Leeds’ season officially ended on Saturday, though you could say it never really got started. Going down 2-1 to Leicester at home meant that we didn’t even go out on a high, but the game itself did at least throw up a few interesting developments involving Jermaine Beckford.
Jermaine received a good reception from the fans and after his goalscoring exploits whilst in the white shirt it’s easy to understand why, but it was nice, if not a little surprising, to see Beckford acknowledge the fans with the Leeds salute. In fact, so obvious was his affection to the Leeds fans that Nigel Pearson opted to sub him at half time to prevent him receiving an ovation from the fans as he left the field of play.
After the game, Jermaine was more than happy to sign pictures for the Leeds fans that had stayed behind to see him. To one person he even stated how the only shirt he’d ever be scoring in again at Elland Road would be a Leeds one. Strong words for the centre forward of another team, in the same division.
Ken Bates has admitted a few times how he’s been offered the services of Beckford on more than one occasion, opting not to resign the striker as he felt it was ”best to move on” which roughly translates to ‘would cost too much’, but with Beckfords obvious admiration for the club and the fans, perhaps it would be worth giving this relationship one more try. Rumours in Leicester are that Beckford to Leeds is already a done deal, which is a tad premature to say the least, but with a few of the current squad reportedly telling the fans at the end of season party that Neil Warnock has already signed three players it’s hard not to at least hold a little hope that we might be chanting Beckfords name once again next season.
Another old boy that could be making a move is Alan Smith, who has been linked to Leeds in every transfer window in recent memory. Smith has recently been speaking about potentially taking up a coaching role at Newcastle United, but with Newcastle flying high in the Premier League it’s hard to imagine where he’d fit in.
This transfer window could actually be the one in which Smith returns, with Neil Warnock telling the fans how the dressing room next season will only contain players that can handle playing for Leeds. Nevertheless, putting memories and the potential problems with wages to one side, it’d be hard to imagine Smith back in the white shirt. While he would undoubtedly bring passion, he would struggle to bring any real quality to the team with his best days seemingly behind him. Despite this, unless Smith has his future cleared up quickly you can be sure that this is a story that will last the whole summer, even if the fans have heard it all before.
One player that is certainly not ex-Leeds is El Hadji Diouf, who has been strongly linked with a move to Elland Road. Diouf went on record to state how he’d love to help Leeds win promotion and how any past problems with Neil Warnock were forgotten.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Warnock himself was asked specifically about Diouf whilst being interviewed by TalkSport, Warnock insisted that his line was breaking up, then put the phone down. The very same routine he played out when TalkSport asked Warnock whether he’d be taking the Leeds job, and we all now how that turned out.
Whether Beckford, Smith or Diouf do find themselves at Elland Road come the start of the new season is anyones guess, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I’m keeping my fingers crossed over one in particular, bruv.
Brazil were once a class apart, they delighted us with their stunning finishes and beautiful free flowing passing, but gone are the days of the Ronaldo’s, Ronaldinho’s and Rivaldo’s of the world. Brazilian football today is a shadow of the past, going through a transitional period, with new stars who are yet to set the world on fire.
The 2011 Copa America was the first real hurdle for this new look Brazil side and unfortunately they failed to get over it. They went out of the tournament in the quarter final to Paraguay, after a calamitous penalty shoot out, where they missed all four of their penalties. Their overall record in the tournament was less than impressive, with three draws alongside a flattering 4-2 win over Ecuador. The young and mostly inexperienced side seemed to struggle to understand how to play together as a team.
Of course winning the Copa America was never the main goal for Brazil, their focus is 100% on building up to the 2014 World Cup on home soil. However, with a lack of matches now ahead-as hosts, their only competitive matches will be in the Confederation’s Cup in 2013-times are worrying for fans of the samba nation.
The transitional period for Brazilian football, which began under Dunga, has seen them lose their glorious flair, in favour of a more industrious kind of play, with an emphasis on team play and defense. This style of play lacks the sparkle that Brazilian teams have shown in the past, and they still seem to be struggling to regain that characteristic flair that has always defined them. The fact that most of their best current players are defenders seems to say it all.
New coach Mano Menezes seems fully aware of the job in hand, to get this team at their peak for the World Cup. He has put his faith in the ability of young players, and has used the Copa America to blood youngsters like Pato and Neymar, giving them vital experience at this level before the World Cup, a move which may pay off well in the long run. However, like his predecessor Dunga, Menezes, has also placed heavy emphasis on the defensive aspect of the game, with his side based around two defensive midfielders, Lucas and Ramires, at the expense of any sort of creative spark, or talismanic figure that can push them forward.
[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’right’]
Brazil have three years to prepare for the World Cup, so there is certainly time for youngsters like Neymar and Ganso to develop and build on their early promise, but the lack of competitive matches before then is a concern if they are to knit together as a team.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Come 2014, Brazil will be under the highest pressure imaginable. Anything other than a World Cup victory will be a catastrophic failure for the home nation. The home fans will be expecting glory and they will be expecting it in a style of play that they have become accustomed to. Brazil need to break away from the defensive style they seem stuck in and rediscover their traditional flamboyant football, if they are to challenge for, let alone win, the 2014 World Cup.
Let me know your thoughts on the current state of the Brazilian national team. Comment below or follow me on Twitter @LaurenRutter.
Manchester City look the favourites to land Benfica defender David Luiz. David Luiz is considered one the brightest talents in European football at the moment and Roberto Mancini is said to be very keen to tie up the deal this January.
Benfica rejected a £32m bid by Manchester City in the summer but after their failure to reach the second round of the Champions League, it seems that the Portuguese club are now ready to part with their prized asset.
The Sun reported last week that a Benfica insider said: “Going out of the Champions League affected our financial plans. We want to re-evaluate the situation.”
The defender would be an invaluable asset for Manchester City due to his versatility. He can double up a left back if needed – something Roberto Mancini looks for in his defenders.
Portuguese newspaper Record reports that Luiz was unhappy when Benfica rejected a bid from Manchester City in the summer, but sold Ramires to Chelsea and Angel di Maria to Real Madrid.
[youtube j-oW7GaBDGY]
Manchester City will face stiff opposition from Chelsea and Inter Milan for his signature but Manchester City are in pole position for the defenders signature – RATE THE RUMOUR
[divider]
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
AC Milan are set to renew their interest in Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez, and will sell Robinho to raise funds to make a move for the Argentine, according to Mirror Football.
The South American attacker has had a rollercoaster season; firstly he refused to enter the field of play against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, then went AWOL for three months, only to return to City’s line-up and help them to the Premier League title.
Despite all this, Tevez’s future is unclear as yet and the Italian side are eager to bring him to the San Siro after seeing attempts thwarted in January.
The Rossoneri lost their Serie A title to Juventus this term, and as such as having a revamp of their squad in the summer, with older heads Alessandro Nesta, Rino Gattuso, Filippo Inzaghi, Gianluca Zambrotta, Mark van Bommel and Clarence Seedorf all on their way out.
Robinho, who has been on the fringes of the Milan starting line-up, may also make way in the summer clearout.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Football is constantly changing and evolving. 1981 saw the introduction of three points, instead of two, in the English football league. This immediately increased the value of a win and stands today as one of the most successful and simple changes ever made o the game. All-seater stadiums were made compulsory in the Premier League from as recently as the 1994-95 season, while this term has seen the introduction of the home-grown rule aimed at protecting the national game.
Despite FIFA’s reluctance to discuss goal-line technology, the international governing body of football, alongside the Premier League and UEFA, are prepared to make changes when deemed necessary. So what changes are we likely to see in the future? Find out below….
A debt free Premier League?
UEFA has made tackling the enormous debt threatening to engulf European football their number one priority after approving new spending plans in May. By 2012 clubs must start to at least break even at the end of each financial year and a failure to do so will lead to UEFA imposed sanctions, the most severe being exclusion from European football.
The new spending regulations will have major implications on the Premier League. Portsmouth became the first club in Premier League history to go into administration, while a recent report showed that England’s top-flight clubs owe an astonishing 56% of Europe’s total debt.
Clubs will now have to spend wisely and work tirelessly to move away from the red and this can only be positive for the financial stability of English football. It could have a major impact on the transfer market over the next few years and the influence of foreign ownership and other benefactors. A debt free Premier League may be too ambitious but the initial steps taken will help protect the future of the game for years to come.
A breakaway super league?
Despite UEFA’s honest intentions for reducing debt, their severe stance on lending and borrowing could back-fire. Nine of the last ten Champions League winners are also amongst the top ten clubs in European football carrying the most debt. Manchester United are top of this list with a total debt standing at £727m, although they are closely followed by the likes of AC Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
UEFA rely on these major clubs to attract viewers, sponsorship and revenue and they are realistically too important to the competition to ban completely. UEFA would be left with a glorified Europa League. These clubs may also make the decision for UEFA and decide they do not need the Champions League and enter into discussions to form a breakaway league, something which has been discussed in the past between members of the now defunct elite G-14 unit.
Robotic linesmen and further rule changes?
Linesmen up and down the country will be pleased to hear that they could be replaced in the future by robots. A university in South Africa has created a programme which can learn human behavior, something which could be developed further and used to make decisions on matchday. Although, we are still undecided if they will be able to get their head around the interfering with play rule.
Goal-line technology remains the obvious potential change, however FIFA are refusing to discuss the matter and rejected a proposal from the Italian Football Federation to trail run the technology in a pre-season friendly. Global positioning systems could also be implemented to give the referee instantaneous live feedback on players and the position of the ball on the field, helping eradicate human error. A ten-minute sin-bin rule for a yellow card offence has also been discussed in a bid to deter sides from repetitive fouling.
Genetic superhuman athletes?
Players would wear their own bespoke kit designed to replace the vital fluids lost through sweating during a game. Such minerals could be incorporated into the fabric of a football kit.
Training would also be revolutionised so club’s can asses a player’s nervous system capabilities throughout a session, as well as electronic equipment which could adapt instantaneously to ensure an optimum workout. This, and other advances, will lead to players being able to cover 50% more ground than today’s Premier League players and increase speed of movement by 15%. Recovery times will also be increased by 300% through cryotherapy and magnetic therapy. Individualised pre-match drinks will also release nutrients at specific times during a game, meaning fatigue will be a thing of the past.
Stadium living and an interactive live match experience?
Newly built stadiums will be complete with villages, residential areas and retail complexes. Fans will be able to live in a campus-style compound around the ground in their own little community, for the ultimate supporter’s experience.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The match day experience will also be revolutionised with miniature monitors placed in each seat with varying camera angles and in-seat services. Food and drink will also be able to be ordered over the internet and brought to your seat. Vibrating seats could also be optional.
You can read more of my blogs HERE or follow me on Twitter.
The post-match or pre-match interview is usually full of cliques, platitudes and quotes that just go through the motions because there are so many to do over such a limited scope of a subject. But as with all rules there are the exceptions that wake us up from our boredom induced slumber and give our attention something to behold. In this countdown are 10 of the best interviews to have been given, they usual involve cathartic release rather than inspirational tirades. Any way enough by way of introduction, here are the chosen few.
Click on image below to see the VIDEOS of TEN classic football interviews
[divider]
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
To read more articles of mine follow my Twitter or RSS Feed.
One of the most important days of the footballing calendar is nearly upon us – the first Merseyside Derby of the season. As the 217th recorded Merseyside Derby takes place at Anfield tonight, let’s remind ourselves about all that makes a Derby day special with a look back on the Top 10 Merseyside Derbies of all-time. There’s blood, sweat and with it, the obligatory tears to boot. Let’s take a look.
1. Liverpool 4 Everton 4 (Anfield) – FA Cup Fifth-Round, 1991 – Quite rightly regarded as the best Merseyside Derby of all-time and memorable for the fact that it was Kenny Dalglish’s final game in charge of his first spell at the club with the Scot resigning the next day. Peter Beardsley drew first blood after Ian Rush dispossessed Kevin Ratcliffe and had his shot saved by Neville Southall, with Beardsley banging in the rebound. Graeme Sharp equalised right after the break before Beardsley bagged a spectacular left-footed effort from 25 yards into the top left-hand corner. A mix-up between Steve Nicol and Bruce Grobelaar saw Sharp equalise once more with a tap in from two yards before Ian Rush saw Liverpool take the lead for the third time in the 77th minute with a deft header from a Jan Molby cross. A hopeful punt up field led to Tony Cottee, on as a sub, bagging Everton’s third to make it 3-3. John Barnes handed Liverpool the lead in extra-time until Cottee once again pegged Liverpool back with a 114th minute equaliser. Everton went onto win the replay 1-0. Simply put, one of the best FA Cup ties of all time and a great advert for the Merseyside derby.
2. Liverpool 3, Everton 2 (Wembley) – FA Cup Final, 1989 – Held just five weeks after the shocking, traumatic and deeply upsetting events of the Hillsborough disaster where 96 fans lost their lives, this game went some way to cathartically healing the wounds for many across Merseyside. On the footballing front, the final didn’t disappoint. John Aldridge gave Liverpool a crucial early lead before Stuart McCall struck back in the 90th minute. In extra-time Liverpool sub Ian Rush put his side ahead once more. Stuart McCall, the unlikeliest of scorers, then struck a sensational second before Rush once again, the scourge of Everton fans everywhere, bagged his second and Liverpool’s third and with it the FA Cup on a very moving day for all connected with either club and the city.
3. Everton 2, Liverpool 3 (Goodison Park) – Premier League, 2001 – Both clubs approached the tie with very different priorities in mind. Liverpool were on the cusp of an infamous treble, Everton under Walter Smith, were trying to stave off relegation for a further season. This has to go down as the finest Derby of the Premier League era, notable for the final kick of the game, a 40-yard free-kick by Gary McAllister that crept into Paul Gerrard’s net – a truly astounding goal. This game had everything. Liverpool surged into a two-goal lead courtesy of Emile Heskey and Markus Babbel before terrace favourites Duncan Ferguson and Dave ‘Rhino’ Unsworth reduced the deficit and levelled the tie. Igor Biscan was sent off, there were 12 cards in total and even an uncharacteristic Robbie Fowler penalty miss to throw into the mix until McAllister stepped up with an unlikely and breathtaking winner. Pulsating.
4. Liverpool 0, Everton 1 (Anfield) – First Division, 1984 – The turning of the tide? Everton announced themselves as the new dominant force in English football with an era defining victory over Liverpool at home. Liverpool were the reigning European Cup champions, but on this display, it was to be Everton that were to go onto bigger things that season. Graeme Sharp’s thunderous volley that later went onto be named Goal of the Season was the difference in the score lines, but the difference in performance was startling. Everton went onto claim the league title, European Cup Winners Cup and narrowly lost out on a momentous treble with a defeat to Man Utd in the FA Cup.
5. Liverpool 3, Everton 1 (Wembley), FA Cup Final, 1986 – The first ever all-Merseyside FA Cup final. A close-run league campaign eventually saw Liverpool edge out their close rivals. At Wembley, Gary Linekar continued his only ever campaign in an Everton shirt in predictably prolific fashion giving Everton the lead. However, perennial thorn in the side Ian Rush struck twice and Craig Johnston added the icing on the cake.
[divider]
Continued on Page TWO
[divider]
[ad_pod id=’dfp-mpu’ align=’right’]
6. Liverpool 2, Everton 2 (Maine Road), FA Cup Semi-Final, 1977 – What is is about the FA Cup that brings the best out of these Merseyside Derby encounters. Perhaps the most controversial on the list, Liverpool fans the world over will still be left wondering quite how they came away from this game with a draw and a replay. Bryan Hamilton had a goal unfathomably disallowed by referee Clive Thomas in the dying moments with the scores level after Jimmy Case and Terry McDermott had scored for Liverpool and Bruce Rioch and Duncan McKenzie had done the same for the Toffees. Liverpool went onto win the replay 3-0 to further add insult to injury.
7. Everton 0, Liverpool 5 (Goodison Park), First Division, 1982 – Ian Rush completely destroyed his boyhood heroes with a four-goal salvo. Everton weren’t helped by having debutant Glen Keeley sent off early on, though. Mark Lawrensen added the other with a tap in from a Kenny Dalglish cross. This game is memorable most for the true finishing masterclass put on by Rush.
8. Everton 3, Liverpool 0 (Goodison Park), Premier League, 2006 – A game personally memorably for me for so many reasons. Could it be the tortuous four-hour long journey home in a car with three Everton fans? Could it be the one-word riposte of Phil Neal in the stands when asked what he thought of the performance…’disgusting’? Or could it be the now infamous chant of ‘Reina drops keep falling on my head’ that was sung in the crowded streets after the game in reference to the third goal of the game? Everton recorded their biggest victory over Liverpool in 42 years with a display of clinical finishing. Tim Cahill notched the first before an Andy Johnson double ended the contest.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
9. Liverpool 3, Everton 2 (Anfield), Premier League, 1999 – Liverpool went into this game seeking their first victory over their nearest rivals since 1994 in a run that stretched to 9 games. Olivier Dacourt put Everton ahead inside the first minute with an excellent strike from 30 yards. Marco Materazzi then gave away a penalty after clumsily lunging for the ball and bringing down skipper Paul Ince in the process. Robbie Fowler dispatched the penalty before then celebrating with the now infamous ‘snorting the line’ celebration which manager Gerard Houllier bafflingly laughed off stating that Fowler was “eating the grass”. Fowler added a second with a header before Patrick Berger added a third with a fine volley from the edge of the area. Francis Jeffers got Everton’s second late on with a neat turn and finish. There was still time for more drama, though, as an 18 year-old sub by the name of Steven Gerrard managed to clear off the line from Danny Cadamarteri in the dying embers of the game.
10. Liverpool 0, Everton 1 (Anfield), Premier League, 1999 – A typically feisty Derby day encounter saw Kevin Campbell’s 12th goal in 19 games since arriving back from Turkey prove the difference in the fourth minute. Francis Jeffers and Sander Westerveld were both shown a red card for what can only be described as handbags at dawn and Steven Gerrard was also given his marching orders for a scything (not the first time that could be said of his challenges in a Derby game) challenge on Campbell late on.
A pair of first-half goals have helped Panama to a shock 2-1 win over the United States in the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Saturday.Panama’s win means Bob Bradley’s side – who reached the last 16 of the 2010 FIFA World Cup – must at least draw with Guadeloupe in their final group stage clash to assure themselves of third position.
With two of the third-placed sides in the three groups reaching the quarter-finals and the fact that Guadeloupe have lost both of their matches, the US are still well placed to qualify.
But the US will be aware it will be potentially do-or-die in their final match, after they paid the price for beginning slowly against Panama.
Panama striker Luis Tejada tucked away a 19th-minute opener and his side’s lead was doubled nine minutes before half-time when Gabriel Gomez converted from the spot.
The US were expected to come out firing in the second half and they did, finding the back of the net in the 66th minute through Clarence Goodson.
That left the favourites with 24 minutes to snare an equaliser. But despite their best efforts, they were kept out by Panama.
In the day’s other match, Dwayne De Rosario’s 51st-minute penalty handed Canada a 1-0 win against a 10-man Guadeloupe.
The losers had defender Jean-Luc Lambourde sent off after four minutes and were always up against it, with New York Red Bulls attacking midfielder De Rosario converting his spot-kick after Stephane Zubar had given away the penalty.
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce will hand a first Premier League start to record signing Asamoah Gyan against Stoke City this weekend.
The 24-year-old Ghana international’s only previous start since his big-money move from Rennes came in the Carling Cup, but Bruce is prepared to change tactics following the 5-1 drubbing at Newcastle United last time out.
Bruce told the club’s official website:“He is something different. I am sure he will be a big hit in the Premier League.
“He is a little bit off the wall and he will do things that will frustrate you, but he’s got that little bit of brilliance that can win you a match.
“We have invested a lot of money in the kid and I hope he can come in and give us the spark which the crowd will enjoy.
“It’s a response to what happened last week. Our Achilles heel is we haven’t scored enough, so I just think it is right, after what has happened this week that we give the kid his chance.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
“I think he can give everybody a spark and a lift.”
Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Aston Villa are reportedly weighing up a £7million move for Heerenveen striker Bas Dost.
The Netherlands under-21 international is the top goalscorer in the Eredivisie this season, and has also been linked with a move to Valencia this summer.
Dost is 6ft 5in, and after scoring 23 goals in the league this season has been described as the ‘Dutch Peter Crouch’.
The attacker has admitted that he has heard of interest from Alex McLeish’s side, but will not discuss his future until the campaign ends.
“It is positive news,” he told Voetbal Primeur, translated to English by Sky Sports.
“You hear this and of course it is nice to know they are interested.
“Aston Villa is a club I don’t know very well, but they look good.
“I have spoken with my agent and we won’t be discussing anything during the season,” he concluded.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Villa have already raided Dutch football for one summer signing, as AZ Alkmaar midfielder Brett Holman has signed a pre-contract agreement with the Midlands outfit.