Was disappointed that Barca won 2-0 at Madrid last night.
It means the final at Wembley will probably not be as exciting.
Man Utd v Real Madrid had lots of potential with two even teams.
Man Utd v Barca is likely to be a repeat of the 2009 final when Utd struggled to get the ball.
I think there is something in what Mourinho had to say about Barca and refs: They do seem to favour the Catalans. If, as likely, it is Utd v Barca at Wembley you're better off putting your money on which Utd player Alves and Co are likely to get sent off....probably in this order...1. Rafael (if he plays) 2. Rooney 3. Vidic. 4. Evra.
Barca are hard to play when it is 11 v 11. Hopefully the Wembley ref will have the guts to stand up to their play acting. Sure, they are a beautiful team but they are also no angels. Like Mourinho, they are masters of the dark arts - only they are more subtle in how they employ them.
Mourinho v Guardiola is shaping up into the next big battle of the bosses for the next decade.
Just as we had Ferguson v Wenger for many years, so the Mour/Pep rivalry could come to dominate English football for the next decade.
I can see Mourinho taking command at United and Pep continuing Wenger's good work at Arsenal.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Brilliant Beatles book by Martin Creasy
If you're looking for a top-notch book to read why not try Beatlemania: The Real Story of The Beatles UK Tours by Martin Creasy.
It is the No 1 Beatles book of the moment - both in chart placings and quality - and I can thoroughly recommend it.
Creasy delves behind the headlines to bring a wealth of minute detail and previously unknown facts about the Fab Four.
And the boy has certainly put in the leg work! I understand it took him THREE YEARS of interviews and research to get the book together and it shows. Meticulous, entertaining and definitely one of the best books of the year so far.
You can get it from -
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beatlemania-Real-Story-Beatles-Tours/dp/1849386595/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302784404&sr=1-1
It is the No 1 Beatles book of the moment - both in chart placings and quality - and I can thoroughly recommend it.
Creasy delves behind the headlines to bring a wealth of minute detail and previously unknown facts about the Fab Four.
And the boy has certainly put in the leg work! I understand it took him THREE YEARS of interviews and research to get the book together and it shows. Meticulous, entertaining and definitely one of the best books of the year so far.
You can get it from -
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beatlemania-Real-Story-Beatles-Tours/dp/1849386595/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302784404&sr=1-1
Giggs v Raul
The enduring talents of Ryan Giggs and Raul are likely to decide who faces Barcelona or Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
Giggs, 37, and Raul, 35, have been the star men in both Manchester United's relative cruise to the semis and Schalke's surprise arrival there.
Looking at it on paper, you would say United were lucky - that they got the easiest route to the final with Schalke rather than Barca or Real.
But the Germans are no one's fools and could pull off another shock if Utd are not at their very best, or if Giggsy gets injured beforehand.
I still go for United to triumph with maybe a 2-1 win in Germany and a 1-1 draw at OT. United's record against German teams (apart from 1999 of course) does leave a lot to desire, and they will have to overcome that particular 'jinx' if they are to go on to Wembley.
In the other semi, I know Barca should win, but who can write off Mourinho? He has set up a disciplined, hard-to-beat and yet attacking force and they could just upset the odds.
Giggs, 37, and Raul, 35, have been the star men in both Manchester United's relative cruise to the semis and Schalke's surprise arrival there.
Looking at it on paper, you would say United were lucky - that they got the easiest route to the final with Schalke rather than Barca or Real.
But the Germans are no one's fools and could pull off another shock if Utd are not at their very best, or if Giggsy gets injured beforehand.
I still go for United to triumph with maybe a 2-1 win in Germany and a 1-1 draw at OT. United's record against German teams (apart from 1999 of course) does leave a lot to desire, and they will have to overcome that particular 'jinx' if they are to go on to Wembley.
In the other semi, I know Barca should win, but who can write off Mourinho? He has set up a disciplined, hard-to-beat and yet attacking force and they could just upset the odds.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Drop Wayne Rooney for Hernandez
That overhead super goal against Man City apart, Wayne Rooney has simply not justified his starting place in the Man United line-up this season.
He is out of form and seems to be suffering mentally. He needs to get some help from a therapist to overcome the problems that are clearly dogging his return to something like the Rooney we knew a year ago.
In the meantime, it is simply not right that the brilliant, in-form Chicarito stays sidelined on the bench while Rooney struggles. The Mexican boy should be in the team - he is the new Solskjaer.
He is out of form and seems to be suffering mentally. He needs to get some help from a therapist to overcome the problems that are clearly dogging his return to something like the Rooney we knew a year ago.
In the meantime, it is simply not right that the brilliant, in-form Chicarito stays sidelined on the bench while Rooney struggles. The Mexican boy should be in the team - he is the new Solskjaer.
ALEX McLEISH BIRMINGHAM 'SMALL CLUB' CLANGER
Congratulations to Birmingham City and their fans on that stunning Carling Cup win over much-fancied Arsenal.
Also to Alex McLeish for masterminding the victory - he has now staked his claim to be seen as a top manager in England as well as Scotland.
Just a word to the wise though, Alex, old chum...it is not a good way to endear yourself to Birmingham supporters by describing their football club as 'a small club' towards 'big club Arsenal'!
Check the history books - Brum haven't always been struggling at the bottom of the league, Alex. In England they are considered more than a small club - they are a club with a big history and good support!
Also to Alex McLeish for masterminding the victory - he has now staked his claim to be seen as a top manager in England as well as Scotland.
Just a word to the wise though, Alex, old chum...it is not a good way to endear yourself to Birmingham supporters by describing their football club as 'a small club' towards 'big club Arsenal'!
Check the history books - Brum haven't always been struggling at the bottom of the league, Alex. In England they are considered more than a small club - they are a club with a big history and good support!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Dalglish Carroll Torres Adam
Why the big deal over yesterday's spending spree in the football world?
I see people shaking their heads and moaning that it is a disgrace, that it is inappropriate in the current econmic climate.
My view is the exact opposite - that it is great news and a real boost to the game. It is the stuff of fantasy football - and isn't that what football is, after all?
Fantasy - an escape from the doldrums and harshness of reality?
I am very proud that the English league is the biggest spender in all of Europe - it shows we are still tops, still thriving and not on our knees as some would have had you believe.
And as for the deals? All excellent in my humble opinion. All beneficial to the clubs involved and all have given a major lift to those clubs.
Liverpool get rid of a disgruntled employee who now becomes non disgruntled as he heads for a fantasy strike force that could win Chelsea the Champions League - yes, Torres and Drogba.
Liverpool then bring in the best homegrown forward since Shearer to lift their spirits and put some fire into the belly of their team and their fans. Andy Carroll is not overpriced if he fires Liverpool into the top four and he could link up well with the more subtle Luis Suarez.
My only quibble if I were a Liverpool fan would be that they did not buy Charlie Adam. All the talk is of how Liverpool's new owners have splashed out millions, which proves they are not like the old owners. But do the math as those very same Yank owners might say - have they actually splashed out that much? Torres went for £48million while Carroll cost £35.5million and Suarez cost £22.5m - a total of £58million. So the new owners have actually invested £10million. Is that big bucks these days? Surely they could have upped their bid for Adam from £10m to the £12.5m which would have secured him? That would have made their investment a total of £22.5m.
Liverpool now have the firepower with the two new men up front, but do they have the man to supply them with the ammunition? Debatable. Adam is that man - he has all the makings of a new Paul Scholes and I believe Kenny may have dropped a clanger by not signing him. My information is that Adam will now end up replacing Scholes at Old Trafford come July.
Also, why would he have gone to Tottenham? And why would Redknapp have bought him? His urgent need is for a top-class centre forward, he has quality midfielders aplenty.
Perhaps the best deal was the one that has claimed the least number of column inches...David Luiz. The Brazilian centre half is just what Chelsea need as they still to struggle to cope with the loss of Carvalho, the absence through injury of Alex and the rocky form of Terry. Luiz is young, strong and can, along with Alex when fit, become the new bedrock from which the Blues can build anew.
It all makes for a much more interesting, exciting season...
I see people shaking their heads and moaning that it is a disgrace, that it is inappropriate in the current econmic climate.
My view is the exact opposite - that it is great news and a real boost to the game. It is the stuff of fantasy football - and isn't that what football is, after all?
Fantasy - an escape from the doldrums and harshness of reality?
I am very proud that the English league is the biggest spender in all of Europe - it shows we are still tops, still thriving and not on our knees as some would have had you believe.
And as for the deals? All excellent in my humble opinion. All beneficial to the clubs involved and all have given a major lift to those clubs.
Liverpool get rid of a disgruntled employee who now becomes non disgruntled as he heads for a fantasy strike force that could win Chelsea the Champions League - yes, Torres and Drogba.
Liverpool then bring in the best homegrown forward since Shearer to lift their spirits and put some fire into the belly of their team and their fans. Andy Carroll is not overpriced if he fires Liverpool into the top four and he could link up well with the more subtle Luis Suarez.
My only quibble if I were a Liverpool fan would be that they did not buy Charlie Adam. All the talk is of how Liverpool's new owners have splashed out millions, which proves they are not like the old owners. But do the math as those very same Yank owners might say - have they actually splashed out that much? Torres went for £48million while Carroll cost £35.5million and Suarez cost £22.5m - a total of £58million. So the new owners have actually invested £10million. Is that big bucks these days? Surely they could have upped their bid for Adam from £10m to the £12.5m which would have secured him? That would have made their investment a total of £22.5m.
Liverpool now have the firepower with the two new men up front, but do they have the man to supply them with the ammunition? Debatable. Adam is that man - he has all the makings of a new Paul Scholes and I believe Kenny may have dropped a clanger by not signing him. My information is that Adam will now end up replacing Scholes at Old Trafford come July.
Also, why would he have gone to Tottenham? And why would Redknapp have bought him? His urgent need is for a top-class centre forward, he has quality midfielders aplenty.
Perhaps the best deal was the one that has claimed the least number of column inches...David Luiz. The Brazilian centre half is just what Chelsea need as they still to struggle to cope with the loss of Carvalho, the absence through injury of Alex and the rocky form of Terry. Luiz is young, strong and can, along with Alex when fit, become the new bedrock from which the Blues can build anew.
It all makes for a much more interesting, exciting season...
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Am now (as of yesterday) on Twitter if you want to keep up with instant gossip/news etc...eg I said yesterday that Kenny Dalglish should sign Charlie Adam - he obviously reads my stuff, he is now in the chase for him!
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