Game Plan - Aston Villa v Arsenal

Well on boxing day, all the crazy fans of Premier League will going to see one of the hot matches of the season between Arsenal v Aston Villa. Itz the battle between two of the finest football managers Wenger and O'Neil. Already Arsenal lost to Villa by 2-0 at Emirates and Villa will be looking towards to make it double on Wenger side. Arsenal will be without Fabregas and Adebayor which will cost them dearly. For Wenger and Arsenal fans the big real question is who will run the show in the absence of Fabregas and how Arsenal are going to stop the rocket speed pace from Ashley Young and Agbonlahor. Barry will be the man who will supply the huge number of balls to Young and Agbonlahor and Petrov will be doing the dirty works. Villa have a commanding defence in Cuellar, Davies and Laursen. So here i've a game plan for Arsenal...

I would definitely go with a 4-5-1 formation for this game. If we go out with just two centre midfielders, neither of them Fabregas, then we will be over run in the centre by Barry, Sidwell and Petrov who bossed us last game around. I actually think playing Diaby behind van Persie, with Denilson and Song sitting deeper, we would have a pretty combative midfield force, both physically and also in terms of skill and vision. I'm not leaving Bendtner on the bench because I prefer Eboue or anything like that, I just think it would be naive to go with a four man midfield without Fabregas to Villa Park, also Bendtner was totally 100% owned by the Villa centre halfs at the Emirates.On the wing, playing Eboue is necessary to provide Sagna with much needed cover against one of, imo the most dangerous players in the league in Young. We'll need Eboue tracking back against him the whole time, and Nasri will have to work hard too. Up front, van Persie is going to need alot of support from Diaby because Laursen and Davies have formed an excellent partnership, one that we will struggle against, so RvP is going to have to be at his sharpest to get anything out of them, imo. Nasri is going to have an important part to play because he up against Luke Young who he could cause alot of problems for, in theory, causing the CB's to pull apart, leaving space for Diaby.

Defensively, I don't think I need to point out how dangerous the likes of Young and Agbonlahor can be and Agbonlahor's performance at the Emirates is evidence of this. Djourou's pace should prove to suit us better than Silvestre's lack of when facing quick opposition such as Agbonlahor and Young. Also, his strong aerial pressence should prove an advantage in what will be a tough test against Carew. Another thing I notice is that Ashley Young does go down easily tbh, I'm not having a go at him, though I don't respect it, I'm mentioning it as a potential problem for us, especially as we are prone to making tackles that although aren't necessarily fouls, force the ref to make a call. Its something we need to watch.Overall, I can't say that I'm particularly confident about this game tbh. I know we're capable of winning but really it depends on which Arsenal team shows up mentally on the day. This is already a really tough game, but without Fabregas and Adebayor - obviously two of our most important players, we could struggle. But, I have faith in Wenger and there is alot to be positive about from the performances of Song, Diaby and Denilson after Fabregas and Ade went off and I know we can win... just really important that we play like a top four team because anything other than a win here leaves Villa three, or even six points ahead of us and also would leave us potentially 12 points off the top. Biggest game of the season?

My line-up would be:
Almunia

Sagna - Gallas - Djourou - Clichy

Eboue - Denilson - Song - Nasri

Diaby

van Persie

Where is The Home Grown Players ?

While on Manchester United's foray in Japan for the World Club Championships, manager Sir Alex Ferguson has once again reiterated that he would like to see a limit on foreign players in the starting XI's in the Premier League, with the United boss all in favour of having to field 6 British players in the starting XI.

Speaking ahead of Thursday's match against Gamba Osaka Ferguson said: "I think it should be a concern when local and national players are not given opportunities, so therefore eventually there have to be limitations on foreign players. That way clubs' youth systems are protected. Progress is progress and the future has to protect the national game."

Even though we all know this contravenes EU law and is highly unlikely to be introduced. What would happen in the Premiership if it, was introduced today?

The first club that springs to mind would be Arsenal, having fielded an entire team of foreign imports on more than one occasion. However, they do have 11 players from the British Isles in the first team squad, though not one of these players is out of their teens yet. So while they have youngsters coming through they would struggle to have six British players start for them in the Premier League and be competitive. Leaving them to field their Carling Cup kids to meet the quota.

Chelsea, don't even have the option of fielding British youngsters, because they simply don't have any. While they do have 5 England Internationals at Stamford Bridge if you look further than that they only have 2 other English players in the first team squad. Yes they also have Michael Mancienne on loan at Wolves, but with Luiz Felipe Scolari willing to send a player out on loan that has pushed himself into the thoughts of England boss Fabio Capello, with his performances for the Under-21's. What message does that send to the British schoolboys at the club?

You then look at Liverpool and it would appear that Rafa Benitez's side would struggle immediately if this quota was introduced. Only 8 English players and Irishman Robbie Keane in the squad, with only Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher along with Keane likely to be in Rafa's starting line-up on any given match day. In fact no British talent has emerged from the Red half of Merseyside and been used by Liverpool consistently since Gerrard and Carragher along with Michael Owen burst on to the football scene many years ago now. They have 7 British players out on loan, but we all know these players are highly unlikely to feature for the Reds in the future.

So now to Blackburn, who you might have thought, would have a British heart and soul? Not at all, only 6 English players, 3 Irish and a Welshman and of these they could just about scrape together the required 6. For 3 of these 10 players are goalkeepers and Danny Simpson is on loan. So Blackburn would struggle to as they are now anyway if this quota were to be introduced.
So is it any surprise that Ferguson would like to see this quota introduced, with the knowledge that as it stands now it would severely impair his three closest rivals, while having little effect on his own side. If you go through the rest of the squads in the Premier League most clubs would be ok, with all the other clubs having enough British players on their books that either play for the first team or have a realistic chance of playing in it. Tottenham might have the best of it, with Spurs able to field 7 England Internationals, 3 England Under-21's, 2 Welsh Internationals and a Scottish International if all fit. Although one of the Under-21's is on loan, but could still field a very strong side as they have the players there to choose from. Aston Villa would find it very easy to, with their current crop at Villa Park.

So regardless of whether a quota is ever introduced shouldn't clubs like Liverpool, Chelsea, Blackburn and to a lesser extent Arsenal as the Gunners have a crop of English youngsters coming through, be looking to produce some real home grown talent and not be looking abroad every time, when trying to find new recruits for their clubs? Not just for their progression, but for the progression of the game in England.

Is It Clubs or Players

The last day of the transfer window was really, really exciting it has to be said. September 1st 2008, Man City announce they suddenly have all the money in the world, Robinho ends up at Eastlands and Dietmar Berbatov has to choose between the two Manchester clubs while the whole world looked on, excited.

Berbatov of course chose United in the end. That day did bring up the age old question about player-power, as both Robinho and The Berb had adjitated for a long time to get their transfers done. Robinho had come out 24 hours before and announced his objective was Chelsea, and

Berbatov refused to play for Spurs untill they let him go north.

So as the next transfer window rolls around, it got me thinking, are we really living in an age for player power? Or, are the clubs starting to take it back?
Because, I don’t think its quite as cut and dry as the players being in control. Sure, The Berb and Robinho left their clubs with no choice but to sell them off - but Robinho didn’t end up where he expected. And Berbatov had to take matters into his own hands, and drive to Manchester himself.
The last day might have been really exciting, but remember the rest of the transfer window? They all really long sagas, where the players ended up going nowhere. Gareth Barry is still at Aston Villa even though he said in the press he wanted to join Liverpool, Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t complete the “dream” move to Madrid, Xavi Alonso handed in a transfer request and is still at Liverpool, Frank Lampard stayed in London despite the The Special One trying to woo him to Milan and Didier Drogba stayed put even though he made absolutely no secret of the fact he wanted to hell out of West London.

It was mostly the same story abroad. Samuel Eto’o didn’t go anywhere despite being told by Barca he could, David Villa neither came to the Prem or moved to Madrid, and despite rumours to the contray, Kaká stopped talking about wanting to play in the Prem.
So a very large percentage of those seemingly unhappy players didn’t move at all? So do the clubs actually have the power afterall? Barca could have been held to ransom by Eto’o. but they weren’t. Drogba didn’t do a Berbatov and fly to Milan to negotiate with Mourinho himself afterall, and Ronaldo didn’t have the bottle to burn his bridges alá Robinho.

The truth is for the players, is that largely they aren’t in control anymore, especially in the Prem. Because some of the owners are absurdly rich, they can’t be held to ransom anymore. If Drogba had tried to get out, Roman could have concievably just left him in the reserves complaining. He can afford to. He did with Shevchenko afterall.
But with the Credit Crisis looming, I think we need to turn the question around. The people who have the power now, are neither the club that owns the player, or the player adjitating for a move. The people with the power are the buying club.

Gareth Barry would have gone to Liverpool if they would have paid the £18m Villa valued him for. So Villa have a bit of power there, in that they put the pricetag up, but Liverpool were the ones in control, as they could have got him if they got behind the deal as they did with Robbie Keane. They basically picked Keane ahead of Barry. Looks like a mistake now.The same is true of Eto’o. The only people willing to pay for him were the retirement homes, and he still wanted to play at the top. So he had no choice but to stay. Drogba too - Milan didn’t want to pay Chelsea’s asking price, and neither did Inter.

Ronaldo, it seems wasn’t convinced enough that Real would actually stump up the money. He could have sat out alá Berbatov, he could have gone on strike, but if Real wouldn’t have paid the money that United wanted, he’d be left completely in the lurch.
Just look at Robinho. It’s lucky for him that City did suddenly have loads of money to throw around, because Chelsea seems disinterested in paying £30m for him. If City hadn’t suddenly become richer than God, then he would have been stranded. Not wanted by Madrid, not wanted by anyone else.

So while players can still weild a bit of power and talk about moving all they like, really they have to be sure that the interested club is that interested. Perhaps this is why we have yet to see the big clubs initiate the ‘Webster Clause’ (where players can buy out their contracts and move abroad). Theoretically it’d be easy for clubs to pay the contract for the players and let them move on, but the player would have to be 110% sure the club actually would do it, or they could end up without a club.

Ronaldo - Form is Temporary and Class is Permanent...

Well, Ronny finally got a job today. But it’s not Milan or Man City or Sampdoria or even Siena. It’s Corinthians, a club with a big history but one fresh out of the doldrums of second-tier Brazilian footballer. Hardly the type of club you’d think would be in for the likes of Ronaldo. Injured and a bit past his prime, but as the old saying goes: form is temporary, class is permanent. So this brings up the obvious question: is Ronaldo done in big time European football? Or could this just be a launching pad as he attempts to regain even a shred of the greatness he once had?

Given his injury history - four major, major problems - you’d have to think this is the end of Ronaldo at the highest level. His knees must aspire to bone-on-bone at this point, and though his pace hasn’t been a factor for a couple years, you’ve got to wonder how mobile he is anymore. Plus look at that picture. Yeah, he’s injured, but his weight issues have only been growing for years. Can’t imagine he’s going to look too svelte when the Brazilian Serie A kicks off.

Almost a sad day as, at only 32, one of the true greats from this generation has seemingly played his last game at the highest of high levels…or has he?

Serie A Week 15 Wrapup

0-1 CHIEVO VERONA v AS ROMA (Stadio Marc`Antonio Bentegodi)

In the 69th minute a goal from Jeremy Menez sealed fifth successive voctory for Roma after they had disaster start to the season. Menez left-footed gave credibility win despite of late sent-off of Matteo Brighi just five minutes from the time.

0-3 SS LAZIO v INTER MILAN (Stadio Olimpico)

Home side Lazio were crushed by league leaders Inter 3-0 at Stadio Olimpico to stay comfort at top of the league table. Lazio's Modibo Diakite gifted them a second in first-half stoppage time thru his own goal after Walter Samuel put Inter into the lead in the 2nd minute. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (55) added a third for Inter, who are gaining momentum with this, their sixth consecutive win in Serie A.

3-0 ATALANTA v UDINESE CALCIO (Stadio Azzurri D`Italia)

Christian Vieri and Cristiano Doni struck late on after Jaime Valdes had broken the deadlock with his second goal of the season. A loss for Udinese remain in tenth on the table with five defeats in trot and Atalanta grab the seventh place. Atalanta were without injured midfield duo Antonio D'Agostino and Luca Cigarini they just dropped four points in seven home games.

1-0 CAGLIARI v US PALERMO (Stadio San Elia)

Cagliari bagged a barely deserved win over Palermo 1-0 at Stadio San Elia. In the 34th minute Michele Fini stuck a controversial goal to see the victory. Palermo players screaming for offside but the referee waved their complaints away. Palermo took the game into the oppositionin the second half but they failed to find the equaliser. Now both teams sitting on 11th and 12th on the table with same points and goal difference and both were 8 points clear from relegation zone.

1-2 US LECCE v JUVENTUS FC (Stadio Via del Mare)

Juventus snatched a late win over Lecce to beat them 2-1 at Via del Mare through Amauri goal just one minute from time. A win for Juve are sitting second on the table along with Milan on better goal difference. Juventus took the lead 12 minutes into the second period when Giovinco's perfect free-kick from the edge of the box found its way into the Lecce net via the fingertips of Benussi. In the 83rd minute, Daniele Cacia latched onto Guillermo Giacomazzi's cross and volleyed a neat left-footed effort past Alex Manninger. Amauri had the last laugh heading home Paolo de Ceglie's cross a minute from time to secure the points at the Stadio Via del Mare and keep Lecce just one point above the drop zone.

1-0 AC MILAN v CATANIA CALCIO (San Siro)

Kaka's 65th minute gave Milan a very narrow win over Catania 1-0 at San Siro to stay third on the table with 30 points, a 6 points shy from league leaders Inter. Milan came to face Catania with terrible defeats at the hands of Palermo and knocked out of Coppa Italia. Milan, having to do without the injured Ronaldinho and Pirlo.

2-0 SSC NAPOLI v AC SIENA (Stadio San Paolo)

A goals from Christian Maggio and substitute German Denis saw off Siena and took Napoli back to the winning ways. With this win Napoli sitting on the fourth spot with 27 points, three points away from Juventus and Milan and nine points from Inter.

2-2 REGGINA CALCIO v BOLOGNA FC (Stadio Oreste Granillo)

Clash of the Serie A basement table at Stadio Oreste Granillo as both relegation teams ended the match 2-2 draw. Both the teams failed to take the advantage to climb back from the basement level. Bologna were the most happiest team of the two as thet came back twice in this match thru Francesco Valliani-53 and Marco di Vaio-61 goals. Bernardo Corradi and Edgar Barreto scored for Reggina in the either half in 40th min and 56 th min.

1-4 TORINO FC v AC FIORENTINA (Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino)

Fiorentina registered an emphatic win over struggling Torino 4-1. Hosts took early lead in 2nd minute from Adrian Mutu before Alberto Gilardino doubled the visitors' advantage before break. Zdravko Kuzmanovic made it three after the break but Alessandro Rosina pulled a consolation goal from penalty and Gilardino completed his brace late on to restore Fiorentina's three-goal cushion. With this win Fiorentina are in fifth place with 26 points.

0-1 UC SAMPDORIA v GENOA (Comunale Luigi Ferraris)

A 50th minute header from Serie A top goal scored Diego Milito gave Genoa a win. Sampdoria had two goals disallowed in an action-packed second half after the first 45 minutes had disappointed. The statistics for the first half told the story of the opening 45 minutes - three yellow cards for Genoa, two for Sampdoria and almost a foul every minute punctuated a combative derby in which both sides looked nervous.

La Liga Week 14 Wrapup

2-5 SPORTING GIJON v ATLETICO MADRID (Estadio Municipal El Molinon)

Atletico booked their only second away win of the season by overwhelming Sporting 5-2 at Muncipal El Molinon. With this Atletico Madrid are just two points behind their city rivals Real Madrid and Sporting Gijon left at 12th in the table. Atletico super stars Sergio Augero and Diefo Forlan both completed their brace along with Maxi Rodriguez. Before this match Atletico were heavily questioned with last three successive draws on the road and in the last two matches against lowly Osasuna and Numancia. Gijon's Mate Bilic put the home side in fron in 3rd minute and David Barral in the 61st minute.

3-3 VILLAREAL CF v GETAFE FC (El Madrigal)

Just seven minutes from the time Getage were clebrating the likely win with the lead of 3-1, but Villareal tormented them to stuck a two late goals to level the score 3-3 at El Madrigal. Otherwise Villareal would have been faced second successive home defeat. Early goals from Esteban Granero, Jaime Gavilan and Javier Casquero saw Getafe race into a three-goal lead after just 30 minutes in the first half. But Robert Pires began the Villarreal fightback 10 minutes after the interval, Sebastien Eguren pulled another goal back eight minutes from time before Giuseppe Rossi bagged the equaliser shortly afterwards to compete an extraordinary comeback. Villareal is second on the table with 6 points shy from leader Barcelona and two points ahead of Valencia and Sevilla with 29 points.

4-0 FC BARCELONA v VALENCIA CF (Nou Camp)

Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry scored hat-trick at Nou Camp in an exhilarating contest to dismantle Valencia 4-0. With this win Barcelona are sitting on to of the table with 35 points, 6 clear of second placed Villareal. Henry netted first in the 20th min and added second after 8 minutes. Dani Alves put Barcelona three up just after the break and Henry completed his hat-trick late on to wrap up a highly impressive Barcelona win.

3-3 OSASUNA v REAL VALLADOLID (Estadio Reyno de Navarra)

Osasuna received a major setback draw against Valladolid when they were 3-0 until the hour mark as Valladolid came back to settle the game 3-3 at Reyno de Navarra. Goals from Dady who scored brace and Javad Nekounam ensured Osasuna second victory of the season but Valladolid spelled dooms on them by scoring three goals in the last 30 min of the game. Henok Goitom scored the goal on the hour mark and then Miguel Flano gifted Valladoild through own goal and then Bartholomew Ogbeche did the rest and leveld the game. Osasuna have the nightmare fixtures ahead after taking on fellow basement team Recreativo and Getafe. And in January 2009 will be the hell fixtures for basement team when they are going to face Sevilla, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Villareal.

2-1 NUMANCIA v ALMERIA (Estadio Nuevo Los Pajaritos)

Ten men Numancia pipped Almeria 2-1 at Los Pajaritos to stay 1 point away from drop zone and a point below to Almeria. Almeria failed to take the ten men advantage of Numnacia when sent off for a second yellow card after a foul on Palazon Juanma Ortiz. Almeria coach Gonzalo Arconada came with vote of confidence after five defeats in seven la liga games. Esteban Solari gave Almeria a lead in the 12th minute thru controversial penalty. Numancia hit back thru Javier del Pino goal from Juan Querro cross. Then Asier Goiria gave victory to Numancia when he collected Bokero's header. Overall this match produced 10 yellow cards and one sent-off.

2-0 DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA v MALAGA CF (Estadio Riazor)

In the space of four minutes Lafita and Omar Bravo saw off Malaga 2-0 at Riazor as Deportivo collected their third successive win in la liga to grab the 7th place. Malaga frustrated Depor in hard fought match. Malaga drop into the bottom half, but remain comfortably clear of the relegation zone in 11th place.

2-3 REAL MALLORCA v RECREATIVO HUELVA (San Moix)

Recreativo's Javi Fuego gave the finishing touch to beat Real Mallorce 3-2 at San Moix as they came back twice. With this win Recreativo remained in the drop zone still. In the 16th minute Mallroca took the lead thru David Navarro but nine minutes later Marc Ruben leveled for Recreativo. Mallorca's Jose Manuel Jurado restored the lead 10 minutes before the interval. Adrian Colunga equalised for visitors second time just three minutes from the first half break. Javi Fuego struck eight minutes after the break to seal a much-needed victory for the struggling Recreativo.

1-1 RACING SANTANDER v ATHLETIC BILBAO (Estadio El Sardinero)

Racing were draw the game 1-1 against Athletic Bilbao at El Sardinero. Athletico who were in search for their first away victory but denied by Racing. Athletic went right way when Francisco Yeste put them ahead with a deflected free-kick early in the second half but the tide turned against them when Pablo Orbaiz was dismissed for his second yellow card in the closing stages. Racing hit back to steal a share of the spoils when Gorka Iraizoz spilled a cross from Gonzalo Colsa into his own net with seven minutes left on the clock.

1-1 REAL BETIS v RCD ESPANYOL (Estadio Manuel Ruiz de Lopera)

57th minute goal from Achille Emana put Betis into the lead and to a sixt win in eight matches but Espanyol's substitute Coro beat the offside trap to silence the crowd at the Estadio Manuel Luiz de Lopera with an unlikely equaliser on 71 minutes. With this draw Espanyol ended their four successive defeats.

3-4 REAL MADRIS v SEVILLA FC (Santiago Bernabeu)

This match produced high electrifying entertainment and action packed in front of 70,000 fans, they got to see eight yellow cards and one sent-off and seven goals. Sevilla beat Real Madrid 4-3, a huge blow to the home side. Inside 40 minutes Sevilla killed the game with 3-1 lead but Madrid came back in the second half but its not enough to escape the defeat. But the 77th minute sending-off of the hugely-impressive Arjen Robben was a massive setback for Madrid, and seven minutes after that Renato Dirnei headed home Sevilla's winner. Madrid welcomed back Fabio Cannavaro, Robben and Gonzalo Higuain after injury. Sevilla took the lead through Adriano after Iker Casillas had failed to cut out a right-wing cross in 3rd minute. 16 minutes later Madrid's Raul long-serving striker got on the end of Guti's curling free-kick to glance a header low past Palop. In the next 20 minutes Ndri Romaric and Frederic Kanoute did the damage to Madrid. In the 65th minute, Fernando Gago headed home Guti's free-kick. Five minutes from the time Kanoute did the hard work down the right and his cross into the middle found Renato completely unmarked and he had the simple task of heading past Casillas.

Ince Would Be Wise To Patient..

Roy Keane may be grabbing all the headlines at the moment but he isn't the only former Manchester United player-turned-manager who has found the going tough lately. While the former Sunderland boss has now resigned after his club's poor start to the season, Paul Ince's Blackburn are a place below the Black Cats in the Premiership table having lost five of their last six league games.Rovers take on top-of-the-table Liverpool on Saturday and are 5/2 to go down in the football betting. They last won against Newcastle in September, coincidentally the last game in which Roque Santa Cruz scored, and are now in something of a crisis. Blackburn haven't had any realistic title ambitions for a number of years but are an established Premiership club and it would be a disaster for them to be relegated.

Ince deserves more time though. He's learnt his trade in the lower leagues and impressed at the clubs he's coached so far. He managed to save Macclesfield from relegation and won the Football League Trophy and League Two title with MK Dons. The Blackburn board deserve praise for giving him a chance at the highest level but it is a huge transition moving from League Two to the Premiership. Ince's experience of playing at that level is not a guarantee of success, as many other former great players have found, including of course his former midfield partner Keane.
Ince is refusing to panic however, insisting his side have been playing well enough to win but haven't been taking their chances and have made some bad defensive mistakes. They could have done without the League Cup game at Old Trafford, with the Premiership being such a priority. A win could have lifted the whole club and provided an impetus to start climbing the league, but conceding five goals, despite scoring three, just compounds the negativity around Ewood Park. Ince isn't being helped by injury and illness in his squad, but is determined to prove he can cut it at this level, and should be given the time to do so.