Puskás Award Pt 2:

5). Lisandro Lopez - Arsenal de Sarandi 2-2 Olimpo - First of all, this is not the Lisandro Lopez you would imagine it to be on a goal scoring list and two, it's for Arsenal de Sarandi of Argentina and not their name-sakes of England, a further example of the beauty of this annual competition. Instead though, we have a central defender from an Argentinean minnows outfit - inside of a stadium that wouldn't look so much out of place in the English Conference (or a school playing field for that matter) perform the most delicious of bicycle kicks straight into the top corner of Olimpo's net. It was very much in the mould of Wayne Rooney v Manchester City - some could argue Lopez's technique exceeded that of Rooney's - it was only the context and distance out of the English forward's goal that edged him. All this Rooney comparison is the highest arguably amongst the top praise in world football, he deserves every second of it. The sheer levitation he got from the ground was quite unbelievable - such a beautifully performed bicycle kick - in such a 'lower quality' location, it sums up what this award is all about.

4). Wayne Rooney - Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City - Here it is, the aforementioned 'king' of all bicycle kick - Sir Alex Ferguson named it: "The best goal that had ever been scored at Old Trafford", and mutters of 'goal of the year' were being heard all over England as soon as this spectacular effort was broadcast. Many would be surprised to see it as low as 4th in our list - as mentioned previously, his timing, context and distance was enough for him to succeed Argentine Lopez but unfortunately not enough for the former Evertonian to crack the 2011 top 3. It was the Portuguese international Nani out wide right who whipped in a dangerous looking ball - which inadvertently took a crucial deflection of Pablo Zabaletta on the way through - crucial in the terms of giving the ball the height Rooney needed to execute this moment of magic. Whilst Micah Richards could only stand and gaze, he would be proud in hindsight to have the best view out of all 70-odd thousand in Old Trafford, Rooney leapt from the ground with his back to goal, swung one leg over the other and dispatched a breathtaking bicycle effort into the top corner past a motionless Joe Hart from all of 12 yards. A Manchester derby, with City's new side on the rise - not a bad little moment for Rooney to pick out such a belter - a goal that will doubtless go down in Premier League history.

3). Dejan Stankovic - Inter Milan 2-5 Schalke - Here we are, into the big top three and the third best goal of the 2011 calender year - in my own humble opinion - goes to Dejan Stankovic of Inter Milan. I referenced earlier to long distant efforts not hitting the dizzying heights perhaps expected this year in our list, this supreme strike, was not just any long strike. Admittedly, at the moment of contact Manuel Neuer was on the edge of his penalty area but what we should be remembering, is that A) This is a UEFA Champions League Quarter Final (no mean occasion) B) This what hit by a seasoned veteran with the ability to pull a pearler from the top drawer being well noted as one of his qualities and C) Well, the reaction of team-mates such as as a certain Messers Sneijder, Milito and Zanetti really said all you need to know. Esteban Cambiasso's knock over the top was reached by Neuer, who pulled off a rather unorthodox, erratic diving header to clear his lines on the edge of his 18 yard box. As surprisingly well the German international goalkeeper did distance wise on his clearance, he wouldn't of wanted into to land on the boot of this Serbian. Stankovic watched the ball like an eagle, all the way onto that right-boot, with which he struck a stupendous sliced first time volley from pretty much the half-way line, painfully over Neuer's head back into the empty net. Sumptuous technique from Stankovic, it's hard to imagine many players in the world pull off a goal like that - he is certainly one of them.

2). Giovani dos Santos - Mexico 2-4 United States - Now this goal had everything, Tottenham Hotspur's little Mexican international picked out one of the top moments in International football to bury what will more than likely be the best goal he will net all his career - certainly Spur's fans will be itching for a bit of this at The Lane on a Saturday afternoon. The goal threat from Gio began when he made an intelligent run into the box only to be tracked by USA stopper Tim Howard - it appeared the Everton keeper had done enough to shephard the little Mexican out away from his goal. It would appear though, nothing was to stop dos Santos at this time. He was forced to shuffle his way whilst running out of the penalty area past two US defenders before still without really looking at the goal and the mammoth task that faced him, he sent a picture-esque, elegant left footed chip over 3 States defenders and Tim Howard and rubber-stamped into the very top right hand corner of the net. Even if the little ex-Barcelona wizard had dared a look up to take in his situation, he probably would've been understood for him to perhaps retreat further back deeper into the USA half but no, without so much as a glance out the corner of his eye. The lob was the definition of perfect - you couldn't of painted it better - unfortunate not to take top spot.

1). Neymar - Santos 4-5 Flamengo - This years winner (in my book) goes to Mr Young Brazil himself - Neymar da Silva Santos Junior - or perhaps just Neymar. He too, like many before him in our list, didn't pick such a bad moment to net the goal of his dreams, big, big Brazilian Championship game Santos v Flamengo was made even bigger with the sheer ridiculousness of the score - 5-4 it finished, with this little genius netting the best of the night, the best in Brazil all year & the best in the world all year. In a goal that was created all by himself - he started the move crowded out left wing on the half way line, before a delightful shimmy started off the move - instantly eliminating 2 Flamengo midfiedlers from the situation. He then turns on that burning acceleration button and skips through the heart of the pitch, whilst laying it off to his striker partner and continuing his bursting run past more Flamengo midfielders who are trying their upmost to stop him by any means necessery, legal or not. With a first touch lay-off back into the surging future hope of Brazil's path - he again escaped the attendance of another grappling midfielder before picking out the most outragious piece of trickery you are likely to see all year - using both feet to truly bamboozle a poor Flamengo centre back- knocking it one side and then the other and then finally finding himself entering the Flamengo area in a lightning move that began all of 5 seconds ago with supreme pace and acceleration. Neymar finally showed composure Brazilianscthe likes of Ronaldo and Romario would've been proud of while despite receiving another foul in the shape of a nasty sliding challenge being able to dink an outside of the foot over the onrushing keeper. There wasn't a single attribute this goal didn't have - skill, technique, strength, pace, power, finishing ability - it literally had it all.

No doubt a controversial choice but my goal of 2011 - Neymar da Silva Santos Junior -'Take a bow son!'

The FIFA Puskás Award 2011

It is now time to go in depth into a particular highlight of my own footballing year - The Ferenc Puskás Award for the elected 'best goal' of the 2011 calender year. It commenced in 2009 and has been won by Cristiano Ronaldo whilst at Manchester United and Hamit Altintop for his national side Turkey in 2010.

The goal is open to vote for around a month and a half for the whole world alike - and whatever type of goals float your boat - long-range, acrobatic, vital or just technically brilliant, it is a great opportunity to witness moments of genius from around the entire globe. Even from locations that perhaps, without this award would go unnoticed and unrecognised.

Here is this year's full 10 nominees and the descending order I myself would place them:


10). Heather O'Reilly - United States 3-0 Columbia - Always difficult in such a list to give 'last-place' to someone and if it wasn't for the total lacklustre in the opposition play - only second ever female nominee - O'Reilly would have found herself a lot higher. The shocking defending from the Columbian lady saw the ball roll perfectly into her path but what she did with it was still out of this world. Right from the centre of her laces she hit such a venomous first time shot it arrowed straight into the top corner from an impressively acute right angle. The accuracy was frightening and there is no doubt she deserves her spot inside the top 10.

9). Zlatan Imbrahimovic - AC Milan 1-1 Lecce - Not a great start for the long distance efforts in this years list. Zlatan's effort like O'Reilly's before it - was a good 30 yards + from goal - yet it just didn't give me that complete 'Wow!' factor that would of saw it higher up. In fact goals from distance are becoming more common in football everywhere and perhaps in would take a goal of the most dramatic context, from a great length out to tempt me to a higher placing. The charismatic Swede still made it his own though - by showing uncharacteristic acceleration as well as his well-know upper body strength before without any real glimpse at the Lecce goal hit an exquisite, floated volley perfectly over his head with that left foot that's produced so many of these moments over the years.

8). Benjamin De Ceulaer - Lokeren 1-2 Club Brugge - This goal could fit nicely into the category mentioned early as 'insanely brilliant yet never shared by the masses'. Very Dennis Bergkamp v Newcastle esque - De Ceulaer has deservedly found himself in this list alongside all of football's biggest stars for his single perhaps, career defining moment of brilliance - and perhaps not a bad place to hit it in Belgium, against giants Club Brugge! The play was quite squeezed as a defender managed to spread a ball out to the Lokoren winger, who in-turn picked his moment to feed new hero Benjamin inside the area - he produced one of the most difficult, technically beautiful touches known to our game - to skin his defender and despite being held back by the shirt from the same man, was able to poke an adequate volleyed finish behind Brugge's stopper. Phenomenal!

7). Lionel Messi - Barcelona 3-1 Arsenal - Our second 'huge, world-class' name of the list, although with all respect to the Swedish talisman from earlier, young Leo Messi is in a League of his own - and deserves everything he goes on to win. Here though, is a classic example of how a seeming 'nobody' from the world of football can go on to grace the same stage and even out-class the very best there is - arguably ever. What Messi has going for him here is occasion, UEFA Champions League knockout stage v Arsenal, not a bad time to bring out one of the many mind-blowing moments of your career (and the second of his 'Puskas award career'). Messi owes a lot to now-team mate Cesc Fabregas here as the Arsenal skipper kindly back-heals the ball straight into the path of fellow wizard Andres Iniesta - who dances through a couple of outstretched legs before the most perfect of through balls into the Argentine's path - with Messi's first touch he quickly saw Manuel Almunia straight at his feet - this was where that 'flick' came in, the deftest of touches just to touch the ball over Arsenal's stopper was magnificent and took a lot of nerve. A fabulous Messi moment.

6). Julio Gomez - Mexico 2-3 Germany - Ok, nothing against you here for first thinking '1) Who is he?! & 2) That goal is special but doesn't look too special' well - here's the story. Mexico are level 2-2  in the U-17 World Cup Semi-Final's to Germany and are heading to extra time. Having used all subs, brave Gomez goes up for a header to attempt to level things but only succeeds in cracking his skull to the result of 27 (YES 27!) stitches. After using all 3 subs, he changed his bloody shirt, spent 15 minutes getting 'repaired' and trudges back on for the last few minutes. Into time added on he lounged at the back-stick for a corner from the right, which reached him and he met with a perfect over-head kick, flying in the air with both feet off the ground. Considering considerable damage to his skull - this goal took so much technique but also much heart and courage, willing to try anything for his country to get them through. The lad was 16 at the time, and to achieve something in such circumstances is quite unbelievable!

So, 5 down - 5 to go. Agree so far? I know - it's a tough one.

With an annual collection of such great goals compiling this has been one of my toughest challenges so far. Catch up in a couple of days for the final results!

The news that shook the world.

It was half-past 12 - as most Sundays I was lazing around not doing a fat lot - whilst ominously scrolling through my Twitter updates expecting some interesting or perhaps shocking comment to leap out at me. What caught my eye that second, was mind-blowing...

The official BBCSport Twitter page was the first on my timeline to post the short and shudderingly straight-to-the-point comment: "BREAKING: Wales manager Gary Speed has died". In all honesty I froze - not really sure how long passed before a text came through from a friend woke me. I didn't believe the Tweet one bit, some kind of sick joke? Something funny happened for on TV or for Charity? No. The sickening text confirmed what Twitter had informed me & it was not until I called upstairs to share the news with my Dad when it actually really hit me.

Gary Speed - the model professional, the sporting icon, the seemingly ultra-fit sportsman had horrifically taken his own life in terrifying circumstances. A national hero, big things were happening in his life - the Welsh team that took on England at Wembley in early September - lead by this iconic Welshman. That was it, snap, it was all gone - a glittering career of pleasing thousands, creating a loving family & looking after himself to the upmost possibility gone with whatever hung in Speed's mind - you just couldn't digest - tributes started cramming Twitter from team-mates and colleagues, they couldn't accept it either, it couldn't be true.

It was very true - I had watched Football Focus on the BBC on Saturday with him as a featured guest giving his insight in everything to do with the Welsh teams' prospects and just where his career is heading: the exciting times he will come to face with this more than exciting national side. That proud, loyal and seemingly top-of-the-world family man had it all - nothing witnessed on the television that day could've suggested a negative bone in his body. To think there were thoughts inside of that head that led him to no other way out but to take his own life, is simply numbing.

Despite Speed never playing at the club i supported - and even with perhaps the 'prime' of his career being a bit before my time he was someone who, when I caught on this pitch I instantly admired. You could tell from one glimpse of that puffed out chest and captain's armband he was such a genuine proud leader. Yet a look further up into that calm, kind face told you there was not a bad bone in his body - to witness an interview or to hear team-mates speak of him only confirmed those original thoughts you would get when witnessing him play. The leader of dreams to have along-side you, so approachable, so knowledgeable and so genuinely friendly. It truly is a tragedy.

I sat attached to the living-room sofa for much of the afternoon - rooted on the BBC News channel - where hour after hour, feature after feature bought more reaction from this sickening news on a day that really rocked not only our footballing world but the world as a whole, with tributes flying in from all over the globe. One interview that genuinely knocked me back and bought a lump to my throat was that of former Welsh international team-mate and extremely close friend, Robbie Savage. The Strictly Come Dancing contestant, forever viewed as such a 'hard man' of football in the break of the 21st century clearly could not take what had happened. He lasted 3 or 4 minutes on the interview fondly sharing special memories of himself and 'Speedo' before recalling the phone conversation they had shared less than 24 hours before the discovery of the body and referencing the 'beautiful' wife and sons he had left behind. Savage could take it no long and the interview had to be broken off - tears leaking from the eyes of this man who had lost such a loved one.

Gary was quite clearly so proud of where this current exciting crop of Welsh youngsters could take his nation - tributes from many of them kept flying in from all news sources: Aaron Ramsey, Chris Gunter and Simon Church were just 3 that I caught, with Craig Bellamy being withdrawn from the Liverpool squad that was due to take on Manchester City that day after being 'too upset to play'.

In reality - the biggest shock to the system, for myself - was that it really does go to show that we are all human. Gary Speed seemingly had it all, a magical career at club level and internationally, Welsh all-time most capped outfield player along with most appearances in the Premier League for an outfield player. He had a loving and supporting family - who from his career he could provide for 'till his heart was content. He had been able to take up his coaching badges, put that marvelous playing career behind him and jump into the vacant national team manager seat after just 4 months managerial experience and what promise his time there showed. Gary had all of this, all of it.

Yet there was still something - that thing scratching away in the back of his mind - that allowed him to commit the most traumatic of acts known to man. There are no words of condolence that can be given to the Speed family. The grief must be quite unreal, and something no young, tight family should ever have to be put through.

He was an immensely calm footballer, a real midfield general, the iconic sportsman. Any abiding youngster need to look no further than this Welsh hero - a Premier League great.

There is not much more that can be said, I'm sure to this moment his death has not sunk in on me. Football lost such a character today - but more pressingly - the world lost a great man - a great husband, father and above all - a true gentleman.

Rest In Peace Gary Speed - 8th September 1969 - 27th November 2011.

God bless you and your loved ones.

Why Roman would just be shooting himself in the foot axing AVB...

£15m: The majority of Premier League clubs can only dream of this sort of money to spend on one of those game defining players - someone to unlock a door - or score a goal in an instant out of nothing. As of Roman Abramovich's takeover 8 years ago, Chelsea were no longer dreaming of such luxuries but living the reality. £739m down the line from 2003 - and Roman still does not have hold of his chosen desire, the UEFA Champions League trophy. Managers have been sent packing left, right and centre for not delivering this to the Stamford Bridge club: First Ranieri, then Mourinho, then after getting rid of Grant, Scolari, Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti - The Russian billionaire is fast running out of pedigree managing options.

Despite winning The FA Cup in his short tenure -
Guus Hiddink soon followed out the door

'Big Phil Scolari's' time quickly ran out at Stamford Bridge

The £15m mentioned above - is the price Roman had to pay for his latest managerial acquisition - 34 year old Portuguese Andre Villas-Boas and in all honesty word of him of him receiving the chop as early as late November is very real but also very outrageous.

After the early defeat at Old Trafford that will be more remembered for a certain Spanish forward's miss, things seemed to perk up at Chelsea, they were victorious by some margin in the following 3 games and saw their-selves quickly rise back up the table - they were sniffing around the two Manchester clubs - if anyone was going to stop them this year, it would be Villas-Boas's men.

AVB consoling John Terry after his costly mistake helped
Arsenal stuff his side 3-5

What followed all went a bit pear-shaped though, as a horrid reversal at newly promoted QPR was followed by the nightmarishly humiliating 3-5 defeat they suffered whilst hosting local rivals Arsenal - the press were out of the blocks, criticizing team selections, deciding that players were over the hill and losing their touch. Things have got far worse from their - before getting any better.


Little light was deemed at the end of the tunnel after a sketchy 0-1 victory at second-bottom Blackburn Rovers - the cracks and holes were still there - gaping to be seized upon. Their downfall has been their defensive high line, it looks typically foreign and it is straight away obvious a new coach from abroad has quickly jumped in and set things this way. It can work perfectly, what is required though is a defensive back-line of 4 who are on the exact same wavelength - or it all begins to appear a bit of a farce - with one player stepping out, one dropping back and massive holes appearing between centre-backs and full-backs. Chelsea's new Brazilian central defenders David Luiz is notoriously attack-minded, has that Samba flair about him and whilst 20 yard finishes along with impressive bicycle kicks will have made an impression on the Stamford Bridge faithful - it is doubtless they would much rather their back-line be water tight, with players in union. Of course, the acclimatising to a foreign country perhaps doesn't help without forgetting the language barrier but it also begs the question of how long will it have to be put up with - before results start turning around?

David Luiz's 'defending' has been well scurtinised
in his time at Chelsea thus far

The problems and questions continued to be set as the weeks drew on, another clash of the infamous 'top 4' was perfectly poised between Villas-Boas's struggling side and Kenny Dalglish's Liverpool - who were also having mixed fortunes - a gut wrenching late Glen Johnson winner saw Chelsea fans again go home disappointed, with far more questions than answers.

The striking department is a further grey area for the young boss from Porto, he has a mixed bag of strikers who have been branded: 'Over-priced flop', 'too-old and passed it', 'disinterested' to name just three. If it weren't for the timely emergence of Daniel Sturridge - who got the equaliser against Liverpool and then shone in the week at the defeat in Germany at the hands of Leverkusen - who knows what kinds of debacle the side would be in. The Torres issue won't go away until he starts banging them in on a regular basis, that is quite clear - Didier Drogba showed signs of his old self with a fantastic goal against Leverkusen - yet seems a million miles away from the player that hit 40 goals a few years back, as for Nicolas Anelka, the Frenchmen couldn't currently buy a goal with all the money on Roman Abramovich's Monacan yacht, with talks of him heading to either Anzhi or China perhaps even being a weight-load of the young boss's mind.

Ok, his players are way under-performing, but to what extent is this Villas-Boas's wrong-doings? He's noticed and is satisfied that Drogba, Torres and/or Anelka cannot play together, he successfully stuck with Frank Lampard through the midfielders 'bad patch' and is constantly giving new signings like Luiz chance to gain that much needed experience and English know-how. You have to feel a bit like the 34 year-old is stuck between a rock and an extremely hard place. Any talk of the chop though, is far too drastic.

What would Roman expect? Would he swan off abroad and collect a further decorated, foreign manager just in the mould of Hiddink or Ancelotti, give them 5 months maximum, see them not win anything and move on again? It is all becoming a bit of a joke. The manager is 34 years-old, he is only just older than many of the 'veterans' of the Chelsea first XI who are being blasted to 'step aside'.

There are suggestions Florent Malouda's performances
are returning to that of their 'old self'

Anelka is on a barron run and could quite easily
be shown the exit door in January

Whilst needing all the support he can get from both the board and the Chelsea supporters. He also needs his players to step-up to the plate and be counted, especially those of experience and Chelsea flowing through their veins. They need to pull youngsters like David Luiz, Daniel Sturridge and Josh McEachren through times like this, lead by example and show them how professional sportsmen get out successfully the other side of rough patches. To give my opinion - I believe Abramovich will give this one a bit of legs - let it run out and see how his side are come March or April time, even then it would be wrong of him to judge. Any coach needs time to find his feet but a 30 something year old boss in his first 'real big' job needs all the backing he can get, perhaps both verbally and financially.
There is no doubt Villas-Boas will get the latter, he just needs a certain Russian billionaire to stick by him - and come 2-3 years down the line when the side has gelled, ideas have stuck in place they will reap the rewards together (See Alex Ferguson and Manchester United) - maybe starting with that elusive Champions League.

5 Of the best!: The top 5 Premier League goals from the weekend.

5). Jordi Gomez - Wigan 3-3 Blackburn - The Spaniard Jordi Gomez who used to apply his trade at The Liberty Stadium in Wales is the first to appear on our list this week and as I'm sure many would agree, it was clearly a blessing for Wigan fans to have a goal - they'd take tap-ins in these circumstances - they ended with 2 more than half-decent goals. Excusing Albert Crusat, Gomez edges it here. Following good running down the right-side from Dutch full-back Ronnie Stam - in which his cross was well cleared by the Blackburn back line - the ball was picked up second time around by Gomez outside of the Blackburn penalty area over to the right. The Spaniards lack of goals or attacking instinct has been well glorified in his time at The DW Stadium yet he showed what was in his locker here, with one first touch followed by the sweetest connection on the half volley - hit so well that former England keeper Paul Robinson didn't even blink let alone dive. Such a clean left-footed strike is always easy on the eye, there is no difference with this one.

4). Robin Van Persie - Norwich 1-2 Arsenal - Van Persie is now stranger to our list, perhaps unsurprisingly considering his absolutely outrageous goal-tally this calender year - he has appeared in this weekly feature a good few times already. Perhaps this one won't stick in the memory of Gunners or football fans as long as some of his other beauties but it still deserves a mention as the flying Dutchmen proves his left peg is not what he is all about and finesse is just as easy for his to come across even with his "weaker" foot. After excellent closing down and pressure from the Arsenal midfield, powerhouse central man Alex Song was enable to burst through the centre of Norwich's half towards John Ruddy's goal. He then kept his head well and made the correct split decision by laying an inch perfect through ball into the path of his skipper, down the right side of the penalty area. Perhaps a little opportunity to be a bit critical of Van Persie here, his trusted left foot for once lets him down a wee bit as the weak touch takes the ball across his body - fortunately for him and Gunners fans, the hit man was able to dink a beautifully deft right-footed flicked finish over Ruddy into the net, a fabulously poised finish. Great goal.

3). Luke Young - Stoke 2-3 Queens Park Rangers - The player, with all respect to the former England full-back, who arguably appears most out of his depth on a goal of the week list such as this. The quality of his goals is never an issue - he has scored some belters in his time at The Riverside and Villa Park - but it's the quantity that shines out, he doesn't get many but again here he finished an incredible, flowing team move from QPR that was fitting to in the end be the match winner in a marvelous Saturday afternoon fixture. It was a fine move down Young's right hand side, begun by the full-back himself - it also consisted of great interplay between Shaun Wright-Phillips and the returning Jamie Mackie sandwiched with a rather clever dummy from Luke Young. SWP slid a fabulous ball through Stoke legs into the path of Mackie nearing the by-line, who in the end was able to cut a ball back to around the penalty spot and who was there? Luke Young ready to smash a high, right-footed finish beyond Asmir Begovic. A great example of a goal involving one side of the pitch - fine play by QPR's right-sided men.

2). Glen Johnson - Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool - The only game of Sunday was no small matter - Liverpool v Chelsea has became huge in recent time and indeed in 7 years it was there 27th meeting - it didn't disappoint. Looking at the vast amount of talent on show, one would never of figured the "he's scored against his old club" headlines, would be set by Liverpool and England full-back Glen Johnson; our second right-back of the list this week. It was not only the individual persistence and skill that makes this goal memorable but also the context - timing, scale of the fixture and position both clubs were in - a win was an absolute must and after such an entertaining 70 minutes, it appeared the game would rather dribble out into a 1-1 draw. With 3 minutes remaining on the clock though - after neat interplay involving Luis Suarez and Jose Enrique down the left - midfield anchor-man Charlie Adam was given the freedom of Stamford Bridge's halfway line - his well advertised exquisite left-foot was able to ping out a fabulous 50 yard ball to the burrowing Glen Johnson who was rampaging forward whilst been offered far too much room by fellow England defender Ashley Cole. Jonno then flicked an elegant nut-meg on Cole - before bursting into the penalty area and whilst shrugging off the late intentions of back-tracking Florent Malouda - he passed a fine left footed finish beyond Petr Cech inside his right-hand post - passed John Terry as well who had backtracked onto the line in a last ditch attempt to clear it. A great individual effort of such importance, full of skill - added with that extra shock factor.

1). Emmanuel Adebayor - Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Aston Villa - The Togolese striker lit up a rather cold and miserable Monday night at White Hart Lane with a technically brilliant over-head kick that beat both Stephen Warnock on the line and Shay Given and to give Spurs the lead on the night. On what appeared a freezing night - one that gave the opinion most players would rather be tucked away inside their well dressed mansions - Tottenham cemented their claims for a top four finish, with a well drilled victory against a side that have started as no chumps this year in Aston Villa, whilst not playing particularly magnificently or perhaps in a 90 minutes where a top 4 side perhaps not ready would of bottled and only reached a draw - Adebayor's quality shone through and his fine solo show earnt Spurs the 3 points. The goal in question though was fantastic, Ducthman Van der Vaart's corner was seemingly well cleared near post by Villa forward Emile Heskey, before Gareth Bale unorthodoxly managed to shuffle the ball using his right foot back onto the Villa 6 yard line, where Adebayor remained admittedly terribly unmarked yet it still remained an almost impossible task with his back to goal to finish from that position. Without having controlled the ball his first touch was to arch his back down before sweeping his right foot over his head at an angle to drill the ball home into the area uncovered by Given. It would've been a decent finish facing the goal but all things considered - it was vastly impressive and one that has one him our top spot this week.


http://www.3news.co.nz/VIDEO-First-goal-Adebayor-overhead-Tottenham-Hotspur-Vs-Aston-Villa-Premier-League-White-Hart-Lane-2011/tabid/317/articleID/233540/Default.aspx

The above link is this week's winner - Spur's forward Emmanuel Adebayor's epic overhead kick.

Cont... 'The Deco & FC Barcelona debate'

Defensive-Midfielder - I believe this position is a fine example of how the famous Barcelona youth program has moved on leaps and bounds in recent years. After a hugely siccessful 4 years in France with Lyon he got his dream move to The Nou Camp for £10m aged 28. A right mixed bag followed in Spain though, as only making 6 performances in his debut season things were not exactly turning how they were planned out for the Brazillian holder. He did though, manage to turn things around the following term in the successful Champions League campaign, performing 9 times in that competition alone and featuring against Arsenal. Edmilson was never renowned for his finesse or his pace and power yet seemed to have a nack of mopping up play well and acting as a handy shield. The new-boy in town: Sergio Busquests - comes as stiff competition though, though he too has his positives and negatives. A product of the youth system, Sergio was performing in Barcelona's 'c' side in 2006 but went on to make his debut competitively in 2008 - he carries a reputation with rival fans that cannot be ignored, yet he still seems to carry that mould of 'The Barcelona way' and it appears if anyone is going to sit and protect that back-line with Messi and co galavanting forward it should be this Catalonian - he receives an 8.5 whilst Edmilson has a 7.

Centre-Midfield - Things really start to get interesting and competitive for the current Barca champions now, the Midfielder we will be focusing on here is the pinnacle of passers that is Xavi - ironically he is in terms of this comparison - going face to face with Deco who knew a thing or two about unlocking defensive doors himself - a very interesting one this. To many football fans nowadays Xavi is the ultimate midfielders and creator-in-chief, he may not have the lightening speed and being his size sees him at a tiny 5"5 it shrouds a mist over any ideas that you have to be giant to successfully dominate a midfield. He may be 31 years of age now but the little man doesn't appear to be slowing down - if anything he's giving former teammate Pep Guardiola more of a reason for choosing him after adding goal-scoring - 4 in the League already this year - to his repertoire. Portuguese man Deco - a great, great player himself (& the reason this very article exists) enjoyed a solid spell with The Catalonians, it can't be forgot the honours and ranks he picked up for himself at his time there and in all honesty if he found himself up against anyone other than perhaps Xavi, he could well of nicked it. Barcelona 2005/2006 player of the season, over 100 appearances from a foreign player while his work with teammate Ronaldinho was seen as a revelation on the field. Xavi though, is unstoppable in the eyes of Barca fans, it would be impossible to give him anything lower than 9.5, while Deco goes on to win a respectable 9 for his Nou Camp efforts.

Centre-Midfield - This is a tricky one - there are no doubts at all that the former Arsenal skipper is an apsolutely delightful footballer, has he been at Barca long enough at competitive level to draw to a conclusion is difficult to say - I will attempt to stick to the basis of Deco's statement of individual class to spark a game - maybe why Cesc takes this one over Dutch enforcer Mark van Bommel. Although the Dutchman only spent one of his years in Barcelona, a hugely successful one it was - winning a superb treble - whilst having to rotate his position with many of the technically fabulous figures already involved in his position. Van Bommel though, is a midfielder of great aggression, a fine player to compliment what Barca already had - he was heading towards 30 when he got his Nou Camp move, so the one year stay didn't turn into a huge surprise. Fabregas is a fine footballer, it's hard to argue that he is a good way in front of the Dutchman in terms of 'technically quality' as Deco refers to - but van Bommel's efforts must not be extinguished - the one year was fantastically successful but on the basis of this comparison he wins an 8 whilst Fabregas sneaks it with 8.5.

Right-Midfield/Attacking-Midfield - Ludovic Giuly was a wanted man - his dynamic performances down the wing for French side Monaco were being well tracked by all of the European big boys, it was hard to imagine him saying no when someone like Barcelona came knocking. Giuly performed well for The Catalan side in his 3 years in Spain, he went on to become second top scorer in his first term and despite several niggling injuries went on to fulfill his promise of entering double figures scoring wise with 11, 05/06 was where he really shone though, out-wide in their historic CL campaign he was magnificent and looked threatening every time he got going with the ball. Unfortunately the emergence of a young lad by the name of Messi halted his Barca career, although he can be more than happy with what he achieved. Andres Iniesta is his particular opponent here who, much like Xavi is nothing less than worshipped by the Barcelona faithful. whilst also receiving plaudits off former team-mate Samuel Eto'o as being the "best player in the world". Iniesta's spirited, dynamic movement is mesmorising and the number 8 appears always in control and to never give up on anything he's chasing. After consistently assisting and scoring for FCB for 7 years straight now - it is hard to call him anything other than a 'Barcelona Legend' and a well earned 9.5 he receives here, with French winger Giuly also taking a decent 8.5.

Left-Midfield/Attacking-Midfield - Well well well, here we are: Ronaldinho v Lionel Messi - where to start - how to compare?! Ronaldinho was once and still is classed as the greatest footballer of all time, his charisma and technique was something never seen before - he did something new to football - gave it an identity and he will be remembered by not just Barcelona fans but football fans in general forever. He was a phenomenal footballer, the life and soul of Barca for a good number of years he carried an enormous threat and for an attacking midfielder finished with a goal/game ratio nearing 1 in every 2 - outstanding. Ronaldinho earns a 10 in every section of the football pitch - unfortunately for him, he has fell into the category now occupied by another genius, one that is breaking records right, left and centre, one who at 24 is less than 30 goals of Barcelona's all time leading record - one Lionel Messi. This diminutive Argentinean needs no other words spoken, he is a footballing god and labelled by many retired greats of the game the best they have ever witnessed play - yes, that includes the Peles, Maradonas and Zidanes. Messi footballing talent is unrivaled, the ball is 99% seen elasticated to his feet and the amount of times he single handedly destroys opponents is unreal. In ways it is a shame these two had to be compared, who am I to call a winner? Statistics suggest otherwise but it's equal, Messi has and will continue to outscore, assist and shine the Brazilian but what Ronaldinho introduced to Barcelona is unforgettable - an unprecedented 10/10 for the both of them here.

Centre-forward - Perhaps an opportunity for the attacking sense of Barcelona's 11 of 2006 to redeem themselves, Samuel Eto'o enjoyed a tremendous 5 years with Barcelona, he left with an unquestionably impeccable scoring record - and for a good few years was both regarded and feared as the most lethal finisher in the game - with the likes of Ronaldinho, Messi, Xavi and Iniesta feeding him, he had a glittering career for Barcelona. In his time leading the line, he scored numerous hat-tricks (even four goals in the first half on one occasion!) whilst netting his 99th and 100th goal for the club against the same opposition. Eto'o carried a personality and had a not so un-like Carlos Tevez incident in early 2007 when he refused to come off the bench, it all blew over quickly though and the Cameroonian was able to continue earning legendary status at the Nou Camp. Eto'o also bagged a Champions League final goal in each of his 2 finals - both 2006 and 2009 at the top of his powers, he boasted electrifying pace - was regarded a nightmare to defend against whilst his finish was always unnerving. David Villa - is the man we turn to in the modern day Barcelona XI, he was signed well as the idea of replacing what Eto'o left behind when he moved to Inter, to recover the goal-scoring hatchet, after a fearful strike rate for both Valencia and the national side, a £34m move cast shudders around the globe. Although Villa is too a feared striker, he does not carry the burst of acceleration of Eto'o, and therefore stakes the claim of being 'easier' to defend, already holding a 1 in 2 strike record for his new suiters he also netted a fantastic goal in his sides Champions League victory against Manchester United, his technique, like many around him is undisputed - but on the basis of raw spark and creating that one moment - Samuel Eto'o must crack it - by a margin of 9.5 to 8.5.

Final scoring:
'2011 Barcelona XI' = 96
'Deco's class of 2006' = 93.5

Well there we go, after a long and (quite exhausting) in depth comparison Barcelona's class of 2011 have come out on top by a very miniscule 3.5 - quite a shocking result when perhaps comparing both line-ups for the first time.

The replacements of Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Fabregas and Villa have all risen Barcelona's status up - yet not to such a level to completely outshine the squad of 5 years previous. It appears Deco's statement did contain some elements of truth - there were a lot of individuals, many talented footballers in that squad, mostly collected from all around the globe with the likes of Brazilians, Dutch, French and Portuguese it just appears - in the eyes of myself anyway that the Barcelona current crop just has that little edge - that assembly of youth teams set-up players where it gives themselves that family feel, like no other in world football -

After all: they are: 'Más de un club'

Charlemont Star 0-2 St Thomas Aldridge match report

http://www.charlemontstarfc.co.uk/club/153630/News/view/612932

"We had more individual stars" Says Deco

An article which quoted Flumenense's ex-Barcelona midfielder Deco admitting he felt his Barcelona class of 2004-2008 had more individual class than Pep Guardiola's current haul of stars caught my attention earlier. Brazilian born Deco believes that "although the current team is more complete, looking at individual quality - my Barca had more players who could make the difference."

This both intrigued and fascinated me, as a genuine football fan who loves to see the beautiful game played at it's jaw-dropping best - it is difficult to cast our minds back even half a decade ago and believe Barcelona have infact gone 'downhill' individually.
To settle this - in my mind anyway - I've decided on a quick comparison using ratings /10 of which I believe is Pep Guardiola's current best XI up against the UEFA Champions League winning XI of 2006, smack bang in the middle of Deco's Nou Camp stint.

I'm sure the results will provide both shocks and the obvious - but here goes.

2006 Champions League 2-1 victory v Arsenal line-up:

Gk - Victor Valdes                                        
Rb - Oleguer
Lb - Gio van Bronckhorst
Cb - Rafael Marquez
Cb - Carlos Puyol (c)
Dm - Edmilson
Cm - Deco
Cm - Mark van Bommel
Rm - Ludovic Giuly
Lm - Ronaldinho
Cf - Samuel Eto'o

MY current Barca best XI

Gk - Victor Valdez
Rb - Dani Alves
Lb - Adriano
Cb - Gerard Pique
Cb - Carlos Puyol (c)
Dm - Sergio Busquets
Cm - Xavi
Cm - Cesc Fabregas
Am - Andres Iniesta
Am - Lionel Messi
Cf - David Villa

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Goalkeeper - Even though the keeper on both sides remains identical in Victor Valdes, it is of the universal opinion that this man has come a long, long way since his Barcelona debut and is now well worthy of that black Nou Camp #1 jersey, it wasn't a very long time ago Valdes was seen as the 'weak link' in the Barca side and that they failed to have a goalkeeper who could live up to the levels of their outfield stars. This is almost unheard of now, as Valdes is often involved in keeping that Barcelona clean sheet intact with marvelous stops - the general opinion of him coming a long way and far improving as a goalkeeper hands the Valdez of 5 years ago 8/10 with the current Victor Valdes at 9/10.

Right-Back - Arguebly one of the positions this side has most come on - one remembers Oleguer having a particularly nervous game in the aforementioned final against The Gunners - being unable to deal with Freddie Ljunberg and being at fault for Sol Campbells opener. He was usually, a solid performer who would always be reliable indefence yet offer little moving forward - this was where the big, big changes broke in 2008 when Barca signed Seville's Brazilian full-back Dani Alves, an inspired signings for The Catalonians, Alves fits right into their style of play and offers such width he is almost a right-winger. Known to be not the most solid of defenders his sheer graft and guile going forward earn him 8/10 whilst Oleguer must have a 7/10.

Left-Back - Since Gio van Brockhorst has moved on, left-back has been a notoriously tricky position for Barca to fill, of the current side Abidal, Maxwell and Adriano have all been in and out of the squad - the latter is my option as the 'best' option as of the time of writing. 'Gio' as the Dutchman was known in Spain became a bit of a fans favorite and a very decent asset to Barcelona - his very fine displays helped them to the La Liga title in his debut season whilst next term he became the only player that season to play all Champions League ties as Barca went on to win the final - no mean feat by any means. Whilst Brazilians Maxwell and Adriano can attack, they remain hugely suspect at the back and with Abidal almost the opposite in regards to being a solid defender without much forward guile the favorite here must be van Bronckhorst who picks up an 8/10 with Adriano getting a 7.

Centre-Back - Rafael Marquez v Gerard Pique? A very tricky one this time, Mexican Marquez was an essential figure inside of that Barca back-line for all of 6 or 7 years with his no nonsense defending and his serious goal threat from set-pieces he did adorn himself with the Nou Camp faithful. Once Marquez left Spain, he has the most appearances of a non-European in their history whilst a trophy haul of 7 titles tells its own story. His time was of course well documented by injury - the Mexican skipper suffered a number of very serious sidelines that required surgery, for this he was unfortunate but will doubtless remain popular in early Barcelona 21st century history. Gerard Pique on the other hand - is a world class defender - after Barca gratefully retained him from his stint in England at Old Trafford in 2008 the giant, young defender has been ever present in his partnership with skipper Puyol. Now a regular in the national team pushing on for 40 caps, it is extremely hard to put him on the losing side here but for his popularity as a foreigner Marquez wins this one by 9.5/10 to 9/10.

Centre-Back - Carlos Puyol - Barcelona legend, what can there be to do to compare such a mans career? Making his debut in 1999 Puyol is a fine defender, a model defender - loyal, committed and die-hard. Nevertheless, a comparison is a comparison and it has to be decided just whether heading towards the far end of his career Puyol's rating has fell down a notch. With now over 400 appearances for his boyhood club, Puyol is a rock and it is hard to imagine the red and blue stripes without seeing his mop of curly hair, now 33 though the time will arrive when injuries and tiredness take their toll and kick in. At the time of 2006, Puyol was 27 and in his prime, though he was never one for pace he could cover ground tremendously and make fantastic last-ditch challenges, the challenges and 'taking one for his side' have never left Puyol, obviously - yet notoriously last season he found himself out of the side a lot through injury, even permitting him playing only 5 minutes of the destruction of Manchester United at Wembley. Puyol has a good couple of years in him yet, whether he has gone down-hill since 2006 is impossible to say but the Puyol of 5 years ago was one of the best around as I'm awarding him 9/10 and the Carlos Puyol of 2011 8.5/10.

So far:
'Deco's' Barca squad = 41.5
'Our 2011 team' = 41.5


IT'S ALL TO PLAY FOR!


To be continued next time - the Midfield and attacking areas of FC Barcelona - the real area they infamously control and dictate the play. Have they come any further or is Deco correct? We'll see next time...

Mixing it up there with the big guns...

The beginning of the 2011/2012 campaign, not just in England but across the Continent - has thrown up pleasant shocks left, right and centre. With Newcastle United strutting their stuff 1 point off 2nd place in the Premier League, Levante - until recently jaw-droppingly heading the La Liga over in Spain and at the time of writing Udinese making the early strides at the top of Serie A it has clearly been a season opener full of shocks, surprise and an air of refreshing change to the European game.

In terms of life up on St James' Park; Alan Pardew knows his football, he's been around the block in the sporting terms, for Charlton Athletic and West Ham United, where he even reached a F.A Cup final 5 years ago whilst also showing he can handle to nitty gritty of a relegation scrap. Pardew really has steadied the ship since his appointment at the back end of last year. It has been far from a stroll for the Wimbledon born boss, replacing fans favourite Chris Hughton was never going to be easy for anyone, straight away it became clear he'd embraced upon a chariot of fire. Yet Pardew has stuck it out, reaped the rewards of transfer fees, spending wisely and conservatively, the results are paying off, one glance at the League Table proves it.

A bleak 2011 full of losses of 'Star' players as Andy Carroll, Jose Enrique, Kevin Nolan and Joey Barton all leaving the North-East to pursue other avenues. Defensive midfielder Yohan Cabaye - a mere penniless £4.3m coup from Lille - is already establishing himself as a cult hero up on Tyneside, his feather-like touch, eye for a long shot and crunch in the tackle brings the fans to ponder: "Joey who?". The real secret is of course up-top, with 8 goals in 10 games hitman Demba Ba in the goal sniff, Newcastle fans are in dreamland. After an impressive spell with West Ham at the beginning of 2011, United snapped at the opportunity, and are seeping the rewards, two hat-tricks already are the stats, power, pace and finesse are the reality of what could see Newcastle United again churn out another fine #9-esque centre forward.

No one can suggest that Newcastle have nothing but a 'solid' spine to their side, goalkeeper Tim Krul is an undoubted star, several memorable saves and excellent clean sheets so far this year have more than bulked up  his case to be one of the League's hottest young goalkeepers. The two centre-halves are sturdy through and through, Steven Taylor has been at the senior level of the club for almost a decade now and knows the concept of defending for the side inside out, whilst his partner and new club captain Fabricio Coloccini is another real reason the Geordie fans have to celebrate. The Argentinean defender was once regarded as one of the best of his position in the game and after surpassing 100 games recently for The Magpies it appears he is now regarded as a central figure-head and has a very big Newcastle future.

The aforementioned Cabaye sits alongside another Toon cult-figure in Cheick Tiote in the central midfield position, the Ivorian will forever have a place in the heart of Newcastle history after that dramatic last kick of the game stunner against Arsenal in the 4-4 at St James' last year. It is really his sheer workload and persistence that have made him emerge as a firm fans favourite. With rumours of Manchester United and Chelsea sniffing around put to bed by a new six-and-a-half-year deal being signed in February, it truly shows his potential and what a coup the club made there yet again.

With the full-back section filled with the English solidarity of Danny Simpson and Ryan Taylor barely putting a foot wrong all term, whilst adding to the goal and assist tally themselves, Newcastle's squad seems complete, they can mix and match, they have a boss who is willing to do so and is clearly buying and thinking towards the future - happy, happy days.

Putting aside the individual brilliance what has most impressed me about this seasons Newcastle side is their new found 'grit and determination' to grind out those little 3 pointers that take them a long way. After Demba Ba's marvelous hat-trick away at The Britannia in late October, they were bought back to earth with what appeared to be a difficult task hosting tricky Everton at home the following Saturday. This 2nd game in 5 games clearly didn't have any adverse effect on their winning mentally though as despite flying into an early 2 goal lead, Jack Rodwell pegged them back just before the break and the remainder of the 2nd period was a real test of Newcastle's mettle, could they hold on to the three points in a sort of 'Manchester United way' of winning without playing to their greatest potential? Or would it be 'Crash bang!' run over and back to usual? Stick it out they did, many a Premier League side would've jilted under such pressure from a seasoned unpredictable side like The Toffees but the new found belief soaring through the veins of this squad is evident to all. The top 6, scratch that, the top 4 need to be very careful because this side look like they have all aspects in what is required to be successful in the Barclays Premier League. A thriving manager, solid foundation of English stalwarts to build their squad around and finally that bit of individual brilliance that'll set alight a cold, miserable winter night 0-0'er.

It appears that this fever of grinding out the gritty victories in the style of 'big-guns' is not contempt with infecting only English sides - a quick glimpse over to Spain not so long ago would of struck you with the spellbinding site of little Levante sitting proud above Barcelona and Real Madrid at the head of La Liga. It became clear to be after a bit of analysis just how similar both sides fortunes are - they both flirted around mid table last term, both run by a manager who has applied his trade in lower divisions and both attempt to use their own nation to bring sturdiness and stability to the club.
Much as Newcastle look to Ryan Taylor and Danny Simpson - Levante turn to experienced Spaniards Juanfran and Javi Venta, it is a recurring theme all through the side and without doubt a successful one. They also enjoy mixing relative Spanish youth along with know-how and experience in their midfield - once Valencia and Inter Milan man Javier Farinós adds that finesse whilst Malaga loanee Xavi Torres provides a very youthful midfield barrier.
A further mightily interesting link with Newcastle is that of not being afraid to go big on their main goal threat - although admittedly they haven't yet splashed the euros on fellow loanee Aruna Kone, the Ivorian's reputation certainly hasn't got the better of him as his move to the Ciutat de Valencia has provided him with that new lease of life he lost in Seville - that form he regularly used to show in Holland.
Their boss Juan Martinez is Pardew's age - give or take a couple of years and again like Pardew, it's his first real stint at managing top-half of a top division side. Given Levante's honeymoon seems to be now slightly drying up - although far from over - they now sit in 4th having taken 23 points from 11 games just 2 points behind Newcastle at exactly the same point. It appears both sides have the correct underlying idea about how to approach a year when not a lot is tipped for you, they are equipping themselves fabulously and fully deserve to be where they are.

You would have needed to have been living in a bubble for the last couple of years if the emergence of Crawley Town FC has not caught your eye-line, there is no excuse as their fine FA Cup 5th round run last year was halted by non other than Manchester United at Old Trafford, nevertheless the 'Money-bags' of the Conference kept going and secured winners spot by early April. Okay, you may be saying spending £500,000 and storming the Conference is not saying much - but this incredible sides beginning to life in the Football League just makes their story better and better - quite an achievement.
Their purchasing of Conference class acts Matt Tubs - who went on to score 46 goals in all competitions and big haired Argentinean Sergio Torres have continued to shine for the side, whilst club captain and experience figurehead Pablo Mills has been a great credit and really the given the side that sense of leadership through the transitional state it's in the middle of.
After another unprecedented beginning to their campaign, they sit amazingly in 2nd spot, 2 points behind early leaders Southend United - there is absolutely nothing to say Crawley won't be able to finish this year inside those top 2 spots, the financial is there, their loyal and deserving Manager Steve Evans is clearly continuing to keep his sides feet on the ground - as well as getting the best out of the players that served him so so well last time out. They do have the added pressure of investment that comes - just as Manchester City do far above them, much of the English footballing supporters have their eyes glued on them, the press have their knives out ready to brand them a 'rich flop' yet the fairy-tale continues. To achieve mid-table obscurity in this, their first year in The Football League would of equaled a resounding success but to see them striding along with League 1 relegated leaders is immense - long may it continue and hopefully, just hopefully they are treated well in the first few rounds of The FA Cup again, so the whole of English football can again sit up and notice their success on a National scale.
Mine and I'm sure a lot of other's money is on them achieving great things in the coming years, to perhaps achieve promotion again - and then really attract the calibre of players in League 1. The sky really is the limit!

David Attenborough move over...

Columbia - Venezuela is no mean feat in South America - especially taking into account the added pressure of it being a World Cup qualifying game. With Columbia surely attempting to show their dominance in a 'David & Goliath' type encounter...

The 1-1 result - a very decent turn-out for little Venezuela was over-looked world-wide though by the presence of a scene very much appearing like it belonged on 'Spring Watch'.
Fascinating images from the game were recorded of an Owl landing on top of one of the crossbars and grabbing an unsuspecting Rat with it's claws before attempting to gobble it up there and then!

After it seemingly decided to give up and save it for later - the Owl flew off with the poor (scarily huge!) Rat dangling from its claws. It didn't get too far though - as a mere few seconds into its journey the Owl had a nightmarish moment, as the Rat somehow managed to release itself from the claws - and face a pleasant little 30 foot drop from the skies.
Below is the amazing video from South American - wonder if the 'Super Rodent' made it out of its little adventure in one piece in the end?...

There may be a slightly disturbing pattern beginning to spread here with the relevence of Owls and Columbian football pitches - this very story, as picture-esque as it is reminded me of a horrifically brutal one not so long back, in which Luis Moreno - a Columbian centre-forward inexplicably kicked a defenseless Owl off of the field in frustration.

Totally unforgiving and fully deserved of his punishment - even if it was the rumored jail sentence!

Monyhull Church 1-2 Charlemont Star match report

http://www.charlemontstarfc.co.uk/club/153630/News/view/608543

'Negrito' could be the key to prove Luis Suarez's innocence & Patrice Evra's misunderstanding...

We often hear many stories around the footballing world concerning news stories that are horribly 'lost in translation'. A short word or phrase misunderstood in a little way can go on to make huge headlines in the world of the British Tabloids.

Recent examples include Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin claiming he was mistranslated in a Russian interview in which he was translated to be 'pursuing a move to Barcelona' - Though not sure many would blame him?! Fellow new Emirates signing Per Mertersaker being unable to learn the new language resulting in him struggling to settle into English life and countless more, players returning home or traveling with the International side can often return back to awful headlines. There are of course the blatant ones attempting to dig themselves out of a massive hole (See Carlos Tevez) - but we will ignore those... Could it again be the issue in these racial slurs?

It has recently came out in the papers that the alleged incident in the infamous Liverpool v Manchester United meeting on October 15th, could well all be a misunderstanding on the Uruguayan's part. As of today (Nov 14th) nearly a whole month since the accusation the F.A have finally came out and declared the use of the short phrase 'Negrito' as the solution to the puzzle.

Whilst installing a short language lesson without appearing patronising - in Spanish and many South American languages the words 'negro' translates to 'black' whilst any word with 'ito' on the end refers to the fore-fronted word being 'small'. Ok, we've worked it down to 'Suarez calls Evra a 'Small-Black' - Still not really helping his case really. A little further delving reveals all though.

The term in Spanish is not seen of that of a derogating nature - in fact it's quite the opposite, in most cases it is understood in such ways friends between different skin-tones would acknowledge each other, much the way we would say 'mate or pal'. Not conclusive I hear you cry? Suarez has been in England almost 12 months, and must understand such a term could easily get confused and carry very different meanings...

The proof, surprisingly appears in the form of Liverpool team-mate Dani Pacheco (To Suarez's relief) sharing conversation with his fellow Spanish u-21 team-mate Thiago Alcantara, his message to the Barcelona man read; "Negrito, enjoy yourself..."

So as a new racial story has risen up and really overtaken this one which began almost a month ago, can the FA finally make a concrete decision and reprimand one of the involved. The Uruguayan could well still be guilty, Evra could well be found to be making the whole story up or as the title suggests - it could all be one huge misunderstanding. Either way, it surely doesn't take a large, professional Governing body like the FA a whole month to come to a decision using video evidence - either it exists, or it doesn't.

And it is not fair on either party if anything isn't bought to a conclusion soonish.

Dynamo Kingswinford 1-0 Charlemont Star match report.

http://www.charlemontstarfc.co.uk/club/153630/Matches/report

Relieving to hear Fifa do have some common sense...

Over the last couple of days the sporting world has been dominated by the disastrous decision by World Football Governing Body (Fifa) regarding the England internationals not being permitted to wear poppies on their shirts as a sign of remembrance during England's 2 up-and-coming friendlies against Spain and Sweden.

David Cameron "'devastated" by Fifa's ruling
and was fighting the claim in court 2 days ago.

First of all, before any talk of what is 'correct' in the footballing world, it is an absolute outrage that professional, idolised English sportsmen are being instructed not to wear the flower as a mark of respect for what thousands of young, innocent soldiers gave their own lives up for back in the 1910's and all of the family around today that continues to effect. It is of my firm belief that no one, no matter how higher level of authority they hold, should be able to take the liberty of comemorating such a significant event as part of English history and tradition.

Surely any governing body inside of any organisation across the globe would never come across as petty as to ban such things? We would all like to believe - just 2 days ago Fifa issued a statement that "Poppies carry political, religious or commercial messages, therefore cannot be worn". Fortunately for any mature and proud countryman the point was met with a huge outcry by all sides of the nation, it was quite a thing to witness in all honesty, as it appeared for once everyone in the country, no matter what occupation or background - could join together as a verbal force and voice their anger at such a shambolic and disrespectful rule.

After what the country has been caught up in this year it terms of financial issues, job reductions and the outragious riots that took place a couple of months ago. It was relieving to see such a strong opinion being held by all over the country - and using this, together with the voices of higher positioned authority figures of our nation we have together been successful in undoing this farce. Pushing through the respectful and in the end sensible option.

England idol Theo Walcott proudly
showing his respect to the brave
soldiers.

After front page news being firstly dominated by Primer Minister David Cameron's voice of both anger and bewilderment it gave the local folk of the country that tinge of hope in that our positions of importance were too feeling the force of this statement. With Cameron taking up the issue in court that afternoon and then with the brilliantly pleseant feeling that Sepp Blatter woke up in Switzerland one morning to an extremely angry and demanding note from English icon Prince William is truly special.

For a moment though let's be realistic, what harm would the poppies have bought to Fifa? Was it what they first issued in saying they were worried about 'political or religious reasons' or is it something more? Were they worried that for one small moment everyone in England would show the rest of the world they are together and can be civil and respectful? Are the head body really that insecure on their own authority that would ban such a traditional and comemorative feature?
In my own head - I wouldn't put one thing past Sepp Blatter and co. there have been numerous turn ups and mockeries been made of their supposed 'governing, controlling' position, notably the betting scandals and the bribary accusitions. Whether they would go as far as taking such an important sign away from a nation solely regarding their own insecurities is another question - it is also quite interesting to try and perceive the outcome if it were concerning another nation. It is no secret of high positioned footballing bodies being afraid of the influence England as a footballing nation has on the rest of either Europe or the World, there has been occasions in the past where Fifa has stepped in and disregarded England as not being up there with other popular leagues and nations. Is England joining together as a force and showing remorse and respect for their own heroes, who without them there would be no Fifa or for that fact any of us here today, such an issue for Fifa? Or is it really just down to childish, petty and ignorant 'rules' which ban such occasions. Either of the above reason - Fifa need to take a good long look at theirselves.


It has been refreshing though, after the loss of control regarding youths these past months to see everybody sticking together and allowing rules that shouldn't be in  place to be changed. I'm sure all of you reading this were as delighted as me when you discovered Prince William's forceful letter had changed Fifa's highly intelligent minds. It just comes to show - when it is concerning something of real passion that is widely acknowledged by all the right result will come through in the end.

Ex-Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas shows it is a universal feeling
and not just that of a British person.

Fifa is a shambols, whichever way it is looked upon. It is just such a relief that we were, just this one time - able to give them the kick up the rear and they eye-opener to warn them what they were enforcing was so wrong, it would've lost them their control and trust of this nation forever.

5 Of the best!: The top 5 Premier League goals from the weekend.

5) David Silva - Queens Park Rangers 2-3 Manchester City - You will not see a single better first touch in The Barclays Premier League this season than this little Spaniard's beautiful control to set himself up for the finish that regained table-toppers Manchester City the lead at Loftus Road. His elegance and poise on the ball, certainly this season has been well documented by not only the English press, but world-wide as Spanish giants Barcelona have been sniffing around the ex-Valencia man. This goal pretty much sums up his footballing brilliance in one move that totals in about 3 seconds yet produces a devastating touch and finish that any player on the planet would struggle to match. After good work from Bosnian Edin Dzeko down the City left, his ball into the box towards Silva wasn't 100% kind, leaving the City midfielder with plenty to do, he used his running speed to weigh a beautiful first touch which turned him right away from Hoops a defender, a touch of genuine quality that only you would only see be produced by the players of highest calibre before he absolutely belted a near post finish past QPR's Paddy Kenny. The touch and finish was over in the blink of an eye, and was sheer class to behold.

4) Anthony Pilkington - Aston Villa 3-2 Norwich City - This young Blackburn-born midfielder has enjoyed a very mixed start to life at the highest level of English football. He became villain for the day after his guilt-edge miss when clean through as Norwich lost at Old Trafford. The going on to spurn such an opportunity at Anfield. Yet, they love him at Norwich, there have been moments of inspiration provided by this lad and it is very clear they would not of enjoyed the start to the season they have had if it wasn't partly down to his input. He scored one in the bottom of the table clash with Bolton Wanderers in September, before netting a fine brace in the battle of the newbies against Swansea. This goal though, the pick of his bunch so far, perhaps not so noted for his set-piece qualities as of before Saturday, he will be now. As from 25 yards and the rest out slightly to the left of Brad Friedel's goal, he bent a superb free-kick into the far opposite top corner of the net, the very side the American stopper had positioned himself. It is a rarity to witness a free-kick like that and it was well up there with the set piece efforts from Van Persie and Larsson that have made our lists previously.

3) Aaron Lennon - Fulham 1-3 Tottenham Hotspur - It has been a good while since this rapid, little winger has lit up any Premier League stadium to the extent of the potential he once possessed. That potential that got him comfortably inside of England squads, scoring and providing pivotal goals for Spurs on a regular basis is something England and more notably Tottenham fans have been sorely missing the past couple of years. Sunday evening though gave those who couldn't take the Lennon-draught any longer a glimmer of hope as he really tore through the Fulham back-line before scoring an absolutely wonderful individual goal. Lennon exchanged passes with Gareth Bale down the left on half-way, before striding meaningfully at the heart of Mark Schwarzer's penalty box, that burning pace that was once a regular feature in a Tottenham season was on show again as he totally bamboozled Fulham defender Chris Baird and despite taking the ball a millimeter further left that he would of liked he unleashed an exquisite 'weaker' left-footed effort which slotted across Schwarzer's 6ft 41/2 full stretch. No mean feat, a blast from the past and a reminder that there's plenty of life in forgotten man Aaron Lennon yet.

2) Chris Eagles - Bolton Wanderers 5-0 Stoke City - As we approach the business end of my list for this week, the moments of real exquisite quality begin to kick in. Bolton Wanderers, the side who were yet to take a point at their home of The Reebok Stadium, totally whitewashed a Stoke City side who were the supposed 'catalysts' to Owen Coyle's Bolton downfall when they were hit for the same score-line at the end of last term. Nobody could've predicted this one, or even that with all respect, one of the goal scorers of this fixture may finish so high in a list of most quality goals. Chris Eagles, the summer purchase from Coyle's previous employers Burnley, has, it is fair to say not exactly shined so far in a white Bolton shirt. Sunday was his coming of age as he buried 2 goals, the first of which was very, very special and one that he'll do well to forget. After an iffy back-pass from Stoke's back-line to Asmir Begovic, the Bosnian didn't shower himself in glory either as his slipped clearance was more left than forward. Although it has to be said, when it fell at the feet of Chris Eagles near the left touchline there was still not a huge scent of danger. What followed was technically brilliant, with Begovic slow to retrieve to his line, Eagles used his first touch to produce a daisy-cutter firmly across the floor, from a ridiculous angle and all of 30 yards right across the keeper in the only spot the ball could've hit the net. It was a picturesque goal and one truly worthy of breaking Eagles' Bolton goal duck.

1) Ryan Taylor - Newcastle 2-1 Everton - The Scouse defender employed at St James' Park that is Ryan Taylor takes this weeks applause, as his marvelous dipping volley over Tim Howard's head helped Newcastle preserve their fascinating and unbeaten start to the season. Newcastle had already taken an early lead thanks t a less then spectacular Jonny Heitenga own goal, the goal that followed though, could well fall into a goal of the season category after the accolade it has taken this week. After a series of waves of Newcastle attacks, Jack Rodwell cleared his lines with a defensive header, only for the ball to drop onto the chest of Ryan Taylor , who was in a not too dissimilar position to Chris Eagles in goal #2, took the control on his chest before hitting an absolute peach of a volley from a narrow angle that looped brilliantly over Howard's head, into the side of the net via the underside of the crossbar. Full-back Taylor is never too far from the spectacular, after gaining a reputation as a bit of a free-kick specialist, he really proved his attacking worth here for the Geordie outfit, in what turned out to be the game winning goal. Taylor can even prove the 'attacking full-back' theory wrong of full-backs who go forward and do special things can't defend, as Newcastle's back-line has been mostly spectacular this year. Proving he can defend and then providing moments of sheer genius like that wins the boyhood Liverpool fan this weeks #1 spot against Everton.

Ryan Taylor's special volley against boyhood rivals Everton well worthy to be this weeks winner.

Newcastle United: The story of success 2011-2012 so far...

The beginning of the 2011/2012 campaign, not just in England but across the Continent - has thrown up pleasant shocks left, right and centre. With Newcastle United strutting their stuff 1 point off 2nd place in the Premier League, Levante - until recently jaw-droppingly heading the La Liga over in Spain and at the time of writing Udinese making the early strides at the top of Serie A it has clearly been a season opener full of shocks, surprise and an air of refreshing change to the European game.

But what is it this year? Are sides stepping up, closing the gap on the big guns? Or are the giants loosing the grip on their crown - that earthly right that seems to shine around the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona, Real, the Milan's and Juventus? The line is a thin one, we have of course, only just entered November, with a dozen or so matches into the campaign. The hope of football supporters as a whole is that such changes continue. I will be analysing here just where this Newcastle side's area of strength is and testing the longevity of their course. The thrill of seeing the large and wealthy fall will continue to enthrall -Substantial enough to last? It's hard to say...

Casting your minds back to that stalemate at St James' Park on the opening day of the season, apart from the image of the since departed Joey Barton squaring up to new Arsenal man Gervinho - the day really set the tone of The Toon Army for this year. Solid in defence, Arsenal barely threatened all day, strong in the middle of the park - getting in the faces of their opponents. Although admittedly not taking chances that day, the blueprint was there. It was clear that day they wouldn't be in worrying about looking over their shoulders to the bottom 3 again anytime soon, though to predict 3rd place come November - That would've taken a very powerful crystal ball...

Alan Pardew knows his football, he's been around the block in the sporting terms, for Charlton Athletic and West Ham United, where he even reached a F.A Cup final 5 years ago. Pardew really has steadied the ship since his appointment at the back end of last year. It has been far from a stroll for the Wimbledon born boss, replacing fans favourite Chris Hughton was never going to be easy for anyone, straight away it became clear he'd embraced upon a chariot of fire. Yet Pardew has stuck it out, reaped the rewards of transfer fees, spending wisely and conservatively, the results are paying off, one glance at the League Table proves it.

A bleak 2011 full of losses of 'Star' players as Andy Carroll, Jose Enrique, Kevin Nolan and Joey Barton all leaving the North-East to pursue other avenues. Newcastle weren't exactly being tipped to achieve much, on paper what appeared a distinctively group of mediocre French summer signings have shone for the Magpies. Defensive midfielder Yohan Cabaye - a mere penniless £4.3m coup from Lille - is already establishing himself as a cult hero up on Tyneside, his feather-like touch, eye for a long shot and crunch in the tackle brings the fans to ponder: "Joey who?". The real secret is of course up-top, with 8 goals in 10 games hitman Demba Ba in the goal sniff, Newcastle fans are in dreamland. After an impressive spell with West Ham at the beginning of 2011, United snapped at the opportunity, and are seeping the rewards, two hat-tricks already are the stats, power, pace and finesse are the reality of what could see Newcastle United again churn out another fine #9-esque centre forward.
No one can suggest that Newcastle have nothing but a 'solid' spine to their side, goalkeeper Tim Krul is an undoubted star, several memorable saves and excellent clean sheets so far this year have more than bulked up  his case to be one of the League's hottest young goalkeepers. The two centre-halves are sturdy through and through, Steven Taylor has been at the senior level of the club for almost a decade now and knows the concept of defending for the side inside out, whilst his partner and new club captain Fabricio Coloccini is another real reason the Geordie fans have to celebrate. The Argentinean defender was once regarded as one of the best of his position in the game, it's taken him a while since his surprise move from Deportivo in 2008, but he is now proving that opinion is not so absurd as appeared 3 years ago,  the dizzying heights he reached whilst playing top-level European football seem not so far away now, and after surpassing 100 games recently for The Magpies it appears he is there for the long-haul and very much has a big Newcastle future.
The aforementioned Cabaye sits alongside another Toon cult-figure in Cheick Tiote in the central midfield position, the Ivorian will forever have a place in the heart of Newcastle history after that dramatic last kick of the game stunner against Arsenal in the 4-4 at St James' last year. It is really his sheer workload and persistence that have made him emerge as a firm fans favourite. With rumours of Manchester United and Chelsea sniffing around put to bed by a new six-and-a-half-year deal being signed in February, it truly shows his potential and what a coup the club made there yet again.

After receiving praise earlier for his superb goal-scoring exploits thus far in the black and white stripes, it mustn't be forgotten the sort of service he is now coming to expect from out wide down the flanks of this new-look Newcastle set-up. Hatem Ben Arfa, the once golden boy of French football, emerged as a signing last year, after a beautiful goal on his debut he was subjected to a horrific year long injury lay off but has been slowly making his way back this term, with substitute appearances here and there, Ben Arfa is doubtless still a class player, with that touch and technique something that a starlet doesn't loose, Pardew understands this and  given the stars youth, is willing to let the process be a long (yet successful!) one.
Since 2008 Newcastle fans have become accustomed to seeing a black mob of a ponytail galavanting down the left side of St James' Park, this is that of Argentinean Jonas Gutierrez, who like Coloccini above him, arrived with International pedigree, already capped by his national side and a successful few years in Mallorca were under his cap, nontheless it took him too his time to truly settle to England, after shining in The Championship he has proved himself a Premier League player and at that one of great quality, can beat a man - he may be unorthodox, but boy do they love him up there!

With the full-back section filled with the English solidarity of Danny Simpson and Ryan Taylor barely putting a foot wrong all term, whilst adding to the goal and assist tally themselves, Newcastle's squad seems complete, they can mix and match, they have a boss who is willing to do so and is clearly buying and thinking towards the future - happy, happy days.

Putting aside the individual brilliance what has most impressed me about this seasons Newcastle side is their new found 'grit and determination' to grind out those little 3 pointers that take them a long way. After Demba Ba's marvelous hat-trick away at The Britannia in late October, they were bought back to earth with what appeared to be a difficult task hosting tricky Everton at home the following Saturday. This 2nd game in 5 games clearly didn't have any adverse effect on their winning mentally though as despite flying into an early 2 goal lead, Jack Rodwell pegged them back just before the break and the remainder of the 2nd period was a real test of Newcastle's mettle, could they hold on to the three points in a sort of 'Manchester United way' of winning without playing to their greatest potential? Or would it be 'Crash bang!' run over and back to usual? Stick it out they did, many a Premier League side would've jilted under such pressure from a seasoned unpredictable side like The Toffees but the new found belief soaring through the veins of this squad is evident to all. The top 6, scratch that, the top 4 need to be very careful because this side look like they have all aspects in what is required to be successful in the Barclays Premier League. A thriving manager, solid foundation of English stalwarts to build their squad around and finally that bit of individual brilliance that'll set alight a cold, miserable winter night 0-0'er.

Mike Ashley may be seen upon as a mug by many, his decisions certainly have appeared questionable in the past but his Newcasle loyalty is unquestionably there, he loves the club, after the money he has invested he is finally really reaping the rewards. Credit to him and his board members for offering Pardew the job...

...and here is to an excellent rest of the season. Which is no more than the Owner, Manager, supporters or players (on current effort) deserve. There will not one single side in this division who will be looking upon their fixture with Newcastle United as a genuine three pointer, the mindset will be 'that we'll have to perform well to draw'. That old St James' Park fear factor is back - And The Toon Army just love it!