Tons o' controversy, Cosmos film, EPL weekend wrap
It is a little hard for me to talk about the Watford/Fulham match as I lost $90 when Watford equalized in the last minute. What I will say is I don't see Watford staying up this year (bold, I know). You have to get 3 points against teams like Charlton and Fulham at home, especially given Fulham's awful road record and the fact that Watford had a 2-0 lead in the 2nd half.
Watford then let in 3 scruffy goals that showed them to be a little suspect in the back. A team that doesn't score a lot and has a soft defense will not avoid the drop. Credit to Watford and Cole for not rolling over after ceding 3 quick goals and getting the 90th minute equalizer.
Didier Zikorra should get a suspension for that dive versus Mendes to get the PK - it was just blatant and bad for game. This is the perfect thing to use video review to issue a suspension - it would show there will be repercussions for cheating your way to a result even if you trick the match referee.
Ironically, Zikorra was a real bright spot for Tottenham, proving to be a handful when attacking from deep in the midfield. He was the only real spark to the slumbering Spurs attack.
Spurs will be thrilled with the points, but they did not play well at all. There are still major issues for Jol to sort out.
I was going to have to admit I was wrong about Jason Roberts being a steal for Blackburn, but I thought he was decent on Saturday, and got a crucial touch in before the keeper to set up Benny McCarthy with an open goal finish for the 3 points. I think we might see more of him from Mark Hughes as Roberts is a difficult mark and really disrupts opposing defenses.
Villa is a just a real threat now. They are full of confidence and seemed unsurprised to be holding mighty Chelsea to a draw. Despite Chelsea's relentless late pressure, I felt like Villa played for the win and fully believed they could get it. We'll see what Chris Sutton has left for his old gaffer.
For the Blues, I was particularly taken with Sheva in another goalless outing - he is a fine player and I look forward to a season of watching him. I have been underwhelmed by Kallou - Mourinho keeps playing him (in this game as a sub for Robben), but he does not look up to it. Over the past few seasons, Chelsea has been quite reliant on their wing attack - Duff, Robben, Cole, and even SWP. I think they really miss something in their attack without two of them, in the lineup. They especially miss Joe Cole. As I've said before, I think when Cole is fit, Mourinho should use Ballack off the bench and play with two wingers again.
Boris thought Terry fouled Sorenson on the first goal - I was less sure. It could have been given, but I always applaud calls that don't overly protect the goalkeepers.
I am glad Arsenal have found some form, and I think their presence in the title chase makes for a much better season. 2 things left me scratching my head in wonder:
1) The Lehman save was one of the greatest saves I have ever seen. Jens is an elite shot blocker who has astounding quickness/reflexes for such a big guy.
2)And of course, the Robin van Persie finish. It just seemed impossible to do - sprinting full speed to the top of the box, and then midsprint, shaping his body, and volleying a waist-high ball into the top of the net. it took obscene athleticism, judgement and technical skill. Reminds me of Holland legend Marco van Basten's famous volley in degree of difficulty.
Bolton put on their second straight clinic on defending and tackling. Last game they stifled Portsmouth, this game they really limited Liverpool. I still don't know about the Anelka buy - Big Sam has earned a lot of lattitude, but I would not be surprised to see him often reverting to Davies and one of the "rats" (Djiouff or Stelios) just behind - it ain't pretty, but it works.
Credit to Sir Alex for not having some knee-jerk reaction to the Ronaldo/Rooney World Cup controversy and shipping the Porutgese winger to Spain. I don't know where Man U would be without him. With Rooney (and Scholes) still out of form and Giggs injured, they are almost completely reliant on Ronaldo for creation.
I watched the Cosmos documentary on ESPN2. It was a fun watch and very evocative of a certain time and place in America and American Sport - I went to quite a few Cosmos matches as a kid (and my crowning athletic (and possibly, life) achievement was scoring a goal at Giants Stadium for my town team before a match against the Vancouver Whitecaps. I skinned myself sliding for it on that rock hard artificial turf, but it was worth it. )
The Chinaglia stuff is awesome - one could say he is cast in the villain role and thus may not have received fair treatment from the flimmaker. I think he is such a hateable person that what we see and hear in the film is not even a skewed version of the truth. But, man was he a great goal scorer. Baseball turned soccer coaches, who knew little about the game, would always implore us youngsters not to be like Chinaglia - that he was a ball hog who didn't pass. The guy averaged about a goal a game for the Cosmos and we were told he was shit.
Final trip down memory lane - I once went to a Cosmos/Bayern Munich friendly. Bayern won 3-0 and dominated in a steady downpour. I had never heard of Bayern and I could not believe a team could be better than the Cosmos, especially these clowns in ugly red Adidas uniforms.
To be honest, the film is not great and has some problems - I think the Giants stadium Scoreboard was shown so often I started to think of it as a character. Like, I wonder what the Scoreboard thinks of this sell-out crowd? Ah, the scoreboard thinks they are the best fans in the world. Still, definitely worth watching.
Did anyone see Brian Ching's match winner against DC United? I actually watched and enjoyed the match and the goal was outrageous.
Anyone catch Matt Jackson's video diary for EPL preview show? I thought it was hysterical. Highlights:
- Jackson comments that Rio Ferdinand's injury moves him up to England's 450th choice at centre-back, just below his mailman.
- Says he was told by gaffer that he would not be involved in upcoming match, save for an outbreak of bubonic plague.
- He and his wife are remodeling their home, and he feels the finish date will be perfectly timed for when divorce papers come through.
- Last shot was his night at home alone with a bottle of whiskey - Jackson says how well they get along.
Watford then let in 3 scruffy goals that showed them to be a little suspect in the back. A team that doesn't score a lot and has a soft defense will not avoid the drop. Credit to Watford and Cole for not rolling over after ceding 3 quick goals and getting the 90th minute equalizer.
Didier Zikorra should get a suspension for that dive versus Mendes to get the PK - it was just blatant and bad for game. This is the perfect thing to use video review to issue a suspension - it would show there will be repercussions for cheating your way to a result even if you trick the match referee.
Ironically, Zikorra was a real bright spot for Tottenham, proving to be a handful when attacking from deep in the midfield. He was the only real spark to the slumbering Spurs attack.
Spurs will be thrilled with the points, but they did not play well at all. There are still major issues for Jol to sort out.
I was going to have to admit I was wrong about Jason Roberts being a steal for Blackburn, but I thought he was decent on Saturday, and got a crucial touch in before the keeper to set up Benny McCarthy with an open goal finish for the 3 points. I think we might see more of him from Mark Hughes as Roberts is a difficult mark and really disrupts opposing defenses.
Villa is a just a real threat now. They are full of confidence and seemed unsurprised to be holding mighty Chelsea to a draw. Despite Chelsea's relentless late pressure, I felt like Villa played for the win and fully believed they could get it. We'll see what Chris Sutton has left for his old gaffer.
For the Blues, I was particularly taken with Sheva in another goalless outing - he is a fine player and I look forward to a season of watching him. I have been underwhelmed by Kallou - Mourinho keeps playing him (in this game as a sub for Robben), but he does not look up to it. Over the past few seasons, Chelsea has been quite reliant on their wing attack - Duff, Robben, Cole, and even SWP. I think they really miss something in their attack without two of them, in the lineup. They especially miss Joe Cole. As I've said before, I think when Cole is fit, Mourinho should use Ballack off the bench and play with two wingers again.
Boris thought Terry fouled Sorenson on the first goal - I was less sure. It could have been given, but I always applaud calls that don't overly protect the goalkeepers.
I am glad Arsenal have found some form, and I think their presence in the title chase makes for a much better season. 2 things left me scratching my head in wonder:
1) The Lehman save was one of the greatest saves I have ever seen. Jens is an elite shot blocker who has astounding quickness/reflexes for such a big guy.
2)And of course, the Robin van Persie finish. It just seemed impossible to do - sprinting full speed to the top of the box, and then midsprint, shaping his body, and volleying a waist-high ball into the top of the net. it took obscene athleticism, judgement and technical skill. Reminds me of Holland legend Marco van Basten's famous volley in degree of difficulty.
Bolton put on their second straight clinic on defending and tackling. Last game they stifled Portsmouth, this game they really limited Liverpool. I still don't know about the Anelka buy - Big Sam has earned a lot of lattitude, but I would not be surprised to see him often reverting to Davies and one of the "rats" (Djiouff or Stelios) just behind - it ain't pretty, but it works.
Credit to Sir Alex for not having some knee-jerk reaction to the Ronaldo/Rooney World Cup controversy and shipping the Porutgese winger to Spain. I don't know where Man U would be without him. With Rooney (and Scholes) still out of form and Giggs injured, they are almost completely reliant on Ronaldo for creation.
I watched the Cosmos documentary on ESPN2. It was a fun watch and very evocative of a certain time and place in America and American Sport - I went to quite a few Cosmos matches as a kid (and my crowning athletic (and possibly, life) achievement was scoring a goal at Giants Stadium for my town team before a match against the Vancouver Whitecaps. I skinned myself sliding for it on that rock hard artificial turf, but it was worth it. )
The Chinaglia stuff is awesome - one could say he is cast in the villain role and thus may not have received fair treatment from the flimmaker. I think he is such a hateable person that what we see and hear in the film is not even a skewed version of the truth. But, man was he a great goal scorer. Baseball turned soccer coaches, who knew little about the game, would always implore us youngsters not to be like Chinaglia - that he was a ball hog who didn't pass. The guy averaged about a goal a game for the Cosmos and we were told he was shit.
Final trip down memory lane - I once went to a Cosmos/Bayern Munich friendly. Bayern won 3-0 and dominated in a steady downpour. I had never heard of Bayern and I could not believe a team could be better than the Cosmos, especially these clowns in ugly red Adidas uniforms.
To be honest, the film is not great and has some problems - I think the Giants stadium Scoreboard was shown so often I started to think of it as a character. Like, I wonder what the Scoreboard thinks of this sell-out crowd? Ah, the scoreboard thinks they are the best fans in the world. Still, definitely worth watching.
Did anyone see Brian Ching's match winner against DC United? I actually watched and enjoyed the match and the goal was outrageous.
Anyone catch Matt Jackson's video diary for EPL preview show? I thought it was hysterical. Highlights:
- Jackson comments that Rio Ferdinand's injury moves him up to England's 450th choice at centre-back, just below his mailman.
- Says he was told by gaffer that he would not be involved in upcoming match, save for an outbreak of bubonic plague.
- He and his wife are remodeling their home, and he feels the finish date will be perfectly timed for when divorce papers come through.
- Last shot was his night at home alone with a bottle of whiskey - Jackson says how well they get along.
posted by the idiot at 12:11 PM
8 Comments:
Yeah, you could have called the foul on Terry but I agree that it's better that it was not called. That said, I agree with Boris that Chelsea got the benefit of the doubt throughout the match. Kudos to Villa for sticking to the task, though.
Another week and another SICK save from Lehman. This one was just as good as the one against Ole Gunnar. He's saved Arsenal's blushes a few times now but nobody is talking about it.
Oh, and it was all Washington Diplomats for me in my youth...
Do you still make your living as a betting man?
Anyway, I agree with Boris (the original Boris) that Terry committed a foul but I also agree with you that it was good that they let play continue. How's that for a comment?! Regardless, Chelsea did get practically all the call in that match - kudos to Villa for sticking with it and almost snatching the win.
Another week and another SICK Lehman save. Just as good as the one versus Ye 'Ol Gunnar. He's saved Arsenal's blushes a bunch recently yet nobody talks about it.
Oh, and it was all Washington Diplomats for me growing up. But I never got to play in RFK...
Bloody Blogger keeps knocking me off but publishing anyway. Sorry for the similarity.
Nice- I loved when Mia Hamm referred to the Dips - brought a smile to my face.
Yeah, Jens is out of his mind awesome and clutch - both saves were not just unthinkable, but both also saved the 3 points.
I enjoyed your comments on your site - was gonna post a comment, but it looked to be a nasty fight breaking out and some identity theft of Boris. At least people are reading and writing notes.
Yeah - things got weird there for a moment. Especially since I thought "Sensitive Boris" was our Villa-loving Boris fan from here. Glad our Boris spoke up and cleared the air.
I plan to do more writing like that (and like you) and hopefully more regularly. Thanks
Yeah, Johnson scored a lot of PKs but he also scored loads just like he is this season. Hi loved him at Palace and think it's great to see him doing well at Everton. It boggles my mind why he wasn't in Germany, but then a lot of what Sven did boggles my mind.
Perhaps you read about Lehman auctioning off his list on Sanford's Soccer Net? Hmmm? There is an article about it up there. As well as a new "Who's the uglier football?" It's a Puyol vs. Agoos Steel Cage match.
Oh, and as an Arsenal freak you don't need to tell me about the headcase that is Jens Lehman. That dude will always make me nervous, even when he is making ridiculous saves. I still call him The Accident Waiting to Happen. In fact he's been a bit reserved lately - perhaps it's time for him to fly off the handle!!
Chelsea miss Cole a lot. I also fear them when all are healthy. But one thing they had the last two years was a lack of injuries to their key components (unlike their competitors). It'll be interesting to see how things play out.
Hah! Yes, I saw the first incident and was jumping up and down laughing (perhaps because he was not wearing an Arsenal uniform at the time) but didn't see him kick the ball at the poor kid. Rough stuff.
Well, if anyone's gonna take the top job from one Oliver Kahn you know he's gotta be a bit off his rocker! Thanks!
Boris - did you see Ogbanlahor played for England U21 v Germany yesterday? Apparently they want to make sure he chooses England as his national team - he is creating a lot of buzz (even though he looked shaky in his brief appearance yesterday). Also, the German goalkeeper was awesome - think they said he is Kahn's back-up at Bayern and is definitely a guy to keep an eye on (he physically looks like a German Edwin Van der Saar).
I'm with you guys - AJ is awesome, and psyched to see that he didn't make a big fuss about playing in the Championship for Palace last year. He is much more than just PKs and I think Beattie will really benefit from partnering him when Everton play 2 up front. Beattie can be more of a Heskey to AJ's Owen back when they were effective at Liverpool. I hated Beattie alone up front last year - this takes pressure off of him and I look for a solid year form him and a potentially great year for Everton (UEFA Cup spot seems reasonable). They look solid everywhere (even Lescott and Yobo in back) - my biggest concern for them is Timmy Howard, who also is a bit of an accident waiting to happen.
I do like Kuyt and I think people were overly negative on him due to his indifferent form at the World Cup.
Chelsea is still a 1/2 favorite to win the Prem and I think they will do it. Man U, Liverpool, and Arsenal still have too many blips in form to amass the point total needed to win it all. I would not be surprised to see Chelsea win it by 9 points or so with a fierce battle for 2nd place. I hope I am wrong and it is closer.
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