Top footballers are an enviable bunch. They’re paid unfeasible sums of money, lusted after by the world’s most beautiful women and get to play that game that we all love as a full-time job. But like all good things in life, there’s a catch. In return for such a privileged lifestyle, many believe that a certain sense of responsibility is inherently attached to the role of professional footballer. Many believe that it is mandatory that footballers display a sense of decorum in return for their esteemed social status.
In spite of this, incidents of footballers’ indiscretions are consistently publicised – in the last year and a half we’ve become aware of John Terry’s extramarital affairs and Steven Gerrard’s Phil Collins-induced scuffle to name just two. In addition to this, a host of drinking-related occurrences have made their way into tabloid headlines. Rightly or wrongly, both Terry and Gerrard have been chastised by the general public for engaging in morally questionable behaviour. The vilification of the duo has been justified on the basis of their standing; the Chelsea and Liverpool captains are idolised by children worldwide, and such behaviour sets a bad example. Despite their fame and fortune, Terry and Gerrard are regular human-beings, prone to error and wrongdoing just like the rest of us. Footballers have a lot of pressures put upon them, but is the burden of having to act as a good role model one of them?
For many, the mandatory obligation of acting as a good role model is a given. Some are vehement in this insistence, with Spurs manager Harry Redknapp stating (of footballers) that “if they don’t want to be role models they shouldn’t be in football.” Redknapp further asserts that such good behaviour is a small price to pay for the financial benefit and ‘celebrity’ status that is attached to the profession, adding that “Kids look up to them every day and wear their shirts, they are in the public eye and they get very well-paid to be in the public eye.”
Redknapp’s views are echoed by those within the political sphere. Former UK culture secretary Tessa Jowell noted that “players should remember they have become famous because fans admire them and they are role models.” Gordon Brown exacerbated the importance of footballers’ professional responsibility by highlighting the far-reaching implications of their actions. Writing in The Sun, the former Prime Minister said “Whether they like it or not our footballers have a greater responsibility than anyone else, because they are so idolised and respected by our young people. It makes it so much harder for parents, schools, the police and the Government to teach respect and tackle anti-social behaviour if some of our children’s biggest role models are teaching them the opposite.”
However, this view is not shared by all. Some believe that like all other professions, a footballer’s ‘work’ life and private life should remain separate. The removal of the England captain’s armband from John Terry is an example of an issue in the Chelsea man’s private life unfairly affecting his ‘work’ life. A bank manager or lawyer would not be reprimanded at work for such behaviour, so why should John Terry? The Times columnist Simon Barnes furthers this argument by stating that football is “just a game, it doesn’t have any pretensions to be a moral force, for good or evil. That’s not its job.”
Another argument put forth concerns the priorities of the footballer. A footballer’s primary obligation is to perform to the best of his abilities for his club or country; as long as they deliver the goods on the pitch, we shouldn’t really care what they get up to in their spare time. The highly-pressurised nature of football means that players, like all other workers, are entitled to blow off some steam from time to time. Whilst Arsene Wenger’s impact upon the domestic mentality has diminished the drinking culture that was formerly rife within the English game, former Aston Villa manager John Gregory famously stated that “I don’t want angels in the team. In fact they can get out of their brains every night as long as they are man of the match on Saturday.”
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 main theory in favour of being portrayed as a good role is the impact of a footballer’s behaviour upon children. However, this unnecessarily detracts from the main influence within a child’s life – that of their family and other close persons around them. Criticism of footballers’ conduct on the basis of the impact it has insults the intelligence of many children and young adults, choosing to omit the fact they may be much more likely to follow the well-behaved examples of Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs or Lionel Messi, instead of the likes of Ashley Cole and Joey Barton.
Whilst most fans would prefer for their beloved players to be making back-page news instead of front-page headlines, on-field performances mean that footballers over time have been forgiven for a range of off-the-field sins – should England win the World Cup, John Terry’s indiscretions will be swiftly forgotten. The issue of whether footballers should be role models is a divisive one and one we’ll never reach a consensus upon.
Follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/zarifrasul
Group C favourites England have one final chance to get their act together and put in a good enough performance to pick up three points against group leaders Slovenia or the 1966 World Cup winners will be almost certainly out of the tournament.
It is technically possible for England to finish second in the group with a draw but that would require the USA to draw with Algeria while scoring three goals or more less than England. If they score two goals less, for example a 0-0 draw to England's 2-2, then there would be the unthinkable solution of a lottery.
With that possibility pushed out of the players' mind as far as it can be, England will be aiming only for a win, something that two weeks ago seemed simple to the team listed as a top-five favourite by bookmakers.
The events of the past week-and-a-half, since England's lack-lustre performance against the Americans, have contrived to blow a cloud over the English camp that is so dark even the French are struggling to match it.
Firstly, in the match itself, was the error by Robert Green that saw England get only the point they deserved, not the three points they would otherwise have snuck away with.
Then, in the following days, centre-half Ledley King was ruled out for at least two weeks and possibly the tournament with a groin strain, while speculation over the position of Green as the number one went into overdrive as manager Fabio Capello refused to make a decision.
Worst of all though was the match with Algeria – the most uninspiring draw in a tournament full of them – where every fear about England was confirmed.
David James was unconvincing as Green's replacement, as was Jamie Carragher as King's. The performances of key players such as Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard were woeful and the team as a whole looked confused with the tactics, were unmotivated and unimaginative.
All that could force Capello to make changes, with the most likely option being to drop Emile Heskey in favour of Joe Cole and play Rooney in front of three or four supporting midfielders.
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.
He will also have to make a change in defence as Carragher picked up his second yellow card of the tournament in the goalless draw against Algeria and is suspended, leaving Michael Dawson or Matt Upson to fill in.
Slovenia, who need a draw to guarantee their place in the next round but could even go through if they lose and Algeria beat the USA, have one serious injury problem after their 2-2 draw with the Americans.
Striker Nejc Pecnik, regularly used off the bench by coach Matjaz Kek, broke his ankle in that match and will miss the rest of the tournament. They should otherwise be unchanged after two impressive performances.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Following two successive seasons of play-off heartache, Leeds United finally ended their stay in the third tier of English football, clinching promotion to the Championship as runners-up to Norwich City. Since Premier League relegation in 2004, the Elland Road side have endured a horrific fall from grace, but appear to have stabilised under the stewardship of Simon Grayson. Grayson, who recently signed a new deal with club, has spoken of his desire to “fulfil everyone’s dream of winning promotion back to the Premier League.”
Although Grayson has expressed intent to add to his squad this summers, funds are thought to be limited at the club, with the former Leicester City man admitting: “There`s a little bit to spend but there are not major funds available.” Should Grayson look to make use of the loan system this summer?
Like many other lower league teams, Leeds United have made heavy use of the loan transfer system over the past few seasons. Last season alone saw 12 players join the Elland Road on a temporary basis.
Despite being banished to the second and third tiers of English football, Leeds United remain one of the biggest and best-supported clubs in the country; statistics for the 2008/09 season reveal that the club’s average attendance for that season was 23,813, the highest figure for any third tier team in Europe. Due to this status and reputation, the club is likely to have greater pulling power than many of their Championship counterparts, meaning that they may be more likely to attract players from the top end of the loan market.
With many Premier League squads featuring large quantities of unused youth talent, bigger clubs may see Leeds United as the perfect place to allow their best prospects to develop. The club managed to utilise the services of Liverpool’s David Martin and Arsenal’s Sanchez Watt last season, and should seek to secure the loan signings of players of a similar calibre. For example, Manchester United’s recent move for Mexico international Javier Hernandez may mean that first-team opportunities for the likes of Danny Welbeck and Federico Macheda become scarce. Similarly, Arsene Wenger may see Elland Road as the ideal destination for some of his talented youngsters.
Follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/zarifrasul
Click on image to see a gallery of the BEST BABES at the World Cup this summer
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.
When Blackpool were promoted on that fateful day at Wembley, it encapsulated the unpredictable beauty that is English football – but the Seasiders have since had endure the frustrating financial reality of the Premier League.
Their initial transfer struggle manufactured rumours that manager Ian Holloway was on collision course with Chairman Karl Oyston over the clubs rigid wage structure with Rob Hulse and Jon Stead turning them down and the five additions that have arrived at Bloomfield Road shows just how difficult it will be for Holloway’s men in the top-flight.
Whilst it is good for Blackpool fans to finally see some new blood, they will be frantically googling and scouring YouTube for clips of Ludovic Sylvestre, Elliot Grandin and Malaury Martin because quite frankly nobody has ever heard of them. Even the signings of Craig Cathcart and Marlon Harewood hardly inspire confidence that Blackpool’s magical Premier League excursions will continue for very long.
Oyston recently expressed his astonishment at the wages sought by players but the verity is, unless you go that extra mile for quality, the Premier League is unforgiving.
However, whilst it is easy to consign them to a Championship return before a ball has been kicked who would have expected that on day one of last season, in a 1-1 draw with QPR, they would now be amongst the elite?
Holloway has certainly instilled a magnificent togetherness that endeared ‘little’ Blackpool to a nation embroiled in their fairy-tale run and perhaps it would be wise not to underestimate them.
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.
Holloway said of his targets: “To go that far down and it to break down, it is nobody’s fault that is just life, that’s just what happens and in this level were having to learn very quickly but were doing it together “and that kind of spirit will be essential to their survival aspirations this season.
It seems that the difficulties faced by a club of Blackpool’s stature in attracting the type of player to keep them up were inevitable, especially when you consider the strict budgets imposed on Holloway but if Blackpool are to remain in the Premier League they must play as a unit and the manager embodies the team essence which helped them en-route to promotion.
It is with no doubt that most football fans will hope Blackpool can rise to their colossal challenge, their against all odds label certainly mandates it – as anyone watching on Saturday 22nd May 2010 were surely full of adulation for those in Tangerine.
Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle has confirmed that he may allow midfielder Chris Basham to leave the club before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month.
The 22-year-old is highly rated by Coyle, but has struggled to make a first-team impact at the Reebok Stadium and was recently the subject of a rejected bid from Blackpool.
"Ian Holloway rang me on Friday and informed me he was interested," Coyle told the Bolton News.
"I said I didn't want to lose him because he's a young player that we've got high hopes for at this football club, but I can totally accept that young Bash wants to play.
"He probably feels the competition is fierce in the midfield and he maybe thinks he's down the pecking order a little bit.
"What I said was that if Blackpool put forward a bid that we thought was fair, then we would allow permission for them to speak to him, on the basis on being fair to the kid.
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.
"As a manager you have to do right by your players as well and I'm always very transparent – I have kept Chris in touch every step of the way."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has warned his players that the recent arrival of Marcus Bent means no-one's place in the team is guaranteed.
McCarthy believes the much-travelled forward will add even more competition to a squad that has started the campaign in impressive fashion.
Bent featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Burton Albion on Wednesday, after which McCarthy was quoted in the Express and Star as saying:"Nobody is a 'shoo-in' anymore are they?
"Everyone anticipated it would be (Steven) Fletcher and (Kevin) Doyle as first choice strikers this season, but Sylvan (Ebanks-Blake) scored his couple of goals and has played out of his skin.
"Now we've got Marcus in as well who will give us more competition for places. He will add something.
"He's big, quick and powerful and I remember when he played against us here with Cameron Jerome against Michael Mancienne and Richard Stearman, he didn't 'half rough us up'.
"He caused us problems by his presence – all the qualities he has are what defenders don't like playing against.
"He's quick, good in the air, he backs into people and he's got a goal in him. He's only 32 and had a really tough time with his hamstring last year. But whenever he's played against any of my teams he's been a real handful.
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'm delighted we've brought him in. He's done well in training and did all the fitness testing before he came and had a good medical – he's in good shape.
"He did really well at Everton but everywhere he has been he's made an impact. He's hungry to do it as well which is great. The instant I asked if he wanted to come he said 'yes, fantastic' and that was good enough for me."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Post-holiday depression has inevitably led to another blog of moaning. I love football, but every fan has their own bugbears. Forget the Triesman affair, the poor World Cup display, the reduced attendances, clubs going to the wall, or the lower standard of club mascots nowadays. It’s time to deal with the real issues, by confronting the true problems in the English game. I wonder if I’ll mention the media?
Firstly, the media. Why do some people get away with murder (not literally)? One manager stands out above all others in this respect, Mr “wheeler dealer” himself. There are those in the press corps that still push for Harry Redknapp to be made England manager. Those pushing for it tend to be his mates of course, like Steven Howard at The Sun.
I mean what could possibly go wrong? I see no problem in appointing a man due at crown court to answer charges of cheating the public revenue.
It’s now clear Capello is going nowhere, but the clamour will hibernate before bursting back into the tabloids in 2012.
Of course Redknapp says it was a simple misunderstanding. And I think we can all relate to that. I mean, which of us hasn’t had a simple misunderstanding with a friend or colleague in the past that has ended up in a court appearance six months later? I still have a chuckle when I think about the time I misunderstood some directions a friend gave me, and one thing led to another and before you knew it I was applying for bail in crown court. A simple misunderstanding. Similar to the misunderstandings that led to hundreds of thousands of pounds of transfer fees never being accounted for at West Ham. Or to the misunderstanding that led to him getting a percentage of all profits on player sales at Portsmouth that led to £100,000 for the sale of Peter Crouch ending up in an offshore account of his. Misunderstandings.
We all know Harry doesn’t get involved with transfers – he leaves that sort of thing to the chairman (and in other news, I’m married to Heidi Klum and invented the traction engine).
It is the same with certain players. Some players will be the devil incarnate, some can do no wrong (they will usually be English).
And that leads me on to Paul Scholes.
Continue reading about Paul Scholes on PAGE TWO…
So as the opposition player is being resuscitated at pitch-side, we get to hear Andy Gray chuckling about how tackling “isn’t Scholes’s strong point”. And as the ambulance dashes away from the ground, sirens blaring, we get over the replay the opinion that “he’s a tad fortunate to avoid a booking for that.”
But of course Scholes was never going to be booked. A pat on the back from the referee and a gentle warning are more than sufficient. And “Stevie G” can scythe opposition players down from behind, and get no more than a gentle chiding from both the referee and the commentators.
Last week Yaya Toure was booked for over-celebrating a goal by shockingly holding his arms aloft while standing still. Steven Gerrard meanwhile, having equalized against United, was allowed to sexually molest a camera (again), with not even the hint of a booking to follow.
Imagine if Joey Barton made such crude tackles every game? There would be an outcry. And yes, I know Paul Scholes has been a model professional, loyal to his team, kept his head down, shunned fame etc while Barton has had the odd indiscretion. But who of us can honestly say they have never stubbed a cigar in the eye of a colleague, or pulled our pants down in front of a braying football crowd or argued with a teenager on holiday or gone to prison for assault or sported an inappropriate moustache on a football field? I know I have.
But for some reason, it’s match commentaries that have me tearing my hair out. So let’s start with one of my greatest pet hates – here’s football expert (stop laughing at the back) Tony Cascarino to explain, as he discusses Ronaldo’s red card against Manchester City a couple of years ago.
“It’s a red card, but I just wish, for the sake of entertainment, that referees used common sense sometimes.”
A note to Tony Cascarino, Andy Gray et al – to me, the “common sense argument” is complete and utter rubbish – referees should never use “common sense”, they have to adhere to laws, and we can’t have each referee interpreting laws according to their views, their interpretation of what common sense is, as this differs from person to person.
The referee is there to apply laws of the game, and with an assessor in the stands, his job depends on it.
Am I the only person who felt nauseous at Mark Clattenburg ignoring a blatant penalty for Chelsea at the end of the Blackpool match last week because it was 4-0 and the match was about to end, and would have had to send a player off? Nauseous at him laughing with Drogba and then high-fiving and hugging him? Maybe it was just me.
Continue reading about football phrases I hate on PAGE THREE…
And then there’s:
“The linesman put up the flag late there”
Big deal! I don’t care if he puts it up immediately, 2 seconds later, twirls his flag in the air before doing a somersault with triple pike, followed by the splits and finishing off with his own unique rendition of Gerry Rafferty’s “Baker Street”, ably assisted by the Royal Philharmonic’s saxophone section before moon-walking up the touchline and head-butting the fourth official. All I care about is that he gets the decision right. What is of less importance is that the linesman raises his flag within 0 .6 of a second.
Bu t without doubt, the greatest pet hate of the lot?
“I’ve seen them given…”
A strange thing happens when I hear this during a game, usually after a penalty claim. I start hyperventilating, can feel my (left) leg twitching, and get this overriding urge to smash my television in with a baseball bat. Fortunately I don’t own a baseball bat.
I have seen Andy Morrison sent off for licking Stan Collymore and Kevin Horlock for walking in an aggressive manner, but it doesn’t make it right. I always thought commentators and co-commentators especially, are supposed to be there to provide analysis, to inform the viewer if you will (I said no laughing at the back). I’ve seen them given is the most pointless, unhelpful comment it is possible to come out with.
Either it was a penalty under the laws of the game, or it wasn’t. There are only a few instances that straddle the line between penalty and non-penalty. I’ve seen balls cross the line and a goal not given – should we not allow any goals anymore? Afterall, I’ve seen them not given.
Next, it’s….. “he’s not that sort of player”.
Well it didn’t take long in the new Premiership season for this old chestnut to raise its ugly head. It seems that according to certain journalists (Neil Ashton for example, who called Joe Cole’s card a disgrace – he’s not that sort of player, you see?) and pretty much all commentators, a referee should not punish players according to the severity of the foul. Oh no. He should first do a character assessment, and then decide from the player’s past history and career stats what his motivation was for the action.
Thus if he is a player of sound reputation, the benefit of the doubt should be given to him. If he’s had a career littered with controversy, then obviously he meant to maim his opposite number, as players with past red cards don’t make clumsy tackles, so he should immediately be sent off.
Seems pretty fair to me.
(Did you know Joe Cole helps old ladies across the street in his spare time? Makes that red card seem all the more ridiculous now, doesn’t it?)
Oh, and whilst we’re at it, the severity of the injury is irrelevant to the punishment, as this is down to luck. You could fly in studs first at someone’s standing leg and do them no damage, or nick a ball off a player and they could snap their cruciate ligaments. Some journalists seem to struggle with this concept.
And then there’s “If he’d done that in the street, he’d be in prison”.
I struggle to put into words how utterly, utterly cretinous this statement is. I hope it is self-explanatory to you. If you ever utter these words, take a good, long, hard look at yourself, then punch yourself in the face.
Jamie Redknapp and Richard Keys feel my wrath on PAGE FOUR…
A personal favourite is “If you raise your hands, you are asking for trouble”.
Really? Where does it say this in the laws of football? I wasn’t aware you had to keep your hands down at all times. You learn something new every day.
Jamie Redknapp extended this “made up laws about raising body parts” theme at half time during the top, top Liverpool v Arsenal match by commenting that by the letter of the law Cole had to go as his feet left the ground. Perhaps you’d like to point out this law to everyone Jamie? You know, the one you’ve just made up.
Oh and then there’s “You should never be beaten at your near post”. Rubbish – said by people who have never played in goal.
I must also mention football players having hissy fits and trying to start a fight when opposition teams don’t put the ball out when a player is down (usually with a grazed shin pad). I imagine the new(ish) rules were explained to them in full, which just goes to show how utterly stupid most of them appear to be. Of course the irony is that if they regain possession of the ball whilst the player is down, then they will rarely put the ball out themselves. Though at this point the player in question tends to make a miraculous recovery.
I sigh every time I hear crowds shouting “handball!” when the ball goes within 5 yards of an opposition player’s midriff. This is a football match, not a pantomime, and you are older than 5 years old. Stop it.
What next? “He’s behind you!”
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.
Then there’s Sky having a league table after one match. Richard Keys proceeded to give the limpest excuse I have ever heard for this the other week. He said they showed the table so that they could point out that Blackpool were top for a couple of hours.
Two points. Firstly, who gives two hoots if they were? Blackpool fans maybe, but I imagine they were already aware of the fact.
Secondly, is he claiming they wouldn’t have shown the table if Blackpool hadn’t been temporarily top? Yeah right.
I also hate the debate over which is the best league in the world.
Who cares? I don’t. I just care where my team comes in its league. Whether that league is the best or 4th best in Europe is of little concern to me (and how do you define best anyway?).
And what’s with nicknames on the back of shirts – no, no , no. Little Pea??? (a mistranslation of his lifelong prostate problems). What next, your twitter username on one sleeve and personal website address on the other? Soon there’ll be 5 players on each team with SHAGGER on their back. And the other day, a commentator called Gerrard “Stevie G”!
Sack him! Now!
I mean, what next?
“And Scholesy passes it to Giggsy, back to Berby who lays a delightful ball to the Roo, he clips it to Ferdy, left to Gibbsy and he lays it to the Little Pea, who scores….”
Bugger off.
Oh, and when the clearest of clear penalties is awarded, why does one member of the team it was awarded against still think it acceptable to moan at the referee, as if we are witnessing one of the great miscarriages of justice? And why does this irritate me so much? And why is it always Darren Fletcher?
And why do managers moan at 4th officials? Why Arsene, why??! What did the particular decision have to do with him, eh?! Does it make you feel better shouting at an official? You might as well blame the tea lady. Grow up.
And finally internationals on a Friday. Wrong. Only Tranmere Rovers can play on a Friday night, that’s the law.
Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Frank Fielding is hoping his performances for England Under-21s can lead to a loan move.
The 22-year-old helped Stuart Pearce's side reach next summer's European Championship finals following a goalless play-off second-leg stalemate with Romania on Tuesday.
Fielding is yet to make a first-team appearance for the Premier League club and has previously spent time on loan in the Football League with Wycombe Wanderers, Northampton Town, Rochdale and Leeds United.
He is now hoping to get more first-team experience by again heading out of Ewood Park on a temporary basis.
Speaking after the Romania draw which saw England progress 2-1 on aggregate, Fielding said:"This means a lot. It has been an 18-month campaign and we have achieved what we have been aiming for.
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'm loving this but it is the worst feeling when you are training all week and not playing. So, if anyone wants me on loan, I'm available."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Liverpool has become the subject for a milieu of voices, all declaring their allegiance either for or against Roy Hodgson. Then once decided upon that particular point you will either excuse him somewhat by blaming Rafa Benitez for the state he left Liverpool in or declare this as irrelevant for Hodgson is the man in charge now and should be judged on what he has done rather than alleviating the blame via a predecessor. From the thoughts that are disseminating from Liverpool fans it seems that Hodgson isn’t the man for them, but what I’d like to know is how much of the blame can be attributed to Benitez for Hodgson’s poor performance?
When Benitez left Liverpool they had finished 7th in the Premiership, were knocked out of the F.A. Cup by Reading and lost in the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa Cup. These factors were deemed to have been an underachievement with Benitez being shown the door and Hodgson passing him by on the way in. The previous owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett didn’t exactly endow Benitez which a substantial dowry in order to strengthen his diminished squad that saw the likes of Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and Luis Garcia amongst others depart. But to replace these outgoings, players such as Glen Johnson, Alberto Aquilani, Fernando Torres and Lucas Leiva came in to bolster the squad. Not to mention the revolving door that saw Robbie Keane and Peter Crouch have spells at the club which were largely unsuccessful.
Hodgson has seen Javier Mascherano leave, bringing in Raul Meireles and Christian Poulsen to fill the midfield gap which sees two defensive players always at work. Joe Cole and Paul Konchesky have also been added by Hodgson in the notable signings made. Therefore we can assert that Hodgson has had the ability to compensate for the losses incurred by Benitez in terms of personnel, whether the players chosen were sufficient enough is another matter. But what is notable is that Hodgson didn’t inherit a squad that would keep him up late at night tossing and turning over the dilemma that Benitez had ensnared him in.
[divider]
As a manager the majority of your history is merely a reference for others to glance at, what you are really judged on is the present and what type of results are forthcoming. Therefore it is simultaneously unfair to heap the blame from Hodgson’s shoulders onto Benitez because it is the former who is manager. Hodgson was powerless to determine whatever had gone before, but he now has the responsibility due to his position to the outcome of events. Whether or not he can control matters on the pitch, he can certainly influence them with tactics, motivating players, preparation, transfers and the ideology he wishes to implement in his style of play.
When I watched Liverpool play Everton recently I was astonished at the absence of creativity and the languid demeanor of the players. There wasn’t any initiative taken or the retention of possession that you would expect from players in a Liverpool squad; rather it was a performance of uncertainty, an uncertainty of identity.
This is what Hodgson has to give rise to and make the players adhere to believing it will work, for no player wishes to take on a new mode of play when the observable evidence suggests it isn’t working. Benitez had his reign over Liverpool and invariably the moment came for him to leave with certain events not assisting him, in the wake of this a residue was left. This residue owes the previous man for existence but is then moulded by the next into something worthwhile or something to discard. What has Hodgson moulded Liverpool into?
To read more articles of mine follow me on Twitter or RSS Feed.
Fancy playing your mates every week in a Premium Fantasy Football game?
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.
Stoke City boss Tony Pulis felt that injuries and illness proved crucial in his side's 3-1 Carling Cup defeat at West Ham United.
After taking an early lead through Kenwyne Jones, the Potters were unable to build on their advantage and were eventually undone after extra-time at Upton Park.
Pulis told his club's official website:"We had to bring Kenwyne and Jermaine Pennant off because they were feeling under the weather, whereas their substitutions were the turning point.
"Mark Noble and Victor Obinna made a big difference, whereas we didn't have that sort impact player to turn to and that was crucial in the end.
"It was desperately disappointing because we started the game so brightly and we had a number of situations after the goal where the final pass could have led to a second.
"We just needed that second goal when we were looking comfortable – that would have finished them off.
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.
"It was inevitable that they would come into the game and it was unfortunate that we started to drop deep and began to look tired.
"Fair play to West Ham, when Obinna and Noble came on, they changed the game and they made us pay for the fact that we didn't get that second goal when we were on top."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email