be sure to check out their Football Bog Blog, by the way. Yes, those are real.
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List of Pundits at Setanta Continues to Grow
Pat Dolan (pictured) has decided to continue as a Setanta Sports pundit instead of becoming manager of Derry City, according to BBC Sport.
That means that the Setanta Sports crew for next season will feature Dolan, Paul Dempsey, Steve McManaman, Les Ferdinand, Angus Young, Steve Bower and Tim Sherwood (the former Blackburn Rovers player).
Expect a few more acquisitions of talent between now and August 11.
Expect a few more acquisitions of talent between now and August 11.
Labels: angus young, les ferdinand, pat dolan, Paul Dempsey, Setanta, steve bower, steve mcmanaman, tim sherwood
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Tuesday, June 19, 2007
New English Premier League Theme for EPL
The English Premier League will debut a new anthem to be played before matches and during the "English Premier League Preview" and "English Premier League Review" shows.
That means that the ever-popular track remixed by DJ Judge Jules will be gone, and will be replaced instead by a track from Peter Lawler that, according to a Premier League official, sounds like a cross between The Who and The Lightning Seeds.
Read the full story here in The People newspaper, or reminisce with the old English Premier League anthem here.
That means that the ever-popular track remixed by DJ Judge Jules will be gone, and will be replaced instead by a track from Peter Lawler that, according to a Premier League official, sounds like a cross between The Who and The Lightning Seeds.
Read the full story here in The People newspaper, or reminisce with the old English Premier League anthem here.
Labels: dj judge jules, english premier league, peter lawler
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Interview with Peter Hargitay
The interview with Peter Hargitay, special adviser to FIFA President Sepp Blatter, is now live on the EPL Talk Podcast (episode 71).
Hargitay responds to some of the allegations that Andrew Jennings recently made on an earlier EPL Talk Podcast episode (number 69). Sepp Blatter's special adviser also answers criticism about other FIFA-related topics including the new headquarters, Jack Warner and the 2005 raid on the FIFA offices by Swiss fraud police.
Aside from the interview, there's plenty of Premier League topics discussed in this episode. Enjoy!
Labels: english premier league, EPL Talk Podcast, peter hargitay
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Monday, June 18, 2007
Alexi Lalas Criticizes Premier League
A funny thing happened tonight. I read an article about LA Galaxy President Alexi Lalas's criticism of the Premier League and I started writing a blog post ripping him apart. Then I re-read the same Guardian article and found that I agree with about 90% of what Lalas had to say!
In the piece that will appear in Tuesday's Guardian newspaper in England, Lalas responds to the criticism by the English media regarding Beckham's "move to Hollywood" and how Becks is now going into semi-retirement.
I've listened to many of the same critics on BBC Radio Five Live and Sky Sports, and I have to agree that the vast majority of pundits in the UK are talking nonsense. As Lalas says, the majority of them probably have never seen a Major League Soccer match before, so how can they really compare it?
While I don't agree with Lalas's statement that MLS players would quickly adapt to the Premier League and not miss a beat, there's still a chasm between the quality between Major League Soccer and the Premier League. And, without a doubt, Major League Soccer is not one of the most competitive leagues in the world, as Lalas suggests.
Sure the gap is getting smaller between the Premier League and Major League Soccer, but Lalas needs to be careful about what he says. The last thing that we need to see happen is for Lalas to be turned into a laughing stock in the UK.
Labels: alexi lalas, premier league
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Fox Soccer Channel Bringing Premier League Matches Live to the Internet
Beginning this August, Fox Soccer Channel will begin broadcasting some Premier League matches live via the Internet at FoxSoccer.com
According to a source at Fox Soccer Channel, the 24/7 soccer network will show a combination of some live matches not airing on the channel and selected matches on short delay. The live Internet feed will not be a simulcast of the channel.
The news comes after Fox Soccer Channel last week announced a deal to show Premier League highlights in the United States via the Internet and cellular phones beginning in August with the 2007/2008 Premier League season.
Allowing soccer fans to watch Premier League action legally via the Internet is a huge step in a positive direction. While Fox Soccer Channel is making big advances with technology, so too is Setanta Sports who is expected to announce this summer that some of their matches will be available via Setanta Broadband also beginning in August.
Labels: fox soccer channel, setanta sports
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Sunday, June 17, 2007
Taking a Break on Father's Day
Just a quick note to let you know that this week's EPL Talk Podcast interview with Peter Hargitay, special adviser to FIFA President Sepp Blatter, will be delayed slightly. Instead of its release tonight (Sunday), it should be released Monday night. Thanks for your patience.
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Saturday, June 16, 2007
Rumor: Everton v Monterrey Friendly on July 29
EPL Talk has received the following rumor about Everton's second friendly in the U.S. this summer:
The unconfirmed friendly for Everton is against Monterrey (a Mexican team) on the 29th of July in Santa Barbara, California.
If true, the match will be the sixth friendly this summer in the United States featuring a Premier League team (the other teams being Aston Villa and Chelsea).
The unconfirmed friendly for Everton is against Monterrey (a Mexican team) on the 29th of July in Santa Barbara, California.
If true, the match will be the sixth friendly this summer in the United States featuring a Premier League team (the other teams being Aston Villa and Chelsea).
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Diamonds In The Rough
It's been a hectic week getting interviews done for the upcoming EPL Talk Podcast. This Sunday, it's an interview with Peter Hargitay (special adviser to FIFA President Sepp Blatter) who has some very interesting things to say about Andrew Jennings. Then, the following Sunday, I'll publish my interview with Mike Ingham, football commentator for BBC Five Live.
After conducting more than 70 episodes of the EPL Talk Podcast since it launched on April 1, 2006, there are always some guests who are difficult to get in touch with for many different reasons. With Derek Rae, I tried for several months to reach him through many different avenues and only succeeded when I decided to send him a letter the old fashioned way, through the mail!
Here's my list of soccer personalities that I've been unable to reach and would love to interview. If you know how I can contact them (i.e. an email address, phone number, contact details for their agent, etc.) please let me know:
- Toby Charles
- Martin Tyler
- Chuck Culpepper, freelance writer for the L.A. Times newspaper
- Giorgio Chinaglia
- Eamon Dunphy
- Tom Bower, and
- Ty Keough
Your help is greatly appreciated!
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Frustration With License Rights to Football Commentaries
The football authorities need to re-evaluate the way that license rights are managed for football matches. Case in point, I was listening to BBC Radio Five Live this week and wanted to hear the live commentary of the England v Italy U-21 international.
After getting excited about the pre-match buildup on the radio, my hopes were dashed when I heard the words that most overseas soccer listeners dread to hear. Listen to the audio message here.
It's perposterous to think that someone owns the rights to the Internet audio of this match in the United States. Who would own it and who would care if the BBC went ahead and played the live commentary? I realize that BBC is going by the book to prevent the chance of being sued by someone who does own the rights, but can't some common sense be used?
I totally understand why matches such as the Premier League, Champions League and England full-internationals need to be blocked, but come on, why block an England under-21 international? How many people in America would even bother listening to this match, like me?
Even if someone in the United States did own the Internet audio rights to broadcast the commentary of the England under-21 international, there's no way to conveniently find out who that would be and how I could listen to it.
For those of you who are outside the United States, I'm curious to know whether American broadcasters block you from listening to sports commentaries from the U.S. -- whether it be soccer, basketball, American football or any other sport?
Labels: BBC, England, license rights
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U-21 Tactics Expose Weaknesses of English Football
By John Nicholson
Those of us who are still clinging to the wreckage of the 2006/07 season in Europe are all watching the Under21 European tournament in Holland and fascinating watching it's proving to be, especially for England fans.
England has drawn both their games. A tedious 0-0 v Czech Republic and a 2-2 against Italy after being 2-0 up.
These games have writ large both the strengths and the endemic problems of English football as played by Englishmen.
For the first game they tried to play a 4-3-3 system for about an hour. This had worked for them under Taylor previously and came highly recommended by the previous manager as the only system to play at international level. In the Tv studio he reiterated how important it is not to be out numbered in midfield. You need to play 4-5-1 without the ball and 4-3-3 with it he said.
The trouble is when England play the best sides, they seem unable to make 4-3-3- work. The Czech's were well disciplined and pressured the ball. This soon made England play the long ball game and not the wide expansive game that 4-3-3 is designed to give you. England soon atrophied into a 4-5-1 even when in possession and resorted to booting it long for Nugent to knock it down to...well to no one because no one else was there.
The traditionalists of English football will tell you English players only know how to play 4-4-2. It's compact and they feel comfortable with it. This is probably true but therein lies the problem. Their inability to adapt and play a different system leads to the problems we subsequently saw in the Italy game where we went back to 4-4-2.
Italy is fairly weak defensively at Under21 level and we totally dominated the first 25 minutes, scoring two goals and it could have been 5. This is the good side of England. The attacking high tempo pressured game that can steamroller a side not prepared for it.
However, it's impossible to keep that kind of pace up and as we had the lead we soon sat back and Italy soon spotted what to do to stop us. They slowed the pace of the game down when in possession and went 4-3-3, when they lost possession they played 4-5-1 and even 4-6-0 in order to win the ball back. We were over-run in midfield and when we did win the ball had no outlet for it and soon ceded possession again.
England dropped too deep because they were a man short in midfield because of playing the 4-4-2. The last hour of the game was an excellent spectacle as Italy pulled two goals back and could have had another three while England relied on breakaways to try and win it.
It was an archetypal England performance. Unable to retain possession because their tactics didn't allow for it, they defended deeper and deeper and let Italy come on to them and shoot from range. It was almost suicidal and we only got away with it because of Italian profligacy in front of goal. They were going for the win so gaps appeared in their defence but we shouldn't think this was because of England’s wonderful tactical display.
All my life I've watched England defenders win the ball on the edge of their own penalty area and kick it long for a striker to chase after. It so rarely works any more and the final possession stats of 42% England 58% Italy showed how poor it was as a tactic. But it seems to be a default we can't stop our players slipping into.
Our failure to retain the ball has cost us dear in every tournament we've played in. And it is largely down to the formations and tactics that we deploy. It's a terrible condemnation of the ability of our coaches that they can't successfully instruct their players well enough to play just two different systems and it shows you how thick footballers are that they don't seem able to work out how to do it consistently.
It made for an exciting game against Italy and England still stand a good chance of progressing by beating an already qualified Serbia side on Sunday. But we'd be fooling ourselves if we took this as a sign that England as a nation has reached a new level of quality. But one good thing to come out of the Italy game was the energy and commitment England showed but you need that and a little bit more tactical sophistication to win things.
England has drawn both their games. A tedious 0-0 v Czech Republic and a 2-2 against Italy after being 2-0 up.
These games have writ large both the strengths and the endemic problems of English football as played by Englishmen.
For the first game they tried to play a 4-3-3 system for about an hour. This had worked for them under Taylor previously and came highly recommended by the previous manager as the only system to play at international level. In the Tv studio he reiterated how important it is not to be out numbered in midfield. You need to play 4-5-1 without the ball and 4-3-3 with it he said.
The trouble is when England play the best sides, they seem unable to make 4-3-3- work. The Czech's were well disciplined and pressured the ball. This soon made England play the long ball game and not the wide expansive game that 4-3-3 is designed to give you. England soon atrophied into a 4-5-1 even when in possession and resorted to booting it long for Nugent to knock it down to...well to no one because no one else was there.
The traditionalists of English football will tell you English players only know how to play 4-4-2. It's compact and they feel comfortable with it. This is probably true but therein lies the problem. Their inability to adapt and play a different system leads to the problems we subsequently saw in the Italy game where we went back to 4-4-2.
Italy is fairly weak defensively at Under21 level and we totally dominated the first 25 minutes, scoring two goals and it could have been 5. This is the good side of England. The attacking high tempo pressured game that can steamroller a side not prepared for it.
However, it's impossible to keep that kind of pace up and as we had the lead we soon sat back and Italy soon spotted what to do to stop us. They slowed the pace of the game down when in possession and went 4-3-3, when they lost possession they played 4-5-1 and even 4-6-0 in order to win the ball back. We were over-run in midfield and when we did win the ball had no outlet for it and soon ceded possession again.
England dropped too deep because they were a man short in midfield because of playing the 4-4-2. The last hour of the game was an excellent spectacle as Italy pulled two goals back and could have had another three while England relied on breakaways to try and win it.
It was an archetypal England performance. Unable to retain possession because their tactics didn't allow for it, they defended deeper and deeper and let Italy come on to them and shoot from range. It was almost suicidal and we only got away with it because of Italian profligacy in front of goal. They were going for the win so gaps appeared in their defence but we shouldn't think this was because of England’s wonderful tactical display.
All my life I've watched England defenders win the ball on the edge of their own penalty area and kick it long for a striker to chase after. It so rarely works any more and the final possession stats of 42% England 58% Italy showed how poor it was as a tactic. But it seems to be a default we can't stop our players slipping into.
Our failure to retain the ball has cost us dear in every tournament we've played in. And it is largely down to the formations and tactics that we deploy. It's a terrible condemnation of the ability of our coaches that they can't successfully instruct their players well enough to play just two different systems and it shows you how thick footballers are that they don't seem able to work out how to do it consistently.
It made for an exciting game against Italy and England still stand a good chance of progressing by beating an already qualified Serbia side on Sunday. But we'd be fooling ourselves if we took this as a sign that England as a nation has reached a new level of quality. But one good thing to come out of the Italy game was the energy and commitment England showed but you need that and a little bit more tactical sophistication to win things.
John Nicholson writes each week for Football 365 and EPL Talk. You can listen to John's wonderful stories on episode 30 and 45 of the EPL Talk Podcast, as well as purchase his excellent Footy Rocks book and order one of his unique rock'n roll T-shirts.
Labels: England, peter taylor, stuart pearce
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Friday, June 15, 2007
Are Brits Shortsighted In Their Disgust for U.S. Soccer Fans?
Thanks to Brucio from the Du Nord blog for tipping me off about this one. It's a revealing article by Steven Wells from The Guardian who, believe it or not, defends American soccer fans. The title of the article? "Americans Are Soccer-Savvy ...And That Scares Little Englanders."
Personally, what I love about Americans is the way that many of them follow the Premier League as a whole rather than putting blinders on and just following the Premiership team they support. I run into so many people in the U.K. who only live in their club's world. If their club isn't featured in the match on TV, they stubbornly won't watch it. If their team's opponent does an incredible flick or piece of skill, they'll ignore it, criticize the player or consider the move lucky instead of appreciating it for the beauty.
Being a distance from England has its advantages. Soccer fans are able to see things more clearly rather than through rose-tinted glasses.
When you read the article from Steven Wells, be sure to read through the comments, too. There you'll see several uncensored examples of how many Brits truly feel about Americans and their fascination with soccer.
Personally, what I love about Americans is the way that many of them follow the Premier League as a whole rather than putting blinders on and just following the Premiership team they support. I run into so many people in the U.K. who only live in their club's world. If their club isn't featured in the match on TV, they stubbornly won't watch it. If their team's opponent does an incredible flick or piece of skill, they'll ignore it, criticize the player or consider the move lucky instead of appreciating it for the beauty.
Being a distance from England has its advantages. Soccer fans are able to see things more clearly rather than through rose-tinted glasses.
When you read the article from Steven Wells, be sure to read through the comments, too. There you'll see several uncensored examples of how many Brits truly feel about Americans and their fascination with soccer.
Labels: premier league, steven wells, the guardian
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Everton Announces Preseason Tour of America
The Toffees are coming to America!
Everton is the third Premier League club to announce preseason friendlies in America. The Merseyside club will play Real Salt Lake on Saturday, July 21, according to the Liverpool Echo newspaper.
Everton also plans on playing one more friendly in the States, which will be announced shortly.
Everton will be joining Chelsea and Aston Villa on their American tours. Chelsea will play three matches in California (versus Club America at Stanford, Suwon Bluewings in Los Angeles, and LA Galaxy, also in Los Angeles). Aston Villa, meanwhile, play Columbus Crew (and play Toronto FC in Canada). All matches will be played in July.
Everton's match against Real Salt Lake will be played the same night as Chelsea against the LA Galaxy in David Beckham's debut match.
Everton is the third Premier League club to announce preseason friendlies in America. The Merseyside club will play Real Salt Lake on Saturday, July 21, according to the Liverpool Echo newspaper.
Everton also plans on playing one more friendly in the States, which will be announced shortly.
Everton will be joining Chelsea and Aston Villa on their American tours. Chelsea will play three matches in California (versus Club America at Stanford, Suwon Bluewings in Los Angeles, and LA Galaxy, also in Los Angeles). Aston Villa, meanwhile, play Columbus Crew (and play Toronto FC in Canada). All matches will be played in July.
Everton's match against Real Salt Lake will be played the same night as Chelsea against the LA Galaxy in David Beckham's debut match.
Labels: aston villa, Chelsea, everton, LA Galaxy, real salt lake
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Breaking News: Five Premier League Clubs Named in Bungs Investigation
This just in: Chelsea, Newcastle, Bolton, Middlesbrough and Portsmouth have been named in the bungs investigation for breaching transfer regulations. More news here.
The case now goes to the Football Association (FA) for further investigation (expect this case to drag on and on).
The case now goes to the Football Association (FA) for further investigation (expect this case to drag on and on).
Labels: bolton wanderers, Chelsea, middlesbrough, newcastle united, portsmouth
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Thursday, June 14, 2007
U.S. Soccer Fans Become Center of Attention
It's one of the rare times in the year when U.S. soccer takes a front seat. Major League Soccer is in full swing. The U.S. men's national team is battling in the Gold Cup and looking ahead to Copa America, and the nation is talking about Beckham's forthcoming arrival after Spain's La Liga season ends this Sunday.
Closer to home, fellow bloggers and podcasters Kartik and BCJohn have been busy.
Episode 3 of the Major League Soccer Talk Podcast is now available via iTunes or here and features an interview with Phil Schoen about U.S. soccer.
For all of those looking for a place to congregate for the remaining US Gold Cup Matches (and Final should the US not advance), BC John would like to welcome everyone to a special EPL Talk Chat around those games.The following is the schedule for the rest of the USA Fixtures:
Saturday June 16 at 4 PM. USA V Panama.
Thursday June 21 at 7PM. USA/Panama v Canada/Guatemala
Sunday June 24 at 3 PM. Gold Cup Final.
All times Eastern.
Check it out at http://epltalk.com
Closer to home, fellow bloggers and podcasters Kartik and BCJohn have been busy.
Episode 3 of the Major League Soccer Talk Podcast is now available via iTunes or here and features an interview with Phil Schoen about U.S. soccer.
For all of those looking for a place to congregate for the remaining US Gold Cup Matches (and Final should the US not advance), BC John would like to welcome everyone to a special EPL Talk Chat around those games.The following is the schedule for the rest of the USA Fixtures:
Saturday June 16 at 4 PM. USA V Panama.
Thursday June 21 at 7PM. USA/Panama v Canada/Guatemala
Sunday June 24 at 3 PM. Gold Cup Final.
All times Eastern.
Check it out at http://epltalk.com
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Premier League Risks Losing Brand Recognition
A football story that was overlooked by many in mid-May is how the Premier League officially dropped the usage of the 'Premiership' name and changed the official title of the league to the Barclays Premier League (BPL).
To me, it's a big mistake. While sponsorship is such a huge part of the game nowadays, it shouldn't be included in the official name of the league. You don't see the National Football League (NFL) changing their name to the Wal-Mart Football League (WFL).
While the EPL is the world's most popular sports league, there is still huge potential to attract new followers (i.e. consumers) in China and the United States. When even the name of the league is confusing (is it the EPL, BPL, Premier League, Premiership?), it creates confusion in the marketplace. Sure, soccer fans will eventually catch on but consider how the NFL markets its league and how everyone speaks the same "language." Repeat the mantra. NFL, NFL, NFL.
The Premier League's challenge is if they continue marketing the league as the BPL (as they did in a press release with Fox Soccer Channel released earlier this week). What happens if Barclays fails to renew their contract when the sponsorship agreement expires? Will the BPL become the APL, VFL, DFL, etc?
While the EPL is the world's most popular sports league, there is still huge potential to attract new followers (i.e. consumers) in China and the United States. When even the name of the league is confusing (is it the EPL, BPL, Premier League, Premiership?), it creates confusion in the marketplace. Sure, soccer fans will eventually catch on but consider how the NFL markets its league and how everyone speaks the same "language." Repeat the mantra. NFL, NFL, NFL.
The Premier League's challenge is if they continue marketing the league as the BPL (as they did in a press release with Fox Soccer Channel released earlier this week). What happens if Barclays fails to renew their contract when the sponsorship agreement expires? Will the BPL become the APL, VFL, DFL, etc?
At this point, I don't see the Premier League changing their strategy. As long as massive corporations such as Barclays and others are willing to inject money into the game, then the Premier League will keep renaming the league to satisfy their greed.
Labels: bpl, english premier league, epl, premier league
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07/08 Premier League Fixtures: All You Need to Know
The Premier League has announced the fixtures for the 2007/2008 season, and there's plenty of mouthwatering matches to look forward to.
On opening day, August 11, the most appealing match is Manchester United v Reading. New boys Sunderland will play home against Spurs, while Derby County plays Portsmouth at home, and Birmingham City tackle Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Looking at the final day of the season, May 11, interesting matchups include Tottenham v Liverpool and Chelsea v Bolton.
As far as the massive matches that most neutral fans look ahead to, here's when they will be played:
Chelsea v Manchester United: At Stamford Bridge (April 26); At Old Trafford (September 22)
Chelsea v Liverpool: At Anfield (August 18); At Stamford Bridge (February 9)
Liverpool v Manchester United: At Old Trafford (March 22); At Anfield (December 15)
Arsenal v Chelsea: At Emirates Stadium (December 15); At Stamford Bridge (March 22)
Arsenal v Man United: At Emirates Stadium (November 3); At Old Trafford (April 12)
Liverpool v Arsenal: At Anfield (October 27); At Emirates Stadium (April 5).
Two of the biggest weekends of the season will undoubtedly be August 18 and December 15. On the August 18th weekend, which is quite early in the season for big clashes, Liverpool takes on Chelsea at Anfield while Man United play the Manchester derby against City. On the weekend of December 15th, Arsenal takes on Chelsea at the Emirates while Liverpool plays Manchester United at Old Trafford.
For the complete list of Premier Leagues, go here.
In the meantime, here are three very fascinating articles about the Premier Leagues fixtures:
On opening day, August 11, the most appealing match is Manchester United v Reading. New boys Sunderland will play home against Spurs, while Derby County plays Portsmouth at home, and Birmingham City tackle Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Looking at the final day of the season, May 11, interesting matchups include Tottenham v Liverpool and Chelsea v Bolton.
As far as the massive matches that most neutral fans look ahead to, here's when they will be played:
Chelsea v Manchester United: At Stamford Bridge (April 26); At Old Trafford (September 22)
Chelsea v Liverpool: At Anfield (August 18); At Stamford Bridge (February 9)
Liverpool v Manchester United: At Old Trafford (March 22); At Anfield (December 15)
Arsenal v Chelsea: At Emirates Stadium (December 15); At Stamford Bridge (March 22)
Arsenal v Man United: At Emirates Stadium (November 3); At Old Trafford (April 12)
Liverpool v Arsenal: At Anfield (October 27); At Emirates Stadium (April 5).
Two of the biggest weekends of the season will undoubtedly be August 18 and December 15. On the August 18th weekend, which is quite early in the season for big clashes, Liverpool takes on Chelsea at Anfield while Man United play the Manchester derby against City. On the weekend of December 15th, Arsenal takes on Chelsea at the Emirates while Liverpool plays Manchester United at Old Trafford.
For the complete list of Premier Leagues, go here.
In the meantime, here are three very fascinating articles about the Premier Leagues fixtures:
- Soccer Shout joins the crusade to petition the Premier League to allow web sites to post football fixtures for free instead of paying $50,000 for the rights;
- The Times newspaper has a very interesting article about the man who's behind the creation of the football fixtures and how early in the season he begins the work.
- Lastly, if you're curious about the logic that goes into creating the football fixtures, here's a must-read article from the Premier League web site.
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Chelsea's New Away 07/08 Shirt Unveiled
Chelsea has unveiled their new away shirt for the 2007/2008 season, and it's certainly going to a love hate relationship for many Blues fans worldwide.
The new shirt, from Adidas, is yellow day-glow in color but a much softer yellow than I had imagined.
The bright, almost fluorescent, shirt will be worn for the first time this season in the July 17 friendly at the Home Depot Center against LA Galaxy in David Beckham's debut match for the Major League Soccer side.
Without a doubt, Chelsea should be able to pick out their teammates more easily on the pitch to pass to with the bright new shirt.
For me, I'm going to hold judgement until I see the shirt in person. But what's your opinion? Click on the 'Comments' link below and let us know!
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West Ham United's New Home Shirt 07/08
West Ham United has unveiled its new home shirt for the 07/08 season (pictured). The club has changed kit manufacturers from Reebok to Umbro, and the new shirt is based on the Umbro template which is very similar in design to England, Everton, Rangers and many other clubs adopting the Umbro brand.
The Hammers have also changed sponsors.
Out of all of the similar style Umbro shirts, this is one of my favorites. The blue sleeves work well with the main claret color.
Will Carlos Tevez be wearing this shirt by the end of the summer? I doubt it!
The Hammers have also changed sponsors.
Out of all of the similar style Umbro shirts, this is one of my favorites. The blue sleeves work well with the main claret color.
Will Carlos Tevez be wearing this shirt by the end of the summer? I doubt it!
Labels: carlos tevez, Umbro, West Ham United
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Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Blackburn Rovers Targeted by American Investors
Blackburn Rovers is the latest Premier League club to be courted by American investors for a possible takeover.
According to BBC Sport, Rovers is in preliminary discussions with an American investor. In addition to the Lancashire club, Arsenal and Manchester City are targets for American investors, while three Premier League clubs are already owned by American businessmen: Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool.
Back in April, EPL Talk mentioned Blackburn as a possible option for American investors. However, back then and even now, I'm not so convinced the club is an attractive option. The club sits in a economically depressed area with low attendances. That said, the facilities and the team that Mark Hughes has built are impressive.
If the mystery American investor is able to acquire Blackburn for an affordable price and if the club is able to keep Mark Hughes and his stable of talent, Blackburn could be an attractive proposition on the pitch. Off the pitch, they would have to hope that success breeds bigger attendances.
Could the mystery investor be San Francisco investment banker Jerome Simon who was in talks with Manchester City? Or Paul Allen, who was in discussions with Southampton? Or is it someone else?
According to BBC Sport, Rovers is in preliminary discussions with an American investor. In addition to the Lancashire club, Arsenal and Manchester City are targets for American investors, while three Premier League clubs are already owned by American businessmen: Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool.
Back in April, EPL Talk mentioned Blackburn as a possible option for American investors. However, back then and even now, I'm not so convinced the club is an attractive option. The club sits in a economically depressed area with low attendances. That said, the facilities and the team that Mark Hughes has built are impressive.
If the mystery American investor is able to acquire Blackburn for an affordable price and if the club is able to keep Mark Hughes and his stable of talent, Blackburn could be an attractive proposition on the pitch. Off the pitch, they would have to hope that success breeds bigger attendances.
Could the mystery investor be San Francisco investment banker Jerome Simon who was in talks with Manchester City? Or Paul Allen, who was in discussions with Southampton? Or is it someone else?
After Blackburn, what other clubs are available that are prime for takeover talks with American investors? Other than the aforementioned Arsenal and Manchester City, it would be Reading, Wigan, Derby, Middlesbrough and Everton.
Labels: blackburn rovers
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Tuesday, June 12, 2007
All You Need to Know About Mobile & Internet Highlights on Fox Soccer Channel
Fox Soccer Channel and the English Premier League announced on Monday that the U.S. soccer network has acquired the U.S. rights to the mobile and Internet highlights for the next three seasons beginning in August with the 2007/2008 season.
This is a positive step forward for Premier League fans in the United States, especially those who experience the EPL online. But what does the news actually mean and how will it work? EPL Talk has the answers and we can exclusively reveal that:
This is a positive step forward for Premier League fans in the United States, especially those who experience the EPL online. But what does the news actually mean and how will it work? EPL Talk has the answers and we can exclusively reveal that:
- The Internet highlights will be offered for free on FoxSoccer.com and will possibly be syndicated elsewhere.
- Mobile details are still in discussion, but they will probably be available as part of carrier video services offered on a subscription basis.
- The majority of Internet highlights will be available on Sundays at midnight. Highlights of Monday and midweek matches will be delayed by 24 hours.
To me, the mobile TV rights are more exciting than the Internet highlights. As the press release states, "The mobile package also features 'in-match' highlights allowing users to get their BPL highlights 'on-the-go' in near-real time," which would be a perfect remedy for people who are away from their TV sets or those who have to work on weekends.
While the availability of Internet highlights is impressive, my concern is that the offering -- which is essentially a Monday morning highlights package -- won't be very timely for the die-hard Premier League fan. After the EPL games on a Saturday morning, waiting until Monday morning may seem like an eternity. (Remember that the EPL Review Show is available on Sunday nights on Fox Soccer Channel).
The issue is compounded by the timeliness and availability of YouTube, who sometimes are able to provide highlights of matches just minutes after goals are scored. Two recent developments regarding this are the Premier League suing YouTube (May 4th) and YouTube testing copyright screening technology (June 12th).
Of course, even if the Premier League is able to stop game highlights from being posted on YouTube (and that's a HUGE if due to the nature of user generated content and the sheer number of videos uploaded each day that would be practically impossible to police), there are hundreds of other sites out there that are similar to YouTube.
While impossible to control these other sites, what the Internet highlights package will provide Fox Soccer Channel is higher traffic to their site. Rather than scour through YouTube or visit sites such as 101greatgoals.com, Premier League fans will be able to visit one site on Monday morning for the highlights they may have missed.
Labels: fox soccer channel
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Monday, June 11, 2007
Breaking News: Fox Acquires Mobile & Internet Highlights Rights to EPL
Fox Soccer Channel Acquires Exclusive Mobile and Internet Highlight Rights to Barclays Premier League: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance.
More news/analysis to come later.
More news/analysis to come later.
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It's Official: Arsenal 07/08 Away Shirt is White
The long awaited unveiling of Arsenal's controversial new away shirt has happened. As EPL Talk reported a few months ago, it is, in fact, white.
The shirt will be available as of July 5. But, in the meantime, the Arsenal web site has released a wallpaper with an image of the new kit.
The Gunners have also created a special page on its web site focused on the away shirt, which is a tribute to their great manager Herbert Chapman.
The new Arsenal away shirt is now available for pre-order.
The shirt will be available as of July 5. But, in the meantime, the Arsenal web site has released a wallpaper with an image of the new kit.
The Gunners have also created a special page on its web site focused on the away shirt, which is a tribute to their great manager Herbert Chapman.
The new Arsenal away shirt is now available for pre-order.
Labels: Arsenal
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English Premier League: All Around The World
One of the redeeming qualities about the Internet is its ability to provide news from all corners of the globe, which may been missed before unless we had subscriptions to newspapers from India, Vietnam, Thailand and other countries.
For example, here's an article from The India Times about how Nike is trying to surpass Adidas's popularity in India. The country is enjoying a resurgence of football due to the English Premier League.
In Vietnam, it looks likely that ESPN StarSports will be showing the Premier League football on TV after Vietnam Television (VTV) was unable to outbid ESPN for the TV rights.
For example, here's an article from The India Times about how Nike is trying to surpass Adidas's popularity in India. The country is enjoying a resurgence of football due to the English Premier League.
In Vietnam, it looks likely that ESPN StarSports will be showing the Premier League football on TV after Vietnam Television (VTV) was unable to outbid ESPN for the TV rights.
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Interview with Duncan Hamilton
Duncan Hamilton, the author of a new book about Brian Clough entitled "Provided You Don't Kiss Me: 20 Years With Brian Clough," is featured in episode 70 of the EPL Talk Podcast.
The interview with Hamilton (pictured alongside Brian Clough) focuses on his career as a reporter for the Nottingham Evening Post where he was responsible for writing about the once great Nottingham Forest football club.
Few reporters, if any, knew Clough as well as Hamilton did. The lovable manager seemed to take Hamilton under his wing and the two of them developed a great working relationship.
If you haven't done so already, be sure to subscribe to the EPL Talk Podcast via iTunes so you don't miss a single episode. Enjoy the interview.
The interview with Hamilton (pictured alongside Brian Clough) focuses on his career as a reporter for the Nottingham Evening Post where he was responsible for writing about the once great Nottingham Forest football club.
Few reporters, if any, knew Clough as well as Hamilton did. The lovable manager seemed to take Hamilton under his wing and the two of them developed a great working relationship.
If you haven't done so already, be sure to subscribe to the EPL Talk Podcast via iTunes so you don't miss a single episode. Enjoy the interview.
Labels: brian clough, duncan hamilton, nottingham forest
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New Blogger Joins the EPL Talk Community
If you enjoy the EPL Talk Blog, be sure to head on over to the EPL Talk Community where we have five active bloggers writing about soccer/football.
The newest addition to the EPL Talk Community bloggers is Justin The Manc who has created a blog named "Across The Pond."
Justin, a North Carolina resident, is the first Man Utd blogger in our ranks. Justin was also one of the first people to visit the EPL Talk Chat back when it started about a year ago.
In addition to the blogs, the EPL Talk Community also features message boards, downloads, a RSS reader and more. Visit it today at http://epltalk.communityserver.com
Welcome aboard Justin.
The newest addition to the EPL Talk Community bloggers is Justin The Manc who has created a blog named "Across The Pond."
Justin, a North Carolina resident, is the first Man Utd blogger in our ranks. Justin was also one of the first people to visit the EPL Talk Chat back when it started about a year ago.
In addition to the blogs, the EPL Talk Community also features message boards, downloads, a RSS reader and more. Visit it today at http://epltalk.communityserver.com
Welcome aboard Justin.
Labels: epl talk blog, epl talk community, manchester united, the third half
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Sunday, June 10, 2007
The New "Journey"
A new show is about to emerge.
A new journey will start.
A new beginning will begin.
A show to be listened to.
A passion like no other.
This is The Third Half.
Coming to you Fall 2007 Bcjohn/Justinthemanc
Labels: podcasts, the third half
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Interview with Andrew Shue
This week's episode of the Major League Soccer Talk podcast features an interview with Andrew Shue, the former Melrose Place actor and star of the new movie, Gracie.
Shue is interviewed by Major League Soccer Talk host Kartik Krishnaiyer. They discuss Shue's son who is a Manchester United supporter, as well as delving into the story behind Gracie and Shue's opinions regarding U.S. soccer.
If you haven't done so already, be sure to subscribe to the Major League Soccer Talk podcast via iTunes. Or visit the Major League Soccer Talk web site and click on the podcast link to hear episodes one and two.
Kartik also discusses the recent US win against China with correspondent Michael Haley.
Shue is interviewed by Major League Soccer Talk host Kartik Krishnaiyer. They discuss Shue's son who is a Manchester United supporter, as well as delving into the story behind Gracie and Shue's opinions regarding U.S. soccer.
If you haven't done so already, be sure to subscribe to the Major League Soccer Talk podcast via iTunes. Or visit the Major League Soccer Talk web site and click on the podcast link to hear episodes one and two.
Kartik also discusses the recent US win against China with correspondent Michael Haley.
Labels: andrew shue, gracie, kartik krishnaiyer, us soccer
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Ronnie Whelan Coming to the States
If you live in the Dallas area, you'll be interested to know that former Liverpool player Ronnie Whelan will be doing a speaking engagement on June 19.
Whelan, who also played internationally for the Republic of Ireland, will be discussing some of the stories from his memorable career at Anfield. Tickets, which include the price of dinner, are $50 per person. More information can be provided by Scott at lordmeowmix@aol.com
Ronnie Whelan was recently interviewed on the EPL Talk Podcast. You can hear his interview here.
Whelan, who also played internationally for the Republic of Ireland, will be discussing some of the stories from his memorable career at Anfield. Tickets, which include the price of dinner, are $50 per person. More information can be provided by Scott at lordmeowmix@aol.com
Ronnie Whelan was recently interviewed on the EPL Talk Podcast. You can hear his interview here.
Labels: Liverpool, ronnie whelan
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Premier League Clubs Favor China Over United States
It's already almost the middle of June and the disappointing news for fans of the English Premier League in America is that only two English sides have announced preseason friendly tours to the United States thus far: Chelsea and Aston Villa.
Chelsea will be playing three matches in the States, while Aston Villa - so far - will play just one here (and another one across the border in Canada). All three Chelsea matches will be played in California in July, while Villa takes on Columbus in Ohio, also in July.
In previous years, we've had many more teams visit such as Everton, Fulham, Sunderland, Liverpool and Manchester United.
Many of the English teams are turning their backs on America and heading East instead. Man United, Liverpool, Portsmouth and Fulham are heading to the Far East, while Tottenham Hotspur will be playing friendlies in South Africa. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be playing in the annual Ajax Tournament in Holland during August.
Chelsea will be playing three matches in the States, while Aston Villa - so far - will play just one here (and another one across the border in Canada). All three Chelsea matches will be played in California in July, while Villa takes on Columbus in Ohio, also in July.
In previous years, we've had many more teams visit such as Everton, Fulham, Sunderland, Liverpool and Manchester United.
Many of the English teams are turning their backs on America and heading East instead. Man United, Liverpool, Portsmouth and Fulham are heading to the Far East, while Tottenham Hotspur will be playing friendlies in South Africa. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be playing in the annual Ajax Tournament in Holland during August.
Of course, there's still plenty of time for tours to be announced for the United States. But, at this rate, it looks likely that the Premier League clubs are more interested in making money in China than the U.S.
PS - I've finally returned from my weeklong trip from a trade show in Orlando, so I'll be blogging more often now through the summer months.
Labels: aston villa, Chelsea
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Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Setanta Sports Expands its Team of EPL Pundits
Setanta's team of pundits for the 2007/2008 season is continuing to grow. In the past few months, they announced that Steve
Setanta has added Les Ferdinand to their ranks and The Guardian is reporting that Emmanuel Petit is in talks with Setanta.
At the same time that all of these deals are happening, current Setanta pundit Pat Dolan -- the rotund colleague of Paul Dempsey who we saw on Setanta this past season -- has been named manager of Derry City, a team in Ireland.
It's not clear at this time whether Dolan's appointment at Derry City means the end of his pundit job at Setanta.
While Setanta has been busy expanding its stable of pundits, the Irish broadcaster has surprisingly been quiet in its pursuit of quality commentators. There are rumors on the message boards that Setanta is in talks with Ian Darke, which would be an excellent coup for Setanta if they're able to add the Englishman.
Labels: angus young, emmanuel petit, ian darke, les ferdinand, pat dolan, Paul Dempsey, setanta sports, steve bower, steve mcclaren
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Premier League Stories You May Have Missed
Here are some of the stories from around the world about the Premier League that you may have missed:
- Man United's match in Seoul, Korea on July 20 quickly sold out all 65,000 tickets. Demand was so high that the tickets sold in a matter of hours.
- Sky has been presenting news in the virtual world of Second Life.
- Manchester City could become very popular in Thailand beginning next season if Thaksin Shinawatra's proposed takeover of Manchester City goes through. At the same time, though, his political rivals in Thailand and their supporters may end up despising the Eastlands club.
- Tim Lovejoy has quit Sky's popular Soccer AM show.
Labels: manchester city, manchester united, sky sports, tim lovejoy
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Sunday, June 03, 2007
Mickey Mouse League
Not sure if you caught Alan Mullery on Sky Sports last week, but he called Major League Soccer a "mickey mouse league." While it's far from that, I am in the land of the Mickey Mouse this week, that is Orlando, Florida.
I'll be reporting throughout the week. For those of you looking for the reviews of the new football shirts for the Premiership clubs (as mentioned in this week's EPL Talk Podcast episode with Andrew Jennings), I'll add those as soon as I get a chance this week.
Have a great week and keep on checking back each day for that article, plus much more.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
I'll be reporting throughout the week. For those of you looking for the reviews of the new football shirts for the Premiership clubs (as mentioned in this week's EPL Talk Podcast episode with Andrew Jennings), I'll add those as soon as I get a chance this week.
Have a great week and keep on checking back each day for that article, plus much more.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
Labels: alan mullery, major league soccer
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Ten Percent of Soccer Fans Watch EPL Illegally
The final results have been tabulated for the latest EPL Talk poll and one of the answers is quite surprising. When asked "where do you primarily watch Premiership matches," 80% of the respondents answered "at home," but surprisingly, 10% voted "online via P2P."
This may not be surprising to many of you. P2P (peer to peer) applications allow you to watch matches (and share files) online. Illegally, I might add. But for some soccer fans, it's the only hope of watching their favorite team live if the match isn't being shown on Fox Soccer Channel, Setanta Sports or a similar network worldwide.
This may not be surprising to many of you. P2P (peer to peer) applications allow you to watch matches (and share files) online. Illegally, I might add. But for some soccer fans, it's the only hope of watching their favorite team live if the match isn't being shown on Fox Soccer Channel, Setanta Sports or a similar network worldwide.
While 10% of you watch Premiership matches online via P2P, 11% of you watch matches at your local pub.
It'll be interesting to see how developments this summer will dramatically change the way viewers watch the Premiership starting next season. Setanta Broadband will be legally showing some of the matches (via subscription). Also, if Setanta Sports is added to Time Warner and/or Comcast Cable (as reported by AFANA), then increased access to Setanta may reduce the amount of P2P usage.
Be sure to answer this week's EPL Talk poll where we ask whether ESPN's interest in acquiring Setanta Sports would help or hinder the soccer coverage if a deal ever did happen. Click on the poll in the left column.
It'll be interesting to see how developments this summer will dramatically change the way viewers watch the Premiership starting next season. Setanta Broadband will be legally showing some of the matches (via subscription). Also, if Setanta Sports is added to Time Warner and/or Comcast Cable (as reported by AFANA), then increased access to Setanta may reduce the amount of P2P usage.
Be sure to answer this week's EPL Talk poll where we ask whether ESPN's interest in acquiring Setanta Sports would help or hinder the soccer coverage if a deal ever did happen. Click on the poll in the left column.
Labels: ESPN, fox soccer channel, p2p, poll, setanta sports
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The Politics of Football: Sheffield United & Premier League
Is it a coincidence that the Premier League was scheduled to announce the fixtures for the 2007/2008 season on June 21st, but has now moved the date back to June 14th?
Could it be because the arbitration hearing between Sheffield United and the Premier League is scheduled for June 18 and 19?
The arbitration hearing into Sheffield United's case should be of interest to all fans of Premier League teams. If, as Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe suggests, United will win the case and the previous decision will be overturned, this could send the league into mass chaos and a potential countersuit from West Ham.
The arbitration scheduled for June 18 and 19 comprises a three-man panel consisting of Lord Justice Sir Philip Otton (chairperson), David Pannick QC (who was nominated by the Blades) and leading barrister Nicholas Randall (nominated by the Premier League).
According to The Yorkshire Post newspaper, "although [the panel] cannot overturn the decision to fine the Hammers £5.5m, the panel can rule that the judgement was flawed and award compensation. They can also declare that the original decision was unlawful and should be set aside. If that is the case, the Blades would be in a strong position to lobby for re-instatement to the Premier League supported by a number of chairmen from top-flight rivals including Wigan Athletic, Fulham, Charlton Athletic and Middlesbrough."
McCabe wants the Premier League to hold a fresh disciplinary hearing into the Tevez affair. If a new hearing was held, which is doubtful, and they decided that West Ham should be deducted three points, then the Hammers would be tied with Sheffield United, but West Ham would go down because they have a goal difference that's one goal worse than Sheffield United.
Rather than relegate West Ham, the Premier League could decide (as Sheffield United suggests) to allow the Blades to stay in the league thereby allowing 21 teams next season instead of 20. I don't see that happening, but it would avoid the issue of West Ham countersuing.
The most likely outcome is that the arbitration panel will decide that West Ham received significant punishment. I don't agree with that, but I'd be surprised if the panel judges in Sheffield's favor.
Again, the timing of the release of the 07/08 fixtures for the Premier League season on June 14 is crucial. The Premier League could argue during the arbitration hearing that because the fixtures have been released that it would be unreasonable to change them.
Further complicating the matters for the Premier League is Fulham's insistance that they plan on calling for arbitration hearings too regarding the West Ham decision despite the fact that the remaining Premier League clubs voiced their opinions against in the move in the Premier League's annual general meeting in late May.
Expect a huge amount of media coverage on the Premier League after the arbitration hearing closes on Tuesday, June 19.
Labels: premier league, sheffield united, West Ham United
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Saturday, June 02, 2007
Chelsea to Unveil New Away Shirt in Los Angeles
Chelsea has announced that they'll unveil their new 2007/2008 away shirt during their July 17 friendly against the Suwon Bluewings in Los Angeles.
The new Chelsea shirt (pictured) is supposed to be a flourescent green/yellow color from kit manufacturer Adidas.
More details about the 07/08 Chelsea away shirt can be found here.
The new Chelsea shirt (pictured) is supposed to be a flourescent green/yellow color from kit manufacturer Adidas.
More details about the 07/08 Chelsea away shirt can be found here.
Labels: Chelsea, Suwon Bluewings
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Chelsea Introduce Two Versions of their Web Site
In November 2006, Chelsea launched a brand-new redesign of their web site in conjunction with Premium TV. Some of you may remember that I was the only US-based reporter at the press conference and I brought back interviews and photographs from the press conference.
Well, Chelsea has now announced that they've made some significant changes to that redesigned web site. The one in November was cutting edge in that it was designed completely in Flash. The newer version now gives fans an option of choosing between a HTML version and a Flash version. Obviously many of the fans weren't ready to go 100% Flash and despite its better look-n-feel, HTML pages do load a lot faster.
Funnily enough, Chelsea has branded their Flash version of their site as 'the Zola style,' while the HTML version is 'the JT style.' I know Gianfranco Zola was a flash player, but isn't it a bit demoralizing to call John Terry just HTML?
Well, Chelsea has now announced that they've made some significant changes to that redesigned web site. The one in November was cutting edge in that it was designed completely in Flash. The newer version now gives fans an option of choosing between a HTML version and a Flash version. Obviously many of the fans weren't ready to go 100% Flash and despite its better look-n-feel, HTML pages do load a lot faster.
Funnily enough, Chelsea has branded their Flash version of their site as 'the Zola style,' while the HTML version is 'the JT style.' I know Gianfranco Zola was a flash player, but isn't it a bit demoralizing to call John Terry just HTML?
Labels: Chelsea, premium tv
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Beckham Glosses Over An Uninspired England Performance (Again)
By John Nicholson
And so another England game is consigned to the history books. It is a sign of just how little is expected of England that this morning, the press is writing up this performance as 'reinvigorating.' Indeed, much of the press coverage seems to see it as a return to some sort of form.
This is pure delusion.
The game was a bore-fest, England do bore-fest very well, so in that sense it was a return to form. Most fans no longer expect a scintillating, high speed attacking performance from their national side, those that do should be strapped into straight jackets and fed Thorazine.
By now everyone is familiar with England's malaise. Always too static and unimaginative to break open defences, they have neither real pace nor much creativity. They midfield is dysfunctional because of Lampard's puzzling continuing presence despite his best efforts to play bad enough to be dropped. Defensively we are solid but lack pace. And we have no classy strikers who even look remotely like scoring. I'm no fan of Owen at the best of times but all this utter bollocks about 'getting another game under his belt' as some sort of positive is pure hokum. Since when did we use the England team as some sort of physiotherapy recovery service for crocked players? If he’s not up to speed - and he’s way off – then he shouldn't be playing until he is. The England side for too long has been a home for people who used to be good and who we're just hoping can be good at least one more time. It's pathetic, and smacks of weak management as well as a very shallow pool of talent to choose from. And we all know why that is.
Beckham's return was welcomed by many fans, and he duly delivered, as he almost always does. In a team of 5 out of 10'ers, Beckham's 7 out 10 performances stand out. Last night was no different. This doesn't mean he’s a world beater, but it does mean he's worth his inclusion. If he hadn't been playing we'd have lost 1-0 because there was simply no way we were going to score from open play. And that's what Beckham has done for England throughout his career as captain. He saved our asses by a sweetly hit free kick. No one on that pitch or on the bench would have hit that free kick so exquisitely for Terry to nod in. We shouldn't forget all the set plays he took that were over hit and didn’t get past the first man either – there's no virtue in trying to make out he's a genius of unrivalled stature, but he plays better than any other player who pulls on the England shirt.
With England's paucity of talent available combined with an uninspiring, vacillating and weak manager who seems not to know his own mind from game to game, there is no reason to expect anything other than mediocrity from England. Fans have given up expecting more. What I continue to fail to understand is why, given the failing nature of the side, the same players keep being picked. A team that performs well does not have to have the 11 best players in the country in it. That's obviously not how football works. Recent tournaments have shown the side that is full of the best players doesn't always win. It is the unity and organisation of the team that matters. We so obviously don't have unity or understanding that some radical selection decisions would do no harm. Just playing Lampard time and time again when he’s doing nothing - he was utterly anonymous last night apart from when he failed to control the ball, is simply pointless.
Failure to win in Estonia on Wednesday will lead to McClaren being sacked and quite possibly, Paul Jewell, the conveniently unemployed ex-Wigan manager taking over. However, that would be too exciting. The England bore-fest tradition demands hanging on in quiet desperation. We should therefore expect a dreadful performance, slow, heavy footed and lacking in imagination mixed up with a handful of defensive cock-ups. But there will be a set play, Beckham will put a great ball in and someone will score and we'll scrape through by the odd goal. It will be just enough to keep McClaren his job and no where near enough to make England fall back in love with the national side or abate the widespread notion that McClaren is a second rate manager adrift in a sea of largely average but self deluded talent.
It's gone beyond being annoying. It's gone beyond being frustrating. It's worse than that. It's just really, really, fucking boring. And that is England's greatest sin.
John Nicholson writes each week for Football 365 and EPL Talk. You can listen to John's wonderful stories on episode 30 and 45 of the EPL Talk Podcast, as well as purchase his excellent Footy Rocks book and order one of his unique rock'n roll T-shirts.
And so another England game is consigned to the history books. It is a sign of just how little is expected of England that this morning, the press is writing up this performance as 'reinvigorating.' Indeed, much of the press coverage seems to see it as a return to some sort of form.
This is pure delusion.
The game was a bore-fest, England do bore-fest very well, so in that sense it was a return to form. Most fans no longer expect a scintillating, high speed attacking performance from their national side, those that do should be strapped into straight jackets and fed Thorazine.
By now everyone is familiar with England's malaise. Always too static and unimaginative to break open defences, they have neither real pace nor much creativity. They midfield is dysfunctional because of Lampard's puzzling continuing presence despite his best efforts to play bad enough to be dropped. Defensively we are solid but lack pace. And we have no classy strikers who even look remotely like scoring. I'm no fan of Owen at the best of times but all this utter bollocks about 'getting another game under his belt' as some sort of positive is pure hokum. Since when did we use the England team as some sort of physiotherapy recovery service for crocked players? If he’s not up to speed - and he’s way off – then he shouldn't be playing until he is. The England side for too long has been a home for people who used to be good and who we're just hoping can be good at least one more time. It's pathetic, and smacks of weak management as well as a very shallow pool of talent to choose from. And we all know why that is.
Beckham's return was welcomed by many fans, and he duly delivered, as he almost always does. In a team of 5 out of 10'ers, Beckham's 7 out 10 performances stand out. Last night was no different. This doesn't mean he’s a world beater, but it does mean he's worth his inclusion. If he hadn't been playing we'd have lost 1-0 because there was simply no way we were going to score from open play. And that's what Beckham has done for England throughout his career as captain. He saved our asses by a sweetly hit free kick. No one on that pitch or on the bench would have hit that free kick so exquisitely for Terry to nod in. We shouldn't forget all the set plays he took that were over hit and didn’t get past the first man either – there's no virtue in trying to make out he's a genius of unrivalled stature, but he plays better than any other player who pulls on the England shirt.
With England's paucity of talent available combined with an uninspiring, vacillating and weak manager who seems not to know his own mind from game to game, there is no reason to expect anything other than mediocrity from England. Fans have given up expecting more. What I continue to fail to understand is why, given the failing nature of the side, the same players keep being picked. A team that performs well does not have to have the 11 best players in the country in it. That's obviously not how football works. Recent tournaments have shown the side that is full of the best players doesn't always win. It is the unity and organisation of the team that matters. We so obviously don't have unity or understanding that some radical selection decisions would do no harm. Just playing Lampard time and time again when he’s doing nothing - he was utterly anonymous last night apart from when he failed to control the ball, is simply pointless.
Failure to win in Estonia on Wednesday will lead to McClaren being sacked and quite possibly, Paul Jewell, the conveniently unemployed ex-Wigan manager taking over. However, that would be too exciting. The England bore-fest tradition demands hanging on in quiet desperation. We should therefore expect a dreadful performance, slow, heavy footed and lacking in imagination mixed up with a handful of defensive cock-ups. But there will be a set play, Beckham will put a great ball in and someone will score and we'll scrape through by the odd goal. It will be just enough to keep McClaren his job and no where near enough to make England fall back in love with the national side or abate the widespread notion that McClaren is a second rate manager adrift in a sea of largely average but self deluded talent.
It's gone beyond being annoying. It's gone beyond being frustrating. It's worse than that. It's just really, really, fucking boring. And that is England's greatest sin.
John Nicholson writes each week for Football 365 and EPL Talk. You can listen to John's wonderful stories on episode 30 and 45 of the EPL Talk Podcast, as well as purchase his excellent Footy Rocks book and order one of his unique rock'n roll T-shirts.
Labels: brazil, david beckham, England
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Friday, June 01, 2007
Chelsea Loses Pace Behind Man Utd in Transfer Race
In the back of my mind, I keep hearing the words "Never underestimate Chelsea." But unless the Blues make some significant signings this summer, their 2007/2008 season could be dead and buried before Christmas.
If Manchester United continue to make more signings similar to the talent they're purchased in Anderson, Nani and Hargreaves -- and if Liverpool secures some major transfer signings, especially in attack -- Chelsea will be left behind.
Of course, the west London side has a plethora of talent but there are so many holes in the side that need fixing, that Abramovich will need to provide Mourinho and Kenyon with large amounts of cash. They've signed Steve Sidwell on a free transfer, but I envision the former Reading striker sitting on the bench most of the season and coming on as a super striker when needed.
The longer Chelsea waits to purchase big name players, the more time that gives Liverpool and Manchester United to snap up the talent.
To illustrate how Man United are surpassing Chelsea in regards to talent on the pitch, take a look at this amazing video (discovered by the excellent 101greatgoals.com site) that features Anderson (formerly of FC Porto) and Nani (formerly of Sporting Lisbon):
When I was watching Nani doing all of those acrobatic backflips, the first thing that came into my mind was whether Peter Crouch will bring his robot dance back to compete. Don't be surprised, though, if Ferguson advises Nani to tone down the goal celebrations for fear of getting injured.
Anderson and Nani undoubtedly have incredible talent. Both players will increase the level of entertainment several notches at Old Trafford. Of course, both of the new signings who have plied their trade in Portugal will take time to adapt to the Premier League, but with skill like that, they should have no problem getting past Premiership defenders.
And what about Anderson's trademark move where he gets past defenders with an incredible move that I've never seen before? Check out the above video if you didn't see it and prepare to be amazed.
And, of course, lets not forget Owen Hargreaves who will have a tremendous impact on the Premiership this season as long as he can avoid injuries.
The first opportunity we'll have to see how Chelsea will fair this summer against the reinvigorated Manchester United squad is during the Community Shield on August 5th, which will be shown live on Fox Soccer Channel.
If Manchester United continue to make more signings similar to the talent they're purchased in Anderson, Nani and Hargreaves -- and if Liverpool secures some major transfer signings, especially in attack -- Chelsea will be left behind.
Of course, the west London side has a plethora of talent but there are so many holes in the side that need fixing, that Abramovich will need to provide Mourinho and Kenyon with large amounts of cash. They've signed Steve Sidwell on a free transfer, but I envision the former Reading striker sitting on the bench most of the season and coming on as a super striker when needed.
The longer Chelsea waits to purchase big name players, the more time that gives Liverpool and Manchester United to snap up the talent.
To illustrate how Man United are surpassing Chelsea in regards to talent on the pitch, take a look at this amazing video (discovered by the excellent 101greatgoals.com site) that features Anderson (formerly of FC Porto) and Nani (formerly of Sporting Lisbon):
When I was watching Nani doing all of those acrobatic backflips, the first thing that came into my mind was whether Peter Crouch will bring his robot dance back to compete. Don't be surprised, though, if Ferguson advises Nani to tone down the goal celebrations for fear of getting injured.
Anderson and Nani undoubtedly have incredible talent. Both players will increase the level of entertainment several notches at Old Trafford. Of course, both of the new signings who have plied their trade in Portugal will take time to adapt to the Premier League, but with skill like that, they should have no problem getting past Premiership defenders.
And what about Anderson's trademark move where he gets past defenders with an incredible move that I've never seen before? Check out the above video if you didn't see it and prepare to be amazed.
And, of course, lets not forget Owen Hargreaves who will have a tremendous impact on the Premiership this season as long as he can avoid injuries.
The first opportunity we'll have to see how Chelsea will fair this summer against the reinvigorated Manchester United squad is during the Community Shield on August 5th, which will be shown live on Fox Soccer Channel.
Labels: 101greatgoals, anderson, Chelsea, Liverpool, manchester united, nani, owen hargreaves
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Welcome to the Major League Soccer Talk Podcast
For those of you who subscribe to the EPL Talk Podcast feed from iTunes (give yourselves a pat on the back!), you'll have discovered a surprise this week with the first episode of the Major League Soccer Podcast.
Hosted by Kartik Krishnaiyer, the podcast aims to cover the MLS just as well as the EPL Talk Podcast covers the English Premier League. The first episode features an interview with me recounting my memories of the NASL, indoor soccer and what impact Beckham will have on soccer fans in the States. Plus, Kartik also speaks with Major League Soccer Talk correspondents Michael Haley and David Trotter.
While the first episode of the Major League Soccer Talk Podcast was delivered to you this week, you'll need to subscribe to get all of the additional episodes. I'll be setting up a separate site and separate RSS feed over the weekend and will let you know as soon as that's available.
Kartik has some fantastic ideas for the podcast as well as some major high-profile guests who will be interviewed in the coming weeks. To learn more, be sure to bookmark the web site MajorLeagueSoccerTalk.com. Kartik has been doing a fabulous job bringing you the latest news from the MLS and his site is updated several times a week.
Hosted by Kartik Krishnaiyer, the podcast aims to cover the MLS just as well as the EPL Talk Podcast covers the English Premier League. The first episode features an interview with me recounting my memories of the NASL, indoor soccer and what impact Beckham will have on soccer fans in the States. Plus, Kartik also speaks with Major League Soccer Talk correspondents Michael Haley and David Trotter.
While the first episode of the Major League Soccer Talk Podcast was delivered to you this week, you'll need to subscribe to get all of the additional episodes. I'll be setting up a separate site and separate RSS feed over the weekend and will let you know as soon as that's available.
Kartik has some fantastic ideas for the podcast as well as some major high-profile guests who will be interviewed in the coming weeks. To learn more, be sure to bookmark the web site MajorLeagueSoccerTalk.com. Kartik has been doing a fabulous job bringing you the latest news from the MLS and his site is updated several times a week.
Enjoy!
Labels: david trotter, kartik krishnaiyer, major league soccer, major league soccer talk, michael haley, MLS
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Interviews with US Players Plying Their Trade in England
I just found out that today's episode of The 2 G's radio show (Friday, June 1st, Noon ET) will feature exclusive interviews with many of the US stars who play in the Premiership.
The interviews were conducted by Peter Brown with Tim Howard (Everton), Carlos Bocanegra(Fulham) and Jonathan Spector (West Ham United).
The Tim Howard interview, especially, will be very revealing. Brown brought up the topic of his loan by Man United to Everton and the whole controversy over the permanent signing by Everton and his failure to be allowed to play in the match at Goodison Park against United.
To find out how to listen to The 2 G's show, visit their web site for more details.
The interviews were conducted by Peter Brown with Tim Howard (Everton), Carlos Bocanegra(Fulham) and Jonathan Spector (West Ham United).
The Tim Howard interview, especially, will be very revealing. Brown brought up the topic of his loan by Man United to Everton and the whole controversy over the permanent signing by Everton and his failure to be allowed to play in the match at Goodison Park against United.
To find out how to listen to The 2 G's show, visit their web site for more details.
Labels: carlos bocanegra, everton, fulham, jonathan spector, peter brown, The 2 G's, tim howard, West Ham United
The EPL Talk Blog has moved. Be sure to visit epltalk.com and update your bookmarks!
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