Transfer Window Round-up
February 3, 2010
Transfer Window… It’s the 31 day period when seasons are often defined by the influx of new unfamiliar faces that don’t deliver, or the freebie veteran who inspires you to safety. Some teams it appears have spent wisely, others have had to sell to survive and it really doesn’t look like Portsmouth are going to have what it takes to remain in the league this season. Their best players are after leaving this season in the form of Niko Kranjcar, Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch, Younes Kaboul and their promising ‘keeper Asmir Begovic has also left the club with an inability to replace any of them due to their crippled financial situation. The uncertainty over their finances continues as rumours continue to circulate that the players haven’t been paid in weeks.
One of the most interesting signings this January was that of Victor Moses, the 18 year old superstar of Selhurst Park who completed a reported £2.5 million move to Wigan. He proved his worth in the championship with some phenomenal strikes but the Premiership is a completely kettle of fish as proven by Sylvain Ebanks-Blake who has struggled to replicate his scintillating form of last season into the top tier. I feel however that he is a great capture for Wigan and could be one of the signings of the season, and there is a hint of Theo Walcott about his move to the Premier League in a World Cup year.
Manchester City signed in my opinion one of England’s best wide players in Adam Johnson who is quite apt on either side of the pitch. His end product is quite promising as well but you have to wonder was he wearing rose-tinted glasses when he completed the deal? You have to wonder where is he going to fit into this Manchester City team that are undoubtedly going to sign more star-studded names from abroad and if he does not deliver immediately there is a feeling that he may end up on the City scrapheap where he may waste one or two years of his career. Patrick Viera is another signing that was greeted with much fanfare around the blue half of Manchester but has yet to don the shirt and after one month without their first sighting many are starting to wonder whether their team have just signed a crock whose best years are behind him.
Celtic pulled off one of deadline day shocks when they swooped for out of favour Robbie Keane from Tottenham for the remainder of the season. I feel that this was a very poor move on Keane’s behalf moving to a league where there are really only two teams. The Old Firm have dominated the league since the days of Alex Ferguson’s departure from Aberdeen in the mid-80’s . Robbie is going to prove nothing to any other possible suitors by having a good season in Scotland, but if he proved to have a tough time of it his stock will drop dramatically. The expectations that have been put on him are very high by the Celtic faithful as hundreds of supporters were out in force to greet him in the early hours of February 2nd. If he fails to deliver here I feel his career may begin to nosedive spectacularly.
In other deals around the Premiership, West Ham have signed three strikers in an attempt to curb their recent lack of goals. Ilan, a Brazillan international, Benni McCarthy from Blackburn and Mido from ‘Boro. I feel that of those three Benni McCarthy will probably be the best signing as he is proven in the league and if Gianfranco Zola can extract the best from him it will be money well spent. Mido is a bit of an enigma and you never really know what you’re going to get from him and Ilan is an unknown quantity to English supporters after being released by St. Ettiene.
So, overall a fairly dull transfer window period sprinkled with a few shrewd singings by various clubs. It will be interesting to see how the unproven players will cope with the pace and pressure of the English Premiership and what impact they will have.
Big Two Falter As Villa Make Their Move
December 13, 2009
What an unpredictable day it was in the Premier League yesterday. Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham all slipped up in apparent ‘home bankers’. Spurs were toppled by my team Wolves, while United lost to Aston Villa and Chelsea were held to a 3-3 draw by Everton at Stamford Bridge.
Henry’s Reputation Tarnished?
November 21, 2009
Likeable, genuine and probably the best player the Premier League has seen. These are the words I would have used to describe Thierry Henry before Wednesday night’s crucial World Cup play-off between France and Republic Of Ireland.
Now he is being branded a cheat after blatantly handling the ball before teeing up William Gallas to score in extra time to send France to the World Cup and break Irish hearts.
Looking at the incident myself I would have to say it was deliberate, there was a definite move towards and then control of the ball by Henry’s hand. It may have been instinctive though. The ball would have gone out for a goal kick and with time running out, this was a desperate move by a player desperate to appear at the World Cup, possibly his last.
I am not saying it was right, of course not, it was cheating because it’s against the rules. If it had happened against England I’m sure I’d be outraged. The Irish have every right to feel aggrieved. I don’t feel the referee can be blamed either. It happened so fast and nobody knew until they saw the replays afterwards. In fact the referee had earlier spotted Nicolas Anelka’s dive although not deciding to book the player.
There have also been suggestions that Henry should have gone over to the ref to admit what he had done. Would this have not risked the wrath of the French, especially if they had gone on to lose? And would the referee even have changed his mind? I seem to remember Robbie Fowler once saying he hadn’t been touched by David Seaman after a penalty had been given during a game at Highbury. The referee refused to admit he was wrong and Fowler went on to miss the penalty.
It looks like calls for a replay, which is the least Ireland deserve, have been turned away and in truth this was never going to happen. Every time there was an incident in a game that a referee didn’t spot, teams would call for a replay because Ireland were given one. Indeed Birmingham could ask for a replay at Anfield after David N’Gog’s dive (though I’m sure they would settle for a point).
Thierry Henry is still a very talented player and always will be remembered for what he did for Arsenal over the first half of this decade, but you sense that he won’t be quite seen in the same light by many which is a great shame.
Richard Gutteridge
Millwall 4 - 1 AFC Wimbledon
November 9, 2009
League One Millwall secured themselves a second round tie away at giant killers Staines Town in the FA Cup after seeing off AFC Wimbledon on Monday night. However, Dons’ fans may be cursing the ‘what may have beens’ after their side missed a hatful of guilt edged chances that could have seen them progress.
Over 3000 fans travelled to the Den, for arguably the biggest game in the club’s short history. Although these sides were seperated by two divisions, the minnows knew they had a great chance of pulling off a cup shock.
A fairly open first half saw the Lions have plenty of possession, but lacked a killer instinct in front of goal. All-time leading goal scorer Neil Harris and his strike partner Steve Morison had half chances, but failed to seriously trouble visiting keeper James Pullen. At the other end Millwall’s David Forde was having a quiet evening between the sticks until midway through the first period. A cross from the right touchline wasn’t dealt with by the defence and allowed Don’s striker Danny Kedwell a free shot on goal. Kedwell may have thought he was offside though, as his side foot volley dropped just wide of the post, with Forde scrambling across his goal. A strong finish to the half by the Blue Square Premier outfit, left the score 0-0 at the break.
The second half began with a more threatening and determined Millwall side dominate the opening exchanges. Manager Kenny Jackett had obviously said something right at half time, as it took his side only four minutes to take the lead. A pass from the right by Morison found Harris, who let the ball bounce across his body before unleashing a fierce, left footed shot into the bottom corner. AFC Wimbledon could have folded after that, but Terry Brown’s men carried on pressing and hassling in midfield. They were nearly rewarded for their efforts, minutes after going behind. Leading marksman Jon Main, picked up the ball 25 yards from goal before going on a jinking run past two Lions defenders. However, after doing the hard work, Main could only watch as his feeble effort trickled agonisingly wide of goal. The Dons’ were made to pay for this fifteen minutes later. After winning a free kick just in from the left hand touchline, Millwall’s Chris Hackett whipped in a deep cross which evaded everyone. Not even a heroic goal line block could prevent substitute Jason Price from smashing in the rebound, with his first kick of the game to make it 2-0. AFC missed another good chance at the other end when Kedwell headed over from 6 yards following a corner. The Dons’ persistance eventually paid off though with ten minutes remaining. A slick passing move saw Kedwell’s delightful back heel play in Lewis Taylor, who angled his shot beyond the reach of David Forde to make it 2-1. Many fans may have been anticipating a tense finale. However, Lions’ midfielder Danny Schofield, who was arguably the best player on the night, extinguished any hopes of a dramatic late come back. After picking up a loose ball just outside the box, he weaved past two Dons’ players before curling a brilliant shot into the top corner. With the game now out of reach, AFC went for broke, trying to get the ball forward. Millwall then rubbed salt into the wounds by grabbing a fourth. An incisive counter attack by Schofield saw him burst through the centre of the pitch. With the Dons’ defence stretched, and support from either side, Schofield opted right, and sent Price through on goal. The Welshman had enough time and space to pick his spot,rolling the ball into the far corner to cap off a good night for the Lions.
The final result may have looked convincing, but Millwall knew they had to fight hard for the win. AFC Wimbledon fans and supporters can take heart from the performance and know that they certainly gave the League One side a game.
Istanbul
November 2, 2009
My eyes slowly open, hit by the blinding light of the morning sun, and the volume of my ringing alarm
It feels like another day, then the enormity of the remainder of the day hits me like a boulder hitting a tower of flats
Its not another day, its European cup final day, Its Liverpool v AC Milan, Its hands down, the biggest day of my life to date
I look around me, pictures of men in red shirts, pictures of men, who in 12 hours time, will be stepping out into the biggest arena in club football, looking to write another chapter in our already illustrious history
I step out of bed, and reach for my uniform, boy how i wish i was reaching for a red shirt as i prepare for a flight to Istanbul
I climb weariliy down the stairs and turn on the tv, to be confronted by thousands of scousers, dressed in red, banners hanging from every possible point in John Lennon airport,
I step out of the door, and start the walk to school, looking behind me at the Liverpool flag taped across my door, with questions flying from every angle possible inside my head,
Can we really do it? Have we really defied to odds to get here? Am i really going to see my beloved redmen in a European cup final, something ive never done before? How the hell is a team with players such as Djimi Traore and Vladimir Smicer going to topple footballing giants AC Milan?
I step into the newsagents to grab a can and chocolate bar for the walk to school, as i see the early morning papers lined up, each previewing tonights match
I sit in history, but im having a mini history lesson inside my brain as i think off the previous European cup finals, the stories ive heard, thinking of the images that flashed past my eyes as i watched the History of Liverpool FC till half two the previous morning
The bell rings, and cuts through my thoughts like an axe through wood, I look at my palms to see them shine due to the sweaty palms, I usually dont experience until the hour leading up to kick off, not seven hours before, but this isn’t any game, its the biggest game i’ve ever seen my team play in, and whilst I hope theres plenty more to come, it could also be the biggest i ever see them play in.
I arrive home, and quickly turn the TV on, to see hordes of Scousers dressed in Red, with Banners hanging from every possible point, as they party on the banks of the Bosphorus as kick off time approaches.
I turn on TV after arriving home from Football Training, and its a similair picture to that i witnessed hours before, but the Scousers and Banners are now inside the Stadium.
The camera pans round, viewing all the banners, “Them Scousers Again” is a particular one that stands out, amongst the hordes.
A montage on the TV screen makes me think about the greats of this club, such as Emlyn Hughes, Who led this club to two European Cups, and was the first Reds captain to walk up those steps and lift that big eared, gleaming trophy into the Rome sky, Ex Managers such as Shanks And Paisley, who built this football club in to what, and where they are today, none of them still alive, but im certain, and so are thousands off others, that there watching, up there, with 96 fellow reds. Even on the biggest of occasions, theres still reason to shed a tear.
The teams emerge from a Red tunnel, I see eleven men in white shirts, walking with a swagger, a air of confidence, theyve been here plenty of times before, have plenty of medals to show for it, they know how to deal with the big occasion. I look along the line, and see 11 Redmen, with a determination, a hunger in there eyes, these players have never been on this stage before, and may never do again, with the determination and hunger, must come the element of fear, aswell as nerves.
They break out from the huddle, before i give one final “Come On Redmen” call, as they line up for the biggest game of there careers.
47 minutes later, i sit, bewildered, wordless, staring at the TV, as Ive just seen my team, on the biggest stage in club football, be embarrased by a world class AC Milan. The players trudge of the pitch, before ‘Ac Milan 3-0 Liverpool’ flashes upon the TV once again to twist the knife thats already deep in my stomach.
How can this be happening? The team i love so much, and have devoted my life to, have had there pants pulled down, and been well and truly spanked in front of the word. I continue to sit in silence, listening to people around me, but not really taking it in. I try and retrieve hope, thinking to myself if they can score three, so can we. But deep down, no matter how dyed in the wool a Red i am, im thinking game over.
The players remerge, and so does a tall, German fella, going by the name of Dietmar Hammann, possibly the biggest substitution in the History of the club.
The first goal goes in, and it gets me thinking, one more and were back in this, its optimisim, but us Reds do optimism like no other
Moments later, the ball falls to Vladi Smicer, and im thinking ‘Dont hit it’, but he does, and rams my thought back down my throat as he fires past Dida. Surely not?
The place is bouncing, I can tell from the Tv, Were on the front foot, and these Italians are well and truly up againgst the ropes.
The next thing I know, im screaming ‘Penalty’ at the top of my voice, before waiting for what seemed an eternity for the ref to stretch out his arm towards the spot.
When Xabi Alonso fired that rebound into the roof of the net, I didn’t have a clue what to do. Jump about screaming like a lunatic, or just sit there, dumstruck by what i have witnessed, dumstruck as ive just seen us pull of the greatest comeback EVER!
The commentators words of “Mission Impossible, Is Accomplished” couldn’t of summed it up any better.
A bag of nerves best describes me for the next half an hour, and extra time after. As the ball flew into Andriy Shevchenko, and then been parried back to him by Jerzy Dudek, my heart momentarily sunk, I could feel the tears beginning, it seemed we’d come so far and it was going to be gone by a swing of a boot, but that swing of a boot was met by a stunning, world class, seemingly impossible save by Dudek to keep it level. His nod of his head towards the touchline summed up what every Red must of been thinking, Our names on this cup.
The nerves went up a notch as i heard 40,000 scousers in the Ataturk bellowing out Youll Never Walk Alone, but i knew, whatever happened in this penalty shoot out, I would be prouder tonight than i ever have been a Red, knowing that we’d defied the odds to even get here, and produce the greatest comeback ever after half time to get to penalties.
As Shevchenko walked up to that kick, im stood here, praying, begging for him to miss it, and to make us European champions, something I, and and any Kopite under the age of 20 have never seen.
As Jerzy Dudek outstetched his arm to block that penalty, I’ve never experienced such a mix of feelings. I jumped about, as did millions of others around the country, still in shock at what had just happened. I shed tears, and im not embarrased to admit it, tears for something ive never witnessed, tears for how low id felt at half time, had such a miraculous ending, how this was the greatest night of my life bar none, how this club had done what it had tonight, and there is people who made this club what it is, surely, watching over, playing there part, smiling down on those heroic Reds.
Four and a half years on, and i still think about what happened in Istanbul on a daily basis.
It was more than a football match, it was even more than the greatest European Cup Final ever, it was a lesson in life, on how you should never ever give up, no matter how bad things are.
Those 15 half time minutes was the lowest ive ever been before or since watching a football game, possibly the lowest point of my entire life, never mind watching football.
But come the celebrations, it give me an unbelievable high never experienced before or since, and it stayed with me for days.
Its also a lesson in support, not that this great club of ours need it. It cant be easy seeing your team be humiliated, been beaten 3-0 on the biggest stage in club football, after spending plenty of money getting there and getting in cant be easy in the slightest, what takes courage is been able to back your team when they need you most, showing them your there in the good and the bad times, like those fans in the Ataturk did, as they bellowed out Youll Never Walk Alone with a raw passion, sang in a way it has never been sang before or since.
Its as though that hymn was written for that night, wed walk through the storm, and held our head up high, and at the end of the storm, we found the golden sky, and the sweet silver song of the lark.
As I lay on my deathbed and look back on the moments of my life, Ill think back to that night in the Ataturk, seeing those celebrations and Steven Gerrard lifting that cup will stay with me forever, no matter what happens in my life, Istanbul will definately be up there.
Ive watched it over countless times,and the programmes that followed. It fills me with pride, seeing what it meant to all those people there, and on the streets in Merseyside.
When im having a down day, I think back to Istanbul, and it warms me up inside. It also makes me want to taste it again and again.
It also underlines my undying love for this football club, and reminds me what this club gives to me. It makes me feel better on my down days, it reminds me that this football club will be with me whatever, and as the banner says, it was another amazing night out with my bird.
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