Thursday, August 31, 2006
Repair kit for athletes
The Sunday Times reported recently that at least five professional soccer players in England have had stem cells from the blood of their children's umbilical cords frozen. It's being done to protect their progeny in the event of future illness, but is also seen by some of the athletes as a potential aid to fix their own damaged cartilage and ligaments in the future.
One unidentified Premier League player told the British newspaper: "As a footballer, if you're prone to injury it can mean the end of your career, so having your stem cells — a repair kit, if you like — on hand makes sense."
One unidentified Premier League player told the British newspaper: "As a footballer, if you're prone to injury it can mean the end of your career, so having your stem cells — a repair kit, if you like — on hand makes sense."
Sick Soccer Moves
Expensive failures
The £71m striker: Nicolas Anelka's chequered career
Paris St-Germain (1994-97) Trainee Games 10 Goals 1
Arsenal (1997-99) £500,000 Games 90 Goals 28
Real Madrid (1999-00) £22m Games 24 Goals 4
Paris St-Germain (2000-02) £20.29m Games 50 Goals 15
Liverpool (2001-02) Loan Games 22 Goals 5
Manchester City (2002-05) £13m Games 103 Goals 46
Fenerbahçe (2005-2006) £7m Games 45 Goals 14
Bolton (2006- ) £8m
Total: £70.79m Games 344 Goals 113
In total, Anelka is the second most expensive player in football history. Only Juan Sebastian Veron tops him:
Boca Juniors to Sampdoria (1996) £3m
Sampdoria to Parma (1998) £13m
Parma to Lazio (1999) £18.1m
Lazio to Man Utd (2001) £28.1m
Man Utd to Chelsea (2003) £15m
Chelsea to Internazionale (2004) Undisc.
Total: £77.2m
Keane relied on 'gut feeling' to take Sunderland job
Will he be the next Feruson ? I don't know. My 'gut feeling' is that he's too much of a loose cannon to be successfull - it's not enough to strike fear into the player's hearts, you also have to get their respect. I do think he was a very good player, notwithstanding his various violent tactics, but lifelong habits don't go away overnight, so my bet is that he won't last more than 6 weeks.
He was always one of those players who you love if they're on your team, but hate with a passion if they're on the opposition team.
He was always one of those players who you love if they're on your team, but hate with a passion if they're on the opposition team.
Cole's switch hangs in balance as Chelsea and Arsenal haggle
The Cole transfer saga is the biggest bore in football for a long time. I know there's a lot of money at stake, and he's an excellent player, but can't they just get together and make a deal ? There's been talk of a 20 million quid offer on the table ... for a defender that's quite an amount, for any team.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Fans warn Premiership clubs over falling crowds
The Premiership has been screwing fans with kick-off times for a few years, and maybe now is the time that it's starting to cause problems. Forcing fans to make unbelievable travel arrangements just to accomodate t.v. start times has got to stop if they expect people to actually turn up at the games.
Ronaldinho dropped by Barcelona after missing training session
Maybe the toothy one is on the outs at Real Madrid ... I wonder what the odds are that Chelsea will get him. It would certainly be nice to see him in the Premiership, but I haven't seen any comments from him of any desire to play there.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Takes some beating
Seems like this is how most Newcastle strikers leave the field these days.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Defender Jonathan Woodgate says he will play on loan in England this season
90K a week for a crock with a bad haircut seems a bit excessive.
To be fair, he's an excellent player when fit ... the problem is that he's never fit.
The funny thing is that there are 2 articles on soccernet within a month or so of each other - one saying that he wanted to prove his worth to the new Real Madrid manager, and the other saying that he wanted to come back to the Premiership. I guess that he changed his mind when he realized that he probably wouldn't be guaranteed a first team place.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Ben Thatcher foul
Here's a vid of the foul on Pedro Mendes that's causing all of the commentary at the moment. It's the first time I've seen it, and I have to say that it does look particularly vicious and premeditated. How he can escape further punishment is quite unbelievable - the fact that the referee gave a yellow shouldn't mean that they can't also review video and hand out a ban or a fine.
Anelka back in the Premiership
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Xavier back in training with Boro
Good to see him back ... a different hairstyle every week, and an uncanny resemblance to Tygra from thundercats.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Chelsea's latest signing
Apparently, his nickname is Khalid the Cannibal, which he showed in the World Cup when he left his stud marks on Cristiano Ronaldo's thigh.
Nigeria's Martins in age row
Niall: I've had enough
He says that he's going to appoint a world-class manager by the end of the week ... I wonder how many managers will actually want to go there after the way they've been playing.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
The right-sided midfielder is a tree
Monday, August 21, 2006
Screw Gravity, Let's Play
Smith to make return for Man Utd
Wow - after seeing him break his leg (and dislocate his ankle), I thought he'd be out for a lot longer. I've always been a fan of his though - he'll always give 100% - so good luck on his comeback.
Doesn't look as if Rooney holds a grudge
Sunday, August 20, 2006
"A contract with Bayern Munich is a contract"
Yeah right - I have yet to see a player stay at a club when he says he wants to leave. My bet is that Hargreaves will be playing for Man Utd within a couple of weeks. There have been a couple of contradicting articles, but he'll be out of there soon.
I don't really agree with it ... if you sign a contract, it should be binding, but players cannot be forced to play.
I don't really agree with it ... if you sign a contract, it should be binding, but players cannot be forced to play.
Time to wave goodbye to the diving cheats
A very interesting article from the Daily Mail about getting rid of diving and other nefarious tactics from the game. If they can review video for cards to be revoked, then surely they can find people who are deliberately diving and punish them accordingly.
It's a little interesting that Sir Bobby Charlton is a supporter of the project though, considering that Ronaldo is one of the biggest culprits.
I'm also glad that they're trying to stop the practice of players kicking the ball out of play when an opponent is down - it got totally out of hand at the World Cup, and I wouldn't want to see it continue. It's fair enough if it looks as if someone is seriously injured, but they were kicking the ball out just for someone suffering from cramp.
It's a little interesting that Sir Bobby Charlton is a supporter of the project though, considering that Ronaldo is one of the biggest culprits.
I'm also glad that they're trying to stop the practice of players kicking the ball out of play when an opponent is down - it got totally out of hand at the World Cup, and I wouldn't want to see it continue. It's fair enough if it looks as if someone is seriously injured, but they were kicking the ball out just for someone suffering from cramp.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
The reformed Spice Boy who sows hope in Africa
An interesting article about David James - I was never a great fan of his, but he certainly moves up in my opinion because of what he has to say.
So who exactly is streaking ?
Friday, August 18, 2006
Fans condemn 'legalised touting' of season tickets
I don't see the problem personally - isn't it just supply and demand ? If the buyer is willing to pay the price, then everyone is happy, and a ticket that may have gone to waste is put to good use.
Kirkland family cash in on England debut
Time to put some money on my kid playing for England one day. £100 at 100-1 sounds like a pretty good deal to me.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
The sack race
The BBC site has an interesting article about who will be the first manager to get the sack this season, and Sir Alex only has a Sack Rating of 3/10. However, this article in the Guardian is a little bit more cautious.
I wonder how much time the Glazers will give him if the season starts out badly.
I wonder how much time the Glazers will give him if the season starts out badly.
Broken ankle robs Ashton of England debut
I feel sorry for the guy, but McClaren really is the master of understatement ...
"It has really clouded our morning," admitted McClaren.
Yeah, I'm sure it didn't do too much for Ashton's morning either.
"It has really clouded our morning," admitted McClaren.
Yeah, I'm sure it didn't do too much for Ashton's morning either.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Burglars steal Van der Meyde dog
O’Neill can pick Dream Team
A billionaire owner, an experienced manager ... I wonder if Villa can be the next Chelsea. I'm sure that Martin O'Neill wouldn't have been tempted back into managership without assurances that he'd have money to spend.
Priceless (again)
Monday, August 14, 2006
Beckham dropped again ?
The Sun reports that "Former England captain David Beckham, who was dropped by new national team boss Steve McClaren for Wednesday's friendly against Greece, faces starting the season as a substitute for Real Madrid."
How the mighty have fallen. If he's dropped, maybe he'll consider a move back to the Premiership.
How the mighty have fallen. If he's dropped, maybe he'll consider a move back to the Premiership.
CHANT OF THE WEEK
"Two more - he only needs two more!"
Colchester fans to referee Graham Poll after he showed a yellow card to U's midfielder Kem Izett.
Colchester fans to referee Graham Poll after he showed a yellow card to U's midfielder Kem Izett.
Priceless
Gazza Mad With Bianca
On top of all his other problems, now Gazza's moaning about his step-daughter. He does have a point though ... other than being loosely related to him, what exactly is she famous for ? Another case of being famous for being famous.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Misery continues for Sunderland
They couldn't buy a win last year in the Premiership, and it looks as if their form has continued in the Championship. Here, Mick McCarthy consoles Niall Quinn for sinking all that money into the club (he looks glad to be out of there).
Friday, August 11, 2006
Beckham
Looks like his England career may be over - which may be a good thing considering his recent performances.
I can never quite forgive him for the braided hair either ...
Odds to win the Premiership
Chelsea 4/9
Man United 11/2
Liverpool 13/2
Arsenal 13/2
Tottenham 80/1
Newcastle 175/1
Blackburn 300/1
Bolton 350/1
Everton 350/1
Man City 400/1
Middlesbrough 400/1
West Ham 500/1
Portsmouth 650/1
Aston Villa 750/1
Fulham 1000/1
Wigan 1500/1
Charlton 1500/1
Reading 2000/1
Sheff Utd 2500/1
Watford 3000/1
Man United 11/2
Liverpool 13/2
Arsenal 13/2
Tottenham 80/1
Newcastle 175/1
Blackburn 300/1
Bolton 350/1
Everton 350/1
Man City 400/1
Middlesbrough 400/1
West Ham 500/1
Portsmouth 650/1
Aston Villa 750/1
Fulham 1000/1
Wigan 1500/1
Charlton 1500/1
Reading 2000/1
Sheff Utd 2500/1
Watford 3000/1
Bulimia, alcoholism, OCD, bipolar disease ... Gazza's got them all
Here's an interesting interview with Gazza where he opens up about his many problems.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Chinese entrepreneur trademarks Zidane headbutt
Pre-season tours: what are they good for?
An article about the pro's and cons of pre-season tours. It seems to me that generating revenue is sometimes the focus, rather than preparing for the upcoming season.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Roeder keeps tabs on striker Kuyt
With their lack of attacking players, I'm guessing that Newcastle will go with the old 5-5-0 formation.
Hargreaves voted No1 with England fans
Wow - that's quite a turnaround for the guy after taking so much abuse over the past few years. I do agree with the poll though - he was outstanding in the Portugal game.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
"Trust me ? Of course you can trust me."
Monday, August 07, 2006
Everton star hospitalised after 'spiked drink'
Yeah, right ... the last time I got wasted, I reckon that my drinks were spiked too.
Not too sure about the last one ...
Got this from the Daily Nooz blog ...
The Washington Post asked readers for bad advice to immigrants to the United States. Some of our favorites:
If you're not sure exactly what someone said to you in English, it's always polite to respond, "That's so gay" or "God, that's retarded."
They may not taste good or seem filling, but you really should eat all your food stamps every month.
To make sure he doesn't spread germs in a public place, such as a bank, a man suffering from a runny nose customarily wears a bandanna over the lower half of his face.
White people will be offended unless you address them as "Mister Cracker Sir."
Using indoor plumbing every single time just makes you look uppity.
Americans are very friendly. Always say hello and shake hands with the man at the urinal next to you.
As a foreigner, you should carry handy maps of several major U.S. cities. Be sure to circle any interesting buildings, tunnels, etc., that you want to see, and print out from the Internet as much detailed information about them as you can.
American farms are all pick-your-own, so just drive in and dive in! This includes beef and dairy farms.
Your country probably has a deep, abiding passion for that goofy sport where people run around kicking a ball and nothing happens. So do we! So come on, talk about it with us all day long -- we just can't get enough!
The Washington Post asked readers for bad advice to immigrants to the United States. Some of our favorites:
If you're not sure exactly what someone said to you in English, it's always polite to respond, "That's so gay" or "God, that's retarded."
They may not taste good or seem filling, but you really should eat all your food stamps every month.
To make sure he doesn't spread germs in a public place, such as a bank, a man suffering from a runny nose customarily wears a bandanna over the lower half of his face.
White people will be offended unless you address them as "Mister Cracker Sir."
Using indoor plumbing every single time just makes you look uppity.
Americans are very friendly. Always say hello and shake hands with the man at the urinal next to you.
As a foreigner, you should carry handy maps of several major U.S. cities. Be sure to circle any interesting buildings, tunnels, etc., that you want to see, and print out from the Internet as much detailed information about them as you can.
American farms are all pick-your-own, so just drive in and dive in! This includes beef and dairy farms.
Your country probably has a deep, abiding passion for that goofy sport where people run around kicking a ball and nothing happens. So do we! So come on, talk about it with us all day long -- we just can't get enough!
No comment
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Sir Bobby
Friday, August 04, 2006
An unlikely duo
WBA reject £2.5m bid for Kuszczak
I can't see Man Utd sending Rossi on loan to WBA just to get a back-up keeper ... isn't he supposed to be RvN's replacement ? I'm not too sure about the logic behind him being the solution to their striker problem, but sending him on loan would just be crazy.
