Craig Bellamy has sealed a loan move to Cardiff City, the Bluebirds, and his hometown club. He has left one (sky) blue shirt for another, but is he really happy?
No doubt he still has plenty to offer, despite niggling injuries over recent years, and in some ways he has plenty to prove. A success at Norwich, Coventry, Blackburn, and West Ham, the same cannot be said of his spells at Newcastle, Liverpool and Man City. While he has scored regularly, about 1 in 3.5 despite the injuries and playing out wide a fair few times, he has never really endeared himself to fans and managers. No doubt off the field episodes have soured opinion but will the Welshmen feel he never really delivered at the top level?
Helping Cardiff into the Premiership would be a big achievement for the club and for Wales. Bellamy, surprisingly, has only won a Community Shield and a Scottish Cup, so it would at least add to his footballing CV but it will never add the glory to his career. No doubt he has plenty to be proud of - Captaining his country and gaining 59 caps is an excellent achievement - but would he have preferred to have another crack at the Champions League with Tottenham? What about a cup run with Fulham? Or even a fighting chance of glory with Man City?
Quite a few players end their careers with a last hurrah at their boyhood club. Bellamy has more years left in the tank than most of these players and its not inconceivable that he could get Cardiff promoted and make a real difference in the Premiership for a couple of years. Some might say its the easy route to retirement. The pressures are less and the opposition poorer, and as he is still capable of electrifying pace, Bellamy should stand head and shoulders above the rest.
When all is said and done, I think Bellamy will still have a few regrets, and rue the City management for forcing him into the Championship before he was ready.
Wednesday 18 August 2010
Spurs get lucky with Young Boys
Young Boys 3-2 Tottenham Hotspur
As a Spurs fan, that was horrendous. Never mind the first thirty minutes that found Tottenham three goals down, the entire game was a defensive shambles. And whatever happens, do not blame the pitch.
The AstroTurf pitch simply exacerbated fundamental flaws in the setup of the London team which were not helped by some very poor individual decisions. Young Boys started at a very high tempo, but were very compact and did not use the flanks. Spurs on the other hand went with a traditional 4-4-2 formation with wingers hugging the touch line. This was the first mistake, and is a lesson that needs to be learnt.
- 4-4-2 does not work away from home in Europe
Villareal and an under-cooked Fiorentina gave Spurs a few lessons at the Lane. Tottenham's away record at the top teams has been terrible for many, many years. And yet Harry Redknapp went with an offensive 4-4-2 against the team from Bern. He, and the players, showed a lack of respect and awareness. For that first thirty minutes Spurs could not get on the ball. Young Boys' 5 man midfield were far more fluid, and Tottenham did not press as a team.
- Pavlyuchenko and Defoe should not play together against strong teams.
Neither player was impressive. Neither player showed a good enough touch in build up play nor in front of goal. Neither player worked hard. Nor did they get back and close down the holding midfielder, stopping Young Boys from progressing their play up the pitch.
The Russian, apart from the movement and finish for his goal, was woeful. Defoe still looked a little off pace. The half chances that did come their way did not manage a meaningful effort on goal. If they are not scoring, they offer nothing. However....
- Keane is the key
I'm not saying he should start every week. But when the opposition has men behind the ball, and more men in midfield, the Irishman's ability to drop deep and get play going motivates the rest of the team to increase their off the ball movement. Keane did not hesitate to come to the half way line and take the ball of the centre backs and get involved with the central midfielders. His markers did not know whether to stick or twist, and his lay-off for the second goal was excellent, and was the first link up between any of our strikers.
- Huddlestone is a giant
Palacios and Modric were out numbered, but the Honduran did not help his game by being wasteful in possession and poor in defence. The holding role does not suit him as he wants to step up and press the ball and ends up caught in a no-man's land that contributed to the second and third goals we conceded. Only when Huddlestone came on after thirty minutes did Spurs look assured on the ball, slowing the tempo when needed and providing good positional awareness when needed.
He is not yet vocal enough to be a midfield general, but his game has improved to the extent that others now take their lead from him.
- You cannot play high and not press.
The second and third goals also exploited a lack of pace at the back. Even if Spurs had Usain Bolt at the back, it's easy to out pace someone when they have to turn 180 degrees. However, when there is pressure on the ball it is harder for the opposition to play the perfect ball for the runners to run on to.
As said above, Spurs were out numbered in midfield and the strikers were not helping out. The back line should have dropped, therefore, keeping the play in front of them. Instead they tried to push up and were exposed. Once again a lack of respect and awareness saw Spurs concede two unnecessary goals.
- The Internationals did not help.
Some players are still suffering from a World Cup hangover. With an early start to the Premiership season, plus mid week internationals before the season had begun, some players are lacking the sharpness needed. This was Spurs' second competitive game - Young Boys are on 7 already.
- Hurry Up Sandro
Tottenham's only summer signing, Sandro is due to arrive after the second leg of the Copa Libertadores. The defensive midfielder would be the perfect addition to a three man midfield and would have cut off the two through balls for the Swiss team's second and third goals. When Spurs make the switch to 4-3-3/4-5-1, he could be key
All is not lost. Pavlyuchenko's late goal makes Spurs favourites at a packed White Hart Lane. With a more traditional surface and the crowd behind them, you would expect Spurs to win, maybe by a couple of goals. However, if they cannot address those defensive issues and the naivety of manager and players, this season will be anything but Glory Glory.
As a Spurs fan, that was horrendous. Never mind the first thirty minutes that found Tottenham three goals down, the entire game was a defensive shambles. And whatever happens, do not blame the pitch.
The AstroTurf pitch simply exacerbated fundamental flaws in the setup of the London team which were not helped by some very poor individual decisions. Young Boys started at a very high tempo, but were very compact and did not use the flanks. Spurs on the other hand went with a traditional 4-4-2 formation with wingers hugging the touch line. This was the first mistake, and is a lesson that needs to be learnt.
- 4-4-2 does not work away from home in Europe
Villareal and an under-cooked Fiorentina gave Spurs a few lessons at the Lane. Tottenham's away record at the top teams has been terrible for many, many years. And yet Harry Redknapp went with an offensive 4-4-2 against the team from Bern. He, and the players, showed a lack of respect and awareness. For that first thirty minutes Spurs could not get on the ball. Young Boys' 5 man midfield were far more fluid, and Tottenham did not press as a team.
- Pavlyuchenko and Defoe should not play together against strong teams.
Neither player was impressive. Neither player showed a good enough touch in build up play nor in front of goal. Neither player worked hard. Nor did they get back and close down the holding midfielder, stopping Young Boys from progressing their play up the pitch.
The Russian, apart from the movement and finish for his goal, was woeful. Defoe still looked a little off pace. The half chances that did come their way did not manage a meaningful effort on goal. If they are not scoring, they offer nothing. However....
- Keane is the key
I'm not saying he should start every week. But when the opposition has men behind the ball, and more men in midfield, the Irishman's ability to drop deep and get play going motivates the rest of the team to increase their off the ball movement. Keane did not hesitate to come to the half way line and take the ball of the centre backs and get involved with the central midfielders. His markers did not know whether to stick or twist, and his lay-off for the second goal was excellent, and was the first link up between any of our strikers.
- Huddlestone is a giant
Palacios and Modric were out numbered, but the Honduran did not help his game by being wasteful in possession and poor in defence. The holding role does not suit him as he wants to step up and press the ball and ends up caught in a no-man's land that contributed to the second and third goals we conceded. Only when Huddlestone came on after thirty minutes did Spurs look assured on the ball, slowing the tempo when needed and providing good positional awareness when needed.
He is not yet vocal enough to be a midfield general, but his game has improved to the extent that others now take their lead from him.
- You cannot play high and not press.
The second and third goals also exploited a lack of pace at the back. Even if Spurs had Usain Bolt at the back, it's easy to out pace someone when they have to turn 180 degrees. However, when there is pressure on the ball it is harder for the opposition to play the perfect ball for the runners to run on to.
As said above, Spurs were out numbered in midfield and the strikers were not helping out. The back line should have dropped, therefore, keeping the play in front of them. Instead they tried to push up and were exposed. Once again a lack of respect and awareness saw Spurs concede two unnecessary goals.
- The Internationals did not help.
Some players are still suffering from a World Cup hangover. With an early start to the Premiership season, plus mid week internationals before the season had begun, some players are lacking the sharpness needed. This was Spurs' second competitive game - Young Boys are on 7 already.
- Hurry Up Sandro
Tottenham's only summer signing, Sandro is due to arrive after the second leg of the Copa Libertadores. The defensive midfielder would be the perfect addition to a three man midfield and would have cut off the two through balls for the Swiss team's second and third goals. When Spurs make the switch to 4-3-3/4-5-1, he could be key
All is not lost. Pavlyuchenko's late goal makes Spurs favourites at a packed White Hart Lane. With a more traditional surface and the crowd behind them, you would expect Spurs to win, maybe by a couple of goals. However, if they cannot address those defensive issues and the naivety of manager and players, this season will be anything but Glory Glory.
Monday 16 August 2010
Let Capello get on with the job
The fall out from the World Cup refuses to go away. The media enjoyed five minutes slating the players, but realising that the players would be around a little longer and any continued onslaught would see the stars boycott interviews, end columns and move to more 'friendlier' papers, they had to stop. Their next move was obvious, and one they have tried before - blame the foreigner!
They fell in love with the Italian after finding the wally with the brolly incompatible. But like any spurned lover, or should we say stalker, they hit back with a vengeance. Capello's problem was he did not play the media game. He was obnoxious, arrogant, and dismissive. He did not care about them, and cared even less about their opinion. That was fine when results were positive but the hacks were sharpening their knives for when it went wrong.
In a sense, Capello only has himself to blame. The title winning manager had ruled with conviction but when it came to naming a 30 man preliminary squad and then a final 23 there was an air of desperation. All the strategic planning went out the window. Suddenly Capello realised that England were primed to get through the qualifying group, but no thought had been given to the finals.
This is certainly not a new phenomenon. England have consistently underperformed in major tournaments, when they have qualified. While Germany accept indifferent qualification results but expect and receive excellent tournament performances, England seem to focus on the opposite. Most teams England face should pose little to no threat, even with third choice keepers, uncapped strikers and backup centre backs.
Instead, Capello played a non-goalscoring striker who he then had to drop, and found that relying on Rooney against determined opposition was inadequate. His slow central midfield pairing of Lampard and Barry, along with an egotistical and erratic Terry, were totally exposed. And the only changes he made were like for like.
Has Capello learnt his lesson? The friendly against Hungary saw a 4-5-1/4-3-3 attempted for the most part. Ironically it was when we switched back to 4-4-2 that we conceded. A few new caps were handed out, and fringe players received game time. But when it comes to the qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland, will Capello continue with the in vogue formation, or switch to the tried and tested (and failed)?
Either way, slating him every five minutes is hardly helping. Such is the psyche of the English media (and too many fans it has to be said) that even a 0-0 half time score in a friendly is met with thousands of boos. England could have played worse and been 2-0 up. What would the fans have done then?
The media has lost respect for him, that is abundantly clear. Now he is simply an easy target. I'm not sure convincing wins in the remaining internationals of the year will satisfy a blood-thirsty press.
If those journalists were true fans they would see the Italian's failings, but they would also give him the support. England have not won anything for a long time. They have not really been close to winning anything for a long time. Maybe its not the manager's fault, maybe the players are not good enough. Either way, getting on their backs is not helping!
They fell in love with the Italian after finding the wally with the brolly incompatible. But like any spurned lover, or should we say stalker, they hit back with a vengeance. Capello's problem was he did not play the media game. He was obnoxious, arrogant, and dismissive. He did not care about them, and cared even less about their opinion. That was fine when results were positive but the hacks were sharpening their knives for when it went wrong.
In a sense, Capello only has himself to blame. The title winning manager had ruled with conviction but when it came to naming a 30 man preliminary squad and then a final 23 there was an air of desperation. All the strategic planning went out the window. Suddenly Capello realised that England were primed to get through the qualifying group, but no thought had been given to the finals.
This is certainly not a new phenomenon. England have consistently underperformed in major tournaments, when they have qualified. While Germany accept indifferent qualification results but expect and receive excellent tournament performances, England seem to focus on the opposite. Most teams England face should pose little to no threat, even with third choice keepers, uncapped strikers and backup centre backs.
Instead, Capello played a non-goalscoring striker who he then had to drop, and found that relying on Rooney against determined opposition was inadequate. His slow central midfield pairing of Lampard and Barry, along with an egotistical and erratic Terry, were totally exposed. And the only changes he made were like for like.
Has Capello learnt his lesson? The friendly against Hungary saw a 4-5-1/4-3-3 attempted for the most part. Ironically it was when we switched back to 4-4-2 that we conceded. A few new caps were handed out, and fringe players received game time. But when it comes to the qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland, will Capello continue with the in vogue formation, or switch to the tried and tested (and failed)?
Either way, slating him every five minutes is hardly helping. Such is the psyche of the English media (and too many fans it has to be said) that even a 0-0 half time score in a friendly is met with thousands of boos. England could have played worse and been 2-0 up. What would the fans have done then?
The media has lost respect for him, that is abundantly clear. Now he is simply an easy target. I'm not sure convincing wins in the remaining internationals of the year will satisfy a blood-thirsty press.
If those journalists were true fans they would see the Italian's failings, but they would also give him the support. England have not won anything for a long time. They have not really been close to winning anything for a long time. Maybe its not the manager's fault, maybe the players are not good enough. Either way, getting on their backs is not helping!
Sunday 8 August 2010
Spicing up the Charity Shield
Let's be honest, we do not care. The only reason why we watch is because it's the first 'real' game of the season. But the winner does not matter. It goes in the record books but it's as immaterial as who was the second sub at Wigan on Boxing Day 1976.
The Charity Shield may be the curtain raiser but it has as much significance today as an England friendly. Nobody really cares, not even the teams invovled. Both sides play down the significance of the match before and after. At the end of the season, managers do not justify a poor season by saying 'At least we won the charity shield'.
So why don't we change that? Let's make the charity shield interesting, if not for the result how about the rules? Let's use the game as a one off chance to try something new and different. Four linesmen has already been done, but how about rolling subs? All English or British line ups? Each line up must contain 2 debutants. Goal line technology, penalties handed out instead of red cars, beach balls littering the goal mouth?
Nobody cares really and even the bragging rights of the supporters are short lived. Rooney plays his second 45 minutes of pre-season, so anything he does wrong is easily excused. The only reason the papers will cover the game is through desperation (and to cover their expenses). Why not jazz things up and instead of talking about how it does not matter, we cna talk about somethig new and different, and maybe improve football in the future.
The Charity Shield may be the curtain raiser but it has as much significance today as an England friendly. Nobody really cares, not even the teams invovled. Both sides play down the significance of the match before and after. At the end of the season, managers do not justify a poor season by saying 'At least we won the charity shield'.
So why don't we change that? Let's make the charity shield interesting, if not for the result how about the rules? Let's use the game as a one off chance to try something new and different. Four linesmen has already been done, but how about rolling subs? All English or British line ups? Each line up must contain 2 debutants. Goal line technology, penalties handed out instead of red cars, beach balls littering the goal mouth?
Nobody cares really and even the bragging rights of the supporters are short lived. Rooney plays his second 45 minutes of pre-season, so anything he does wrong is easily excused. The only reason the papers will cover the game is through desperation (and to cover their expenses). Why not jazz things up and instead of talking about how it does not matter, we cna talk about somethig new and different, and maybe improve football in the future.
Friday 6 August 2010
Capello Needs to be Careful
The furore at England's World Cup exit was predictable, and in most regards warranted. Once the FA had decided to keep Capello in charge, whether through fear of the financial cost or belief in the Italian to succeed, all thoughts turned to how he could change England's fortunes for Euro 2012.
The knee jerk reaction is to chuck in the kids. Doesn't matter that they have just stopped sucking their thumb long enough to make a couple of sub appearances in the Premiership, Arsene Wenger says they are ready, and it's not like he has been wrong before. Oh, wait.....
Jack Wilshere is chucked around by the media (and his french manager) as the answer to all England's problems, but this simply highlights the massive problem Capello had. After two years of doing things his own way, Capello started to second guess himself. He lured back Carragher, tried to tempt Scholes, relied on an injury prone centre back and another who was uncapped. Would Milan's Capello have persisted with out of form or out of order players? Doubtful.
Changes are needed, but half a season on loan at Bolton is not preparation for an England debut. Wilshere has potential, and maybe his inclusion in the squad simply to gain experience of the international set up and pressure of being one of England's top players, but to ship the likes of him, Danny Welbeck, Nathan Delfouneso, Kieran Gibbs and the rest in when they are not even Premiership regulars is a disastrous plan.
Laurent Blanc, the newly appointed France manager, will pick an entirely new 23 for his country's friendly game but it will not be filled with unproven teenagers. The media like to paint a picture that behind an established XI there is nothing. You either have a 70 cap midfielder who has won cups and titles, or you have the next big thing who still hasn't finished puberty.
Capello is in danger of forgetting a whole generation of players. Joe Hart will be England's number 1 for a while, but there is plenty of Premiership experience in Lee Cattermole, Tom Huddlestone, Michael Dawson, Leon Osman, Scott Parker, Bobby Zamora, Ashley Young, Gabby Agbonlahor...the list is endless. Players like Jack Rodwell, nearing his 50th Premiership appearance, have established themselves in the Premiership and are still young, but there is a marked difference between them and the hyped up youngsters at the big teams.
Capello needs to be careful. Going from one extreme, the oldest team at the World Cup, to the other, a team full of teenagers, will not work. They say you never win anything with kids, and while Manchester United disproved this theory Capello needs to remember that international teams do not have time to build up an understanding, nor a team spirit. Uninformed pundits may point to Germany's young team, but tell me how young Miroslav Klose, Bastien Schweinsteiger, Phillip Lahm, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolshi are, nevermind Michael Ballack.
The knee jerk reaction is to chuck in the kids. Doesn't matter that they have just stopped sucking their thumb long enough to make a couple of sub appearances in the Premiership, Arsene Wenger says they are ready, and it's not like he has been wrong before. Oh, wait.....
Jack Wilshere is chucked around by the media (and his french manager) as the answer to all England's problems, but this simply highlights the massive problem Capello had. After two years of doing things his own way, Capello started to second guess himself. He lured back Carragher, tried to tempt Scholes, relied on an injury prone centre back and another who was uncapped. Would Milan's Capello have persisted with out of form or out of order players? Doubtful.
Changes are needed, but half a season on loan at Bolton is not preparation for an England debut. Wilshere has potential, and maybe his inclusion in the squad simply to gain experience of the international set up and pressure of being one of England's top players, but to ship the likes of him, Danny Welbeck, Nathan Delfouneso, Kieran Gibbs and the rest in when they are not even Premiership regulars is a disastrous plan.
Laurent Blanc, the newly appointed France manager, will pick an entirely new 23 for his country's friendly game but it will not be filled with unproven teenagers. The media like to paint a picture that behind an established XI there is nothing. You either have a 70 cap midfielder who has won cups and titles, or you have the next big thing who still hasn't finished puberty.
Capello is in danger of forgetting a whole generation of players. Joe Hart will be England's number 1 for a while, but there is plenty of Premiership experience in Lee Cattermole, Tom Huddlestone, Michael Dawson, Leon Osman, Scott Parker, Bobby Zamora, Ashley Young, Gabby Agbonlahor...the list is endless. Players like Jack Rodwell, nearing his 50th Premiership appearance, have established themselves in the Premiership and are still young, but there is a marked difference between them and the hyped up youngsters at the big teams.
Capello needs to be careful. Going from one extreme, the oldest team at the World Cup, to the other, a team full of teenagers, will not work. They say you never win anything with kids, and while Manchester United disproved this theory Capello needs to remember that international teams do not have time to build up an understanding, nor a team spirit. Uninformed pundits may point to Germany's young team, but tell me how young Miroslav Klose, Bastien Schweinsteiger, Phillip Lahm, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolshi are, nevermind Michael Ballack.
Monday 2 August 2010
Time for Ancelotti's Stamp
Three years have passed since the Special One left Stamford Bridge, yet the team remains true to his values, his tactics and his formation. The key men remain the same - Cech, Terry, Ashley Cole, Lampard and Drogba - and despite the best efforts of Carlo Ancelotti the style is still the same - strong and powerful, but not always pleasing on the eye.
The Italian has achieved something Mourinho did not, namely a domestic double, and he still has a chance to deliver the Champions League, something Chelsea have never won. But the feeling remains that Mourinho created the Chelsea we have seen today, and the likes of Avram Grant, Guus Hiddink and now Ancelotti are merely reaping the benefits. Key personnel remain the same, and those that have left have been replaced with similarly styled players.
Moruniho's teams were accused of defensive, direct football. Effective without doubt, but for the money splashed about more was expected. Those that have succeeded him have not had a blank cheque book, and arguably Ancelotti is having it harder than most. The likes of Michael Ballack and Joe Cole have left the club, their wages deemed excessive for what they brought to the team.
Looking at Ancelotti's previous teams, should we be expecting an attractive, attacking style of play? A brief glimpse of his managerial history shows that the Italian likes to adopt a defensive style of play in general, but tends to mould a system to suit his players. Is it any surprise, therefore, that he should choose to continue with a kind of football that has worked so well for Chelsea in the recent decade?
One legacy the man from Reggiolo is trying to create is behind the scenes at the club's training ground in Cobham. The idea is to replicate the famous Milanello training facility and Ancelotti has brought over Bruno di Michelis to help build a world class complex.
The Chelsea squad still has a few areas that need improvement. The return of Michael Essien will bring drive and determination, but the team lacks width and sheering pace on the wings as the full backs are asked to cover both fofensive and defensive duties. Anelka and Drogba still struggle to shine as a partnership, while Lampard struggled in the first half of last season without the physical presence of the Ivorian upfront.
The signing of Fernando Torres would certainly make a statement, but I worry how well he and Drogba would do in a partnership. Both like to lead the line and be the focal point of attacks - would they be able to link up together and score the goals? And how well would Lampard work in a deeper role?
Chelsea could do with genuine wingers to offer a different option (Malouda and Kalou are not by any definition wingers) and also a creative midfielder to get on the ball and create chances. It's all very well smashing Wigan for eight, but as Inter Milan showed they can be stifled as an attacking force. If Chelsea want to win that Champions League, and Ancelotti wants to be the man to do it, he needs to make a couple of changes and then maybe we can say this is Ancelotti's Chelsea.
The Italian has achieved something Mourinho did not, namely a domestic double, and he still has a chance to deliver the Champions League, something Chelsea have never won. But the feeling remains that Mourinho created the Chelsea we have seen today, and the likes of Avram Grant, Guus Hiddink and now Ancelotti are merely reaping the benefits. Key personnel remain the same, and those that have left have been replaced with similarly styled players.
Moruniho's teams were accused of defensive, direct football. Effective without doubt, but for the money splashed about more was expected. Those that have succeeded him have not had a blank cheque book, and arguably Ancelotti is having it harder than most. The likes of Michael Ballack and Joe Cole have left the club, their wages deemed excessive for what they brought to the team.
Looking at Ancelotti's previous teams, should we be expecting an attractive, attacking style of play? A brief glimpse of his managerial history shows that the Italian likes to adopt a defensive style of play in general, but tends to mould a system to suit his players. Is it any surprise, therefore, that he should choose to continue with a kind of football that has worked so well for Chelsea in the recent decade?
One legacy the man from Reggiolo is trying to create is behind the scenes at the club's training ground in Cobham. The idea is to replicate the famous Milanello training facility and Ancelotti has brought over Bruno di Michelis to help build a world class complex.
The Chelsea squad still has a few areas that need improvement. The return of Michael Essien will bring drive and determination, but the team lacks width and sheering pace on the wings as the full backs are asked to cover both fofensive and defensive duties. Anelka and Drogba still struggle to shine as a partnership, while Lampard struggled in the first half of last season without the physical presence of the Ivorian upfront.
The signing of Fernando Torres would certainly make a statement, but I worry how well he and Drogba would do in a partnership. Both like to lead the line and be the focal point of attacks - would they be able to link up together and score the goals? And how well would Lampard work in a deeper role?
Chelsea could do with genuine wingers to offer a different option (Malouda and Kalou are not by any definition wingers) and also a creative midfielder to get on the ball and create chances. It's all very well smashing Wigan for eight, but as Inter Milan showed they can be stifled as an attacking force. If Chelsea want to win that Champions League, and Ancelotti wants to be the man to do it, he needs to make a couple of changes and then maybe we can say this is Ancelotti's Chelsea.
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