4.) A Swiss footballer has been thrown out of the Olympics for racism. Liverpool have offered him a 4 year contract.- @FootballFunnys
5.) Alex Ferguson has said that Man United still want to bring in one or two
more new faces. Wayne Rooney has asked if he can have one. - @MarioBalotelli
7.) BREAKING NEWS: David Luiz declared injured for tomorrows game after having 100's of twiiter followers noses up his backside - @hurricanhigginz
8.) BREAKING: After letting Stuart Downing score, the FC Gomel defenders have announced their retirement from football. - @Liverfool_FC
9.) Do woman's footballer's swap shirts at the end of the game,or am i sat here just wasting my time? - @GGJ_Gareth
10.) BREAKING: Stewart Downing scores for Liverpool, an unbelievable
achievement from a guy who was told by doctors that he'd never score
again. - @BBCSporf
Be sure to follow all these guys on Twitter, you can follow us at @ReviewFootball
Hello, I’m Callum Rivett, and welcome to my latest blog for
The Football Front. This week it's the turn of the quarter finals to capture my
fleeting glances, and what a quarter final it looks to be.
England.
Who thought
England would
finish top of the group with two wins and a draw against France?
I certainly didn’t, and I think this is because the expectations had been
lowered to the point that we thought we may not even get out of the group.
We have
avoided world champions Spain,
which is welcome news to every English fan, but unfortunately face a tie with
favourites Germany
in the semi-final if we beat Italy.
The Germans are, unsurprisingly, an efficient bunch, and have proved so by
winning four out of four matches. Their only weakness could be their defence -
an average Greek side scored two, albeit one from a penalty.
Roy Hodgson
has built up a fantastic team spirit within the camp, and that can only have a
positive effect. The Italians are nothing special, but then neither are we.
Both sides are defensively minded, and will sit back and look to hit the
opposition on the counter.
Those
techniques are fine against opposition that like to attack and are a better
side than yourself. But what we could be looking at is a match where the two
sides are waiting for the other to attack, both sitting back, both scared of
going forwards.
Then again,
since it’s a quarter final and winner-takes-all match, we could have the most
exciting and enthralling match of the tournament on our hands. Two very evenly
matched sides, no big expectations, but with a team full of hard-working,
classy players. We have Rooney; they have Balotelli. We have Hart; they have
Buffon.
Both us and
Italy boast
world-class talents, but both have a loose fuse. Rooney and Balotelli can be
either heroes or villains. Both have been sent off numerous times, but they
have both scored numerous times. Balotelli is effectively the Italian Wayne
Rooney. You can see the raw talent, the enthusiasm, but there is something
else, something dark. A violent, idiotic side: Rooney’s kick against Montenegro,
Balotelli’s sending off versus Arsenal, Rooney’s stamp on Carvalho, Balotelli
and the bib.
Ultimately
Balotelli is more idiotic than aggressive, and Rooney vice versa, but the
talent there is undeniable. Under the guidance of Roberto Mancini, Super Mario
can flourish to become a world-class talent, but only if Man City can control
his wild side. He’s arrogant, but not in a moronic way. He gives 60% of his wages
to charity, so it is obvious he is actually not as stupid as he makes
out.
There is
only one word that fully describes Mario Balotelli: entertaining.
These two
will be the focal points for the media come Sunday, and they could hold the key
to their country’s success. England
will have to dominate Italy’s
defence - which is weak - to win, and I believe that if we get to half-time at
0-0 then we have a superb chance to get to a semi-final, something that doesn’t
come along that often. In fact, I wasn’t even born when England
last got to the semis, but I know the story of that 1990 game against Germany.
Gazza’s tears, Pearce’s penalty, Lineker’s 80th minute equaliser…
We have a
real chance of making a semi-final. We are on the same level as Italy,
and it should be a balanced match which whets the neutrals appetite, and drives
both country’s supporters to the brink of despair and back again.
It’s tiring
being an England
fan: the heart-aches, the quarter final exits, the constant
underachievement.
But now
it’s different. Now there are no expectations. The nation believes, not expects.
Follow Callum on twitter: @CJRivett12. You can find more of Callum's work here.
It’s has definitely been an eventful year. Manchester United became the most successful domestic team in England. Manchester City won their first trophy for the first time in 35 years. Kenny Dalglish made a dramatic return to his beloved Liverpool. Fernando Torres became the most expensive Premier League player. And Andy Carroll became the most expensive English footballer. While Cesc Fabregas finally left Arsenal!
This article is a small review of the year, while at the end we will have a 2011 Premier League team of the year.
Onto the review!
Club of the year
This is a tough one, many teams have impressed this year. But for me it has to be Manchester City. Firstly, they have finally won a trophy. Secondly, the team broke into the Champions League elite and by the end of the year, the team look like favourites to win the league.
What has also impressed me about Manchester City is the way they pass the ball. Especially in the 2011/12 season, the team’s passing has been sensational. The team can outpass most teams in Europe. Their ball retention is almost Barcelona eqsue. Indeed, they are no where near Barcelona’s level yet. But when this City side pass the ball it’s an absolute joy to watch.
Runner up: Man United, third place: Stoke City.
Manager of the year
I think this is straight forward. It’s Sir Alex Ferguson. The Scotsman has now been in charge of Man United for 25 years, which is nothing short of sensational in the modern game. Furthermore, Fergie has showed this year he still one of the best around. He has made Man United the most successful domestic side in England. Ferguson maybe getting on in terms of age, but he is still a huge threat to his contemporaries. His hunger, desire and determination to win seems to grow with every year.
Runner up: Roberto Mancini (Man City), third place Tony Pulis (Stoke)
Player of the year
For me this is easy. It has got to be Robin Van Persie. The guy has scored 34 goals in the year 2011. This is sensational. His phenomenal form has kept Arsenal competitive. Not only this, he has saved Arsenal so many times in the past year. Without RVP one wonders where Arsenal would actually be. The year 2011 has shown if Van Persie can keep fit, he truly is a World Class striker.
What makes Van Persie a world class striker is the variation in his goals. Some are fantastic free kicks, bullet headers, cracking half volleys and there are some which are lovely placed finishes. Arsenal are very fortunate to have such a wonderful striker at the club.
Runner up: David Silva (Man City) Third place (Luis Suarez)
Result of the year
This again is very easy. It’s Man United’s 6-1 humiliation at home to Man City. For me this result showed not only to Man United, but the world that Man City are no longer the ‘noisy neighbours’ they are a real threat not only to English teams but to major European teams. What made this result more compounding was Man United’s home form prior to this game was exceptional. They had no dropped a single point at home for over a year. Man City had no real right to win there, but to City’s credit, they punished Man United and potentially left a scaring mark on United.
Runner up: Man United 8-2 Arsenal. Third place Chelsea 3-5 Arsenal
Goal of the year
Wayne Rooney v Man City
This goal was magical. No matter what your views on Wayne Rooney are you cant knock this goal. Firstly, his technique was incredible. Rooney had his body in the perfect posture and got perfect contact on the ball too. Secondly, the goal was against Man United’s arch rivals. At the time it was viewed as the goal which put Man City in their place. It was viewed as the goal which was supposed to suggest Man United were far better than Man City technically, individually and collectively. This goal will be remembered for years to come.
Second place: Robin Van Persie v Everton
Surprise player
Mario Balotelli
Super Mario has surprised many. Most have viewed him as a volatile young Italian who has talent but his stupidity hinders him from being truly successful. However, this year there has been a slight change with Balotelli. Yes he is still crazy and idiotic at times. But his form has improved dramatically. In the 2011/12 season he has scored 11 goals already. Balotelli has shown goal scoring consistency this year. He has been going through patches of form where he would score consecutively in various games. Not only this, Balotelli has been scoring in the big and smaller games too.
Super Mario has also found time to also make people laugh too. His goal celebrations, firework antics and apparently going round as santa and giving people money has had people talking about him for a good few months!
But, the young Italian has also found time to also show his volatile, inconsistent side. Against Liverpool in November, he came on a sub and left the field by getting a red card.
Balotelli has made great progress, but there is a lot more work to do before he is seen as World Class.
Worst Transfer of 2011
Fernando Torres wins this easily. The £50million man simply has not found his feet since joining Chelsea. In the past 12 months at Chelsea, Torres has been managed by two world class managers. But both have struggled to find a formula to get the best out of Torres.
The year 2011 has been a really tough year for Fernando Torres. So far in his Chelsea career, the most expensive Premier League player has managed just 6 goals. While Torres’ form has declined to levels which no one would have expected. His miss v Man United is probably the best evidence of this. The Spaniard looks deprived of confidence sharpness and ideas. It’s regrettable, because on his day he is an exceptional player. And can match any striker in the world.
Indeed, there is a long way to get yet in Torres Chelsea career. 2012 maybe the year when Torres finally finds his feet at Chelsea. But so far, Torres doesn’t look like a £50million player at all.
Runner up: Andy Carroll (Newcastle to Liverpool £35mill) Third place: Charles N’Zogbia (Wigan to Aston Villa £11mill)
Disappointment of the year
The passing of Gary Speed was the darkest news in the football world in the year 2011 in the Premier League. It left the whole of the footballing world in utter shock. It just didn’t make sense to anyone. Speed was a fine professional, a decent manager who was doing a wonderful job with a young exciting Welsh side. However, it was refreshing that the whole of the Premier League joined united to support his family. The response to his passing was incredible. It really proves the footballing world no matter what club you align yourself towards can come together and unite to help each other.
Team of the year
So here is my team of the year. It may annoy some and it may please others!
1.)Fernando Torres takes one step forward then two steps back – For the first time in his Chelsea career, and for the first time in 2011, Fernando Torres has scored in two games in a row. It’s fair to say the old Fernando, the world class version is coming back to the surface. However, he seems to eclipse his positives actions with Chelsea with a negative action. His sending off this weekend symbolises this. Torres had no real need to lunge in with two feet up in the air. It was a woeful striker’s tackle. But just when you think Torres is finding his form, sharpness and goals, he commits an act which could possibly affect his consistency. Ironically, consistency is something he has craved for since moving to Chelsea.
2.)Man United gain a credible draw at Stoke – Yes, Man United’s 100% winning record is over. But it’s by no means a disaster. Already this season, Stoke have held Chelsea and have beaten Liverpool at home. Many of United’s league contenders will come to Stoke and will struggle to get all three points. Man United can also learn a lot from this result too. Although United’s defending has been relatively strong this season, at times they have shown their frailties. Peter Crouch’s goal for Stoke highlighted United’s poor defending from the set piece. Perhaps young Phil Jones should have been more tighter and more aware of the positioning of Stoke’s target man Peter Crouch. While just after Stoke’s goal, Rio Ferdinand’s miss kicked his clearance which nearly and should have given Crouch a chance to score his second goal of the game. But Sir Alex, the fans and the players will be even more aware that the champions need to put more focus in their defending, as the defensive lapse could have cost them the game. Indeed, David De Gea stood up to Stoke’s aggressive and direct nature. The new Man United goalkeeper made some crucial saves which helped preserved United from losing. With every game, the young Spaniard looks more confident, more settled and more of a natural successor to Van der Sar.
3.)ManCity’ strength in depth is the difference – City had a very tough encounter versus Everton. The Merseysiders were committed, focused and organised in restricting Man City the opportunity to create and finish chances. For most of the game, Everton frustrated Man City. They simply couldn’t find a break through. Everton did a very good job in nullifying in- form players such as Edin Dzeko. However, for all the talent City started in the match, this could be matched by Man City’s quality on the bench. Step up James Milner and Mario Balotelli. Both substitutes scored both of the goals in the game. Everton could not cope with City’s quality on the bench, as a result, the likes of Silva and Aguero’s both stepped up after the introduction of Balotelli and Milner. It’s fair to say, against tough oppositions, Manchester City’s strength in depth could be the potential decider in the title race. After all, they possess many attacking threats, while as the game progresses and the opposition tire, the quality of attacking depth, especially on the bench could prove to be the difference. Just as it proved to be against Everton this weekend.
4.)Liverpool becoming ever more dependent on Luis Suarez – Liverpool were not great against Wolves this weekend. At times they were on top, and created many chances. But there were also periods when Wolves asked all the questions of Liverpool and The Reds didn’t defend that impressively. Offensively, the difference for Liverpool again was Luis Suarez. His movement, energy and creativity often left the Wolves defence feeling dizzy. But at times during the game, it was as if Suarez was the only Liverpool player looking to move in and out of pockets of space. Without his movement, it would seem as if Liverpool’s performance was lacklustre and short of creative ideas. It’s evident the other attacking Liverpool players need to show more intelligent movement in order to create space. But when Luis Suarez is in form, its not surprising a team becomes dependent on him. He is arguably a complete striker, who can create and finish himself, so is it surprising he becomes the focal point of team?
5.)The Newcastle United revolution gets bigger and bigger – Newcastle were widely tipped as the team who would be in and around the foot of the table at the start of the season. Due to the club selling key players such as Enrique, Nolan and Barton. But Alan Pardew and his new look Newcastle side have started the season off very impressively. After 6 games, they find themselves unbeaten, and are in fourth place with 12 points. The new signings seem to have given the club some balance and variation of quality. Attackers Demba Ba and Leon Best have so far consistently provided goals. One could argue that Ba has been rather inconsistent for Newcastle so far and has drifted in and out of games. It’s a fair point, he hasn’t been great. But against Blackburn he was a consistent threat, his pace, strength and instinctive finishing was the difference. His hat-trick will not only give The Toon Army some optimism, it will give them some pride. Furthermore, the return of Hatem Ben Arfa gives Newcastle even more quality and technical strength. Newcastle have rather quietly constructed a very good outfit which is proving to be a decent side.
Five Statistics from this weekend
1.)Fernando Torreshas scored against 24/28 of teams he has faced in the Premier League.
2.)Fourdifferent players have scored a hat-trick for Newcastle United since the start of 2010/11 season
3.)Peter Crouchhas scored for 6 different Premier League clubs in his career.
4.)Tottenhamare the only team this season to pass more than 600 times in more than one game.
5.)Aston Villaare the third team in Premier League history to draw 5/6 of their opening games.
Mario Balotelli has fantastic abilties on the pitch. Arguably, a player who could one day become one of the best in the world. But he is an idiot. Sorry, but he cant even get a god damn bib on! Even Robbie Savage's commentary is perfect for this!
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