Football… bloody hell !
Whilst the summer opened up new avenues for corporate giants to reinvent, retool and rethink their investment strategies following the credit crunch, footballing world had literally worn an armour and a shield to protect itself from the credit crisis.
The transfer prices this season would have one believe that capitalism is the best thing to have ever happened on Earth. The biggest perpetrators of inflating the market are Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Real Madrid has always been a club hugely favoured and amply supported by the Spanish government since the rule of Franco. It cringes one to see the poverty and the penury of this world on one side and 200 million pounds (an interest free loan) being spent on a handful of supreme athletes on the other side.
Every liter of fuel consumed around the world culminates in Manchester City having a bigger transfer chest. If only the credit crunch affected them, it was in making them bid for Ronaldo for a reported 100 million pounds as opposed to the previously proposed 140 million pounds.
Amidst the mad spending of the two clubs, managers like Sir Alex, Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho haven’t been dragged into any kind of bidding war and have bided their time without flaunting their cash.
I’ll leave you to debate on the choice of the above managers to be skinflints this season. Were they right in not splashing the cash and getting the best possible players or have they missed a trick in trying to be prudent and might actually end up paying more next year as it happens to be a World Cup year.
July 21, 2009
March 23, 2009
British Invasion
The last five years have seen an immense improvement in the performance of English teams in Europe. Five of the last eight champion league finalists were English teams (Arsenal - 1, Chelsea - 1, Liverpool - 2, United - 1). The most notable feature of last season's champions league was, no English team was eliminated by a non-English team. Arsenal lost to Liverpool, Liverpool were eliminated by Chelsea and Chelsea were defeated by Manchester United. A similar pattern seems to be developing this season.
Football history shows, domination of a club or a set of clubs from a particular country often coincides with the domination of that country at the World/Europe level. For example, consider the Ajax team of the early 70's. They were the European champions in '71,'72 and '73. The Dutch international team were World-cup runners-up in '74 and '78 (thanks to Johan Cruijff). Bayern Munich were champions from '74 to '76. The German National team won Euro in '72 and the World Cup in '74. Another example, Juventus were European champions in '83 and runners-up in '85. Italian national team won the '82 world cup. In spite of the indomitable performance of English clubs over the last few years, England national team hardly showed any domination at the world level. Forget domination, they haven't even managed to qualify for Euro '08.
Thanks to the global transfer market, over the last two decades, the correlation between Club domination and National team domination reduced significantly. One, very obvious reason for the current English domination is their wealth. United, Chelsea and Liverpool all owned by billionaires can afford to buy the cream of footballers in the world. Though Arsenal does not have any rich owners, it has a stadium that makes more money than any other stadium in the entire world. Another gargantuan source of income for english clubs is the global TV rights. Putting the economic advantage aside, do English teams have the advantage of playing a more competitive breed of football week-in and week-out? Does this help them at the European stage? It sure is more physically demanding than other leagues (not including the Socttish and Irish leagues). It is quicker than other leagues - one of the main reasons for long adaptation time of immigrant players.
It would be very interesting to see the trend at European level, if FIFA and UEFA seek to impose a quota system on the immigrant players in a club.
It would be very interesting to see the trend at European level, if FIFA and UEFA seek to impose a quota system on the immigrant players in a club.
March 20, 2009
Is the Quintuple dream on ?
The biggest question of all as the season approaches its finish line is not if Man Utd can retain the league title but it is if they can complete the historic quintuple.
Firstly I would like to take this opportunity to point out to the readers that if at all Man Utd go onto achieve the ‘ Quintuple’ it wouldn’t be an unprecedented achievement but just a historic one. The famous Ajax team of ‘74/’75 won eight titles in a span of two years , so surely ,which ever way one looks at it , they either won the quintuple in an year or achieved the quadruple for two consecutive years.
Secondly, if Man Utd actually complete the quintuple this year, I would be as amazed at their success as any other neutral fan. I wouldn’t be awe struck at their achievement but rather I would be amazed at the opponents’ incapability to stop them from achieving that feat. Any honest assessment of Manchester United’s season so far will have one believe that they have been far from their best and have nowhere attained the devastating form that they displayed in abundance last season. They have been having a rollercoaster season by their footballing standards, brilliant in one, subdued in the next. While some players haven’t hit strides yet such as Ronaldo, Tevez, Rooney and Berbatov some, notably Anderson and Nani, are suffering from the proverbial second season syndrome. To simply put, Manchester United haven’t yet hit fifth gear this season and look unlikely to do so.
March 6, 2009
Is The League Title All United's?
First of all I'd like to apologize for not completing my previous post due to certain unforeseen circumstances. And now that its been a long time since, I wont complete it either. It wont make sense.
Moving on to today's post, I'd first like to say.....Its good to be back!
The other day I was having this conversation with a friend of mine who is a Pool fan. Well with these Pool fans my conversations generally spiral out of control, especially the football ones! This time it was a bit of a bringing her back to earth time.(Yes its a girl pool fan!! Can you believe that?)
With a good comfortable victory over Sunderland after the heartache of Middlesborough defeat, Liverpool are joint second on points in the table along with Chelsea. Her argument was that maybe there is still time for United to slip up and one of us to finally win the thing. I said its possible but not probable. Then I went on to put things into perspective. So I did some research and following are the findings.
Manu............P27....Pts65...GD36
Chelsea.........P28...Pts58...GD32
Liverpool......P28...Pts58...GD25
Therefore, United have 11 games to play whereas Chelsea and Liverpool have 10 each. The point difference is 7. The odds are stacked heavily against either of the chasing pack.
Now let us assume(make an ass of u and me). Here is how it goes for Chelsea and Liverpool. If either of them win all their remaining games(highly unlikely), they will be at 88 points. With United having 11 games to play, they will have to do either of the following.....
Lose 4 Win 7 (total 86) [extremely unlikely]
Lose 3 Draw 1 Win 7 (total 87) [highly unlikely]
Lose 2 Draw 2 Win 7 (total 88) [unlikely]
Lose 1 Draw 4 Win 6 (total 87) [highly unlikely]
for Chelsea or Liverpool to have any chance. The most promising is the third scenario. The unlikely one. In that scenario, goal difference comes into picture. So lets put that too into perspective....
United have lost 2 games all season both 2-1 losses so the avg goal difference when they lose is 1/game. While when they win the avg goal difference is 1.9/game. Hence in the above scenario, the goal difference tally will see a rise of 11.3 goals, lets say 11 for convenience. (Overall GD at the end of the season...47!)
Compare this to Chelsea's record. When they lose, they lose by an avg GD of 1.8/game. When they win, they win by an avg GD of 2.3/game. Since Chelsea have to win all 10 games, that makes it 23 GD in 10 games(Overall......55!!!) Chelsea will win the thing :)
Now for Liverpool's chances. When Pool lose, they do by an avg of 1.5 but when they win they do it by an average GD of 1.7/game. That takes their tally to 17 GD in next 10 games(Overall 42!) Liverpool will still be third :P
So there you have it. Chelsea are the only team in a position to challenge United for the title, and that position is on a tightrope tied between Mt Everest and Mt K2. Still enjoying the good times under Hiddink. Hope we do better in the UCL.
Have a nice day folks!
Moving on to today's post, I'd first like to say.....Its good to be back!
The other day I was having this conversation with a friend of mine who is a Pool fan. Well with these Pool fans my conversations generally spiral out of control, especially the football ones! This time it was a bit of a bringing her back to earth time.(Yes its a girl pool fan!! Can you believe that?)
With a good comfortable victory over Sunderland after the heartache of Middlesborough defeat, Liverpool are joint second on points in the table along with Chelsea. Her argument was that maybe there is still time for United to slip up and one of us to finally win the thing. I said its possible but not probable. Then I went on to put things into perspective. So I did some research and following are the findings.
Manu............P27....Pts65...GD36
Chelsea.........P28...Pts58...GD32
Liverpool......P28...Pts58...GD25
Therefore, United have 11 games to play whereas Chelsea and Liverpool have 10 each. The point difference is 7. The odds are stacked heavily against either of the chasing pack.
Now let us assume(make an ass of u and me). Here is how it goes for Chelsea and Liverpool. If either of them win all their remaining games(highly unlikely), they will be at 88 points. With United having 11 games to play, they will have to do either of the following.....
Lose 4 Win 7 (total 86) [extremely unlikely]
Lose 3 Draw 1 Win 7 (total 87) [highly unlikely]
Lose 2 Draw 2 Win 7 (total 88) [unlikely]
Lose 1 Draw 4 Win 6 (total 87) [highly unlikely]
for Chelsea or Liverpool to have any chance. The most promising is the third scenario. The unlikely one. In that scenario, goal difference comes into picture. So lets put that too into perspective....
United have lost 2 games all season both 2-1 losses so the avg goal difference when they lose is 1/game. While when they win the avg goal difference is 1.9/game. Hence in the above scenario, the goal difference tally will see a rise of 11.3 goals, lets say 11 for convenience. (Overall GD at the end of the season...47!)
Compare this to Chelsea's record. When they lose, they lose by an avg GD of 1.8/game. When they win, they win by an avg GD of 2.3/game. Since Chelsea have to win all 10 games, that makes it 23 GD in 10 games(Overall......55!!!) Chelsea will win the thing :)
Now for Liverpool's chances. When Pool lose, they do by an avg of 1.5 but when they win they do it by an average GD of 1.7/game. That takes their tally to 17 GD in next 10 games(Overall 42!) Liverpool will still be third :P
So there you have it. Chelsea are the only team in a position to challenge United for the title, and that position is on a tightrope tied between Mt Everest and Mt K2. Still enjoying the good times under Hiddink. Hope we do better in the UCL.
Have a nice day folks!
January 27, 2009
Arsenal desperate for Arshavin?
Lets talk from Arsenal point of view. Why are we behind him ?
1. Russian league Player
2. That too 27 years old
3. Arsenal's record breaking transfer fee
4. High salary demand - for what?
5. Totally desperate and would surely sulk in future
And compare Nasri at 21 who came for around 11 miilion. Thats Wenger. Then why Arshavin?
Because
1. For fabregas, who might think of leaving this summer (quite likely)
2. To increase the atendance and restore the fans' faith (unlikely)
3. In Arsene's words, just to add the creative spark in midfield (I doubt it, why didnt he move for him in last summer then?)
Please enlighten me with any other reason or argument in favor of this transfer. I am sick of reading, he is in... no, he is not.. he will come.. he refused..his gay agent wants more money..his mood changed..he will talk on monday..he wants a cradle too
1. Russian league Player
2. That too 27 years old
3. Arsenal's record breaking transfer fee
4. High salary demand - for what?
5. Totally desperate and would surely sulk in future
And compare Nasri at 21 who came for around 11 miilion. Thats Wenger. Then why Arshavin?
Because
1. For fabregas, who might think of leaving this summer (quite likely)
2. To increase the atendance and restore the fans' faith (unlikely)
3. In Arsene's words, just to add the creative spark in midfield (I doubt it, why didnt he move for him in last summer then?)
Please enlighten me with any other reason or argument in favor of this transfer. I am sick of reading, he is in... no, he is not.. he will come.. he refused..his gay agent wants more money..his mood changed..he will talk on monday..he wants a cradle too
January 8, 2009
Half Term Report Card (Part 3)
Now coming to the top half of the table, we have a couple of interesting ones here. A small club venturing in the unknown arena and Hull City to name just two!
West Ham
Zola has been the only rather inexperienced manager to be doing a decent job with his club. Paul Ince and Tony Adams are the others in the category and both have struggled, the former losing his job before the turn of the year. Zola's assistant Steve Clarke's hand in the whole picture cannot be doubted. The latter's experience as an assistant coach in the top flight is second to none. Its ironical that two of Chelsea's biggest legends are working for one of Chelsea's rivals and doing a good job. Hammers are destined for mid table anonymity at best, at worst they could lose a couple of key players in the Jan transfer window due to the financial crisis the club is going through, and their season could fall apart.
Verdict : 9th
Fulham
Roy Hodgson was one of the best managers of last year. When he took over, Fulham were in deep mire with relegation looking directly in their faces. He not only turned it around in the last game of last season, but has also managed to take them to 9th place by the end of the same calender year, a remarkable achievement by all means. Fulham are pushing for UEFA cup places but with Wigan, Everton and Aston Villa apart from the four usual suspects definitely better than them, it will be a near impossible task.
Verdict: 13th
Hull City
Hull City have been one of the stories of the season. With almost everyone predicting struggle in the club's first ever adventure in the top flight, they have not only defied the odds but also done it in style. Last couple of months have seen them struggle a bit and they've slipped a couple of places but another run of good results is long due and that could well see them in a UEFA cup spot....icing on the cake one has to say! But whatever the tigers achieve this season, they can hold their heads high and look forward to avaoiding the second season syndrome for promoted clubs next season.
Verdict : 8th
Wigan
Another club which has achieved an overturn of fortunes in a calendar year is Wigan. Struggling in the relegation zone at the start of 2008, they have their sights on UEFA cup at the end. Enjoying an excellent form of late(5 wins in last 6 games), the FA cup break might have come at hte wrong time for them. Still they should be good enough to give the likes of Everton and Hull a run for their money in the battle for UEFA cup spot.
Verdict: 6th
Everton
Without a recognized striker for a good few weeks, toffees have tremendously well to be where they are now. David Moyes should be in the look out for a recognized striker in the transfer window if only on loan, but recent form suggests he can as well manage without one. Hull, Liverpool and Arsenal are their next three opponents and 3 points or above is what they should be aiming at to put pressure on Arsenal and Aston Villa for the automatic UEFA cup place.
Verdict : 7th
the final bit to follow soon...
West Ham
Zola has been the only rather inexperienced manager to be doing a decent job with his club. Paul Ince and Tony Adams are the others in the category and both have struggled, the former losing his job before the turn of the year. Zola's assistant Steve Clarke's hand in the whole picture cannot be doubted. The latter's experience as an assistant coach in the top flight is second to none. Its ironical that two of Chelsea's biggest legends are working for one of Chelsea's rivals and doing a good job. Hammers are destined for mid table anonymity at best, at worst they could lose a couple of key players in the Jan transfer window due to the financial crisis the club is going through, and their season could fall apart.
Verdict : 9th
Fulham
Roy Hodgson was one of the best managers of last year. When he took over, Fulham were in deep mire with relegation looking directly in their faces. He not only turned it around in the last game of last season, but has also managed to take them to 9th place by the end of the same calender year, a remarkable achievement by all means. Fulham are pushing for UEFA cup places but with Wigan, Everton and Aston Villa apart from the four usual suspects definitely better than them, it will be a near impossible task.
Verdict: 13th
Hull City
Hull City have been one of the stories of the season. With almost everyone predicting struggle in the club's first ever adventure in the top flight, they have not only defied the odds but also done it in style. Last couple of months have seen them struggle a bit and they've slipped a couple of places but another run of good results is long due and that could well see them in a UEFA cup spot....icing on the cake one has to say! But whatever the tigers achieve this season, they can hold their heads high and look forward to avaoiding the second season syndrome for promoted clubs next season.
Verdict : 8th
Wigan
Another club which has achieved an overturn of fortunes in a calendar year is Wigan. Struggling in the relegation zone at the start of 2008, they have their sights on UEFA cup at the end. Enjoying an excellent form of late(5 wins in last 6 games), the FA cup break might have come at hte wrong time for them. Still they should be good enough to give the likes of Everton and Hull a run for their money in the battle for UEFA cup spot.
Verdict: 6th
Everton
Without a recognized striker for a good few weeks, toffees have tremendously well to be where they are now. David Moyes should be in the look out for a recognized striker in the transfer window if only on loan, but recent form suggests he can as well manage without one. Hull, Liverpool and Arsenal are their next three opponents and 3 points or above is what they should be aiming at to put pressure on Arsenal and Aston Villa for the automatic UEFA cup place.
Verdict : 7th
the final bit to follow soon...
January 4, 2009
Half Term Report Card (Part 2)
Sunderland
Roy Keane showed some ambition in the transfer market when he bought the likes of Cisse, Chimbonda, Malbranque and Anton Ferdinand. Yet spending huge amounts of money did not guarantee a smooth sailing in the mid table. With an awful away form continuing from last season, Keane saw his team faltering at home too. A relegation scrap was all but certain and Keane took the responsibility and resigned. His assistant, replacing him temporarily, had a good couple of games with comfortable victories but that was what is called the honeymoon period. Currently sitting at 15th, future does not look to bright for the Stadium of Light(love the name!) outfit. A decent run until the end of the season is too much to ask for from the inconsistent black cats, hence a relegation is more likely this season.
Verdict: Relegation
Newcastle United
Joe Kinnear has done wonders at Newcastle since taking over the troubled club. He's getting results and more importantly the confidence is back in the team which looked doomed a couple of months back. The form and most importantly fitness of Michael Owen is a crucial factor for Kinnear to keep them away from relegation scrap and if the current form is anything to go by, they will stay clear comfortably. Still as I said before, with the bottom half of the table so tight, a couple of games can change it all around.
Verdict: 12th
Manchester City
The cliche 'Money can't buy success' goes around a lot in football. And Sparky is learning it the hard way. Inconsistency coupled with an abysmal away form has seen them in the bottom half of the table. The only positive for the richest club in the world has been the forms of Robinho and Ireland. Defensively City still remain fragile, but the January acquisition of Bridge should add some steel. There could be a lot more ins and outs in the blue half of Manchester before the window closes shut on Feb 2nd. There is still a lot to play for and a good second half of the season could see City in reckoning for European places, but much will depend on the wheelings and dealings of the current transfer window.
Verdict : 10th
Portsmouth
We've seen this so many times in the past. A manager takes a below average team and over achieves with them year after after, then as he leaves, the club goes back to where it belonged. It happened with Bolton a season back, Blackburn at the start of this season and now the same with Pompey. The on field woes coupled with financial mini crisis has let to the fear of a mass exodus of the most talented of Pompey players. Diarra left for Real before the window even opened. The futures of Defoe, Glen Johnson, Kranjcar, Distin are far from certain. And if most of them leave, it could spell big trouble at Fratton Park. Relegation scrap is most likely.
Verdict: 16th
Bolton Wanderers
With a difficult start to the season, Bolton looked in trouble but Gary Megson has pulled it together somewhat and collected a lot of points of late, especially away from home. They've been rising steadily in the league table and currently top the bottom half of the table. Mid table is what Gary should be content with, but a European place is not out of question. A good run of form and a bad one for those above can see them push for UEFA cup spot. But thats too many ifs and buts right? Right!
Verdict: 11th
still more to follow...
Roy Keane showed some ambition in the transfer market when he bought the likes of Cisse, Chimbonda, Malbranque and Anton Ferdinand. Yet spending huge amounts of money did not guarantee a smooth sailing in the mid table. With an awful away form continuing from last season, Keane saw his team faltering at home too. A relegation scrap was all but certain and Keane took the responsibility and resigned. His assistant, replacing him temporarily, had a good couple of games with comfortable victories but that was what is called the honeymoon period. Currently sitting at 15th, future does not look to bright for the Stadium of Light(love the name!) outfit. A decent run until the end of the season is too much to ask for from the inconsistent black cats, hence a relegation is more likely this season.
Verdict: Relegation
Newcastle United
Joe Kinnear has done wonders at Newcastle since taking over the troubled club. He's getting results and more importantly the confidence is back in the team which looked doomed a couple of months back. The form and most importantly fitness of Michael Owen is a crucial factor for Kinnear to keep them away from relegation scrap and if the current form is anything to go by, they will stay clear comfortably. Still as I said before, with the bottom half of the table so tight, a couple of games can change it all around.
Verdict: 12th
Manchester City
The cliche 'Money can't buy success' goes around a lot in football. And Sparky is learning it the hard way. Inconsistency coupled with an abysmal away form has seen them in the bottom half of the table. The only positive for the richest club in the world has been the forms of Robinho and Ireland. Defensively City still remain fragile, but the January acquisition of Bridge should add some steel. There could be a lot more ins and outs in the blue half of Manchester before the window closes shut on Feb 2nd. There is still a lot to play for and a good second half of the season could see City in reckoning for European places, but much will depend on the wheelings and dealings of the current transfer window.
Verdict : 10th
Portsmouth
We've seen this so many times in the past. A manager takes a below average team and over achieves with them year after after, then as he leaves, the club goes back to where it belonged. It happened with Bolton a season back, Blackburn at the start of this season and now the same with Pompey. The on field woes coupled with financial mini crisis has let to the fear of a mass exodus of the most talented of Pompey players. Diarra left for Real before the window even opened. The futures of Defoe, Glen Johnson, Kranjcar, Distin are far from certain. And if most of them leave, it could spell big trouble at Fratton Park. Relegation scrap is most likely.
Verdict: 16th
Bolton Wanderers
With a difficult start to the season, Bolton looked in trouble but Gary Megson has pulled it together somewhat and collected a lot of points of late, especially away from home. They've been rising steadily in the league table and currently top the bottom half of the table. Mid table is what Gary should be content with, but a European place is not out of question. A good run of form and a bad one for those above can see them push for UEFA cup spot. But thats too many ifs and buts right? Right!
Verdict: 11th
still more to follow...
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