“Pay Up Pompey”
Posted by Craig Ritchie on January 25, 2012 | No Comments
Yesterday Portsmouth FC were hit with a winding up order from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs with regard to unpaid taxes. It has been less than two years since Pompey were placed into administration whilst still cutting their teeth in money fairground that is the Barclay’s Premiership, the point deduction that followed was the final nail in previously successful top level tenure.
A generation of mismanagement under shady owners and mysterious foreigners has resulted in the much loved local club worry more about finances than performances on the field in recent times. Long gone are the days of playing AC Milan in the Europa League, the likes of Jermaine Defoe and Niko Kranjcar in the starting line up being urged on by the experienced Harry Redknapp. These days the untested Michael Appleton takes charge against teams such as Peterborough relying on the ever ageing Kanu and journeyman Tal Ben Haim to come up with the goods for the expectant Portsmouth faithful.
This test seems to be the biggest they have faced in a long line of financial restraints. Not since Milan Mandaric have Portsmouth had any sort of relevant stability behind the scenes at Fratton Park. Alexandre Gaydamak, Suliamen Al Fahim, Ali Al Haraj and Balram Chainrai have all been in control in the last three years and none of them have provided any good in the grand scheme of things for the club. Yes they have achieved FA Cup success but as a result the club appear to be about to hit the wall with debts at one time quoted at over £100 mil. Silly spending, not paying bills and paying players such as Peter Crouch and Sylvain Distin inflated wages are just a few of the reasons Pompey find themselves in the predicament they now find themselves.
Former chairmen, Vladimir Antonov was recently arrested for alleged assest stripping, prompting the sudden change again in the clubs financial situation. A failed bid for the club from Italian businessman Joseph Cala on Friday has seen the situation deteriorate even further pronoting HMRC to now chase the £1.6mil they are due.
Times look tough once again for a side that was seen to have a lot of potential at the start of the Championship season but now the big worry is the future of the team not the final league position come May.
A Jersey Worn By Champions
Posted by Cathal Breathnach on January 24, 2012 | No Comments
The famous red and black stripes of AC Milan have never looked quite as good as they do on the Italian giants newest home jersey.
Massimiliano Allegri’s troops led the club to their 18th league title last season and few would bet against Ibrahimovic and co. making it title number 19 this season.
I received my AC Milan home jersey from the kind folk at SoccerPro.com this week and I can already say it’s one of the finest pieces of kit I’ve ever owned.
The 2011/2012 home jersey for the Rossoneri features the ClimaCool fabric which provides heat and moisture management through ventilation. As well as being pleasing on the eye, some of the world’s top talent wear it now on a regular basis, the likes of Robinho,Pato and Thiago Silva, giving you a great excuse to get one of your own.
At just $59.99 on SoccerPro.com, which is just €46.02 or £38.40 for those of you in the UK, it is terrific value for money. And what’s more, Soccer Pro have given Football Corner readers up to 10% off your next order, by simply using the code – DNYE32S – when ordering.
Be sure to check out their site today to find all the latest jerseys and soccer cleats (football boots to most of us!).
Is Van Persie Next To Go?
Posted by Ger Deegan on January 24, 2012 | 11 Comments
In the 74th minute of Sunday’s encounter between Manchester United and Arsenal it was clear to see that Robin Van Persie had had enough. His team had just got back into the game against the league champions, they were creating chances, and looked like they had the beating of United. Then came a change that shocked almost everyone who watched the game.
Arsene Wenger decided to substitute one of Arsenal’s star performers on the day, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, for the completely underpeforming and out of sorts Andrey Arshavin. This change was booed by all on the terraces and was frankly mind blowing considering Theo Walcott was virtually missing for the entire game.
Robin Van Persie’s reaction told the whole story. He was screaming “NO” from the top of his lungs. Everyone couldn’t believe this was happening. It showed a complete lack of faith from the skipper towards his manager and, to be fair, no one could really argue with the Dutchman.
It was a poor decision from Wenger and it cost his team in the end as Danny Welbeck made it 2-1 to the visitors in the 80th minute. From then on United coasted to victory and closed the gap at the top of the league to 3 points once more on local rivals Manchester City.
But it was the aftermath that has many Arsenal fans biting their nails with anxiety. Will Van Persie be next to go? Will Arsenal lose their second captain in one year? It would seem to be looking that way as Van Persie has finally vented his frustration at Wenger. He is in the prime of his career and has yet to pick up a major trophy with the Gunners, surely a man of his ability wants to win trophies?
I ultimatley think that Van Persie’s hunger to win trophies will out-weigh his desire to remain as Arsenal captain and I wouldn’t be suprised if the Dutchman chose to take his services else where during the summer.
Feel free to leave your comments below.
Follow Ger on Twitter (@WhatdidKatiedo) and also, check his personal website out, ForzaGer.
Fifteen to None
Posted by Craig Ritchie on January 23, 2012 | 9 Comments
Only a matter of months ago Ally McCoist’s Rangers team found themselves perched nicely at the summit of the Scottish Premier League. Fifteen points clear of bitter Glasgow rivals, star striker, West Ham target, Nikica Jelavic boldly proclaimed to the Scottish tabloids that the league was over and McCoist’s side would secure the title in his maiden season having taken over from the experienced Walter Smith. However, following Kris Commons’ similar outburst at the tail end of last season you would have thought Jelavic would know to keep his mouth firmly fixed shut.
Now only a few months later Neil Lennon’s team has magnificently overhauled the gigantic lead that the Gers once had. A twelve match winning streak continued Saturday with a 2-0 away win over Paisley side St Mirren with goals coming from young revelation James Forrest and a top drawer finish from captain Scott Brown. It was a performance of champions, pinned back for the majority of the game by an up and coming Saints team the class, grit and determination of the Celts saw them eventually prevail as victors in a tight affair at Greenhill Road.
McCoist has said, “They have put a good run together. Equally, we had a fantastic run at the start of the season. Our form has shaded a little bit and Celtic’s has probably been the opposite”, tipping has hat to the fact that Celtic have vastly improved since the start of the season which has resulted in Rangers fifteen point November lead now being a 4 point Celtic advantage.
“I always believed we would close the gap but I didn’t realise it would be so quickly, but that is testament to the players’ consistency,” said Lennon, who is equally shocked about how quickly they have turned around the points deficit. Celtic’s run of form as coincided with a period of Rangers struggle with resulted in a 1-1 home draw to Aberdeen on Saturday. An injury to play maker Steven Naismith has seen the Govan side struggle for invention and flair as they have had to rely on the ever-likely departing Jelavic, an injured Kyle Lafferty and the “just about finished” David Healy to bang the goals in. That is no disrespect to the three mentioned, Jelavic has supplied the goals to keep Rangers in it, Lafferty is injured through no fault of his own and David Healy finds himself playing for his boyhood heroes at a time of severe financial restraint for the club. It is clear that he is putting his all into the Rangers cause but that doesn’t however seem to be enough.
Early in the January transfer window Rangers have moved to strengthen with the signing of Mervan Celik an a free transfer and are looking at the Bosnian striker Zlatan Misimovic for some much need firepower up front. However if Rangers are going to avoid the embarrassment of losing the league after having a fifteen point lead then they better get into gear and start picking up some much need wins.
The Demise Of Household Premier League Clubs:
Posted by Ger Deegan on January 21, 2012 | 1 Comment
After growing up watching the Barclay’s Premier League during the 90′s it has recently struck me that the majority of teams I was so used to watching on a weekly basis are no longer competing in English football’s top division. Long gone are the days of Leeds United striving for Champions League glory, Matt Le Tissier electrifying people around England with his dazzling skills for Southampton and the tasty Steel City Derby being contested in England’s top flight. 
For me it’s brilliant to see the likes of Swansea and Norwich doing so well again but one can’t help thinking to himself ”I wish some of the old boys were back”. Maybe this year will be the year for some of the old reliable’s to take their chance and start moving up the pecking order. Southampton look real title contenders in the Championship while West Ham and Middlesbrough are also hoping to re-live their past successes by winning promotion to the summit of the English game. On the other hand Nottingham Forrest, Leicester City, Leeds United and Coventry City are a long way away from the good old days and will have to settle for Championship survival.
Some fine household Premier League names have dropped down to League 1 over the years and none more so than this year. Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United, Charlton Athletic and Preston North End have fallen victim to the lower leagues over the past ten years and all four of them will be trying to put it right this time around. Charlton look dead certs to be promoted this year, while the two Sheffield sides will battle it out for that second automatic promotion spot, closely followed by Lee Clark’s Huddersfield side.
Don’t think I forgot about the ‘Crazy Gang’ either. Wimbledon were always there to mix things up in the Premier League and since the days of Vinny Jones and Co. they have been re-named Milton Keynes Dons. Although many of the clubs loyal supporters didn’t agree with this and formed their own club AFC Wimbledon who now compete in League 2.
It’s great to see new blood enter the Premier League annually, but it wouldn’t it also be magical to see a return of the old school?
Feel free to leave comments below and don’t be afraid to check out my personal website (Forza Ger) and also, follow me on Twitter – @WhatdidKatiedo.
Arsenal poised to move for Premier League Goal Machine
Posted by Cathal Breathnach on January 19, 2012 | 35 Comments
With 15 Premier League goals to his name already this season, Demba Ba’s name has, and continues to be, linked with a move away from current employers Newcastle United. The Senegalese frontman, who is currently preparing to represent his country in the African Cup of Nations, has been nothing short of exceptional since joining Newcastle last summer on a free transfer.
The 26-year old is only behind Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie in the goalscoring charts in the Premier League this season and if you believe reports today, the two could be forming a partnership very soon.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is desperate to bolster his attacking options before the January window shuts and following Newcastle’s acquisition of Ba’s Senegal team-mate Papiss Cisse from Freiburg earlier this week, it would appear the Magpies are preparing for the worst.
A number of clubs are said to be monitoring Ba’s situation with a view to making a move and with several reports claiming that a £10 million buy-out clause exists, concrete offers are sure to arrive soon.
Arsenal have been relying on Van Persie to deliver the goals so far this season and many believe an addition is needed if the Gunners are to finish in the top four come the end of the season. Wenger is frustrated with the lack of end product from the likes of Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho so far this season and is keen to snap up Ba.
What do you think will happen? Feel free to leave your comments below.
Tevez saga nearing an end
Posted by Cathal Breathnach on January 19, 2012 | No Comments
After what feels like an eternity, it would, fingers crossed, seem we are finally nearing an end to the Carlos Tevez transfer saga. The Manchester City striker has been linked with a whole host of clubs in recent weeks and months after the Premier League leaders confirmed their desire to offload the Argentine.
This all stems from Tevez’s refusal to come on as a 2nd half substitute during City’s 2-0 Champions League defeat away to Bayern Munich all the way back in September. A clearly seething Roberto Mancini stated after that game that Tevez would never play for the club again as long as he was manager and the Italian has stuck to his word.
Serie A giants AC and Inter Milan have long been linked with moves for Tevez, 27. However, neither club have been able to reach an agreement with City officials, leaving the door open for Paris Saint-Germain to enter the race.
The French outfit are set to meet with Tevez’s representatives on Thursday with a view to completing a move early next week. Money is not an issue for PSG anymore after they were taken over last summer by Qatar Sports Investments, who, if you believe what you read, are friends with the owners of City.
New PSG manager, Carlo Ancelotti, had this to say regards a possible move for the former Manchester United and West Ham man: “Carlos Tevez – it’s a great opportunity for us to have a great striker. Today Tevez isn’t playing for Manchester City, but he wants to play. Today, nothing is done. We have to talk with the player, and with Manchester City. We hope to find a good solution.”
It is thought that a deal worth £25 million could be complete in a matter of days.
Like me, I’m sure you are as desperate to see an end to this one. There is no doubting his ability as a player, but it’s fair to say that the Premier League won’t be losing anything when Tevez does leave. Yes, he can scores goals, but he is not someone you can fully rely on and the way he has conducted himself over the last 6 months has been nothing short of pathetic.
Feel free to leave your comments below.
Sergio Busquets: The Most Under-Rated Midfielder In World Football?
Posted by Ger Deegan on January 19, 2012 | 1 Comment
Sergio Busquets is 23 years old. He has won every major honour available and plays in probably the best team the game has ever seen, but why doesn’t he seem to get a mention?
It’s easy to criticise somebody for play acting a lot of the time and diving unnecessarily the minute he gets touched on the pitch, but it is my belief that because he is so clever on the ball he draws the foul from the opposing player. Watch how many times he receives the ball in tight positions with no where to go, and then gets fouled. I think that many people who question his motives and call him a cheat are in fact totally wrong. I actually think his skill, touch and awareness on the pitch is to be admired.
When talking about Barcelona, it is Messi, Xavi and Iniesta who get all the plaudits, and rightly so for their immense talents and possession football. But I don’t believe these players would have the freedom and space on the pitch if it wasn’t for Busquets. Recently Swansea City have been praised for their style of football. The one thing that has been talked about is the fact that they are always creating triangles all over the pitch which allows them to suck players in and then play through teams. This is the exact same as what Busquets gives to this Barcelona side, angles. He is like a wall that every Barcelona player plays the ball off and receives it back in a different position.
For such a young man, he knows the game so well. He reads situations like no one I have ever seen at such a young age before. Very rarely is he caught out of position and very rarely does he give the ball away. He always makes himself an option for the player with the ball and in my opinion is the best ‘defensive’ midfield player in the world.
Busquets has won 3 La Liga titles, 2 Champions League medals, 1 World Cup, 1 European Championship, 1 Copa Del Rey, 2 UEFA Supercups, 2 FIFA World Club Cups. It’s incredible to think that he has achieved all this before his 24th birthday.
He is one of the world’s most decorated players already and I feel he will continue to win trophies in years to come. In my opinion, he deserves as much praise and credit as the others in the Barcelona squad and it’s only a matter of time before people start realising what a force he truly is.
Feel free to leave your comments below.
This is my first piece for Football Corner and I look forward to delivering more articles in the coming weeks and months. Don’t be afraid to check out my personal website (Forza Ger) and also, follow me on Twitter – @WhatdidKatiedo.
Tags: Barcelona > Busquets > Champions League > Cope Del Rey > Iniesta > Messi > spain > Xavi
Find Us On
Football News 24/7