Tag Futebol

This summer we have been treated to the Euros and the Olympics – well if you’re British or more specifically English, ‘treated’ isn’t exactly the right world when it comes to discussing international tournaments, but that aside there has been plenty of action to keep us entertained.

What this has also done is keep the players busy, and for those who have flourished during said tournaments, such as new Chelsea signing Oscar, the player should enter the start of the season on a massive high and be full to bursting of confidence.

The reason I say this however, is not through the expectation that certain players will build on said success, but through concern over the ones who have simply been awful for their country, and the wondering if this will have an impact on their club form.

Take Karim Benzema – everything the Frenchman struck turned to gold in the season gone by at Real Madrid, yet for France he was so poor that chanting ‘are you Torres in disguise’ would have been a detriment to the Spaniard – who in actual fact had a very good tournament. Pre-season for Chelsea not so much but then that’s a whole other kettle of fish.

For players who are very much confidence based, like Benzema, a bad international tournament has the very real possibility of derailing the start to the new season, and during the tour of the USA, the striker looks a shadow of his former self, and the sooner he gets a goal and forgets the summer, the better.

A poor international tournament can also make you seem somewhat less desirable to potential suitors, can’t it RVP, and the clubs that once looked so keen after a prolific season tend to fade away ever so slightly, again having a massive impact on the player for the up and coming season – especially if like RVP you are stuck with fans who adored you, a pittance of a contract of around a hundred or so thousand a week and a tiny stadium to play in next to the awful signings of Podolski and Cazorla. How my heart bleeds for the want away Dutchman.

There are some players who clearly can separate their club football from their country, time and time again certain English players have been found wanting for their country, yet been off the chart for their clubs – Frank Lampard I am looking at you.

Obviously players are human beings, and all react differently to set backs and poor displays – Ronaldo will obsess and obsess over something until he can get it right – should there be a penalty shoot-out this season, you can pretty much guarantee he won’t be waiting until 5th to step up.

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Some clearly have no issue putting it to one side at all, even being better for their club because they have that extra something to prove, yet the real worry is for those players – especially forwards where confidence is so key – who have a shoddy tournament and cannot get it out of their heads, and are in real danger of letting it derail their season before it has even started.

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In light of the launch of the new football gaming phenomenon that is ‘Goaldash’ I decided to look at the six best football comebacks of all time.

1. Tottenham Hotspur 3-5 Manchester United, Premier League 2001

In a match that lived up to the term a game of two halves with Tottenham leading 3-0 at the half time. Manchester United demonstrated their champions quality by coming out in the second half with Andy Cole, Laurent Blanc, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Juan Sebastian Veron and David Beckham netting as United completed an brilliant five-goal comeback to leave Spurs completely shell-shocked.

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2.Angola 4-4 Mali, Africa Cup of Nations 2010.

With only 12 minutes remaining of host country Angola’s opening match of the 2010 African Nations Cup match they looked to be cruising to an opening 4-0 victory. Then Mali got one back and then another with 3 minutes to go, surely just consolidations? However on the 93rd minute it was 4-3 and then amazingly on the 94th minute Mali equalised to complete a simply extraordinary comeback. The student who bet his full loan on Angola at 4-0 must have been in complete disbelief at the final score which cost him a reported £4,400!

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3.Liverpool V AC Milan, Champions League Final 2005

Milan went into the half time break on course to the Champions League trophy, 3-0 up after a brace for Crespo and a goal from Maldini. However three goals in an incredible six minutes from Gerrard, Smicer and Alonso put the Reds level and we all know what happened in the penalty shootout as Benitez’s side claimed their first European victory in 21 years and 5th title in total.

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4.Tottenham 3-4 Manchester City, FA Cup 2004

In one of the best FA Cup comebacks of all time away Manchester City were 3-0 down to Tottenham at White Hart Lane at half time. When Joey Barton was sent off just before the break, the game looked dead and buried. However a deflected shot from Sylvain Distin gave them a glimmer of hope, but goals from Paul Bosvelt and Shaun Wright-Phillips put City back on track, whilst a last gasp header from Jon Macken gave an amazing 10-man comeback victory!

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5.Newcastle 4-4 Arsenal, Premier League 2010

Arsenal sprinted into a 4-0 lead were coasting to an important victory in their Premier League title challenge. However Diaby was sent off and Newcastle won two pens and produced a stunning comeback with Tiote striking late on to secure a memorable point.

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6. Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich, Champions League Final 1999

Bayern Munich too the lead after six minutes and managed to hold on all the way into stoppage time before an incredible two goal comeback from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunner Solskjaer on 90+1’ and 90+3’ saw Sir Alex’s men take the title home to England. The video below shows a different perspective of those unbelievable last few minutes.

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So what is Goaldash all about then?

‘Goaldash’ is a fabulous concept which fuses the Lottery format with pre-chosen football fixtures. Whereas you may use birthdays or your own favourite numbers to pick your six numbers, with ‘Goaldash’ you need to use your foresight of the Beautiful Game to select the six teams that are likely to score the quickest in the pre-selected 24 fixtures.

It only costs £1 a pop to enter and you have the chance to win a million pounds, every given week.

All you have to do is scour the 48 teams and pick out the 6 teams that are likely to score the quickest on the Saturday afternoon. The matches are chosen from the Premier League, the Football League, as well as the Scottish divisions therefore you will have plenty to work out and strategise before you make your selections.

Playing the Lottery has just got fun, especially as your odds are a damn sight greater.

Fancy your chances? Fancy winning £1million pounds? Why not give it a go!

Have you ever watched a more bizarre football match than Arsenal’s trip to Upton Park on Saturday evening? Not only did Wayne Bridge put in a very strong audition for a role as one of the ‘Chuckle Brothers’, but Avram Grant found himself giving his third stoical salute to home fans of clubs he has managed, waving goodbye in a manner that suggests he will not return but without any concrete proof to back his assertion up.

It was taken as read that the Israeli former Portsmouth manager was heading for the exit door in the hours before his Hammers side were comprehensively beaten by an ever-improving Arsenal at Upton Park. Rumours spread like wildfire in the run up to kick-off that former Aston Villa and Leicester City man, Martin O’Neill was in line to take up the reins at the end of the clash in Greater London.

48 hours on from the Grant funeral procession, however, and there appears no definite confirmation of a time of death – the manager seems, against all odds, to be living on, much to the bewilderment of the football community.

West Ham legend Julian Dicks has come out this week to publicly state what so many fans, not just those following the London club, have been thinking; what on earth are the board at West Ham playing at?

With remaining in the Premier League an absolute necessity for every single club in the top flight this season, were Grant to be relieved of his duties, the move would be accepted as a harsh but necessary step for a side that cannot afford relegation. However, the manner in which the Grant issue has been dealt with is another chapter of the soap opera that has become West Ham’s progress over the last five years.

The Hammers have had their fair share of controversy and turmoil in recent years. After a solid return to the top flight in 2005-06, the acquisition of Argentines Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascharano, ushered in a new era of English football, and ultimately one that very nearly cost West Ham their Premier League status. After a hastily arranged Premier League tribunal controversially chose not to dock points from the club over the illegal deals struck for both Tevez and Mascharano, the Hammers survived the drop only on the final day of the season.

The frustration directed at the West Ham board room is not new. Past chairmen have often felt the brunt of the fans’ anger. Terence Brown was on the end of a number of protests from Hammers fans, and whilst Eggert Magnusson brought much welcome funds to the table, helping stave off relegation in 2007, his non-communication with the Upton Park faithful and dwindling fortune alienated him from support.

It was thus with some confidence that West Ham fans will have looked upon last year’s takeover by former Birmingham City duo, Davids Gold and Sullivan, with a sense of optimism. I remember listening to Sullivan on the radio during the early weeks of the season as he outlined sensible aims for the Hammers over the next 18 months. Whilst his new side were short on quality across the squad, there was an acceptance that short-term survival would be the only way to secure growth over a longer period of time.

His assertions have been in contrast to the ultimatum atmosphere that has hung over the Upton Park this season. Whilst demands to improve the side’s fortunes have been met by the increasingly bemused Grant, a sense of chaos has engulfed proceedings, leading former skipper, Dicks, to brand the club a “laughing stock.”

The defender’s frustrations are understandable. West Ham fans have been through the ringer over recent years, and have found consistency impossible to come across. Surely they, more than anyone, deserve to know what is going on?

With two thirds of the transfer window already elapsed, the logic of sacking Grant at this stage would appear virtually non-existent. Would a newly appointed O’Neill be afforded significant funds to strengthen his charges, or would his brief be to simply jump up and down on the touchline in the hope his energy keeps the Hammers from falling?

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There will be fans out there that will feel that West Ham are feeling the full force of karma. Many Sheffield United fans feel that it was they, not the Hammers, that deserved to remain in the Premier League at the end of the 2006-07 season, when an almost certain relegation inducing point deduction was not imposed on Alan Curbishley’s men.

What the saga has proven, however it ends for O’Neill and Grant, is that the West Ham board have shown an alarming lack of regard for the fans. After the years of turmoil the club has endured, the supporters must be hoping that this is not a sign of things to come, whichever division they begin next season in.

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Following the unveiling of their new signing Olivier Giroud on Tuesday, Arsenal have reaffirmed their intentions to shift their underperformers in order to slash the clubs wage bill reports the Daily Mail this morning.

The capturing of the 25 year old took their summer spending to £24 million so far, so the need to shift those high earners who are not up to scratch at the Emirates is now even more apparent.

Sebastien Squillaci is still in negotiations with Bastia after talks fell through last week, and plenty of last season’s loanees are also set to be on their way out of North London permanently, including Andrei Arshavin, Carlos Vela, Denilson and Nicklas Bendtner.

With a high volume of players set to leave, it is hoped that Arsenal will then have the funds available to raid the transfer market once again, as they look to strengthen even further.

Other players likely to make up the Emirates exodus are Marouanne Chamakh, Park Chu Young, and Johan Djourou.

Chief executive Ivan Gazidis spoke of the Gunners plans to restructure their wage bill, ‘we have inefficiency of spending in our squad but we are moving towards as efficient a model as possible.’

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The clearing of the wage bill will see Arsenal making up for the £24 million they have already spent this summer.

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Arsenal are planning a surprise bid for Wolves winger Matt Jarvis according to the Daily Mail.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is on the lookout for a new wide man with the impending departures of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas leaving the midfield light on the ground.

Jarvis has caught the attention of the Frenchman with his superb displays since Wolves’ promotion two seasons ago.

His performances for the Midlands club have also led to England recognition making his debut against Ghana in March and now Wenger is ready to pounce.

He has had his scouts keeping close tabs Jarvis who is an old-fashioned type winger with pace to burn and a deadly delivery, something Arsenal have lacked in seasons gone by.

The 25-year-old’s direct style of play and willingness to get to the by-line would offer an extra dimension to a side who have been criticised in the past for trying pass the ball into the net.

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Arsenal scouts were at Portman Road on Saturday to watch Jarvis play against Ipswich but were left disappointed as he missed the game with a minor groin injury.

That hasn’t perturbed Wenger who is keen to bring the player to the Emirates Stadium although it’s thought Wolves boss Mick McCarthy won’t let him go cheaply and without a fight.

Don’t call him a wheeler-dealer whatever you do, but once again, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, seems to have made another masterstroke of a move in the transfer market. This time though, we aren’t talking about the arrival of one of the worlds best, but the departure of a player who could still have plenty to offer at White Hart Lane.

I am of course talking about David Bentley who has recently finalised a six-month loan move to Birmingham City. Regarded by many as deadwood at Spurs, the 26-year-old moves to St. Andrews in an attempt at defining his career and proving he is more than just a ‘big time Charlie’.

For a player who promised so much as a youngster coming through at Arsenal, Bentley has never really delivered. He often showed little glimpses of real class but consistency was rarely a part of his game. His move to Blackburn seemed to be ideal. Bentley was the big fish in a relatively small pond and it was a role he seemed to relish. The hat-trick he scored against Man United at Ewood Park showed just how much talent he has. Tottenham recognised that, and although £15 million was incredibly excessive, his arrival at the Lane was intended to be an indication of Spurs signing the best up-and-coming English talent.

But it never really happened for Bentley. The once hailed ‘new David Beckham’ was hardly justifying such a nickname or price tag. In two-and-a-half years, he saw first team opportunities become more and more limited and now with the likes of Aaron Lennon, Gareth Bale and Rafael Van der Vaart performing the way they are, Bentley himself recognised his time was up.

But should be completely turn his back on Harry Redknapp and Tottenham Hotspur? I’m sure Harry hasn’t given up and him. And why should he? Say what you will about David Bentley, but we all know the talent is there, if not the attitude. Even that seems to be a lot more football focused now he is reaching his peak years.

Six months of quality, consistent performances at Birmingham could prove to be the catalyst for his Spurs career. Alex McLeish has offered a chance for Bentley to be the star at a club again and really show his worth. Going straight into the squad to face Aston Villa on derby-day, who would bet against him scoring the winner on Sunday?

Even if after a successful six months, Redknapp decides it is time for the former Arsenal man to move on, then Bentley’s spell at St. Andrews would have been a shop-window process. I’m sure clubs involved at Europa League level would be interested. At the right price, of course.

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Will he turn into a player reborn? We shall have to wait and see, but Harry Redknapp has been in the business long enough to know not to give up on a real talent so quickly. Don’t be surprised if we see David Bentley back in a Tottenham shirt next season.

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England’s preparations for Euro 2012 were given another major boost after seeing off Belgium at Wembley to give Roy Hodgson a second win in as many games as manager.

Danny Welbeck’s first half strike proved to be decisive as the Three Lions signed off with another morale boosting victory ahead of their opening Group D game with France on June 11th. And whilst it wasn’t a performance that tickled the imagination it provided an insight into the impact Hodgson has made during his short time in the dugout. A disciplined and organised display from England bore all the hallmarks of their managers preferred defensive strategy as he rung the changes for the visit of Marc Wilmots’ side who failed to qualify for the European Championships.

Most notably Danny Welbeck replaced Andy Carroll in the lone striker role whilst 18-year-old Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was given his first international start after making his debut as a substitute last week against Norway. With seven alterations to the starting lineup it was no surprise that England lacked cohesion in the opening stages as the visitors seized control of the game and much like the sluggish ending in Oslo seven days ago Hodgson’s men struggled to get going in the early exchanges.

Inevitably all eyes were focused on Chelsea’s latest acquisition Eden Hazard as he gave supporters a taster of that they can expect at Stamford Bridge next season. But for all the space he and his teammates were afforded  they failed to suitably test Joe Hart in the England goal. Naturally their inability to break down the hosts would come back to haunt them as the Three Lions sprung into life 10 minutes before the break to snatch the lead courtesy of Welbeck first goal for his country.

Despite having not played for Manchester United in around five weeks the 21-year-old justified his selection ahead of Carroll precisely beating the Belgian offside trap to latch onto Ashley Young’s exquisite defence splitting pass and calmly lift the ball over the onrushing Simon Mignolet. The ascendency was now in England’s possession as they ended the half on top and could have doubled their advantage just before the half time whistle only for Steven Gerrard to see two efforts blocked in quick succession by Timmy Simons and Guillaume Gillet.

Sadly for supporters that sparkle and tempo died out after the break despite a flurry of crosses into the Belgium penalty that amounted to nothing. Clear cut chances were at a premium for both sides although the visitors almost snatched a late equaliser when Gillet hammered a 25-yard screamer off Harts post before the keeper got into a muddle in his own penalty area soon after that was almost punished by Romelu Lukaku. England also hit the woodwork in the dying embers as substitute Jermaine Defoe saw his effort agonisingly come back of the upright just minutes after entering the fray before Jan Vertonghen wasted a glorious chance to level the contest heading over the bar from six yards.

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On reflection it was another tactical triumph for Hodgson who’s moulded England into a organised unit just a month after being appointed as Fabio Capello’s successor. His focus on staying disciplined off the ball has benefitted the national side as they learn how to soak up pressure during games and use it to their advantage when an attacking opportunity arises. Two wins and two clean sheets pays testament to his ability as a defensive coach and will certainly benefit the Three Lions as they head to Poland and Ukraine aiming to restore some tournament pride that has been in short supply over the years. However injury worries over Gary Cahill, Joleon Lescott and captain Gerrard will have him sweating after losing Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry in the past week. Things never run smoothly for England do they?

Kenny Dalglish has admitted that players will have to moved on if he is to make any further additions to his Liverpool squad, reports Sky Sports.

The Anfield boss is keen to continue his summer recruitment drive but needs to move fringe players on if he is to bring in more new faces.

Dalglish has been busy in the transfer market with Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing brought in for big fees to bolster the midfield whilst goalkeeper Doni has signed to provide backup to Pepe Reina.

He told Sky Sports “We’re delighted with the work we’ve done. Whether there’s more remains to be seen and depends on players going out.”

Flops like Christian Poulsen and Alberto Aquilani are both high earners and surplus to requirements at Anfield.

The club are keen to move both them and other players on the periphery away from the club to allow Dalglish to strengthen the squad further.

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There is a gaping hole at left back that Dalglish is keen to fill with Paul Konchesky moving to Leicester and Emiliano Insua not in first team contention.

Newcastle United’s Jose Enrique and Lyon’s Aly Cissokho have been strongly linked with a switch to Anfield but a move for either will depend on who departs the club first.

According to our friends in Fleet Street, Liverpool are the latest in a string of clubs to be linked with signing ex world player of the year, Ronaldinho. The Brazilian, 30, has become a peripheral figure at the San Siro, with boss Massimiliano Allegri preferring Robinho. It is this lack of first team football this season that has driven speculation of a departure.

However, Liverpool would have to convince him to drop his £6.3m per annum wage demands for the man who has also been linked with moves to Los Angeles Galaxy and a host of Brazilian clubs.

There is no way that NESV would pay the Brazilian the wages that he is on at AC Milan but if he was willing to drop, there could be a deal to be done. Liverpool do need a player that can work with Fernando Torres and Ronaldinho fits the bill perfectly. A stumbling block would be whether Roy Hodgson is willing to move Steven Gerrard back into midfield to accommodate the Brazillian play maker.

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On 30th March this year, former Millwall defender Barry Kitchener died at the age of 64 after a short battle with cancer.

To followers of top-flight English football, he may not be well-known, but in the lower leagues, he was something of a legend. As centre back, he was the epitome of reliability, tenacity and composure. He was strong in the air and confident and assured with the ball on the ground. He even had the occasional eye for goal, scoring a 30-yard screamer against Sheffield United in only his second game for the club. He was the centre back that all managers dream of.

But his most endearing quality was his dedication to Millwall FC. He started and finished his playing career at the Den, amassing a club record 602 appearances between 1966 and 1982. This included an astonishing 244 consecutive appearances, a feat almost unheard of for an outfield player. Despite never playing in the top-flight, and suffering relegation to the third tier of English football on two separate occasions, Kitchener always stuck with Millwall.

For a player to represent only one club throughout their career is very rare these days, especially outside the Premiership. It is only down to playing for the powerful, wealthy clubs that the likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Tony Adams and John Terry have been able to stick by the club that they love. But in the lower leagues, where financial insecurity is a constant burden, it is almost impossible for a player to stick with one club for more than two seasons, let alone an entire career, regardless of their love and devotion to that club.

So, as a tribute to players like Barry Kitchener, here are a just a handful of ‘one-club men’, who dedicated their careers to the team they love:

John Trollope – Swindon Town (1960-80, 886 appearances)

Wiltshire born and bred, left-back John Trollope currently holds the record for the most number of league appearances for one club, with 886 appearances in all competitions for Swindon, including 368 consecutive matches. Swindon spent the majority of this period in the second and third tier of English football and Trollope never experienced the joys of playing top-flight football. Despite this, he was part of the Swindon team that won the 1969 League Cup, their greatest achievement to date.

Colin Cowperthwaite – Barrow (1977-92, 704 appearances)

While Kitchener and Trollope never played in the top-flight, Cowperthwaite never even got to experience playing in the Football League. He started out with Barrow five years after they were relegated from the Football League. He helped them win two Northern Premier League titles, and the FA Trophy in 1990, scoring in the final at Wembley. He also holds the record for the fastest goal in English football, scoring after just 3.5 seconds against Kettering Town.

John Askey – Macclesfield Town (1984-2003, 698 appearances)

Like Cowperthwaite, Askey spent the majority of his career in Non-League football. But during his spell, he helped guide Macclesfield to the Northern League title in 1986 and the Conference title in 1994 and 1997. He was part of the side that won back-to-back promotions in 1997 and 1998, which saw the club reach the third tier of English football for the first time ever. Askey scored in his final match for the Silkmen in a 3-2 win over Rochdale. He is currently manager of Macclesfield’s youth team.

John McDermott – Grimsby Town (1987-2007, 754 appearances)

At the peak of his career, McDermott was regarded as one of the most respected defenders outside of the Premier League. He was linked with Premiership moves to Sunderland and Ipswich Town, but chose to stay with his beloved club. McDermott experienced promotion and relegation on nine separate occasions with Grimsby, with his biggest success coming in 1998, when he helped them win the Auto Windscreens Shield (now known as the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy). McDermott was once quoted as saying: “If someone would rather sit in the reserves at a big club and drive around in a Ferrari rather than going out on-loan and playing, then I think it’s a sad day.“

Alan Knight – Portsmouth (1978-2000, 801 appearances)

Alan Knight currently holds the record for the most appearances for one club by a goalkeeper, beating the previous record held by Peter Bonetti at Chelsea. Unlike the others on the list, Knight did play in the top-flight, when Portsmouth won promotion in 1987. However, they were relegated the following season. His greatest success with the club was winning the Third Division title (equivalent of League One today) and helping Pompey reach the semi finals of the FA Cup, losing on penalties to the eventual winners, Liverpool. He was awarded an MBE in 2001 for his services to football.

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It’s sad to say, but thanks to the strains of modern football, players like these are a dying breed. There must be thousands of professional footballers out there who would want nothing more than to play for the club that they love, and no-one else. But it is getting more and more difficult for clubs to justify holding on to their most dedicated players for this length of time. In this sense, players like Kitchener were privileged.

Kitchener played in an era when money was not the significant influence that it is today. Nowadays, the consensus is that if you play for a lower league club, play well for that club and show 100% dedication, you then look out for bigger and better things. With the opportunity to earn crazy amounts of money, it’s no wonder that players like this don’t exist anymore.

This did not influence Barry Kitchener. He played for his club through thick and thin. He never set his sights on playing for a ‘bigger’ club or vehemently pursuing titles and trophies. He simply played for the love of football and for the love of his club. It is because of this that he was and will always be a legend in the hearts of Millwall FC.

In April, Barry Kitchener’s daughter, Nikki, set up ‘The Big Kitch Appeal’ in a bid to raise money and awareness for local cancer charities. Nikki and other supporters will be taking part in a 134 mile bike ride from Gorleston in Norfolk to Millwall FC in memory of her father. For more information about this very worthwhile cause, or to make a donation, please visit www.bigkitchappeal.co.uk, or follow them on Twitter (@BigKitchAppeal).

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