Sir Alex Picks Brazil For World Cup 2010
By: Dave Martinez |
6 comments
Didn't Sir Alex just finish lecturing the FA on their media overexposure of Wayne Rooney? Apparently, shedding a little bit of limelight his way isn't much of an issue at all. The Scot didn't mince words when picking his favorite to win the 2010 World Cup.
"I can't see past Brazil, actually," Ferguson was quoted in the Daily Mail. "They are going to be the ones in South Africa."
And the opinions are well founded in his belief that the Premiership is becoming less and less about developing English players, and more about contracting outsiders to become champions. Add on to that the continual pipeline of great Brazilian players being exported into foreign systems, and even this Argie would have a hard time denying his logic.
"Last season, there were 103 Brazilians in the Champions League and only 15 Englishmen. More Scots played in the Champions League last season than English players. I thought the 11/10 on Brazil to beat England was the bet of the century."
Ouch. But Fergie has never been one to mince words.
What are your thoughts on Sir Alex's early prediction?
When Roy Keane Attacks: Five Survival Strategies
By: Laurie | 4 Comments
First, a confession: I kind of love Ipswich Town manager and former Ireland captain Roy Keane. (Even though he terrifies me.) But I was glad it wasn’t my cell phone going off in the middle of a press conference this week. Because let’s face it: the man is a bit…oh, how shall we put this delicately…
I believe “borderline psychopath” about covers it.
Remember, this is a man who responded to texted good wishes after his Sunderland departure with a terse, “Go f*** yourself.” And in his autobiography he once described his knee-high horror tackle on Alf-Inge Håland like this:
I’d waited long enough. I f***ing hit him hard. The ball was there (I think). Take that you c***. And don’t ever stand over me sneering about fake injuries. [...]“My attitude was, f*** him. What goes around comes around. He got his just rewards. He f***ed me over and my attitude is an eye for an eye.
This is the tackle. Not for the squeamish.
Read the rest of this entry »
Category: World FootballHow to Get Footy Fans to Stop Smoking: The Prizes Britain SHOULD be Offering
By: Laurie | 3 Comments
Best quote from this article on the National Health Service’s plan to use footy fans’ love of their sport to get them to quit smoking:
[M]ore than half of Liverpool fans say they would give up smoking if their team won the League and FA Cup double – more than for any other team.
I’m guessing that this season they’d also volunteer to jog to London and back naked across glass while carrying a goat under each arm.
Alas, last time I checked there was no actual way for fans to affect their beloved teams’ results through changing their own behavior. (Although Paris Hilton might beg to differ.) So Britain’s NHS is offering up the next best thing: A stop-smoking competition between fans of rival teams.
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Offside Rewind: All Apologies
By: Daryl | Add Comments
Seven non-Titi related posts you may have missed during the last seven days…
- Japan sound the horn. For silencing the horn.
- Tell us who your biggest international rival is.
- What they’ll all be wearing in Philadelphia next year.
- Who deserves the golden trashcan?
- Nothing like an international break to recharge the old batteries
- New Zealand headed to South Africa thanks to penalty save
- African Cup of Nations 2010 groups and schedule
That’s me done for the week. Thanks to all who’ve read, commented and blogged. And handballed. Our intrepid weekend team will be blogging Saturday and Sunday and keeping us up to date.
Last and probably least, a reminder to show The Offside and WCB some love and fan us on Facebook.
Category: World FootballDaily Dose: November 20th, 2009
By: Daryl | Add Comments
Something to read while you watch the madness at the Maracana…
- Israel halts construction of Palestinian stadium (BBC.co.uk)
- This FIFA conspiracy goes deeper than we though (Studs Up)
- Five football injustices (Shortlist)
- What happens when you fart in a referee’s face? (Sports Rubbish)
- A lot of Top 10s for 2010 (Pies)
- Goal-line referees for World Cup 2010?* (Guardian)
- Get your C-Ron Caganer (The Spoiler)
- Top 5 teams I’m looking forward to seeing at World Cup 2010 (Podcast Offside)
*I can’t possibly imagine what has prompted this.
Category: Daily DoseAngola 2010: Africa Cup of Nations Groups and Schedule
By: Daryl | 6 comments
The groups for the Africa Cup of Nations 2010 were drawn today, which should go at least some way to cheering up teams like Egypt and Tunisia who very narrowly missed the World Cup 2010 boat.
The tournament takes place in Angola from January 10th to January 31st, 2010. We've got blogs and bloggers for 12 of the 16 teams involved in the tournament. If you'd like to blog for one of the bloggerless teams then see the bottom of this post for details.
The Angola 2010 groups and match schedule are after the jump.
Category: African Cup of NationsHow Long Until We Forgive Thierry Henry?
By: Daryl | 42 comments
Latest development in the already long running Thierry Henry handball incident (or "la main de dieu" as it's being called by some) is that Henry himself thinks a replay is a good idea:
"The fairest solution would be to replay the game but it is not in my control," said the Barcelona striker.
"Naturally I feel embarrassed at the way that we won and feel extremely sorry for the Irish who definitely deserve to be in South Africa," Henry added.
"I have said at the time and I will say again that 'yes' I handled the ball. I am not a cheat and never have been. It was an instinctive reaction to a ball that was coming extremely fast in a crowded penalty area."
Very nice of Titi, although very convenient that he's saying this after FIFA ruled out any possibility of a replay:
"The result of the match cannot be changed and the match cannot be replayed," FIFA said in a statement. "As is clearly mentioned in the Laws of the Game, during matches, decisions are taken by the referee and these decisions are final."
But a good public relations move from Henry anyway. Yes, calling for a replay he knows to be impossible is a little transparent, but at least he's owned up to handballing (if not premeditatedly cheating) and shown some remorse.
Category: World Cup 2010Just How Corrupt is European Football?
By: Daryl | 6 Comments
It’s difficult to answer that question with any precision. But seems the answer is “a lot more corrupt than we realized”. Because German prosecutors think it’s corrupt enough that 200 games of European football need to be investigating. Including 12 in the Europa League and at least three in the Champions League. Yes, that Champions League. The one with the fancy music.
On Thursday police carried out about 50 raids in Germany, the UK, Switzerland and Austria, making 17 arrests and seizing cash and property.
Fifteen of those arrested were in Germany and the other two in Switzerland.
Matches under investigation were played in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Croatia, Slovenia, Turkey, Hungary, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Austria.
Officials said the games included the 40 which Uefa revealed in September were under investigation.
Prosecutors believe a 200-strong criminal gang has bribed players, coaches, referees and officials to fix games and then made money by betting on the results.
The investigation is being carried out by German authorities and supported by Uefa, the European football body.
Category: World Football
MLS Cup 2009 - Dear Seattle...
Dear Seattle, it's been quite a year for you all up there. After all, an expansion team is not supposed to do what you all did. I have to give you "props' big-time! Seriously, the Seattle fans came out and supported a well-designed and well-staffed team, hammering all MLS attendance
Nov 21, 2009 | Read this article...
Mallorca-Almeria
After a break for international games, Mallorca returns home to face Almeria, who is lead by NASL and Southern California legend Hugo Sanchez. Mallorca has had time to regroup after their away loss to Barca where they played a respectable match but were again reminded that the top teams in La
Nov 21, 2009 | Read this article...
The slow death of a football fan
It’s always a measure of the state of a club when the mere sight of it dampens your spirits despite the end of your final university exams. Despite the sense of unbridled joy of the hours leading into another forgettable defeat to a lowly side, yours truly was coming to
Nov 21, 2009 | Read this article...
International Breaks Need Alarm Clocks (Totti/Party, Etc.)
Roma v Bari There's a game in less than 12 hours. Pass the word. Squad Andreolli Baptista Bertagnoli Brighi Burdisso Cassetti Cerci Cicinho Doni Faty Guberti Menez Mexes Motta Okaka Perrotta Pizarro Riise Taddei Totti Vucinic Assenti: Juan, De Rossi XI Julio Sergio Motta, Mexes, Burdisso, Riise Taddei, Brighi, Pizarro, Perrotta Vucinic, Totti. Roma News says it's so. I recommend night-long candle light vigils and as many rosaries as possible between now and game time. This is not a
Nov 21, 2009 | Read this article...
MLS Cup Preview
The thought of writing this post after the opening day game against DC United never entered my head. That was a slightly improved version of the meltdown season of 2008 - defensive breakdowns, not much stability in the middle and an attack that put two in the back of the
Nov 21, 2009 | Read this article...
Wolves swept aside
Chelsea showed why they are favourites to win this season's Premier League by sweeping Wolves aside at Stamford Bridge today despite being without a number of their star players. There was no Ballack, Lampard, Drogba, Deco or Bosingwa but it hardly mattered. Chelsea were 2-0 up in 12 minutes, 3-0
Nov 21, 2009 | Read this article...
Rangers 3 - 0 Kilmarnock
Rangers went back to the top of the table today after a 3-0 win at Ibrox. Kris Boyd, Kenny Miller and Steven Whittaker scored all three goals in the first half. Miller and Thomson were back in the squad with long-term injury lay-offs Edu, Broadfoot and Mendes remaining sidelined. Danny
Nov 21, 2009 | Read this article...
Preview: Juventus v. Udinese
Sunday sees Udine's depleted squad come to town for what Juventus fans can only hope will be an epic display of ruthlessness and unreserved determination against them. Truth be told, I can't remember the last time any team was this absent of their attacking threats. So although I look forward
Nov 21, 2009 | Read this article...
MLS Cup: RSL and LA Battle for Our Love. Who Wins Out?
MLS Cup! Tomorrow! In our city! Are you excited? I am, believe it or not. More than I expected to be. Because it's not like the Sounders themselves can ever manage to get not one but two articles on the front page of the Seattle Times.
Nov 21, 2009 | Read this article...
Three Points!
Ok, so I know I've been too negative lately, but that's part of the fun of being a supporter. But when you can walk into Arsenal and win like that, all the negativity goes out the window. Beating Arsenal 1-0 on a Darren Bent goal in the second half goal
Nov 21, 2009 | Read this article...
Matchday: Lens-Nancy (Stade Félix Bollaert)
Lens are back home today and ready to take on a tough Nancy side which has been in fine form on the road this season. The Lensois are fourth from bottom of the league with just one home win all season while their opponents have won three times on the
Nov 21, 2009 | Read this article...
Sunderland 1-Arsenal 0
I opened up my preview for this match with the following paragraph: Back in action at the Stadium of Light tomorrow, for what I expect to be a very tricky match. Seriously–this match scares the hell out of me. For one thing, it’s a road match against a top half side
Nov 21, 2009 | Read this article...
Liveblog: FC Barcelona @ Athletic Bilbao
Come join us as we take on Athletic Bilbao! The stream will start up approx 20 min before the match, so come on in and enjoy this time with us! FC Barcelona @ Athletic Bilbao
Nov 21, 2009 | Read this article...
LE PETIT DERBY: GRENOBLE FOOT 38 vs. LYON
Saturday, November 21 Le Stade des Alpes, Grenoble 1PM ET (19:00 CET, 18:00 GMT) Saturday, OL head to the foot of the French Alps and look to kick their season back into gear after the international break, and an exhausting battle vs. Marseille, that just barely kept those marauding bandits from stealing three
Nov 21, 2009 | Read this article...Sunderland-Arsenal Thread
Lineups are in: Sunderland: Starters: Fulop, Bardsley, Mensah, da Silva, McCartney, Henderson, Reid, Cana, Richardson, Henderson, Bent. Subs: Nosworthy, Healy, Zenden, Murphy, Ferdinand, Campbell, Carson. Arsenal: Starters: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Traore, Fabregas, Song, Ramsey, Rosicky, Eduardo, Nasri. Subs: Mannone, Silvestre, Arshavin, Eboue, Walcott, Denilson, Vela. Traore starts at left-back. It'll be interesting
Nov 21, 2009 | Read this article...
Samaras gives some Gordon Smith good advice
In the morning's Daily Record, Greek boy Georgios Samaras, whose country will be traveling to hallowed South Africa this next summer, has offered his expertise as to how Scotland's national side can improve: get a better manager. "The key to success for us in Greece has been a strong manager,
Nov 21, 2009 | Read this article...
International break over, back to reality.
Finally, match day is back, was good to see Milner battle against Brazil, shame about the outcome. ANNNNNYWAY, Burnley today and they have an incredible home record, with all 5 of their wins coming at home, and that includes Manchester United. Petrov is back from suspension, but Collins looks doubtful
Nov 21, 2009 | Read this article...
Midweek Musings
Well, in the BIG NEWS OF THE WEEK - we are now an affiliate of AS Monaco Football Club, Chamions League Finalists and home of the Great Man Himself: Jan Koller. I've been a touch obsessed with Mr Koller for a while now (thus my affection for Dortmund in the Bundesliga)
Nov 21, 2009 | Read this article...
Bologna v Inter: Mortadella Speedbump on the Road to Catalonia
Those two weeks were long. So long, in fact, that I have completely forgot what we were doing before it started. Something about points and kicking ass (or not, as the case may be)... It will come back to me, I'm sure. Anyway, here we are back to the championship,
Nov 20, 2009 | Read this article...
Back to the Grind
I have a noted fondness for Stuttgart. They were, after all, the other team I saw when I saw my first Hertha game (and first competitive game at all). Also, they're generally a team with some neat young players, I know a guy who likes them, and perhaps most of
Nov 20, 2009 | Read this article...
Who better then FIFA?
Who better then FIFA to expect something great from the greatest? I just read this article after it was translated from the FIFA website and published in a Brazilian blog that writes texts about Flamengo and here I come with the original stuff. Saint Jude’s Mengão renaissance Jude the Apostle is the
Nov 20, 2009 | Read this article...
Let's go tie and defeat our own 31 match undefeated streak club record!
With the current club atmosphere high, the players truly enjoying themselves in practice, it's really not a surprise why. Since the 21st of March 2009, we have been undefeated. Yup, that's right, undefeated nationally and internationally. Our last defeat was against Feyenoord on March 15th on a scoreline of
Nov 20, 2009 | Read this article...
Quick and Dirty Preview: Chelsea v Wolves
Taken by me at M&T Bank Stadium. Jealous? Alright people. Back from what felt like the longest international break in....well,
Nov 20, 2009 | Read this article...
Milan-Cagliari
When we last left our boys for the international break they were riding high on momentum after winning four games in a row. These wins took the club from a relegation leader and possibly looking for a new coach to an 8th place position and just two points from the
Nov 20, 2009 | Read this article...Match Preview: Dundee United v Celtic
For those of y'all who still aren't ready to return to the ongoing dreadful saga of Scottish football, MK Dons visit visit Southend this evening. The Dons sit fourth in English League One, tied with third position Colchester on points. Southend have won three, lost three and drawn two at
Nov 20, 2009 | Read this article...Email tips[at]theoffside[dot]com
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