tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23222301624917288262024-02-18T22:37:43.758-08:00Adhika's Football Reviews and EditorialsAdhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322230162491728826.post-74271458078148676822014-07-14T13:44:00.001-07:002014-07-14T13:44:51.634-07:00Personal 2014 World Cup Team of the Tournament<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A month has passed by and it saddens me that the FIFA World Cup won't be around for another 4 years. What we have witnessed in Brazil in the past 31 days though, were nothing short of magic and shocks. Now the sad realization that I need to get back to Uni and start a new semester will definitely pull me down.<br />
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Many surely would have predicted Germany to be eventual champions and England having another humiliating tournament, but no one would have bet high on seeing Algeria progressing further than Spain. You never thought the Costa Rica would progress from a group with Uruguay, Italy, and England, let alone win it. But the shock of the tournament must go to Brazil losing 1-7 to eventual winners Germany in a Semi-Final in their own country. Surely that goes down to one of the most humiliating match they've played ever.<br />
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As even teams shining the competition, there were definitely players who did not do their reputations any harm, as listed below will be 11 players who personally, are those that performed brilliant in this World Cup. My XI will be fitted in a 4-2-3-1 formation because Germany used it to win the whole thing, and because I want to.<br />
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<b>Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer (Germany)</b><br />
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Surely is now the best goalkeeper in the world. In a competition where most goalkeepers took the plaudits (Keylor Navas, Guillermo Ochoa, Tim Howard, Sergio Romero, Rais M'Bolhi... and I'm just naming a few here!), the German keeper performed the best, and his Golden Glove award was well deserved. At times, he would sweep attacks like Beckenbauer, but then make saves like Kahn. The ultimate definition of the ultra-modern goalkeeper.<br />
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<b>Rightback: Pablo Zabaleta (Argentina)</b><br />
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Contrary to the competition of best goalkeeper, there weren't many rightbacks to choose from. But having said that, Zabaleta was incredibly solid at defending against wingers as well as marauding the opponents box. It was a close choice between him and Germany captain Phillipp Lahm, but my choice fell to the best fullback in the Premier League as Lahm only played at this position for 3 matches, while being mediocre in midfield.<br />
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<b>Centreback: Mats Hummels (Germany)</b><br />
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<a href="http://paramanandana.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-euro-2012-team-of-tournament.html" target="_blank">2 years ago, I slotted him in my Euro 2012 Team of the Tournament,</a> and he's still a favorite of mine to date. Not only did he kept goals from coming, he managed to score 2 as well. It also doesn't kill to have a face like Orlando Bloom too. If the Ballon d'Or was based on looks, he would be a close second to France's Olivier Giroud.<br />
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<b>Centreback: Ron Vlaar (Netherlands)</b><br />
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An Aston Villa defender who could actually defend, and he only showed it in the World Cup. He's one of those few cases that club form means nothing for national team as he did his best Gandalf impression for the Dutch all tournament long because no one was getting passed him that easily. Of all the players who surprised me the most in this World Cup, it had to be Vlaar and his for Feyenoord team-mates in defense (Stefan de Vrij & Bruno Martins Indi) who were sought to be the weak link in the team. Kudos to Ron!<br />
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<b>Leftback: Daley Blind (Netherlands)</b><br />
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Again, everyone would have different opinions who the best leftback was in the tournament. Others would pick Argentina's Marcos Rojo or Germany's Benedikt Howedes, maybe even someone out of the ordinary like Mexico's Miguel Layun, but mine goes to non other than the guy whose name sounds like a news tabloid written in Braille. 2 assists in Oranje's 5-1 thrashing of Spain, including a goal against Brazil, on top of a cheeky smirk to boot, he definitely takes my vote (but not my heart just yet. That still belongs to Giroud).<br />
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<b>Centremidfield: Javier Mascherano (Argentina)</b><br />
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The nation's best player in the World Cup by a mile. While Di Maria was injured since the semifinals, Masch single handedly kept Argentina in the game against the Netherlands. Even if he mostly plays as a defender for club, he definitely is a natural defensive midfielder as shown by his leading performances in the knockout rounds. The only thing missing was a gold medal, but he'll get a lot of them back with Barcelona.<br />
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<b>Centremidfield: Toni Kroos (Germany)</b><br />
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The gap left by Pirlo in the knockout rounds was filled marvelously by Toni. He might not have the greatest performance in the final, but he was almost certainly the German's best midfielder in the World Cup with mouth-watering deliveries that lead to goals, to scoring a quick double in the semis against Brazil. If I was to give the Golden Ball to anyone in the tournament, no one deserved it more than Kroos.<br />
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<b>Attacking Midfielder: James Rodriguez (Colombia)</b><br />
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Honestly, although he cost <span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 24.88888931274414px;">€</span>45M from FC Porto to AS Monaco, he was never in my radar apart on Football Manager. But a month after, despite not being a forward, and the most debatable first name pronunciation, won the Golden Boot award after scoring 6 goals in 5 matches, including the Goal of the Tournament in a Round of 16 match against Uruguay. Probably was a shame that his Colombia side could not reach the semifinals, otherwise Hamez (or Jaimz if you prefer) might have scored more.<br />
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<b>Right Wing: Arjen Robben (Netherlands)</b><br />
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In the group stages, despite being 29 and bald, no one could keep up with his pace as defenders were left for dead in a foot race with Robben. On top of 3 goals and 1 assist, he won the decisive penalty against Mexico where he graciously fell on purpose and secured a Quarterfinal berth. Despite all the controversy surrounding him, he had a brilliant tournament which could have - and should have - scored more.<br />
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<b>Left Wing: Lionel Messi (Argentina)</b><br />
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Despite given the Golden Ball award from FIFA and wasn't even Argentina's best player in the World Cup (see Mascherano), there is no doubt that his country would never go through past the Group Stages if it wasn't for their beloved captain that is Lionel Messi. Four time Ballon d'Or winner just edges out club teammate Neymar and former club teammate Alexis Sanchez for a spot for his heroics and influence through out the tournament, even if he was out-marked in every knockout match.<br />
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<b>Centre forward: Thomas Muller (Germany)</b><br />
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If Karim Benzema's France won against Germany in the Quarterfinals, we might not be even talking about Muller. 2010's Golden Boot winner, Thomas started the tournament with a hat-trick against Portugal in a false-nine role, eventually leaving Brazil with a tally of 5. And when he wasn't scoring, he was either making them or making space for his teammates to score. Muller's intelligence in the final to create space for Gotze to score the winner was the perfect interpretation of a false-nine you would ever see. Probably Muller would have deserved that Golden Ball accolade more than Messi does, but Muller would not mind at all if he wins the biggest prize in the end - as a World Cup winner.<br />
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SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO basically that was my team. If you made it hear, thank you for reading and wouldn't hurt listen to your opinions.Adhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322230162491728826.post-88788739355364367592014-04-24T00:04:00.000-07:002014-04-24T00:04:06.051-07:00Letting Moyes Off: Another Perspective<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've seen to many views on this situation. Whether positive or negative (mostly the latter), it seemed like everyone had their take on David Moyes' sacking from his job as Manager of Manchester United. And boy did it cause a stir.</div>
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Most of the blame for United's dismal season is sadly but understandably pointed at Moyes, but that shouldn't be the case. Not only did Sir Alex Ferguson end a magnificent 26-year-tenure last year, but highly regarded Chief of Executive David Gill also stepped down to take a job within the English FA. The guy that replaced Gill, Ed Woodward, looked like he did not know what to do and it lead to Moyes' collapse in the market. So Woodward should get the blame just as much as Moyes did.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pix123.com/footballtips/201402/Feb26/11986_moyes-meme-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pix123.com/footballtips/201402/Feb26/11986_moyes-meme-2.png" height="320" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 1. A repost meme. But it sure hell is funny.</td></tr>
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I am not going to criticize on his amazing record, or praise for the few things he has done. I am here to shed light on a few things that should have worked but actually just flopped. Pardon me, may I?</div>
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<b>How did you only manage to sign 1 player in the summer?</b></div>
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David's summer activity resembles a 14 year old playing career mode on FIFA, they'll just offer anybody rated above 85 big money. The difference IRL, none of these players were available for sale and he just looked like a goof dreaming on huge players. Cesc, Herrera, Song, Bale, even Ronaldo were rumored to be a subject of a bid, and all they end up with was an inflated signing of Moyes' old employer, a hugely talented an influential Maroune Fellaini from Everton. But...</div>
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<b>How did the same manager make Fellaini suck?</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02674/Fellaini_2674322b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02674/Fellaini_2674322b.jpg" height="196" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 2. Marouane Fellaini, clapping the amount he cost.</td></tr>
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I stand here say that I was a huge fan of Fellaini back in his Everton days. What he lacked in pace, he made up with strength, height, vision, and technique. Playing as a defensive midfielder for his country Belgium and an attacking bulldozer for Everton, he should have been what United were lacking.</div>
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But 8 months on, he is considered a flop. Not usually the scapegoat, but of course seen as out of his depths. The thought that the same manager could not get the best out of the same player amazes me, especially when David knows him so well.</div>
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<b>Why stick with underperformers?</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gool.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/1177304-24530424-640-360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://gool.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/1177304-24530424-640-360.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 3. Tom Cleverley, scapegoat for United's torrid season.</td></tr>
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Young, Valencia, Cleverley, Smalling (you can add Fellaini as well on that list). The BPL defending champions better performances this season when these players weren't playing actually, yet somehow the new Scot at the helm keeps insisting to field these one-dimensional players, and leaving talents like Shinji Kagawa, Javier Hernandez, and wonderkid Adnan Januzaj on the bench. English winger Wilfried Zaha looked promising in pre-season but instead was loaned out to Cardiff, presumably he fell out because of rumor he was sleeping with the boss' daughter. If that was true, it was probably the only reason why David Moyes still found a spot for Ashley Young in the team.</div>
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<b>Didn't Ferguson have a worse first season than Moyes?</b></div>
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Yes he did. But Ferguson was not taking over a team of Champions. In fact, the 1980s were bad for United, seeing Liverpool dominate the nation, and, the continent twice. United weren't a good side back then, but Sir Alex made them good in a few seasons after that.</div>
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Davey here however, is taking over a side that has just won the title for the 20th time in history - the most for any club. He's taking over a squad filled with medals around their necks and the reputation to equal. From being defending champions to no European football the next season takes some effort, but Moyes here seemed to do it with ease.</div>
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<b>Should the gaffer's tactics be criticized here?</b></div>
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Yes, but that isn't my biggest concern. Even if the tactics were lame and up until the end of April, Moyes still does not have a real template on how he wants his team to perform, the blame should be pointed to every player in the squad, equally. They have not only let the manager down, but the club, the fans, and of course, theirselves. In the big games, most of the players did not seem to bother and play to the occasion and let the other title rivals win against them with embarrassing ease. I'm not much of a tactics guy, but how David is lining his players week in week out, they are never going to win anything. I thought it would be sorted out January, but up until April, it never looked like it was going to improve or neither did Moyes looked bothered to try.</div>
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<b>Did Sir Alex Ferguson make the right choice?</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/67491000/jpg/_67491236_ferguson_trophy_1getty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/67491000/jpg/_67491236_ferguson_trophy_1getty.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 4. The messiah.</td></tr>
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He did - for his personal gain. I am no conspiracy theorist, but has it ever occurred to you that maybe, just maybe, Sir Alex personally chose Moyes so United sucked on purpose? Because if United were going to play bad without him, everyone will think Fergie's a God. And face it, Ferguson always wanted everyone to know that he's the boss around Old Trafford. Just don't let him overtake the helm again to detract from any Post-Power Syndrom and doing a 'Dalglish'.</div>
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<b>Who will manage next?</b></div>
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I don't know. You tell me. For now, living legend Ryan Giggs will caretake up until the end of the season. After that, it is anyone's guess.</div>
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<b>But did Davey make any good decisions during his tenure?</b></div>
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If you are talking about mid-game substitutions, not a chance. His best decisions were made off the field. He made sure Rooney was keeping put after rumors of leaving, and it showed how much of an influence he was first half of the season. He also signed Juan Mata in January, a talented Spaniard somehow unused in Chelsea's new Mourinho regime. The coaching staff saga is debatable, but having the balls to bring his own team of trainers is a plus for me.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2014/1/3/1388779275195/Manchester-Uniteds-Wayne--011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2014/1/3/1388779275195/Manchester-Uniteds-Wayne--011.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 5. One of the few lights in this season's management, and Wayne Rooney.</td></tr>
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I don't hate Moyes, it just did not work out. If he had time, he would probably have his own style of play with his type of players, yet it probably would not lead to success. After the Fellaini and Mata signings, the United board could not let this man waste their money again, and even though that is harsh, business wise is totally understandable. Moyes might have a good career in the future, and his Manchester United stint will only go down as a taint. Good luck for you David Moyes, we know you tried, but your tries weren't good enough.</div>
Adhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322230162491728826.post-58573139500519881112014-03-31T04:47:00.000-07:002014-03-31T04:47:12.187-07:0010 Football Opinions You Would Never Say 3 Years Ago<div style="text-align: justify;">
In 2011, Robin Van Persie was on the verge of being an Arsenal hero, Andrea Pirlo getting booted from AC Milan in what seemed to be the end of his career, Sir Alex Ferguson looked like he was going to manage Manchester United for another 20 years, and Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber were just another of those 'innocent child stars'.</div>
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Three years later, how wrong were all of those were? I would have looked like an idiot if I stood by with my opinions I made 3 years ago. Then there are these 10 opinions in the present that would have sound ludicrous in 2011. Imagine back then you heard this come out from someone:</div>
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<b><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>1. Iker Casillas spot for Spain in 2014 World Cup is under threat.</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/67/590x/iker-casillas-bench.gif-449230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/67/590x/iker-casillas-bench.gif-449230.jpg" height="188" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 1. Iker Casillas in his seat</td></tr>
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Captain of La Roja's successful Euro and World Cup campaigns, the legend only 32 years of age, is sweating over his place at the next World Cup in Brazil.</div>
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He's not even playing for his club besides Copa del Rey and Champions League ties, and that could harm his confidence. No disrespect to Diego Lopez, he's done brilliantly as well in the net. With Pepe Reina and Victor Valdes on the verge of breaking the understudy status, Santo Iker will have to make way.</div>
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<b>2. Jordan Henderson over Jack Wilshere and Tom Cleverley any day.</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.football365.com/13/12/800x600/Tottenham-v-Liverpool-Jordan-Henderson-celeb2_3052543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://images.football365.com/13/12/800x600/Tottenham-v-Liverpool-Jordan-Henderson-celeb2_3052543.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 2. Jordan Henderson with Liverpool </td></tr>
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3 years ago, we would have thought Jack and Tom would be the future of England, while Jordan Henderson would be another overpriced young English midfielder back in 2011 when he moved to Liverpool for 20M. 3 years later, he's a mainstay in the Reds XI with Captain Steven Gerrard having the best season of his career so far.</div>
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Jack Wilshere hasn't developed as well as expected, while Cleverley has probably 'declined' to an extent even his own clubs fans are amazed how he's still getting picked with the form he is in. If these 2 players are picked ahead of Jordan for England's World Cup squad, plenty of critics will be heard for Hodgson.</div>
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<b>3. Manchester United is going to finish outside the top 6.</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BdcpoHkCIAAlvi9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BdcpoHkCIAAlvi9.jpg" width="201" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 3. Moyes Haters get creative</td></tr>
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United are having a wreck of a season. Even if Sir Alex handed David Moyes a squad that was failing, certainly no one expected a campaign as bad as this. The team are filled with seasoned champions, yet they just can't seem to win more than 3 games on the bounce.</div>
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As a United fan myself, I must admit that Moyes' handling of the club has been atrocious this season, and it is fine to admit flaws in things you care about so much. But how most of his decision makings always seems to obviously disappoint. He needs to change his mindset, otherwise he goes.</div>
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<b>4. Daniel Sturridge is a gifted goalscorer.</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i2.liverpoolecho.co.uk/incoming/article6335255.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/DSC_0474JPG-6335255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i2.liverpoolecho.co.uk/incoming/article6335255.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/DSC_0474JPG-6335255.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 4. One of Daniel's signature choreography</td></tr>
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Well, I always thought Sturridge is a #BEAST of a striker, I'm just surprised why Chelsea never gave him a fair chance and always played him wide and out of position. They rather spend 50M on a morale-ridden Fernando Torres than give him a start up front. To be fair, he always seemed selfish on the pitch, deciding to shoot rather than pass, and looked low on confidence.</div>
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However 3 years and a 13.5M Liverpool move later, things have changed. As of writing this post, he's second in the goalscoring charts only behind teammate Luis Suarez - who is having the best football he's ever shown. Would be a definite surprise if he was not to be included in the World Cup squad for England.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>5. Pep Guardiola is nothing without his Barcelona team.</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/audio/video/2013/6/27/1372333994627/Pep-Guardiola-conducts-fi-005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/audio/video/2013/6/27/1372333994627/Pep-Guardiola-conducts-fi-005.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 5. Pep predicting the number of goals Bayern will score in a game - 11?</td></tr>
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The media and those peoples who consider themselves "experts" did not acknowledge Guardiola's influence on Barcelona too much during his tenure at Nou Camp where the Catalans basically destroyed every single team in sight and were the team everyone was afraid of. Most said he was lucky because he already had the best players in the world anyway so it would be easy for him and of course, Lionel Messi.</div>
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And then he moved on to Bayern Munich. Sure, he's taking over a team who won the Treble the proceeding year, so it was a big challenge to emulate - or even surpass - the previous team Jupp Heynckes built. And he has with some style. He's wrapped up the Bundesliga in March, unbeaten, and are front runners to defend their Champions League trophy. Barcelona? Well, they aren't as dominant post-Pep era. Next challenge - take a neigh-average club and turning them into world beaters in a season.</div>
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<b>6. Massimo Moratti will be looking to sell his club.</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Massimo+Moratti+Erick+Thohir+sU5Udc6lVxwm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Massimo+Moratti+Erick+Thohir+sU5Udc6lVxwm.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 6. Erick Thohir (left) and Massimo Moratti.</td></tr>
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Ex-Internazionale owner, Moratti was always connected to the name of the club. He loved this club. Everything he did since he took over in 1995 was in the best interest of the Milan-based team. Under his presidency, Inter has won numerous titles, including 5 Scudettos and 1 Champions League medal.</div>
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18 years later, he has sold most of the club to an Indonesian businessman, Erick Thohir, and stepped down from his presidency. 3 years ago, you would have never thought of Inter Milan without the eccentric Moratti. Yet again, if Jordan Henderson could change, so can Inter Milan.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>7. AC Milan is a club in crisis.</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tunisia-live.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/silvio-berlusconi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.tunisia-live.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/silvio-berlusconi.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 7. Silvio Berlusconi</td></tr>
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Back in 2011, you would never see AC Milan being in mid-table 3 seasons ahead. A team with so much history, so much glory in past players, now suffering underachieving status. AC Milan, as we know it, is having an even worse season than what Manchester United is suffering.</div>
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Most of the blame must be down to owner and President, Silvio Berlusconi, has his focus divided with personal political ventures, and his love for young women. Rossoneri will hopefully improve next season, though. With a core players of Kaka, Balotelli, Montolivo, and El Sharaawy should be enough for the club to bounce back in campaigns to come.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>8. Arsene Wenger is spending his money.</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.mwcradio.com/mimesis/2014-01/27/2014-01-27T145425Z_1_CBREA0Q15EU00_RTROPTP_3_SPORTS-US-SOCCER-ARSENAL-WENGER_JPG_475x310_q85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media.mwcradio.com/mimesis/2014-01/27/2014-01-27T145425Z_1_CBREA0Q15EU00_RTROPTP_3_SPORTS-US-SOCCER-ARSENAL-WENGER_JPG_475x310_q85.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 8. Arsene getting a bit angry</td></tr>
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Le Monsieur was tight with his budget. Not because the club was in need of money, he just didn't feel entitled to spend it. He was on a project to develop players from scratch in the space of 5 years to become world beaters. But things have changed when that didn't work out. </div>
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In the past 3 years, Wenger has spend big on players such as Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud, Gervinho, and the biggest of them all, German playmaker Mesut Ozil. Sure, they haven't won anything yet, but for the last 9 years, they haven't gone without trying, and this year might be different. If they still don't win a trophy, the Arsenal manager would not hesitate in buying again.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>9. Seamus Coleman is the best right back in the league.</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://talksport.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/201401/coleman.jpg?itok=t4NxMhnS" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://talksport.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/201401/coleman.jpg?itok=t4NxMhnS" height="219" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 9. Seamus Coleman giving away kisses</td></tr>
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This is highly debatable now, but you can't say that this season he has been one of the better performing right-backs this season, challenging Glen Johnson and Pablo Zabaleta in a best right-back category. This Irish wing-back 2 years ago couldn't even get into his national team Euro squad, and now he's giving Leighton Baines a run for his money in who's the better fullback in the team.</div>
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If I said that Coleman was the best right back in 2011, I would probably get a lot of "who's Coleman?" responses. But look at him now. He's getting forward, defending well, providing, and chipping in a few goals as well to his repertoire. Seamus has come a long way since his Sligo Rovers days.</div>
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<b>10. It is gonna be their year.</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02790/Luis_Suarez_2790211b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02790/Luis_Suarez_2790211b.jpg" height="199" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 10. PFA Player of the Year-bound Luis Suarez</td></tr>
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It has been a running gag for about a decade, but it seems to me that this year may well be Liverpool's year. The scene is set perfectly for them to be a fairytale season. A World Cup year, captain Stevie G has won all but one trophy that he has craved for so long. Main striker Luis Suarez missed 8 opening fixtures but he's now the league's top scorer, and partner Daniel Sturridge is helping out well. Not to mention boy wonder Raheem Sterling showing why he's old enough to be a father of three and be a regular for a Premier League team. Not to mention rivals Man United having a stinker of a campaign.</div>
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Its April and with 7 games to go, they are on top of the table as of this post. Sure, Chelsea and Manchester City are not going to give up, but the only thing that can hurt a United fan the most this season is to see Liverpool lifting that trophy in May. That enough would be enough motivation for Reds to go on and win it.</div>
Adhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322230162491728826.post-84231302155232916462014-02-26T10:37:00.000-08:002014-02-26T10:37:59.703-08:00The Five Player Requirements that will Go to the World Cup.<i>Note: This article was posted earlier in the month (February 4th) at @PanditFootball (<a href="http://www.panditfootball.com/ini-lima-syarat-pemain-yang-dibawa-ke-piala-dunia/" target="_blank">click here</a>). The passage was posted in Bahasa Indonesia, but here I will post the original written article, in English, the way the writer originally intended it to be.</i><br />
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What does Theo Walcott, Javier Zanetti, Ronaldinho, Nani, and Mario Balotelli have in common? They all once were controversially not selected by their national coach.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fifa.com/mm//Photo/Tournament/Competition/01/53/54/88/1535488_FULL-LND.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.fifa.com/mm//Photo/Tournament/Competition/01/53/54/88/1535488_FULL-LND.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 1. World Cup</td></tr>
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Sure, even with the large number of 736 players called up to represent 32 different countries in the World Cup this summer, the number of players that will not participate is an even higher number. Even stars that have nailed their names in the biggest leagues of Europe, including the names above, has been in that position.<br />
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These players' exclusion could be cause by different reasons, namely; injury, internal conflict with the head coach, or simply because the coach thinks "he's not good enough". However, the nations from the five aforementioned players had a disastrous World Cup campaign four years ago. Sure, it could be caused by a horrific team performance overall, but it could due to the lack of contribution of these players.<br />
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The 2014 World Cup will be no different. There will be surprising inclusions and exclusions. For every Emile Heskey, there will be great inclusions such as Angel di Maria. And for every Karim Benzema, there will be considered 'better' exclusions like Raul Gonzales.<br />
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Then, what components are in there in a squad? What types of players will be called up for their respective nations? For your pleasure, I have categorized them into five different criterias.<br />
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<b>Criteria #1: Reputation</b><br />
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Reputation is the first trait in every single national squad. Players with a huge reputation will always be called up by their head coach strictly because they are considered to be the star that will guide the nation towards success. He could go through a dismal season, or just healed from a injury, but if he is known to be one of the best in the country, no way he will be left out of the a tournament this big.<br />
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Don't think of names like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo because they have proven their large rep. Try names like <b>Wayne Rooney</b> or <b>Lukas Podolski</b>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2012/1/2/1325517573036/lukas-podolski-007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2012/1/2/1325517573036/lukas-podolski-007.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 2. Lukas Podolski</td></tr>
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Rooney is regarded as England's best striker, while Podolski is the golden boy of Deutschland for a long time. Even if they have gone through a torrid season, they will not fear for their place in their respective national team set-up.<br />
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Don't believe me? Ask David Beckham in World Cup 2002, or Fernando Torres in Euro 2012.<br />
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<b>Criteria #2: Form</b><br />
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In the last on or two seasons before an international event, the consistency and performance of a player will influence strongly to getting a nod for a team spot. But not all in-form players will be called. Because unlike the first criteria, if you don't have a big reputation, you probably won't go. Just like the case for Darren Bent in South Africa 2010.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nimg.sulekha.com/sports/original700/pedro-rodriguez-sergi-busquets-2010-6-8-18-1-46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://nimg.sulekha.com/sports/original700/pedro-rodriguez-sergi-busquets-2010-6-8-18-1-46.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 3. Pedro (left) and Sergio Busquets</td></tr>
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Yet, teams that fill their team with in-form players will help the team greatly to achieve success, or at least reaching the finals. Cesare Prandelli's choice to bring <b>Antonio Di Natale</b> and the Juventus defensive trio of <b>Andrea Barzagli</b>, <b>Leonardo Bonucci</b>, and <b>Giorgio Chiellini</b> guided Italy in a run to the Euro 2012 final. The back-in-the-day not-so-famous Barcelona contingent with the likes of <b>Sergio Busquets</b>, <b>Gerard Pique</b>, and <b>Pedro Rodriguez</b> played a part in Spain's 2010 World Cup triumph.<br />
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<b>Criteria #3: Merit</b><br />
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They don't have a rising rep, and their form is nothing special, but because of a low stock in a certain position, he gets a chance to play for their national flag. It doesn't mean that they're bad or they don't deserve it, but there must be a reason why they aren't as popular like the first type or as consistent as the second type.<br />
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This attribution will usually be associated with an understudy goalkeeper like <b>Victor Valdes</b>. He may not be famous like Iker Casillas, but his record in Barcelona's net (albeit not entirely on his own) is impressive. So I say he strongly deserves his spot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Pedro+Rodriguez+Victor+Valdes+Spain+v+Portugal+1CnISDB_ewIl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Pedro+Rodriguez+Victor+Valdes+Spain+v+Portugal+1CnISDB_ewIl.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 4. Victor Valdes (right)</td></tr>
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This case might be slightly different to <b>Robert Green's</b> case when he was recruited by Roy Hodgson in the Euros 2 years ago. Even though at the time he was playing in the Championship with West Ham, his inclusion wasn't much of a surprise because there wasn't any other 'keeper who merited a place.<br />
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Even so, the case of deserving or not deserving of a player's inclusion to a squad usually isn't such a big problem. National team coaches knows better than us mere mortals.<br />
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<b>Criteria #4: Young and Talented</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkk-AvrehTPmDWhoQeZzYbefkYD-OmqDnEM6fv61pOxVSdafbgbjsOfNHHOgXugIeP8aLmNZjZoFvYdGwdXsDBsCdwELaDOknNfySgVfjCVwsDEbmzmYHVZLbnhN1EvRYdBeuN3Ukh6PZu/s1600/pele-1958.cut_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkk-AvrehTPmDWhoQeZzYbefkYD-OmqDnEM6fv61pOxVSdafbgbjsOfNHHOgXugIeP8aLmNZjZoFvYdGwdXsDBsCdwELaDOknNfySgVfjCVwsDEbmzmYHVZLbnhN1EvRYdBeuN3Ukh6PZu/s1600/pele-1958.cut_.jpg" height="248" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 5. Pele (center)</td></tr>
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This type is usually rare, but could come in handy. Players that are eligible for this category are those who are under 23 y.o., and has not become an integral part of either club or country. Players in this category are usually called up to have competition experience, like <b>Ronaldo</b> in the 1994 World Cup and <b>Theo Walcott</b> in the 2006 edition.<br />
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Besides gaining personal reputation, the players of the fourth type could actually become a secret weapon. Examples include <b>Michael Owen</b> back in 1998, <b>Thomas Muller</b> in 2010, even <b>Pele</b> in 1958 version of the competition.<br />
At such a young age, these three players became stars for their nations. Even at the tender age of 17, Pele alone helped Brazil win at his first international competition. Not bad for a kid.<br />
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<b>Criteria #5: Wacky Wildcard</b><br />
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The fifth type is usally the devil of every team. His inclusion to the team is considered so absurd because he does not fit into any of the four types above. He doesn't have the fame, he's not young, his performance for his club is considered bad, and there are many more players that deserves to be called up above him from his country.<br />
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But for what ever reason, the coach brings him anyway. Some say that his inclusion could be caused by a conspiracy or an something out of an illuminati theory. But deep down we know, it was all down to the manager's error of judgement. The less from this category, the better the chance of a good tournament.<br />
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A good example for this type would be <b>Vincenzo Iaquinta</b> back in 2010. He only played 15 times and scored 6 in the Serie A in the season prior to the proceeding World Cup, but the Italy manager at that time, Marcelo Lippi, called him anyway and started all 3 games. He did score a penalty, but Italy were knocked out in the group stage.<br />
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The newest example from Euro 2012 could be the inclusion of ex-Liverpool winger <b>Stewart Downing</b>. In the 2009/2010 season, Downing did not score or even assisted. But whatever Roy Hodgson saw in him, it was enough to call him up to represent England. "Luckily" Downing never left the bench at the competition, but England went out in quarterfinals anyway.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.smh.com.au/2010/06/21/1619362/iaquinta1-420x0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://images.smh.com.au/2010/06/21/1619362/iaquinta1-420x0.jpg" height="195" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 6. Vincenzo Iaquinta</td></tr>
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I would assure you that every national squad in Brazil 2014 will have at least four of the five categories of players mentioned earlier. I reckon in June, when all teams are finalized, there will still be controversial coach selections. This article's main purpose was to make you to prepare for any surprise. But you'll never know, right?Adhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322230162491728826.post-87396553696036915442013-09-22T12:11:00.000-07:002013-09-22T12:11:28.996-07:00A Predictable Rant from a United Fan<div style="text-align: justify;">
I 4-1 would not like to be a Manchester United fan by now.</div>
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Sure, not the most creative wordplay ever made but it describes what most United fans feel like right after their humiliation of neighbors Manchester City at Etihad. A poor performance from back to front, they were lucky not to lose more than the 4-1 scoreline suggested.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i4.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/incoming/article5697500.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/PA_SOCCER-Community-Shield-142_2_6634374-5697500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://i4.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/incoming/article5697500.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/PA_SOCCER-Community-Shield-142_2_6634374-5697500.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 1. United talisman Robin van Persie</td></tr>
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United were without lead goalscorer Robin van Persie who was injured. In his place, Danny Welbeck gets a start, but he was ineffective for most parts of the game. Manchester United looked very blunt without the Dutch striker and it seems at times Wayne Rooney was driving the team forward on his own. No RvP, no party.</div>
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Enough with the background. Let us start the ranting shall we?</div>
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Let us start from the most worrying aspect of the team; the wingers. Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young. One is more right-sided than a hardcore Republican, the other confuses a swimming pool with a penalty box. I am amazed how they are still getting game time when we almost lost the league last season because of our lack-lustured wingers. Valencia reverting to his old #25 shirt did not convert to his old form, while Ashley Young has done absolutely nothing since his double against Arsenal 3 YEARS AGO in that 8-2 win at Old Trafford.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://therepublikofmancunia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Valencia-and-Young.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://therepublikofmancunia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Valencia-and-Young.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 2. Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young, in their better playing days.</td></tr>
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It is amazing how Wilfried Zaha and Adnan Januzaj, who impressed in pre-season, did not even make the bench. We still even have Nani, the least disappointing winger last season, and he didn't move from the dugout. Manager David Moyes should try and give these three players more chances then Valencia and Young. Heck, I saw the Indonesia U-19s match before this and their wingers were MORE effective then what I witnessed at Etihad.</div>
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Most United fans would argue that Shinji Kagawa needs to play too. He has shown what he could do back in his Dortmund days and glimpses of that talent came out last season when he wasn't injured that much. Marouane Fellaini sure is a physical player, but the Japanese playmaker would give the team more creativity - a thing that lacked so much in the Manchester derby. Kagawa isn't even a winger and I bet that he would have given a better performance than Young or Valencia.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.jabetarea.com/timthumb.php?src=http://klimg.com/dewibola.com/library/p/headline/0000120520.jpg&w=450" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://en.jabetarea.com/timthumb.php?src=http://klimg.com/dewibola.com/library/p/headline/0000120520.jpg&w=450" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 3. Shinji Kagawa pleading his case to be played.</td></tr>
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Our defense was quite terrible as well. You don't leave out criticism for the defenders if you concede 4 goals. The marking was poor, the efforts were woeful, and the organization was just as bad. Rio Ferdinand might have the experience, but his legs aren't quite what they used to be. Nemanja Vidic has always been a brick wall, but he was beaten time and time again by Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo. Not to mention the declining Patrice Evra or the unlucky Chris Smalling on left-back and right-back respectively. Moyes, again, has a lot of homework to do.</div>
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During the match, after conceding a fourth, in need of goals, Moyes decides to bring on Tom Cleverley for the ineffective Ashley Young. I think Cleverley is a great player, but not a player you rely on to make or score a goal. Considering Moyes had Kagawa, Nani, and Javier Hernandez as well on the bench, he puts Cleverley. What's worse was that was the only substitution David Moyes made in the game. It reminded me when England was trailing Germany 1-4 back in 2010 at the last World Cup, when they were in search of goals, then-England Manager Fabio Capello introduced Emile Heskey. A player DEFINITELY not known for his goalscoring prowess.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article8773524.ece/ALTERNATES/w460/7-David-Moyes-Reuters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article8773524.ece/ALTERNATES/w460/7-David-Moyes-Reuters.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 4. David Moyes looking sharp as ever.</td></tr>
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At times like these, it is easy to blame the gaffer for everything. Sure, Rome wasn't built in a day, but the people would like to see progress. I am definitely behind David Moyes and his tenure here, and I would like to give him time to impress me. But if United keep playing like this for the rest of the season, he needs to change this team from back to front.</div>
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But credit is where credit is due, Manchester City had a fine evening. The interchanging of Aguero, Negredo, Samir Nasri, and Jesus Navas were great. They have the greatest spines in England with Joe Hart in goal, Vincent Kompany at the back, Yaya Toure in the middle, and Aguero on top. They will be devastated if they don't win the league, while United will be lucky enough to finish third. Congratulations to Manchester City for taking the bragging rights in town.</div>
Adhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322230162491728826.post-92026220117518818442013-07-11T18:09:00.000-07:002013-07-11T18:09:27.287-07:00Stubborn Guardiola and Thiago Alcantara<div style="text-align: justify;">
There's a popular saying that that men will always seek improvements since they are never content. Another popular quote is that sometimes the grass is always greener on the other side. But there is also another saying that too much of anything is never good. This is not an attempt to write a philosophical article, it's just that it seemed like the best way to open this particular piece.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2013/6/21/1371830887405/Thiago-Alc-ntara-Italy-v--008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2013/6/21/1371830887405/Thiago-Alc-ntara-Italy-v--008.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 1. Thiago Alcantara</td></tr>
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Pep Guardiola - the new Manager of treble-winning German side Bayern Munich - declared his interest in signing Spain wonderboy Thiago Alcantara from his former employers Barcelona and is very keen on signing him. Although nothing is official yet as of the writing of this piece, reports have said that he is close to sign a 4-year contract.</div>
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I'm going to be mainstream on this article and say that I do not approve this move at all. Not because of being a United fan and is pissed that he would rather go to Allianz instead of Old Trafford, but because of the wealth of talent in midfield Bayern already have in their locker room. This side has a squad depth in every department which makes even Real Madrid and Barcelona jealous of. The last thing either of those clubs would want to do is strengthen the Champions League holders.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLf_WmWaWduzBpbzuZHijSgvu4p8E8r-oMT9UVniT9EL8ShiTP3xyzqXNJXb3rHfNgekfxfIgvw64vYy0o9yBL1Ib-d4HKcPgY3N9tLwUMhr6vwNj8d2qQT45y8_ZmpwFut2hGsPM6a-T/s1600/762215_FC_Bayern_Munchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLf_WmWaWduzBpbzuZHijSgvu4p8E8r-oMT9UVniT9EL8ShiTP3xyzqXNJXb3rHfNgekfxfIgvw64vYy0o9yBL1Ib-d4HKcPgY3N9tLwUMhr6vwNj8d2qQT45y8_ZmpwFut2hGsPM6a-T/s400/762215_FC_Bayern_Munchen.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 2. Bayern Munich's Champions League Final Line-up</td></tr>
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Above is the line-up former Manager Jupp Heynckes fielded at Bayern's last season's Champions League Final. Note that classy defender Holger Badstuber and midfield maestro Toni Kroos were out injured. The team that played brilliantly against Borrussia Dortmund wasn't even their best team and still were able to win. Javi Martinez, who tackled and passed the whole night, was covered by Bastian Schweinsteiger, who played in front of the defense, were a perfect compliment to the hard working mentality of Thomas Muller that night, who also had the flair of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery on each flank - the former scoring the winning goal and made another - nicely foiled their main striker Mario Mandzukic for every chance that came his way. Again I will state, this is not their strongest team. Kroos' absence shows how well of a team Bayern actually created.</div>
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Lest you forget that Luis Gustavo's name has not even been mentioned yet. The Brazilian was part of a strong, mobile midfield trio that won last month's Confederations Cup, and even he only made it on the pitch at that final in the 90th minute. Swiss winger Xherdan Shaqiri also was on the bench but he didn't even make on to the pitch. Oh yeah, I must have neglected to tell you that they also signed Mario Gotze this summer. So those 5 spots in midfield will be challenged by 9 world class internationals. The last thing they want is more competition. Oh hang on...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.infobae.com/adjuntos/jpg/2013/01/600x0_625055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.infobae.com/adjuntos/jpg/2013/01/600x0_625055.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 3. Pep Guardiola</td></tr>
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Thiago may not be first choice back at Nou Camp, but the aging pair of Xavi and Andres Iniesta should give him more first-team chances next season. It's hard enough to get into the first team at Barcelona, let alone at Bayern. Their midfield is so blessed with talent, you can't help but say "too many midfielders is not good". </div>
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Guardiola though claimed to the press that he promises Thiago will be a mainstay in the Bavarian's midfield. Okay, he's the one who has 47 caps as a player for Spain and won 15 trophies as a Manager, but with all the stars in his FC Hollywood, he still is keen on a fringe player in Barcelona. Even if my Football Manager CV is way better, it does not count as valid grounds that I am better than him, but of course I'm skeptic over this potential purchase.</div>
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Pep admitted that with the possible purchase of Thiago, Javi Martinez would be put in defense where he could emulate his days at Bilbao as a ball-playing defender. It seems like it solves a problem, but it doesn't. Bayern's defence was the strongest, only conceding 18 league goals all season. If Martinez were to play in at the back, who gets to sit on the bench? Dante or Badstuber? Jerome Boateng is like the first choice back-up in defence as he could play anywhere in the backline. His chances may be limited now with this choice of tactic. New signing of young defender Jan Kirchhoff would seem like a waste now if this were true.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.naij.com/sports/08/0/javi-martinez-bayern-munich_2914143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://img.naij.com/sports/08/0/javi-martinez-bayern-munich_2914143.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 4. Javi Martinez</td></tr>
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Another problem with the potential arrival of Thiago is who would partner him, who moves into a different position, who goes to the bench, or who might just leave anyway. With Pep's admittance of Thiago being a key player, he might certainly partner Bastian Schweinsteiger, who could be the 'Busquets' of Pep's formation where he sits in front of the back four, straying magical passes between the opponents, and do his business thoroughly. This will leave Thiago to become the playmaker of the team, a sight which everyone wants to see after his amazing performance in the last Euro U21 competition where he was awarded 'Best Player of the Tournament' after a hat-trick in the final against Italy. Toni Kroos looks to be the best possible personnel between Schweinsteiger and Thiago, not to mention his dead ball skills would be handy.</div>
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Since Guardiola loves a man who works like a horse (in a professional way, not the literal meaning), then Thomas Muller would most likely be the man playing on the right-flank, a position that made him famous whilst playing for Germany in the 2010 World Cup. New signing Mario Gotze in my personal opinion would not be a bench-warmer at Munich as Pep - I believe - will play on the left-flank where Ribery is usually played. I expect both wings would get lots of rotation so the likes of Robben and Shaqiri would stay happy.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.express.de/image/view/2012/8/2/17032342,14359643,highRes,14824400CEBB769B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://www.express.de/image/view/2012/8/2/17032342,14359643,highRes,14824400CEBB769B.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 5. Thomas Muller (left) and Toni Kroos (right)</td></tr>
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The assurance of an out-and-out striker in this team is never guaranteed. Even Mario Gomez has left the club and joined Fiorentina, leaving only Mario Mandzukic and Claudio Pizarro as the only recognized forwards in the first team. Guardiola's system never used a type of target-man type of striker, but Mandzukic isn't one of that despite of his stature being an ideal type of a target-man. Mandzukic is the type of forward that could lead the line by himself, but will come deep to get the ball, run around channels, set up shots for himself and others, and will pop up for a tap in/header. He might be given a go from the Manager, but during the season progresses, I predict Pep will eventually put Muller up front and put either Ribery or Robben on the spare wings. Since all of his wingers can play both flanks, this would not be much of a problem.</div>
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This leaves Luis Gustavo without any role in the team. He might be a key player for Brazil, but it seems that he will have difficulty breaking in to this team. What a luxury it may be to have a back-up player such as Gustavo, but if Thiago's move becomes a reality, Gustavo might think of seeking new pastures in order to keep his place in the Brazil squad that will host next year's World Cup.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEg-0aRZ1YngB_0YqM4Iawr8FO9kob9vk-6gf3rFagn1pajIFZLz4dQHjrmdnkBROLUpy9iaPHT3ohtWeDqmV5ROTdCsVyPVtVsGfWs0t4btOGjK-BEKyk7ZQ-Qdxs6BRdh9L0QSalGUgM/s1600/762267_FC_Bayern_Munchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEg-0aRZ1YngB_0YqM4Iawr8FO9kob9vk-6gf3rFagn1pajIFZLz4dQHjrmdnkBROLUpy9iaPHT3ohtWeDqmV5ROTdCsVyPVtVsGfWs0t4btOGjK-BEKyk7ZQ-Qdxs6BRdh9L0QSalGUgM/s400/762267_FC_Bayern_Munchen.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 6. Potential Bayern Munich Line-up 2013-2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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From this not-so-in-depth tactical analysis, Thiago's potential move to Bayern may work, but the balance of the club would take a huge plunge. We know he's got the talent to do so, but competition for places at Allianz ArenA is far tighter than at Nou Camp. If would not be a loss for either Bayern or Barcelona if he were to stay put, but it could be a potential loss for both sides if the move would happen. If he were to move, it is better if he actually transferred to a team where he would be the biggest star of them all. But if he does sign for Pep's new club, I would love to both Pep and Thiago to prove me wrong.</div>
Adhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322230162491728826.post-1979590857123662702013-04-29T12:05:00.002-07:002013-04-29T12:05:50.176-07:00My "Non-PFA Team of the Year" Team of the Year.<div style="text-align: justify;">
Eleven names has been announced by the PFA to fill up their annual "Team of the Year" awarded to players who has shone the brightest this season. As expected, the team is filled up by big names and best players. Of course there are names that was not included in this team. Here are the players that myself would put in a "Team of the Year" and names that were listed in the original PFA XI are not in consideration.</div>
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<b>Goalkeeper: </b></div>
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<b>HUGO LLORIS (TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR)</b></div>
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<b>Original PFA's choice: David De Gea (Manchester United)</b></div>
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De Gea has been outstanding this year, but Lloris has impressed me a lot. Ever since he finally took Brad Friedel's place in the Spurs line-up, the French goalie has been very well in reading the game. Turns out AVB's decision to let Hugo analyze the Premier League from the bench for the first few games was a good decision after all.</div>
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<b>Right back:</b></div>
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<b>RAFAEL (MANCHESTER UNITED)</b></div>
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<b>Original PFA's choice: Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)</b></div>
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I expected Zabaleta to be in the official TOTY, but Rafael deserves more than just an honorable mention. With all the United wingers playing like [insert swear word here], the boy from Brazil is the one who is bombing down the wings for them.</div>
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<b>Center back:</b></div>
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<b>MATIJA NASTASIC (MANCHESTER CITY) & DAVID LUIZ (CHELSEA)</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5e11H4s284Dy7wlLQRqg1q9QLYpVWDORxRiyveu9RHhPYIkAtSzEEx7TWwbUriI252XiNGTTRWFtDk-xqwkw60F60-YG_ZgAe6ow-5Y5tCJR47iFfZxbWjIVKrrn15cQXxfvC3wKQbTsn/s1600/nastluiz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5e11H4s284Dy7wlLQRqg1q9QLYpVWDORxRiyveu9RHhPYIkAtSzEEx7TWwbUriI252XiNGTTRWFtDk-xqwkw60F60-YG_ZgAe6ow-5Y5tCJR47iFfZxbWjIVKrrn15cQXxfvC3wKQbTsn/s400/nastluiz.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Original PFA's choice: Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United) & Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur)</b></div>
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Vertonghen has been the best defender this season, but Nastastic would have been a more deserving partner in the PFA XI. No offence to Rio. being snubbed by Woy has showed how his 'footballing reasons' were a bunch of [insert another swear word here], but Nastasic, who has just turned 20 this March, showed as much calmness as Rio has this season. David Luiz? Well he definitely knows more than a 5 year-old FIFA player in defending.</div>
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<b>Left back:</b></div>
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<b>ASHLEY COLE (CHELSEA)</b></div>
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<b>Original PFA's choice: Leighton Baines (Everton)</b></div>
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Baines has been the best left-back in the league for the past few years now, but there is still a reason why Ashley Cole is still England's first choice in that position for the national team. Despite what most Arsenal fans would say, he's a living legend. This season is no different, and he deserves this mention. Speaking of Arsenal...</div>
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<b>Right Wing:</b></div>
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<b>SANTI CAZORLA (ARSENAL)</b></div>
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<a href="http://e2.365dm.com/12/11/660x350/Santi-Cazorla-Arsenal-Tottenham-Hotspur-Premi_2861994.jpg?20121117143656" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="http://e2.365dm.com/12/11/660x350/Santi-Cazorla-Arsenal-Tottenham-Hotspur-Premi_2861994.jpg?20121117143656" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Original PFA's choice: Eden Hazard (Chelsea)</b></div>
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Even if his name's pronunciation is debatable, there is no question he has been the best player Arsenal has this season. Hazard has been hot and cold all season, but Santi has been consistently playing good. He surely merits a PFA XI inclusion.</div>
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<b>Midfielders:</b></div>
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<b>MOUSSA DEMBELE (TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR) & MICHU (SWANSEA)</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinE3hJrpu5uz_lT78MlWLFZvjX0Aq6dZP6nx1QVb21Af1_CvB7IBsiIcXX1yCYdVudfoUfK1JcpOFQkHNxySPoQfZ1Q7RQFTY7vdOJ7NNvE0Q08gbxHCMfAcn8fOOTafXp1JN9jYTN647T/s1600/dembmichu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinE3hJrpu5uz_lT78MlWLFZvjX0Aq6dZP6nx1QVb21Af1_CvB7IBsiIcXX1yCYdVudfoUfK1JcpOFQkHNxySPoQfZ1Q7RQFTY7vdOJ7NNvE0Q08gbxHCMfAcn8fOOTafXp1JN9jYTN647T/s400/dembmichu.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Original PFA's choice: Juan Mata (Chelsea) & Michael Carrick (Manchester United)</b></div>
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Michu is 'Signing of the Season' in terms of financing factors, while Dembele has been the Londoners motor in the middle of the park. Their exclusion is just a pity that Michael Carrick and Juan Mata exists. It is hard to debate on that.</div>
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<b>Left Wing:</b></div>
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<b>PABLO HERNANDEZ (SWANSEA)</b></div>
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<b>Original PFA's choice: Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur)</b></div>
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It was hard for me to find someone to challenge what Gareth Bale has done this season from the left flank, but it was either Pablo or Pienaar who can come closest to being impressive from there. Me choosing Pablo is sorely based on how he easily replaced Scott Sinclair in the Swansea attack. I almost forgot that Sinclair is at City now.</div>
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<b>Strikers:</b></div>
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<b>RICKIE LAMBERT (SOUTHAMPTON) & CHRISTIAN BENTEKE (ASTON VILLA)</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdKdhhq559I5XYnDPNKLV1yS9kJQiwqWQQAvcipqoH1q7ltOWRyEhCXdXHRK438rJxNcV50GHdkbaR9xhIce8apW5XPnqkWmJfRp8vk1CLY-_WGZozAXxQNtJkGO5lemOvPXWOX_M1J_V/s1600/lambteke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdKdhhq559I5XYnDPNKLV1yS9kJQiwqWQQAvcipqoH1q7ltOWRyEhCXdXHRK438rJxNcV50GHdkbaR9xhIce8apW5XPnqkWmJfRp8vk1CLY-_WGZozAXxQNtJkGO5lemOvPXWOX_M1J_V/s400/lambteke.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Original PFA's choice: Luis Suarez (Liverpool) & Robin van Persie (Manchester United)</b></div>
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Both Suarez and van Persie being overlooked for the PFA Player of the Year award was a bit tragic. No striker has been more influential than these strikers, so for 2 strikers to be in this team other than them was more of a challenge for me.</div>
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Let me just say that Rickie Lambert is like a Grant Holt with ball skills and a more clinical shot in him, while Benteke is like Bent, but longer. Try to understand that joke. But in seriousness, both The Saints and The Villains respectively would not imagine if their star goalscorer would leave. Lets just leave it to that.</div>
Adhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322230162491728826.post-20701297607251887912013-04-02T04:11:00.000-07:002013-04-02T04:11:10.628-07:00Flying Without Wings<br />
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As a United fan myself, I have to be pleased that we have an enormous 15 point lead over closest rivals in the league. Sure, we're disappointed that we have come short in the other competitions. And not so different from last night where we lost to Chelsea 0-1 in an FA Cup Quarterfinal replay. This season could have been a lot better if this plane could actually fly. Yes, our wingers are totally <insert bad="" here="" word="">. Oh, I am a United fan. But when I see a poor performance, I will admit it.</insert></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.london24.com/polopoly_fs/spt_wk3_13_ashley_young_1_1794212!image/2121165433.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_630/2121165433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://www.london24.com/polopoly_fs/spt_wk3_13_ashley_young_1_1794212!image/2121165433.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_630/2121165433.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 1. Ashley 'can curl a ball but not to a striker's head or the back of the net' Young</td></tr>
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Barring Giggs, Kagawa and Cleverley, we have only 3 first-team natural wingers. All three has not been impressing. Antonio Valencia is so right sided he could hop on one leg and still be as fast as he runs. Ashley Young looks like he is our personal Stewart Downing. While Nani is being, well... Nani. Frustrating as it is, it is the best we got.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4omDasrM8dLjnPxQKPbrpPoWE1jNuxBe2g-HNacmFrymaKr7b9tZ60TjVjWNgfrLUUqDkUZs_3vJXWX5z2nVY7AywZgRhPwv6ePKAVgqlQzxpyVpz7wBhKQuUboYEP3tcyvNVTbDitAX/s1600/Antonio+Valencia-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4omDasrM8dLjnPxQKPbrpPoWE1jNuxBe2g-HNacmFrymaKr7b9tZ60TjVjWNgfrLUUqDkUZs_3vJXWX5z2nVY7AywZgRhPwv6ePKAVgqlQzxpyVpz7wBhKQuUboYEP3tcyvNVTbDitAX/s320/Antonio+Valencia-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 2. Antonio 'better amputate my left leg' Valencia</td></tr>
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Sad thing is though, United rely heavily on their wingers since forever. From George Best to Cristiano Ronaldo, Ferguson's best plays have come from their wingers. You're now reading this and surely think "you can't compare your current crop of players with those names?". In fact, how can you NOT compare? When you experienced consistency and glamour, of course you wouldn't be content with inconsistency and absolute bull.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://news.images.itv.com/image/file/163371/category_image_update_17431c1b7171d3c7_1361013305_9j-4aaqsk.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://news.images.itv.com/image/file/163371/category_image_update_17431c1b7171d3c7_1361013305_9j-4aaqsk.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 3. Luis 'can't make a decent pass so rather not' Nani</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I know United are on top of the league and could win it even before the end of the season, but I am not entirely pleased. Seeing how bad our wingers have been, the stats don't lie. I can compare how bad they have been with how 20M Liverpool-flop Stewart Downing has been this season. Left Wing Jesus over there has already scored 3 times in the league. Can anyone here guess how many league goals have been scored by Young, Valencia and Nani up until this day? <b>Only 1. From Nani</b>. I bet all the Liverpool fans are laughing right now.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKRMx-uXASApRqnOXhEuCiP1ij_klJMg8NsEkn9LBbUJSJ8wdM5zKFZt7ArGjFbk7ZEf5ey7YlqsXo6_BvMhRgfQlgkcgF-Wp7m479-KTx88WVjWdNeWf7MKefdfnRHkXa_cKjVeRtRI/s1600/stewart-downing-v-ful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKRMx-uXASApRqnOXhEuCiP1ij_klJMg8NsEkn9LBbUJSJ8wdM5zKFZt7ArGjFbk7ZEf5ey7YlqsXo6_BvMhRgfQlgkcgF-Wp7m479-KTx88WVjWdNeWf7MKefdfnRHkXa_cKjVeRtRI/s320/stewart-downing-v-ful.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 4. Stewart 'and they said I was awful' Downing</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
How Sir Alex could keep Manchester United in first spot without the help of any good wingers is quite astonishing. Or maybe just replace the words "Sir Alex" with "Robin van Persie" from the previous sentence, and you get a more believable answer. In all seriousness, we will not compete with the wingers we have right now next season.</div>
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So far, Fergie has resorted to using other players on the wings when it really mattered. Ryan Giggs was the best winger in England for a while, and although age has caught up with him, he's used sparringly and is often employed in the heart of the team. Shinji Kagawa has done a decent role on the left too, but he is no winger. Danny Welbeck is another player who has been deployed on a couple occasions to start on the right wing ahead of TonyV7, but his goals has dried up ever since. These players can't always be relied on to fill up the flanks.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I look at envy towards the wings at City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs, and even Liverpool (which I don't normally do) when they have players who consistently put in decent performances and coming up with the goods. I see Silva, Mata, Hazard, Walcott, Podolski, Bale, and even Sterling, and I see any of them would walk straight into the United set-up. At least they are look more dangerous and don't run into every defender against them instead of looking for a pass (I'm looking at you, Nani).</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2012/9/21/1348255898202/Arsenals-Lukas-Podolski-008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2012/9/21/1348255898202/Arsenals-Lukas-Podolski-008.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 5. "Don't Cha wish your winger was Po-Dol-Ski?"</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm not here saying that we should sell the wingers. I've seen them at their highs. I'm here to say that if they really are at a world-class club, at least act like you belong to one. And so far from what I'm seeing this season, you're no different to the likes of Michael Kightly and James McClean. If you can't reach the same heights of your peak, maybe it just wasn't meant to be. Bebe doesn't seem such a flop now, does it?</div>
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To be honest, I did not plan on how to close this article. All I know is that next year, I wish Wilfried Zaha to rather be more of a Walcott than a Pennant.</div>
Adhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322230162491728826.post-43997410938673931082013-01-31T21:00:00.001-08:002013-01-31T21:12:10.955-08:002013 January Transfer round-up: Conversation StyleI made a similar version of it <a href="http://paramanandana.blogspot.com/2011/02/january-transfer-roundup-conversation.html">2 years ago</a>. I had fun writing it last time, I just wanted to do it again. I didnt do one last year because there weren't many transfers going on last January.<br />
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I'm not really good at intros, but here is a round up of the biggest transfers this January in a conversation style.<br />
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<b>Demba Ba (from Newcastle) £7M to Chelsea</b></div>
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<b>Newcastle fan: "How could you?? I mean, how could Newcastle let their star striker go... AGAIN?"</b></div>
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<b>Chelsea fan: "Finally!! A striker that can actually score goals..."</b></div>
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Neutral: "Aren't you forgetting Sturridge is pretty decent?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Chelsea fan: "If he passed the ball more often now and again, then yeah. But I'd rather see him leave."</b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Daniel Sturridge (from Chelsea) £13.5M to Liverpool</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Chelsea fan: "HAH. A young English player signs for Liverpool with an overpriced fee. How new."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neutral: "I actually think he might be one of the few ones in the last few years that may succeed at Anfield."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Liverpool fan: "Of course he will! With Suarez, Sturridge, and Borini up front, and Sterling being more experienced... Next year will definitely be ours!"</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neutral: "Here we go again..."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Bebe (from Manchester United) loan to Rio Ave</b></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>United fan: "Wait... he still plays for us?"</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neutral: " Well not anymore... he just scored on his debut for Rio Ave. Ain't that something you don't see everyday?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>United fan: "Hey, flop or not, at least he has more Premier League medals than Gerrard does lol."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Maroune Chamakh (from Arsenal) loan to West Ham</b></div>
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<a href="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/65074000/jpg/_65074965_chamakh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/65074000/jpg/_65074965_chamakh.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>West Ham fan: "Oh God, why us?? We have Carroll and Chamakh in the same team. Can't get any worse than that..."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neutral: "Oh you just wait and see who's coming in now."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Joe Cole (from Liverpool) free to West Ham</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.talksport.co.uk/sites/default/files/imagecache/ts_news_article_header_image/Joe_Cole_Liverpool_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://www.talksport.co.uk/sites/default/files/imagecache/ts_news_article_header_image/Joe_Cole_Liverpool_0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>West Ham fan: "Really? He surely has already past his best. What is Big Sam doing?"</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neutral: "Cheer up, lad. I actually think him coming back to Hammers could spark better form. At least you didn't get Downing."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>West Ham fan: "Let's hope so. He's better than Downing I guess."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Ezekiel Fryers (from Standard Liege) £6M to Spurs</b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>United fan: "Wait, I thought he moved there last summer?"</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Spurs fan: "No he didn't he moved to Liege instead. He's homesick now so we offered him a trip back. Besides, we're lacking at left-back anyways."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Lewis Holtby (from Schalke) free to Spurs. Set to join in July.</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article8432505.ece/ALTERNATES/w460/Lewis-Holtby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article8432505.ece/ALTERNATES/w460/Lewis-Holtby.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neutral: "I certainly did not see this one coming. Getting someone like him on a free?? His name had Everton or Arsenal written all over him. What a bargain."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Spurs fan: "I can't believe it myself. But aren't we crowded in midfield now anyway?"</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neutral: "I'm sure he's better than Livermore, Parker, Huddlestone, Sandro anyway. If you got him like immediately, St. Totteringhams Day won't happen this year."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Spurs fan: "Haha, I do hope it won't happen this year. We are doing great, but i reckon Holtby would definitely improve this squad. Can't wait to July."</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Giuseppe Rossi (from Villarreal) €10M to Fiorentina</b></div>
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<a href="http://e2.365dm.com/11/05/660x350/Giuseppe-Rossi-celeb-Villarreal-v-Getafe_2591901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="http://e2.365dm.com/11/05/660x350/Giuseppe-Rossi-celeb-Villarreal-v-Getafe_2591901.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neutral: "Isn't he still injured?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Fiorentina fan: "Yeah, he is. A big gamble for someone who hasn't played any football for over a year."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neutral: "When was his last game?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Fiorentina fan: "More than a year I suppose? Italy could really used his help in the last Euros you know. I'm not sure he'll be as good as before his injury woes. But here's me crossing my fingers for good luck."</b></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Alexandre Pato (from AC Milan) €15M to Corinthians</b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/65017000/jpg/_65017402_pato_getty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/65017000/jpg/_65017402_pato_getty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Milan fan: "It was probably best for everyone. Hate to see a great talent go to waste because of injuries galore. And when he was fit, he always look like a shadow of his past self."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neutral: "I know, but aren't they going to find a new striker to replace him?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Milan fan: "I'm not sure, we'll see at the end of the transfer window."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Mathieu Debuchy (from Lille), Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa (from Montpellier), Yoann Gouffran (from Bordeaux), Massadio Haidara (from Nancy), and Moussa Sissoko (from Toulouse) combined fee of £18M to Newcastle.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSHJ-JuA6tOLwb8lmT7cd5yy2i6CWNwYVP_AnYfpbEuFJcDuaqxLyeW6siZ6vowFDiTFtBt4rc0TT3ASJ9ok63bm1MXhun_vceSZvRD1Ii7-zPrf3B5jH8k2cGNl9HsjojGrSf9jkz3fA/s1600/newchateau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSHJ-JuA6tOLwb8lmT7cd5yy2i6CWNwYVP_AnYfpbEuFJcDuaqxLyeW6siZ6vowFDiTFtBt4rc0TT3ASJ9ok63bm1MXhun_vceSZvRD1Ii7-zPrf3B5jH8k2cGNl9HsjojGrSf9jkz3fA/s400/newchateau.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neutral: "Holy shhht those are a lot of players from France. Has Alan Pardew taken advice from Arsene Wenger or some sort?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Newcastle fan: "They are actually good players. Debuchy played for France in the Euros, Yanga-Mbiwa won Ligue 1 last year, and Gouffran & Sissoko are monsters on FM so I'm quite familiar. Not really sure of Haidara though, never seen him play."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neutral: "Yeah but why French players??"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Newcastle fan: "Because we can? We still got some of that Carroll money. And buy the way, turns out selling Carroll was the best thing Mike Ashley has done financially. I've eaten my words from 2 years back."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neutral: "But aren't you disappointed you didn't sign Loic Remy?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Loic Remy (from Marseille) </b><b>£</b><b>8M to QPR</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.sabotagetimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Loic-Remy1-e1350567232473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.sabotagetimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Loic-Remy1-e1350567232473.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Newcastle fan: "Yeah, I'm generally let down by it. But Gouffran isn't that bad either. Jonas & Ben Arfa coming back in, Sissoko, Cabaye and Tiote in the middle... I just hope our fortunes become better."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Yann M'Vila (from Rennes) £9.6M to Rubin Kazan</b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neutral: "Just 6 months ago, he was chased by Arsenal and Spurs to name a few. Now he left Rennes as an outcast for his behavior outside the club."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Arsenal fan: "Yeah, turns out he isn't much of a professional and actually I'm glad he didn't sign for us last summer. Monsieur Arsene certainly knows best."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Nuri Sahin (from Real Madrid) back from Liverpool, loan to Dortmund</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i3.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article1275925.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Nuri+Sahin+of+Real+Madrid" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://i3.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article1275925.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Nuri+Sahin+of+Real+Madrid" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Liverpool fan: "Thank God he's out. Barely even looked like any of the hype around him 2 years ago."</b><br />
<b>Madrid fan: "I know, how could a player like him be behind a team with Shelvey and Henderson is beyond me."</b><br />
Neutral: "Well at least now Dortmund has their star player back for free after selling for a ton load of money. That's business right there."<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Wesley Sneijder (from Inter) €7.5M to Galatarasay</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/01/09/article-2259841-16B8BFAC000005DC-23_468x311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/01/09/article-2259841-16B8BFAC000005DC-23_468x311.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Liverpool fan: "Really?? Rather than playing in the BPL, he picks Turkey over us? Must be the money."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neutral: "Why are you so delusional? Gala is still in the Champions League, top of the Turkish league, and if you're talking about fans of the club, they have a better local fanbase than they have at Anfield. It's not always about the money."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>United fan: "Really? Tell him that 2 years ago..."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba (both Shanghai Shenhua) loan to Juventus and free to Galatasary, respectively</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01296/drogba_anelka_1296540c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01296/drogba_anelka_1296540c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Chelsea fan: "What? They got bored in China?"</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neutral: "I guess. Despite having Drogba and Anelka up front, they only managed a mid-table finish in an obscure Chinese League."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Chelsea fan: "Really? I can see why they left now."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Juventus fan: "Besides, we at least have a better striker up front now."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neutral: "Thats what you said last time with Bendtner... and Matri... and Amauri."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Juventus fan: "You'll see! We're going to win it again!"</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Lewis Holtby (from Schalke) £1.5M to Spurs, immediate permanent.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://static.sport360.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/main_image/128297394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://static.sport360.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/main_image/128297394.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neutral: "Getting for free for next season is already amazing... but getting him now? With 5% of what Andy Carroll cost is amazing business!"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Spurs fan: "Well, we had to do it with Sandro out for the season. But I can't stress out how important for Spurs to get a striker now than another midfielder. We're more packed than the Gooners in midfield..."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neutral: "Don't worry. You'll secure 4th place now this time above Arsenal lol."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Emmanuel Frimpong (from Arsenal) loan to Fulham</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.sabotagetimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Emmanuel-Frimpong-Arsenal_2800802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="http://www.sabotagetimes.com/wp-content/uploads/Emmanuel-Frimpong-Arsenal_2800802.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neutral: "I seriously have no opinion on this loan deal. So let's LEAVE IT YEAAAAH."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Arsenal fan: "Dude, that was not Dench at all..."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neutral: "... I'll get my coat. Where's the cab?"</div>
</div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Diego Lopez (from Sevilla) €3.5M to Real Madrid</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.vavel.com/files/C5DC42A9CA9E419EB637E2C28918041A_0000353465_0002866431_00500L_49AC13858928467C8D8F9753F296E3E3_827636638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://www.vavel.com/files/C5DC42A9CA9E419EB637E2C28918041A_0000353465_0002866431_00500L_49AC13858928467C8D8F9753F296E3E3_827636638.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Madrid fan: "Phew... so relieved at least when Casillas is injured, we have someone more than capable to step in his gloves."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neutral: "Agreed. And Lopez being a Castilla trainee and Casillas' understudy for years puts a little more incentive to it, don't you think?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Madrid fan: "Of course it does. It's a shame Adan won't get a look in to the team anymore with this signing."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Cristian Zaccardo (from Parma) and Djamel Mesbah (from AC Milan) swap deal</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://static.liputan6.com/201301/djamel-mesba-cristian-zaccardo-130124c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://static.liputan6.com/201301/djamel-mesba-cristian-zaccardo-130124c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Milan fan: "Zaccardo being a World Cup winner and all is pretty good. But we need a striker for Christ sake."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Mario Balotelli (from Man City) €20M to AC Milan</b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/match-centre/article818898.ece/ALTERNATES/gallery-large/Manchester-City-Mario-Balotelli-why-always-me-shirt-cropped" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/match-centre/article818898.ece/ALTERNATES/gallery-large/Manchester-City-Mario-Balotelli-why-always-me-shirt-cropped" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Milan fan: "Much better. Now we have someone to play El Shaarawy with, we will be back in the top 3 in no time."</b><br />
Neutral: "Aren't you even a little bit worried with Balotelli's attitude though? He does have quite a reputation."<br />
<b>City fan: "Yeah, even I'm happy he's gone. Only 1 goal this season for a player who shone at the Euro's is really disappointing."</b><br />
<b>Milan fan: "#YOLO"</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Vegard Forren (from Molde) £4M to Southampton</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://e1.365dm.com/12/11/660x350/Vegard-Forren-Molde_2860172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="http://e1.365dm.com/12/11/660x350/Vegard-Forren-Molde_2860172.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Liverpool fan: "What? he was having a trial at Liverpool! And he left us just like that?"</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>United fan: "Hah! You know he was advised to move to Southampton rather than Liverpool by his manager back at Molde?"</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neutral: "Oh yeah? Whose the manager?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>United fan: "Just the one and only Ole Gunnar Solksjaer! Forren made the wise choice hahaha"</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Liverpool fan: "I hate him so much right now..."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Federico Macheda (from Manchester United) loan to Stuttgart</b></div>
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<a href="http://images.football365.com/12/10/800x600/Federico-Macheda-Manchester-United_2846279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://images.football365.com/12/10/800x600/Federico-Macheda-Manchester-United_2846279.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Neutral: "Gosh, what happened to him?"</div>
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<b>United fan: "He went on loan to a few clubs but they always sacked their manager afterwards and he was always out of favor with his newer managers. When he came back to United, he always managed to put in a great pre-season but with an attack line-up United has, it's impossible to get a look in."</b></div>
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Neutral: "Well, are you happy with this loan deal?"</div>
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<b>United fan: "I'm not sure. I mean it's good he has a better chance of first team football, but it's sad to see another talent wasted."</b></div>
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<b>Phillipe Coutinho (from Inter) £8M to Liverpool</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.newstalk.ie/content/000/images/000002/2946_54_news_hub_3165_328x250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://www.newstalk.ie/content/000/images/000002/2946_54_news_hub_3165_328x250.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>Liverpool fan: "See! With Gerrard, Suarez, Sterling, Sturridge, and now him... I know it's too late for a push this year, but next year will definitely be our year!!"</b><br />
Neutral: "Enough! We know he's good. But the thing here is that they sold 2 of their most creative players this window and in no sign of replacing them. And didn't Stramaccioni he wanted to focus on youngsters?"<br />
<b>Inter fan: "He did. And Coutinho is like the one of our best young players. I think it's not a good move from Inter's POV. But yeah, he didn't get enough game time, so I can see why he left."</b><br />
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<b>Yun Suk-Young (from Chunma Dragons) undisclosed fee to QPR</b></div>
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Neutral: "... I'm sorry, who?"</div>
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<b>Chris Samba (from Anzhi) £12.5M to QPR</b><br />
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<a href="http://rt.com/files/sport/football/samba-anzhi-qpr-hiddink-103/38-christopher-premier-football.n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://rt.com/files/sport/football/samba-anzhi-qpr-hiddink-103/38-christopher-premier-football.n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Neutral: "Well I know him! With Ryan Nelsen leaving to coach in the MLS, having a way better defender is definitely going to help Harry's side. He is definitely what Harry would say, 'a top, top, t'riffic player' in Samba."</div>
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<b>Jack Butland (from Birmingham) £3.75M to Stoke, loaned back until the end of the season.</b></div>
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<a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/columnists/2013/1/30/1359547285108/Jack-Butland-008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/columnists/2013/1/30/1359547285108/Jack-Butland-008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Neutral: "Did you know that Birmingham's goalkeeping coach said he was the best goalkeeper he has ever worked with?"<br />
<b>Chelsea fan: "What does that imply?"</b><br />
Neutral: "He has worked with Joe Hart AND Ben Foster in the past. And by saying Butland's better than both of them is quite a compliment. He will challenge Joe Hart for the England spot for years to come."</div>
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<b>Chelsea fan: "He could've moved to us when he had the chance. We offered him earlier!"</b><br />
Neutral: "Dude, you got Cech. You also got that Belgian kid on loan at Atletico. Butland is smarter than that..."<br />
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<b>Heurelho Gomes (from Spurs) loan to Hoffenheim</b></div>
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<a href="http://tottenhamhotspur.fr/sites/default/files/heurelho-gomes-tottenham-hotspurs-squad-2008_1568901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://tottenhamhotspur.fr/sites/default/files/heurelho-gomes-tottenham-hotspurs-squad-2008_1568901.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Neutral: "Wait... he's still with Spurs?"<br />
<b>Spurs fan: "Well now he isn't."</b><br />
Neutral: "What was he like... fourth choice in goal all season? That's just sad for him. He isn't THAT bad..."<br />
<b>Spurs fan: "He isn't! He's just unlucky. But we won't miss him THAT much."</b><br />
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<b>Ezequiel Schelotto (from Atalanta) €3M to Inter</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.footballtop.com/sites/default/files/photos/news/inter-milan-incar-ezequiel-schelotto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="http://www.footballtop.com/sites/default/files/photos/news/inter-milan-incar-ezequiel-schelotto.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Inter fan: "Well, not someone you would expect to replace Sneijder and Coutinho though. I mean he did last year, but not so good this season."</b><br />
Neutral: "At least you got him on the cheap, yes?"<br />
<b>Inter fan: "I guess. We're only 6 points off of Juve, I just hope this Schelotto dude to be a bargain. and help us catch them."</b><br />
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<b>Nacho Monreal (from Malaga) </b><span style="text-align: justify;"><b>£</b></span><b>9M to Arsenal</b></div>
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<a href="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/65634000/jpg/_65634023_65634022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/65634000/jpg/_65634023_65634022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Neutral: "Why do I have a sudden craving of Doritos?"<br />
<b>Arsenal fan: "I'm happy at least Wenger DIPPED in the transfer window."</b><br />
Neutral: "That is horrible. At least you couldve made a Nacho Libre reference instead?"<br />
<b>Arsenal fan: "Sorry... just stoked that we don't need to see Andre Santos at left back again!"</b><br />
Neutral: "I forgot to ask you, what actually IS Andre Santos' best position?"<br />
<b>Arsenal fan: "He is best LBH?"</b><br />
Neutral: "LBH?"<br />
<b>Arsenal fan: "Yep. Left-Back-Home"</b><br />
Neutral: "That's a better joke lol"<br />
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<b>David Beckham (from Los Angeles Galaxy) free to PSG</b></div>
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<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/files/2012/11/1123_oag_beckham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/files/2012/11/1123_oag_beckham.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<strike>(saved the biggest transfer for the last :D)</strike></div>
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<b>United fan: "Man, we wanted him to go back to England. And it didn't have to be Manchester United though."</b><br />
Neutral: "Tbf, he was more interested in the city he'll be moving to. He's lived in Madrid, LA, Milan, and trained every winter in London. Of course Paris was going to be his new club."<br />
<b>United fan: "Yeah, I just hope he kicks Barton's ass back in France and all the money he gets will be worth it."</b><br />
Neutral: "But all of his wages are going to charity. Did you not know that?"<br />
<b>United fan: "Really? What a gentleman. Rarely we see these days a good looking man with a good heart as well."</b></div>
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End. Finally, those were the transfers that mattered to me the most. Imagine what would happen if Odemwingie and Diame actually moved. Which of these conversations were the most interesting?<br />
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Adhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322230162491728826.post-48629356294377847352013-01-08T01:26:00.000-08:002013-01-08T01:26:43.020-08:00Why are people complaining 2012's FIFPro XI?<div style="text-align: justify;">
I could make it easy for everyone and say that this year's FIFPro XI is more of a La Liga XI. But can anyone agree that this line-up is really hard to beat? Besides, every player in the world voted for their best XI of the year. The best players that lived up in 2012. The players themselves voted for it. Not people who call themselves "pundits" or "experts".</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fifa.com/mm//Photo/Ballond'Or/FIF/ProWorldXI/01/98/16/52/1981652_FULL-LND.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://www.fifa.com/mm//Photo/Ballond'Or/FIF/ProWorldXI/01/98/16/52/1981652_FULL-LND.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row: Ronaldo, Marcelo, Ramos, Pique, Alves, Casillas.<br />Bottom Row: Falcao, Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Alonso.</td></tr>
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At a glance, sure its a combination of Barcelona and Real Madrid with Falcao heading their team. Take another quick glance again, and you realize that most of the players on the list are their because of Spain's EURO 2012 triumph. I mean why else would 4 Barcelona players be on there when all they won last season was a Copa del Rey trophy? Apart from Lionel Messi being the best in the world (and winning a record 4th Ballon d'Or), the other 3 Catalan-based players were there on merit.</div>
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Again, "Why are all the players from one league? Don't they look at the other leagues?" These questions were the most frequently questions asked in Social Media outlets. However there is a debate on a couple of positions in that XI, especially Pique's, Marcelo's, Alonso's, and Falcao's cridentials.</div>
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Serie-A experts calling out for Juventus duo Andrea Pirlo and Giorgio Chiellini who both were at the center of Juventus' triumph where they went unbeaten, and Italy's run into the final of EURO2012. Bundesliga experts were shocked no Dortmund players, including Mats Hummels, was nowhere near the FIFPro XI, while Premier League enthusiasts insisted either Vincent Kompany or Robin Van Persie was fitted in the Dream Team. Not even a single Chelsea player - even for their surprising Champions League win - were there as well.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/12/14/article-2248107-166A9DC6000005DC-660_634x374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/12/14/article-2248107-166A9DC6000005DC-660_634x374.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zlatan: "Even I deserve a place in that line-up!"</td></tr>
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Let me here say this - there are millions of athletes in the world at the moment. There are only 11 places available. 1 Goalkeeper, 4 Defenders, 3 Midfielders, and 1/3 Strikers (Face it, the other 2 places were always going to be filled by Ronaldo and Messi). You can argue all day long about who performed the best in 2012, but it's just an award of personal acknowledgement. All the players mentioned above were definitely debatable, but you can't argue much with this years' FIFPro XI. Why the players in that team are only from La Liga? Because the best players in the world ARE in La Liga. Even if that isn't true, we all now FIFA and Blatter is corrupt. We now he's secretly blowing Sandro Rossell and Michel Platini weekly.</div>
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Why don't we just acknowledge the beautiful game and get on with life? I know I'll do that.</div>
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<br />Adhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322230162491728826.post-65327893232967872362012-07-03T09:02:00.000-07:002012-07-03T09:02:54.216-07:00My Euro 2012 Team of the Tournament<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Photo/euro2012/E2012Administration/93/43/92/934392_biglandscape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Photo/euro2012/E2012Administration/93/43/92/934392_biglandscape.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Every football fan in the world has gone through 3 weeks of entertainment mayhem with what we have witnessed what happened in Poland and Ukraine. UEFA EURO 2012 has now ended and will have to fill in the rest of our summers with something else to do than watch 16 teams kicking about a leathery spherical figure. </div>
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We saw the surprising, the disappointing, and the inevitable. We saw how Netherlands and Russia bowed out of the tournament prematurely, with co-hosts Ukraine and Poland also just as disappointing. But we also saw how England managed to win a group they were predicted to finish bottom in, Italy beating pre-tournament favorites Germany in the semifinals, and how Denmark didn't become the whipping boys out of the 'Group of Death'.</div>
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But the inevitable events just had to happen. France fail to show up, Ireland going home with no points, and most importantly Spain defending their title with a 4-0 thrashing of Italy in the Final. We just knew those things were going to happen.</div>
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There were lots of players who showed what they were worth, but below are 11 players who stood out the most for me in every position. I will use a 4-2-3-1 formation since that formation was the most used by the teams this summer.</div>
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<b>Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (Spain)</b></div>
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<a href="http://img.uefa.com/imgml/TP/players/3/2012/324x324/34694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://img.uefa.com/imgml/TP/players/3/2012/324x324/34694.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Saint Iker only conceded once throughout the tournament and he should be lauded for his impressive performance between the sticks. Spain's captain's inclusion was given a run for his money in this team by Italy's Gianluigi Buffon and England's Joe Hart, but Casillas was able to lead this side to 3 straight tournament victories and of course he played a big part of each of it.</div>
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<b>Rightback: Glen Johnson (England)</b></div>
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<a href="http://img.uefa.com/imgml/TP/players/3/2012/324x324/59499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://img.uefa.com/imgml/TP/players/3/2012/324x324/59499.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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To be honest, I was very skeptical of his inclusion after Kyle Walker injured himself and Micah Richards getting snubbed. His performances for Liverpool have declined but from all of the players in the England squad, he proved me wrong the most. He was far better in defending than I have ever seen him play ever. His inclusion above Portugal's Joao Pereira and Czech's Theodore Gebre Selassie in this team speaks volume on how I was surprised of how he performed.</div>
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<b>Centreback: Sergio Ramos (Spain)</b></div>
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<a href="http://img.uefa.com/imgml/TP/players/3/2012/324x324/93649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://img.uefa.com/imgml/TP/players/3/2012/324x324/93649.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Cutting off his hair wasn't the only brilliant decision he made this summer. That chipped penalty in the semifinal shootout against Portugal silenced his critics since Real Madrid's Champions League semifinal exit. He did his defensive duties brilliantly despite being put of his normal right-back position for Spain.</div>
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<b>Centreback: Mats Hummels (Germany)</b></div>
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<a href="http://img.uefa.com/imgml/TP/players/3/2012/324x324/106587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://img.uefa.com/imgml/TP/players/3/2012/324x324/106587.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Despite criticism early on his international career, his elegance in the center of Germany's defence helped the nation's cause. Pundits and fans alike were impressed by Hummels' performances even after a bad game against Italy where he was at fault in at least one of the goals conceded. Hope he bounces back from that semifinal outing.</div>
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<b>Leftback: Jordi Alba (Spain)</b></div>
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<a href="http://img.uefa.com/imgml/TP/players/3/2012/324x324/250000036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://img.uefa.com/imgml/TP/players/3/2012/324x324/250000036.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Most analysts claimed this position were Spain's weak link for ages, but I myself certainly did not see that. I only managed to see him play a handful of times for Valencia and he wasn't that bad, but he certainly played way better for Spain and his move (back) to Barcelona doesn't look out of place. Due to Spain's formation of no strikers, everyone got a chance to attack and Alba took his in the final to score Spain's second of the game. I easily could have put either Germany's Phillipe Lahm or Portugal's Fabio Coentrao but Jordi here was something special. Barcelona next season would be frightening with him and Dani Alves bombing down the wings. *shivers*</div>
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<b>Centremidfield: Andrea Pirlo (Italy)</b></div>
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<a href="http://img.uefa.com/imgml/TP/players/3/2012/324x324/26917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://img.uefa.com/imgml/TP/players/3/2012/324x324/26917.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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During the Euro's, 70% of the male population would have experienced a man-crush towards Pirlo. At the age 33, his game is comparable to fine wine - becomes better with age. His assist for Di Natale in the opening match, his freak-kick scored against Croatia and a Panenka-esque penalty against England were only some of us men's reasons to fall for his skills. When someone gets mentioned in a dreamteam ahead of Xavi and Xabi Alonso, you know you've won loads of admirers.</div>
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<b>Centremidfield: Sami Khedira (Germany)</b></div>
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<a href="http://img.uefa.com/imgml/TP/players/3/2012/324x324/74327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://img.uefa.com/imgml/TP/players/3/2012/324x324/74327.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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I have never seen Sami Khedira play bad ever. In every game I've seen him play for Germany since the 2010 World Cup, he is always brilliant. It could be because he is one of the most consistent players in the tournament or because I rarely watch Real Madrid play. Either way, he definitely merits his inclusion in this team ahead of Steven Gerrard and his goal against Greece in the quarterfinals just sealed the deal.</div>
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<b>Right Attacking Midfielder: Andres Iniesta (Spain)</b></div>
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<a href="http://img.uefa.com/imgml/TP/players/3/2012/324x324/58031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://img.uefa.com/imgml/TP/players/3/2012/324x324/58031.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Slightly cheating here on his position in this team because he didn't really play on the right for his country. Andres-Cesc-Silva switched places occasionally during the match so it was a bit hard to slot one of them in this team, but I decided to go with Iniesta for his pass for Cesc in the final that actually set up Silva. He was also named Player of the Tournament and deservedly so.</div>
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<b>Centre Attacking Midfielder: Mesut Ozil (Germany)</b></div>
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Again, his inclusion was difficult due to challangers in the form of Cesc and Silva. The reason why I chose Ozil was for his vision in how he covered for Schweinsteiger's mediocre form in the knockout stages. 3 assists in the tournament added by a ruthless taken penalty against Italy in at the end of the game. He's only 23, I can't imagine how good he will be when he reaches his peak.</div>
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<b>Left Attacking Midfielder: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)</b></div>
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I had this position reserved specially for him. His appointment of being made captain may raise a few eyebrows and his hairstyle changes may confuse a few stylists as well. But he did carry the team to semifinals albeit not on his own. Scoring twice in an important match against Netherlands showed the critics who said he couldn't perform during the big games were wrong. Even though he only manage to score 3 goals, he was Portugal's main goalscoring threat and he did it well considering Portugal doesn't have a well developed striker in their ranks.</div>
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<b>Striker: Mario Balotelli (Italy)</b></div>
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What? No Torres? Yeah, No Fernando in this team. Sure he got the Golden Boot (which he totally deserved by the way), but all his goals came in 4-0 thrashings of Ireland and Italy. And with Spain usually not playing a striker should put his place in this team into huge consideration</div>
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Mario Balotelli also only scored 3 goals but all of his goals were worldclass and looked consistent throughout the tournament. A no-look volley against Ireland, a bullet header from close range against Germany, and a top corner finish also against Deutschland displayed he was the best. Mario Gomez didn't cut it in this team, he was good in 2 games and then came back into his normal international form. I could just wonder if only Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Sweden and Nicklas Bendtner's Denmark got through the group stages...</div>
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SOOOOOOOOOO this was my team. Thanks for reading. I now you may have other opinions but this is my blog, so I'll write what I want.</div>Adhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322230162491728826.post-47359981476441204452012-05-14T05:50:00.000-07:002012-05-14T05:50:21.282-07:00My Barclays Premier League Awards 2011-2012<br />
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What an end to this season. We all thought City would finally win it at the beginning of the season, but not in the conditions we've just witnessed last night! Manchester City has won their 3rd title, and despite their exceeding spending, boy do they deserve it. It was a rare occasion as well at the Etihad, where both sides were celebrating. QPR managed to stay up despite losing, so there were 2 parties in Manchester. From the time I started following football and BPL specifically, this has been the best season ever if you count for drama.</div>
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This post is to give out mentions to people who deserved the recognition.Last year, PFA and FWA gave undeserving players the nod of "Footballer of the Year", and this year both awards went to the deserving Robin van Persie. Barclays gave their version of the award to an even more deserving Vincent Kompany. But there are other players who have stand out and also deserves recognition for their efforts this season, so here are "MY" notable mentions:</div>
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<b>Player of the Year:</b> Vincent Kompany (Manchester City)</div>
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<b>Manager of the Year:</b> Alan Pardew (Newcastle United)</div>
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<b>Young Player of the Year:</b> Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)</div>
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<b>Best Transfer Signings:</b></div>
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5. Mikel Arteta (Everton to Arsenal) £10M</div>
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4. Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid to ManCity) £38M</div>
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3. Yohan Cabaye (Lille to Newcastle) £6.5M</div>
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2. Demba Ba (West Ham to Newcastle) £0</div>
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<b>1. Papiss Cisse (Freiburg to Newcastle) £9.5M</b></div>
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<b>Worst Transfer Signings:</b></div>
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5. Jordan Henderson (Sunderland to Liverpool) £16M</div>
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4. Romelu Lukaku (Anderlecht to Chelsea) £18M</div>
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3. Roger Johnson (Birmingham to Wolves) £7M</div>
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2. Charles N'Zogbia (Wigan to Aston Villa) £9M</div>
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<b>1. Stewart Downing (Aston Villa to Liverpool) £20M</b></div>
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<b>Best Loan Signings:</b></div>
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5. Ben Foster (Birmingham from West Brom)</div>
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4. Kyle Naughton (Norwich from Tottenham)</div>
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3. Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea from Hoffenheim)</div>
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2. Nicklas Bendtner (Sunderland from Arsenal)</div>
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<b>1. Emmanuel Adebayor (Tottenham from ManCity)</b></div>
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<b>Worst Loan Signings:</b></div>
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5. Federico Macheda (QPR from ManUtd)</div>
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4. Royston Drenthe (Everton from Real Madrid)</div>
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3. Jermaine Jenas (Aston Villa from Tottenham)</div>
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2. Wayne Bridge (Sunderland from ManCity)</div>
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<b>1. Anthony Modeste (Blackburn from Bordeaux)</b></div>
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<b>PFA Team of the Year:</b></div>
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<b>Goalkeeper:</b> Joe Hart (Manchester City)</div>
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<b>Defenders:</b> Kyle Walker (Tottenham), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle), Leighton Baines (Everton)</div>
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<b>Midfielders:</b> David Silva, Yaya Toure (both Manchester City), Scott Parker, Gareth Bale (both Tottenham)</div>
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<b>Strikers:</b> Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)</div>
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<b>My Non-PFA Team of the Year:</b></div>
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<b>Goalkeeper: </b>Tim Krul (Newcastle)</div>
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<b>Defenders: </b>Micah Richards (Manchester City), Jonny Evans (Manchester United), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Jose Enrique (Liverpool)</div>
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<b>Midfielders: </b>Antonio Valencia (Manchester United), Alex Song (Arsenal), Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle), Clint Dempsey (Fulham)</div>
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<b>Strikers: </b>Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Emmanuel Adebayor (Tottenham)</div>
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<b>Top Goalscorer:</b> Robin van Persie (Arsenal) - 30</div>
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<b>Most Assists:</b> David Silva (Manchester City) - 15</div>
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<b>Champions: </b>Manchester City</div>
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<b>Relegated:</b> Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers, Wolverhampton Wanderers</div>
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<b>Champions League Qualifiers:</b> Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur</div>
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<b>Europa League Qualifiers: </b>Newcastle, Chelsea (FA Cup Winners), Liverpool (Carling Cup Winners)</div>Adhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322230162491728826.post-9780156478725405002012-03-22T21:28:00.000-07:002012-03-22T21:28:14.608-07:0030 Players Who (Might & Certainly) Miss Their Nations Euro2012 Campaign.<div style="text-align: justify;">16 teams have qualified. 368 players would be called up to the show case. With that number in mind, there would be a host of names that could miss the big showcase itself. Remember how many big names missed the last World Cup? Theo Walcott, Javier Zanetti, Ronaldinho, Nani, Mario Balotelli, and these are just a few of them. These players missed out either on injury, fallout with the manager, or just simply because the manager thought "he wasn't good enough" and the fact that the nations of the players I mentioned above performed miserably, the manager might just made a mistake. This Euro though, we expect more or less the same amount of surprising exclusions. And below I have listed 30 players who might miss their countries call-ups despite - in the writers mind - are more than good enough to be called up.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The Honorable Mentions:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Eljero Elia (Netherlands)</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Elia made his dream move last summer to Juventus from HSV but has since only played in 2 SerieA matches. For all his promise shown in South Africa 2010, he will almost definitely miss the whole competition.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Sebastian Kehl (Germany)</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Being Dortmund's skipper in their rise to prominence might not be enough to see himself getting back into International recognition. Germany is already packed in midfield</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Mattia Cassani (Italy)</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Once being thought to be a definite inclusion, but now seeing his form dip after his move from Palermo to Fiorentina sees Ignazio Abate and Christian Maggio getting the nod.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Artur Boruc (Poland)</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One of the best goallies in SerieA, but hasnt got a call-up for the host nation for a while now. With Tyton and Szczceszzcsszsczszszny being more trusted, it will be harsh on Boruc.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Leon Best (Rep. Ireland)</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He's certainly no George, but he's not half bad. Besides, when else can you get a Best in an International tournament?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Without further a do, lets start the countdown, shall we?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#30 Mladen Petric (Croatia)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goalvideoz.com/images/players/9693MladenPetric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.goalvideoz.com/images/players/9693MladenPetric.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ooh he's a handful in every FM edition there ever is. His skills are actually pretty good for a striker. He's 31 and he isn't really that prolific while Croatia has been producing good striker lately in Nikica Jelavic, Mario Mandzukic, and Nikola Kalinic. But Petric still might squeeze in anyway. Why did he get a nod in our countrown? I just didn't want it to be all Germany/Spain/France/England/Holland list. I wanted variety, so here he is.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#29 Pablo Osvaldo (Italy)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://u.goal.com/148800/148864hp2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://u.goal.com/148800/148864hp2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Argentina at birth, Italy by choice. He'd make it big with either country, but he only has a slight possibility to be in Euro's. He has impressed for Azzuri, and his Roma form is something to be proud of, but with the wealth of attacking talent of a nation who are famous for their defence, it will need a miracle for Prandelli to call him over Balotelli.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#28 Jack Wilshere (England)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cleansheetsallround.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Jack-Wilshere-England-20121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://www.cleansheetsallround.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Jack-Wilshere-England-20121.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Despite the overrated British media, Jack is actually that good for a 20 year-old wonderkid. Sadly, he hasn't healed from his latest injury and hasn't played a single minute this season. He might be fit for the Euro's but is he really worth sacrificing? Remember, minimal match practice. Whoever takesover from Capello *cough-Redknapp-cough* will need to seriously think twice before calling him up.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#27 Lassana Diarra (France)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://chroniquededarinh.football.fr/public/lassana-diarra-real-madrid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://chroniquededarinh.football.fr/public/lassana-diarra-real-madrid.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Real Madrid player. Surely just by stating that you'd think he's a definite call-up, right? Well I don't see Jose Callejon getting a Spain call-up in the near future so that's rebutted. He has been in and out of the team and form, has gotten injured way too often, and an emergence of Yann M'Vila is another factor of him might not go to Poland-Ukraine in the summer. Pity really.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#26 Raul Albiol (Spain)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://community.footballpools.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/raul-albiol-close-200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://community.footballpools.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/raul-albiol-close-200.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Another Real Madrid player on the list. Spain may not have that many centrehalves as good as Puyol and Pique at this current time, but Busquets and Javi Martinez can cover in really well in there. I mean Albiol has been rarely played by Mourinho, he might not be given a call-up just be playing too little. Saddens me really someone with great talent like his warming Bernabeu benches in games.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#25 Danny (Portugal)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://soccerphase.com/images/stories/newsimage/1danny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://soccerphase.com/images/stories/newsimage/1danny.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Obviously 3rd choice winger behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani, but he rupture his knee. His injury has coincided with the second coming of Ricardo Quaresma as well. Zenit's wingman probably will curse his luck now.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#24 Stefan Keissling (Germany)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.spox.com/de/sport/fussball/wm/wm2010/1001/Bilder/stefan-kiessling-wm-514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://www.spox.com/de/sport/fussball/wm/wm2010/1001/Bilder/stefan-kiessling-wm-514.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He's been leading the Leverkusen attack for a couple of years now and has scored a lot of goals. This season his tally has dried up a little though but it doesnt mean he's ineffective. But how can any striker beat Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez? Unless your name is Lionel Messi, it's difficult. Plus, Cacau is ahead of him in Joachim Low's pecking order and with the talent Germany has, he could miss out as well.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#23 Fabio Quagliarella (Juventus)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/252/344/101679260_display_image.jpg?1276050514" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/252/344/101679260_display_image.jpg?1276050514" width="255" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He's so underrated it's unbelievable. He hasn't got a fair chance for Juventus this season but that is also due to Matri's & Vucinic's form added with Simone Pepe's workrate. It's unfair really but he's a decent goalscorer. I would love to see him lead Italy's front line, but that could be unlikely.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#22 Ivan Klasnic (Croatia)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fansfc.com/UploadedImages/Players/IvanKlasnic_633874852061738750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.fansfc.com/UploadedImages/Players/IvanKlasnic_633874852061738750.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Clearly is Bolton's best striker but Owen Coyle likes to put David N'gog instead. Klasnic is Bolton's topscorer this season but N'gog is still starting ahead of him. This may not help his cause for a Croatia squad berth, similar to Pertic's case but having a slight smaller chance than him.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#21 John Guidetti (Sweden)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/sundaysun/mar2012/1/2/john-image-2-122736311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/sundaysun/mar2012/1/2/john-image-2-122736311.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">18 league goals in the Eredivisie this season for Feyenoord, I'm surprised ManCity left him out on loan. City could actually do with a striker like him. Despite his exploits in Holland, Sweden actually has a wealth of talent up front in Ola Toivonen, Tobias Hysen, Johan Elmander, Marcus Berg, and some guy who I cant remember his name. Zlatko Ibra... something near that I guess.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#20 Jose Enrique (Spain)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sportige.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jose-Enrique.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://sportige.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jose-Enrique.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Might probably be the most consistent left-back in the Premier League this season, it would still be a surprise if Del Bosque still won't give him a go for Spain. I predict Furia Roja to fill up the squad with more midfielders than usual which would mean less space for defenders. Even if Del Bosque were to call a backup left-back, it is likely Malaga's Nacho Monreal to get the nod ahead of Enrique.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#19 Christian Trasch (Germany)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://u.goal.com/98100/98166hp2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://u.goal.com/98100/98166hp2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Despite his comical surname, he's anything but rubbish. He has that classy side of him which enables him to be versatile in either as a full back or a centremidfielder. His versatility may come to his advantage, but Wolfsburg's form this season isn't that great and he might miss out on that alone.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#18 Ryan Babel (Netherlands)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www1.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Netherlands+v+Iceland+FIFA2010+World+Cup+Qualifier+3TWMaDGndysl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www1.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Netherlands+v+Iceland+FIFA2010+World+Cup+Qualifier+3TWMaDGndysl.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">These days, Babel is more known for his tweets than his performances on the field. But give credit to him, he's playing regularly for Hoffenheim now. All of us fans would want him to get called-up so he can tweet about it, but fans wouldn't be too devastated if he missed Van Marwijk's list, because based on form itself, he hasn't reached his early Liverpool career heights.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#17 Rio Ferdinand (England)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01246/RioFerdinand_1246402a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01246/RioFerdinand_1246402a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He's finally getting away from the treatment table and getting in form for ManUtd, but England's defence has been mix-and-match with a bunch of other defenders that even Rio might miss out. Terry, Cahill, Lescott, King, even teammate Phil Jones and Chris Smalling is in a better chance to get to Poland-Ukraine this summer. He's still a great defender, but I'm not sure if the England manager would want to call him up.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#16 Jose Bosingwa (Portugal)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.worldcupblog.org/portugal.worldcupblog.org/files/2011/09/bosingwa-portugal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cdn.worldcupblog.org/portugal.worldcupblog.org/files/2011/09/bosingwa-portugal.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not automatic first choice right-back for Chelsea nor for Portugal, but he is more than a useful addition in both teams. Sadly, he had a fallout and bust-up with Portugal manager Paulo Bento leading him to not answer to further any call-up if the manager was Bento. It's not like Portugal needs him though, but he definitely has talent.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#15 Per Mertesacker (Germany)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://totalfootballmadness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Per-Mertesacker-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://totalfootballmadness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Per-Mertesacker-2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">His arrival at Emirates has steadied the leaky and panicky Arsenal defense and has already achieved 79 caps for his country, and he's only 27!! He's currently injured but its said that he will be fit enough for the finals in June. Truth is though, he might not even make the cut, mostly because of the emergence of younger and more mobile defenders (Hummels, Badstuber, Howedes, Boateng et al). Mertesacker has been accused by critics and fans to be slower than a turtle and a snail race. They couldn't be more true, but his vision is incredible and definitely a sad exclusion if he were to be excluded.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#14 Either Bender (Lars/Sven) (Germany)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.teamtalk.com/09/04/800x600/larssvenbender_2235590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://images.teamtalk.com/09/04/800x600/larssvenbender_2235590.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Their twins. Twins usually count as one. And to say that they are similar players is an understatement. Sven won the Bundesliga with Dortmund last season as a key player, but Lars with Leverkusen finished 2nd with him being just as indispensable for his club. Both has already debuted for their country, but yet to partner each other.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Why did I put both on the #14 slot? Because most likely only 1 of the Benders would make the squad. They are both talented and equally great, but with only 23 slots in the final squad plus the additional talent Deutschland have in midfield, there might be even a possibility of BOTH Benders missing it. Both of them getting a call-up would be a better story than the Boateng brothers story in South Africa, so I would like to see Sven and Lars in Poland-Ukraine.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#13 Christian Abbiati (Italy)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.soccerway.com/photo_dynamic/orig/250/relative/11828319470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.soccerway.com/photo_dynamic/orig/250/relative/11828319470.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If he wasn't injured that often - or if Dida never existed, he would definitely be first choice backup to Buffon. Abbiati is a great goalkeeper and is keeping World Cup winner Marco Amelia on the bench for Milan. You tell me he isn't that good? Did you NOT see his double save against Arsenal? I bet he has done better saves than that in SerieA. What a waste Prandelli not giving him another chance of tournament experience.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#12 Rene Adler (Germany)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://pusatbetting.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/rene-adler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://pusatbetting.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/rene-adler.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I feel bad for this guy. He rarely gets injured, but when he does he loses his place to someone younger but similarly skilled. He was going to be Germany's #1 in South Africa but he decided to go into surgery for a rib injury and lost his place to Manuel Neuer. Neuer now is dubbed "Best goalkeeper in the world currently" which I highly doubt. At the beginning of this season, Adler was injured again - this time for a knee injury. Like his earlier injury, now his place is taken by young promising 19-y.o. Bernd Leno signed on loan fromStuttgart. Adler is back from injury, but Leno's form has hindered his comeback. With the emergence of other goalkeepers as well, he's going to miss Euro2012 as well. Bad Luck is DEFINITELY an understatement for Adler's situation.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#11 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (England)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://news.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Alex-Oxlade-Chamberlain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="http://news.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Alex-Oxlade-Chamberlain.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Like Wilshere, he's so young. But unlike Wilshere, he's played brilliantly this season. He has made all those <strike>overrated</strike> talented English wingers look slow and boring. The Ox - as he is now known as - has been on everyone's fans' lips. They all say the same things, "he needs to go to Euro". A factor going against him though is that England has lots of great wingers, AOC might have to be sacrificed for another tournament.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/16888205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/16888205.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">England's current winger case</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>#10 Ricardo Carvalho (Portugal)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://dararweyne.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/article-0-0185fc0c00000578-977_468x417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://dararweyne.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/article-0-0185fc0c00000578-977_468x417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Alongside Pepe, he has formed a rock solid partnership at Real Madrid. But for Portugal, he has had a bust-up similar to Bosingwa. He said he has retired from international football because of Paulo Bento, but hasn't ruled out a comeback if the manager went to be different. His presence will be sorely missed though, but he has abled deputies in the form of Bruno Alves and Rolando.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#09 Ibrahim Affelay (Netherlands)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yYkb7fOWt6s/TkuzHVOtalI/AAAAAAAADxY/EoX92GZcHzU/s320/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yYkb7fOWt6s/TkuzHVOtalI/AAAAAAAADxY/EoX92GZcHzU/s320/6.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He might only be back-up at Barcelona and he's not guaranteed a starting berth for Holland, but his talents are there for everyone to enjoy. He has been injured for a while now and rumor has it that he might not be fit for the Euros. That is just a bummer for someone like Affelay.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#08 Pedro Rodriguez (Spain)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Netherlands+v+Spain+2010+FIFA+World+Cup+Final+n2Y9PaedInMl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Netherlands+v+Spain+2010+FIFA+World+Cup+Final+n2Y9PaedInMl.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Second Barcelona player in succession, this inclusion might raise eyebrows for his position on this list. He's an important player for Barcelona and is notably the less glorified of the forwards that started the Champions League final. His scoring record is not something to joke about, but with Spain having the wealth of midfielders and strikers at their disposal, its hard to include a 23-man squad with Pedro in it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#07 Micah Richards (England)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thinkfootball.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/mich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://thinkfootball.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/mich.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">England basically have 3 awesome fullbacks in their pool of talent. Of course you can only bring 2 of them to Poland-Ukraine, and odds are that Richards is the one going to be left behind. That is such a travesty though, he is the best performing right-back in the Premier League and this is currently his best season to date. Kyle Walker though has been impressing for Spurs while Glen Johnson has always been in contention. 3 bloody worldclass right backs? Even Germany or Holland don't have that!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#06 Yoann Gourcuff (France)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Yoann+Gourcuff+France+v+Brazil+International+nzqfn_AahAtl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Yoann+Gourcuff+France+v+Brazil+International+nzqfn_AahAtl.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">There is no doubting Gourcuff is one of the more talented players of his generation if France, but his move from Bordeaux to Lyon last season is becoming more of an expensive flop. It kills the fans to see that he isn't anywhere near the form he showed back at Lorient and Bordeaux, he even lost his place in the starting line-up. France could do without him too though, Nasri, Valbuena, M'Vila, even Amalfitano or Marvin Martin is considered above him now for Euros.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#05 Antonio Cassano (Italy)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Antonio+Cassano+Italy+v+Northern+Ireland+EURO+iANzV0rpKUbl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Antonio+Cassano+Italy+v+Northern+Ireland+EURO+iANzV0rpKUbl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Prandelli's golden boy ever since his appontment in 2010, Cassano is currently recovering from a minor heart surgery and racing against time to be fit again for Euros. Even if he doesn't get fit in time, Prandelli will bring Cassano anyway as a guest of honor. He'll be beside Prandelli, as a player or not. Would be better for entertainment purposes for him to play, right?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#04 Fernando Torres (Spain)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.theage.com.au/2010/06/09/1579193/torres-420x0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://images.theage.com.au/2010/06/09/1579193/torres-420x0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oooooh boy, where do I start? He scored Spain's winner in the Euro 2008 final and had injury problems after that. His extreme dip in form after his 50M pound move to Chelsea has been well documented by every sports media outlet, it seems wrong for me to add criticism now. His form is so bad, once a certain starter for his country, he may now not be called up. Many fans wouldn't be surprised if he missed out, but many fans would be sad. After all he was a hero back in Austria-Switzerland, but Soldado, Llorente and Negredo are in a vain of form it is impossible to leave them out for some expensive flop, right?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#03 Antonio Di Natale (Italy)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ecodellosport.it/img/nazionale-prandelli-di-natale-osservato-speciale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://www.ecodellosport.it/img/nazionale-prandelli-di-natale-osservato-speciale.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He may be 34 already, but he is the most prolific Italian striker in SerieA for a long while now. Yes, he had a bad Euro 2008, but he has played waaaaaaaaaaay better after that. Its something of a mystery really why Cesare Prandelli keeps overlooking Di Natale for the likes of Fabio Borini, Alberto Gilardino, Alessandro Matri, even Pablo Osvaldo. Di Natale should get his last chance of International glory and Di Natale is absolutely brilliant. 105 goals in his last 155 league games? You can not tell me that is something special. If he was playing for Barcelona that would be fine, but he's playing for friggin Udinese! God give him another chance.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#02 David Villa (Spain)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hair-style.tk/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/David-Villa-Fohawk-Haircuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.hair-style.tk/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/David-Villa-Fohawk-Haircuts.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">David Villa destroyed his knee whilst playing for Barca in the Club World Cup in the beginning of this year. Spain's record goalscorer was Euro2008's top scorer and an important component of both Barcelona and Spain's plans. It is too close to call if he would recover in time with Del Bosque having his fingers crossed all the time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>#01 Eric Abidal (France)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">No. This blog is not Barcelona-biased. it just happened to be 2 Barcelona players on top of the list.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://mbalbert0513.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/ericabidal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://mbalbert0513.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/ericabidal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He recovered from a liver tumor surgery last year and played marvelously in the Champions League final. It looked like he was fully recovered but shocking news appeared as he announced to the world that he would undergo a liver transplant caused by complications he had from the previous surgery. This is sad news as all notable football figures thought he was over his liver problems to continue his career and represent France once again. Animo Abidal!<br />
<br />
Did I miss a couple of names in this list? Anthony Reveillere? Aaron Lennon? Or maybe Jesus Navaz? I know i must left someone out. But for now - up until March 2012 - this is the list of the best possible Euro axes.</div>Adhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322230162491728826.post-4686128799908701072012-02-29T07:40:00.000-08:002012-02-29T07:40:03.256-08:00Dream of a Pundit<div style="text-align: justify;">Yes, It is the dream. This is my blog so I'll just give out my views on it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/resources/images/1267556/?type=display" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/resources/images/1267556/?type=display" width="195" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 1. ex-Portsmouth player & Sky Sports Pundit legend Chris Kamara</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">I sometimes envy these pundits in my country (mind you, I live in Indonesia) and these pundits aren't even that competent. The fact that they don't get most of their facts right is one thing yet they get lots of exposure on TV blabbing about on our television screens with nonsense about someone who just passed the ball. Heck, these pundits in my country aren't even ex-footballers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://soccercentral.ph/sites/default/files/images/stevemcmahon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://soccercentral.ph/sites/default/files/images/stevemcmahon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 2. ESPN Star pundit & Kop Legend Steve McMahon</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Look at ESPN-StarSports Asia's football pundits. Steve McMahon was a Liverpool legend, Paul Parker was Manchester United's first choice rightback before the emergence of Gary Neville, PJ Roberts played professionally in the A-league and S-league, even Shebby Singh was an experienced defender back in the Malaysian League. What these pundits have are topclass experience of being a professional. These respected athletes <b>will get the facts right </b>because they know their game and actually have brilliant ways to express their minds for viewers to hear.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now back to Indonesia. This nation may not be a footballing nation, but the sport is pretty huge despite not having any success. The media here is like the British, they build up their national athletes highly, overrate them of being class beaters, and once they fall they will slate and insult the living shit out of these national athletes. The difference is, British athletes skills are proven and gets beaten by better ranked athletes (Scot Andy Murray losing to Serb #1 in the world Novak Djokovic is one example), while Indonesian athletes just aren't that good.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thats just the media. But the pundits are incredibly outrageous. They are too optimistic it's insane. So every single time Indonesia looses a football match against a better team in Asia (Japan, Bahrain, Iran, Korea et al.) the Indonesian footballing pundits will always try to back the Indonesian team and say the only reason we lost is because of <i>"weaker physical nature"</i>. This cliche gets overused so badly it gets caught up into other sports Indonesia are good at such as Badminton. Shit they say such as <i>"they don't have the posture..."</i> or <i>"we warn off to early.."</i> and even <i>"they are more experienced..."</i> are said to much, I could even create a YouTube video called <b>"Shit Indonesian footballing pundits Say"</b> and get a few hundred hits off it. Why can't these pundits admit that we aren't good enough? Lionel Messi is relatively short and he's the best player in the world. Consider half of Barcelona's players are pretty small, physical nature isn't a reason anymore. It's good to be optimistic, but it's better to be realistic and objective. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I don't know if Indonesia's TV stations has problems trying to recruit a pundit for football matches, but try to recruit someone from the game. The only pundit/commentator Indonesia has that is from the game that I know of is Indonesian ex-international Danurwindo and even he is part time. And when he does appear of the TV, his remarks are somewhat indecisive and comical, but you cant argue he gets his facts correct. Because I'm pretty sure commentators in England does lots of unintended comical commentaries, Just look at how @MirrorFootball likes to make fun of former Chelsea coach Ray Wilkins for his style of commentary.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But if you don't need to have a professional background to be a footballing pundit, at least hire better people. At this rate of hired pundits even I could get a job here. There is a huge number of Indonesian legit footballing writers I follow on Twitter who actually knows a lot of the game makes me amazed how they aren't the pundits on TV. Pangeran Siahaan, Andi Bachtiar Yusuf, Zen RS is just to name a few. These people sadly has other jobs on their hands, and probably are too good to be pundits in this country. But TV channels should set a standard for hiring commentators and in my personal view, quality of the names that I mentioned above is the bar that needs to be reached.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the end of the day, I would love to be a pundit in this country. There will be a better chance for Mark Hughes being the Queen of England than me being a professional footballer. It doesn't matter how my knowledge (or lack of) about the game is like, but talking nonsense about the game you love and get paid for it with good money and the added TV exposure is definitely a good trade for any job. But I'll be sure to read up my facts first and try not to create racist/sexist remarks.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Adhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322230162491728826.post-47013768507512552862012-02-09T04:35:00.000-08:002012-02-09T04:35:00.130-08:00What to expect if Redknapp became England manager for Euro2012?<div style="text-align: justify;">I'm back!! Now where was I? Oh yeah. We're going to talk about England: the land of overrated stars.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As you may know, Fabio Capello has resigned from his England job after the FA decided to strip John Terry from his captaincy following his alleged racial abuse on Anton Ferdinand. Capello complained about the decision on RAI and FA wanted to squeak out an apology from Capello. However, he refused to apologize and has now stepped down from his overpayed throne.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thefa.com/~/media/Images/TheFA/Website/People/England%20Managers/Large%20Profile%20Shot/FabioCapello_Profile.ashx?as=1&w=620" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://www.thefa.com/~/media/Images/TheFA/Website/People/England%20Managers/Large%20Profile%20Shot/FabioCapello_Profile.ashx?as=1&w=620" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 1. Ex-England Manager Fabio Capello</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">EURO 2012 is just around the corner and England are now without a captain, without a coach, and without their best striker for their first 2 matches. Could it get worse? When big 'ol Harry is there, expect not!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01494/harry_redknapp_1494143c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01494/harry_redknapp_1494143c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 2. Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, England manager elect.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Harry Redknapp has had a not-so-bad managerial career before his Spurs gig. Might be a bit mediocre to be exact but he's had his fair share of brilliance during his time at West Ham and Portsmouth. But ever since he moved to Tottenham, he has become more known as a 'messiah' at White Hart Lane. Not only saving them from relegation in his first season, he managed to guide them to 4th in the next, allowing them to qualify for Champions League football.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Redknapp & his Spurs side currently is still riding high in 3rd just behind both Manchester clubs and ahead of London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal and looks as strong as ever. But know he's being linked to the vacant England job and is odds-on favorites to take the job. "Why not?" you may ask. Yes, he is the best English manager around. But like everyone who comes from England that is associated with football, he is extremely overrated.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/07/05/article-0-0CE16E7800000578-747_634x404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/07/05/article-0-0CE16E7800000578-747_634x404.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 3. Spurs stars Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and Rafael Van der Vaart. Incredible players, horrible outfits.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But this article here isn't to bash on Redknapp. This article here is simply to imagine if he took the job and what to expect if he took the job. Here are five things to expect:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>1. Jose Mourinho to take vacant Tottenham job.</b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.barcelonareporter.com/img_uploads/Jos%C3%A9_Mourinho_unveiled_Real_Madrid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://www.barcelonareporter.com/img_uploads/Jos%C3%A9_Mourinho_unveiled_Real_Madrid.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 4. Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mourinho? Really? Yes. Really.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In recent weeks, there have been rumors that he will be leaving his post at Real Madrid by the end of this season. He has also said that he wants to come back to England after his great Chelsea spell. Its a public secret that he wants to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager, but since he's not retiring any soon - and with Harry could be leaving his job - Tottenham could be the next stop for "The Chosen One". After all, Spurs aren't that bad and with Mourinho's guidance they could be a force to be reckoned with.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>2. Wholesale changes to the England set-up for Euros with surprise inclusions & exclusions</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Harry has got this reputation of being a "wheeler-dealer" (no matter how much he thinks he isn't). He has made tons of player transfers in and out of the club during his time at West Ham and Portsmouth, but his business has slowed down a little at Spurs. He has bought and sold players to always improve the squad and up until now, he has done a terrific job at it at White Hart Lane. Probably this would be very great thing for England because everyone might be given a chance.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">With England having lots of <strike>overrated</strike> talented players to choose from, maybe under Redknapp he could pick the right ones. He is even known to handle the worst types of players to bow down under him. Just ask Paolo Di Canio. Maybe this could help for calling up Joey Barton in the future.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>3. Expect Scott Parker to captain England at Euro2012</b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/pix/2011/03/ScottParker415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/pix/2011/03/ScottParker415.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 5. Scott Parker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>He's not going to give it to Steven Gerrard or Frank Lampard, is he? And I don't know why but I have a feeling most of his Spurs players would make it into the squad as well. Harry is also known to be loyal to his former players despite being a 'wheeler-dealer' at the same time. Parker is doing well for Spurs and even though he's not Spurs' captain, he has enough leadership qualities to make him good enough as an England captain. And considering this would be Harry making the decision, I wouldnt be too surprised if he went along with this.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>4. Expect Spurs-based players at Euro2012</b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.metro.co.uk/i/pix/2010/05/06/article-1273143535959-09727B92000005DC-282343_636x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://img.metro.co.uk/i/pix/2010/05/06/article-1273143535959-09727B92000005DC-282343_636x300.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 6. Spurs Captain & Vice Captain Ledley King & Michael Dawson</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="text-align: justify;">Adding to the last paragraph, there would be most Spurs playing for England and that would be bad news for most other players. Namely Glen Johnson, Joleon Lescott, Gareth Barry, Darren Bent and Andy Carroll. Players like Kyle Walker, Ledley King, Michael Dawson, Scott Parker and probably Jermain Defoe would be considered over these players, but could you argue with that?</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm not that sure on King or Dawson due to their injury woes, but I'd definitely pick Kyle Walker and Micah Richards over Glen Johnson. Gareth Barry is good, but Redknapp sees Parker could give something better for England, and Darren Bent's relationship with Redknapp isn't the best ever since Bent missed a chance that Harry claimed so easy his grandmother could have scored during Darren Bent's career at Tottenham.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then you consider Jermain Defoe over prolific Bent. By saying that, Defoe is not in Harry's first team plans at Tottenham but has always trusted him everywhere he went. He was an uprising youngster at West Ham during Redknapp's spell there, he bought Defoe to Portsmouth and was his key striker, and bought him back to Tottenham after he moved there as well. Expect a surprise when both of these players are called up.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>5. England will only reach the Euro2012 Quarterfinals.</b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://l.yimg.com/a/p/sp/editorial_image/fd/fdd426abd8f5e9eb3f7ff4073ee14666/the_enigmatic_forward_cannot_change_who_he_isand_shouldnt_have_to.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://l.yimg.com/a/p/sp/editorial_image/fd/fdd426abd8f5e9eb3f7ff4073ee14666/the_enigmatic_forward_cannot_change_who_he_isand_shouldnt_have_to.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 7. England striker Wayne Rooney</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="text-align: justify;">Most of us will remember 4 years ago Zenit attacker Andrei Arshavin was suspended for Russia's first 2 games of the campaign and when he came back he inspired Russia to the semifinals of Euro2008. 4 years past, England will hope Rooney could do something like Arshavin or even better. Sadly, we all know that it most likely not happen.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">England is in a tough group with hosts Ukraine and two other great teams in France and Sweden. Even if they go through to the quarters, they are most likely to face either Spain or Italy. Most of us know as well that England - even with Redknapp's touch and Rooney's comeback - will not be able to beat such illustrious sides with stellar names and high quality. But with Redknapp, we'll probably see a better result and showing compared to Capello's failed World Cup campaign. Face it, this nation indeed are quarterfinal specialists.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So as I was saying, should Redknapp take the job now? If he leaves Spurs now, there won't be a chance for Mourinho to take over. Would FA consider Redknapp special dispensation to manage both club and country? Guus Hiddink did it with Australia a couple of years ago while managing PSV and did the same again when he was managing Russia while being caretaker at Chelsea. Either way, Redknapp is certainly the best guy for the job, the British media definitely loves him, and has the backing of most of the England players to take the job. He only gets one chance to manage England, and if it is offered to him, its only about how can he leave Tottenham now? His choice.</div>Adhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322230162491728826.post-23922539503508935602011-08-29T01:19:00.000-07:002012-02-09T01:14:29.838-08:00Young, Talented, and Hungry for Titles<div style="text-align: justify;">From the title, most you would've had 'Arsenal' on the top of your heads. But no, the team I'm actually referring it to is Manchester United.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/full/384146967.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJF3XCCKACR3QDMOA&Expires=1314605787&Signature=602K773H5jLXjpVsclI48NwBxsA%3D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/full/384146967.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJF3XCCKACR3QDMOA&Expires=1314605787&Signature=602K773H5jLXjpVsclI48NwBxsA%3D" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic 1. Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">How could this all come to this? United the other day just outclassed Arsenal with an 8-2 scoreline. You would argue that Arsenal were playing with a young team if this was 2007, but its 2011. They are not actually "kids" anymore and United were playing a relatively young team as well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Lets go back to the beginning, shall we?</b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/01/05/article-0-00D9D8731000044C-695_468x286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/01/05/article-0-00D9D8731000044C-695_468x286.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic 2. Arsenal 2003/2004</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Arsenal has just won their 13th League title in 2004 after going the whole season unbeaten. The team had the likes of <b>Thierry Henry, Freddie Ljungberg, Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires</b>, and <b>Dennis Bergkamp</b>. After seeing how successful his "Invincibles" was, Wenger decided to take a whole different approach and start developing youth with the old players slowly being removed from the team.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wenger started this project in 2004 as he signed young players from other teams such as <b>Gael Clichy, Jose Reyes, Johan Djourou, Phillipe Senderos</b>, and most notable a young Catalan in <b>Francesc Fabregas</b>. During that period as well, he started developing players from his own academy like <b>Sebastian Larsson, David Bentley</b> and <b>Justin Hoyte</b>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wenger believed that if he sticked to young players for a course of at least 5 seasons, these players would become amazing and will be legends for Arsenal. He believed this young team will learn by experience and will one day win most of the trophies there is to be won. In other words, Wenger wanted to build his version of another "Invincibles".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fastforward to August 2011. What has happened? The only silverware they have won was an FA Cup in 2005 with most of their older players in the team. They did though come close to a Champions League in 2006 only being beaten by Barcelona 2-1 in the final. But besides that, they havent won anything after that.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">You could argue thats because Arsenal used a young team, but its 2011 now. 7 years of first team experience should've at least bring back 1 medal. And all those 18 year olds are now 25. Not so young now, are they?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Where did all those young players mentioned above go?</b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://arsenalfcblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/senderos-djourou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://arsenalfcblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/senderos-djourou.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic 3. Johan Djorou and Phillipe Senderos</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Gael Clichy</b> is now an established leftback for France, but he moved to oil kings Manchester City earlier this season.<b> Jose Reyes</b> never lived up to his potential at Arsenal, but now he is a regular starter for Atletico Madrid. <b>Johan Djorou</b> is still at Arsenal, while his Swiss compatriot <b>Phillipe Senderos</b> went to Milan on loan once but now is at Fulham.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>David Bentley</b>, who was once touted as "The Next David Beckham", is now struggling to get a game at a packed midfield in Tottenham Hotspur. <b>Justin Hoyte</b> had a nice run at Arsenal but now is playing in England's 2nd tier with Middlesbrough, and <b>Sebastian Larsson</b> now shows up each week for Sunderland.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.starfootball.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/cesc_fabregas_victory_650949-300x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.starfootball.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/cesc_fabregas_victory_650949-300x225.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic 4. Francesc Fabregas</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">The best of the 2004 and 2005 signings was <b>Cesc Fabregas</b>. He eventually became Arsenal's captain and star player. But the lure of coming back to his boyhood club Barcelona was to big to handle, he eventually moved and Arsenal is now without a leader.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lets rewind it a little, shall we? Lets say... February 2011? Arsenal was challenging for the 4 major trophies and looked likely to win at least one of them. It looked like the "Wenger project" was about to pay off, but it all came to an abrupt end.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Arsenal failed to win the Carling Cup after a mixup between young Goallie <b>Wojciech Szczesny </b>and young defender <b>Laurent Koscielny</b> allowed <b>Obafemi Martins</b> to slot in the winner for Birmingham in 2nd half injury time. Inexperience in finals showed for both players and blew it for Wenger because he knew that this cup was the most realistic one to win.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.studs-up.com/comics/2011-02-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://www.studs-up.com/comics/2011-02-28.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic 5. The probable nature of the Mixup (Studs-up.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">By March 2011, after winning against a strong Barcelona in the 1st leg, they eventually got knocked out of the Champions League, and Arsenal got taught a lesson by a weird looking Manchester United line-up in the FA Cup. By the end of the season, Arsenal finished 4th in the Barclays Premier League and ended up with no trophies. Stars players such as Fabregas, Clichy, and <b>Samir Nasri </b>switched clubs at the end of the season. Fabregas moved to fullfil his dream, Clichy moved because he wanted to win stuff, while Nasri moved for the money.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Where did it all go wrong?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It wasn't wrong to trust on the kids, but Arsene was just to cheap to invest. He had tons of money from the sales of Henry, Reyes, Vieira, even from the sales of <b>Kolo Toure</b> and <b>Adebayor</b> (not to mention money from Arsenal's own bank), yet he only used small portions of them. He did though bring in quality players like <b>Andrei Arshavin, Eduardo, Samir Nasri</b>, and the recent signing of <b>Gervinho,</b> but they are no where near the "Invicibles". Also, Wenger has refused to spend heavily on Blackburn defender Phil Jones and ended up signing unproven Charlton's half-Finn defender <b>Carl Jenkinson</b>.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://koran.republika.co.id/images/news/2009/10/20091028130404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://koran.republika.co.id/images/news/2009/10/20091028130404.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic 6. Kolo Toure & Emmanuel Adebayor at ManCity</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Also, Wenger has always been unkeen to invest in positions he knew needed improving. Everyone knew they needed a new goalkeeper when Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski keep fumbling balls. He got lucky when he struck gold with Szczesny which he had to use because both Almunia and Fabianski were injured, but reinforcements is well needed in defence and in midfield, which until now Wenger hasn't bought anyone.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Is there any bright light?</b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://klimg.com/bola.net/library/p/rvp-walcott-0502-get.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://klimg.com/bola.net/library/p/rvp-walcott-0502-get.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic 7. Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Of course there is. Alongside *slighty* veteran <b>Robin van Persie</b>, there is much promise in <b>Theo Walcott</b> who seems to be the real deal now. <b>Thomas Vermaelen</b> is one of the best defenders in the league, while <b>Tomas Rosicky</b> will add experience. "Handsome" <b>Bacary Sagna</b> is also France's best rightback and he will add consistency.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Jack+Wilshere+Tottenham+Hotspur+v+Arsenal+vPj3vfzJd5Sl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Jack+Wilshere+Tottenham+Hotspur+v+Arsenal+vPj3vfzJd5Sl.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic 8. Kieran Gibbs, Henri Lansbury, Jack Wilshere</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Arsenal also have a new wave of exciting youngsters in the form of <b>Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Emmanuel Frimpong, Henri Lansbury, Kieran Gibbs</b>, and <b>Wojciech Szczesny</b>. Add these players with the players I mentioned in the paragraph above, its not actually that bad of a team. Besides, this club has always played beautiful football, so even without their star players, it's an enjoyable team to watch.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>What should Wenger do now? and who to buy?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Despite yesterday's horrific defensive display against ManUtd, Arsene is closing in on Korean <b>Park ChuYoung</b>, which is a striker. Personally, I think they are already stocked up front and scoring twice against a strong United defense yesterday seems to me look like a strong enough attack.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">What they really need is cover in defense. With Vermaelen, Gibbs, and Sagna injured yesterday, they conceded 8 from United. It could've been more if United took their chances and Szczesny saving a couple of other shots. Carl Jenkinson simply isn't good enough yet, while Koscielny and Djourou needs more coordination. They need someone who has been consistent in defence and has the ability to cut it at a big team like Arsenal. Presumably English. 3 names though come to mind: <b>Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka</b>, and <b>Michael Dawson</b>. The latter might not want to move because he's at rivals Tottenham, while Jagielka stated hes more than happy to stay at Everton. Gary Cahill was offered £6M by Wenger but Bolton refused because it was too low of an offer. Wenger of course being the cheap Frenchman that he is thought he could sign him that much.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/people3/sep2010/4/6/cahillpic-116620127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/people3/sep2010/4/6/cahillpic-116620127.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic 9. Gary Cahill</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">With more or less £70M in the pocket for transfers, he of course needs someone to replace both Nasri and Fabregas and he needs to spend fast. He needs someone who can lead from the middle and another one who has flair to ignite the whole team. Age not a factor this time. Sadly the only ones that come to mind are S<b>cott Parker, Yoann Gourcuff, Wesley Sneijder</b>, and <b>Juan Mata.</b> The latter just moved to Chelsea and scoring on his debut, while Sneijder's situation is more like "move to Manchester United or no move at all" type. Yoann Gourcuff would cost a lot, while Arsene will not like to gamble on someone like Scott Parker. Wenger might just stick with the players he has, but <u>most of his players are prone to injuries</u> so he obviously needs more bodies in the team.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Conclusions?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Arsenal needs to be more patient and needs to minimalise injuries. Having said that, even a blind man can see that Arsenal needs more players in the squad, and hopefully signings that changes the whole squad to become better. It is alright to put faith on youth, but be sure to also put faith on winning. After all, this is Arsenal right?</div>Adhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322230162491728826.post-83413713172442200652011-05-24T08:40:00.000-07:002011-05-24T08:40:13.712-07:00BPL Underperformers XI 2010-2011<div style="text-align: justify;">I would like to name the article "Worst XI" but that would be an overreaction. This article will consist of players who many thought would perform well but they actually flopped. Players who are expected to shine yet to no avail and make you wonder where was the hype in the first place.</div><br />
Here would be my Underperformers XI!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Formation: 4-4-2</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Goalkeeper: Manuel Almunia (Arsenal)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Manuel+Almunia+Arsenal+v+Huddersfield+Town+L1oLGgJNaFsl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Manuel+Almunia+Arsenal+v+Huddersfield+Town+L1oLGgJNaFsl.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b>From knocking Jens Lehmann's berth, being named captain, to eventually being 3rd choice behind 2 young Polish Goalkeepers in 1 season, Almunia has been through it all. Committing fatal blunders cost him his place in the Arsenal team and trust from manager Wenger. A great case of Top to Flop.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Rightback: John Pantsil (Fulham)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ghanasoccernet.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/John-Pantsil-212x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.ghanasoccernet.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/John-Pantsil-212x300.jpg" width="141" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b>After experiencing a great World Cup with Ghana, he went back to England only to score owngoal after owngoal, blunders galore, and disappointing outings. This left him to be behind Chris Baird in the pecking order. Even when Baird gets injured, centrehalf Aaron Hughes is preferred to deputize. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Centreback: Sebastien Squillaci (Arsenal)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://football-talk.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/arsenal-defender-sebastien-squillaci-500x245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="96" src="http://football-talk.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/arsenal-defender-sebastien-squillaci-500x245.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gunner fans were excited of the prospect that a French International defender was to pay for Arsenal and Squillaci already made a name for himself back in Sevilla. Turns out he was more of a Boumsong rather than a Desailly as he never looked convincing with lapses of concentration even Titus Bramble would be ashamed of.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Centreback: Ian Evatt (Blackpool)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00234/evatt_05_619x400_234299a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00234/evatt_05_619x400_234299a.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b>In a season where Blackpool showed a great case of attacking play, their defence has been wobbly. Sure, Evatt wasn't the blame for the whole bad Blackpool defence, but he did have his bad moments. Particularly the standout mistake was when he almost made sure Blackpool were relegated as he scored an own goal against Manchester United, only for Michael Owen to relieve his blushes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Leftback: Paul Konchesky (Liverpool)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2011/1/26/1296073144484/Paul-Konchesky-Liverpool-007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2011/1/26/1296073144484/Paul-Konchesky-Liverpool-007.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b>Liverpool fans were cautious over the move and they had every reason why. A player who hasn't been a standout for Fulham but consistent enough was bought by Roy Hodgson to solve their left-back case. Instead he failed to play well and eventually loaned for 6 months to Nottingham Forest. Bad luck.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Right Wing: Bebe (Manchester United)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJig3JJPTbDcNjebL8zKfFYrdFyXOOopvVdSX92ZrRaVTaxkRp-gVZtQEeDuWElHImg5GHfV0tWvymbOWvrcGhgZO2kNGHin9k8gkY-_PZ7Bne3vJNCpEpKyzPYPMmr-g7AMOdJESFBbY/s1600/Tiago+Bebe+Winger+Manchester+United+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJig3JJPTbDcNjebL8zKfFYrdFyXOOopvVdSX92ZrRaVTaxkRp-gVZtQEeDuWElHImg5GHfV0tWvymbOWvrcGhgZO2kNGHin9k8gkY-_PZ7Bne3vJNCpEpKyzPYPMmr-g7AMOdJESFBbY/s200/Tiago+Bebe+Winger+Manchester+United+2011.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b>When the headlines read "ManUtd signs young unknown Portuguese winger for £8M", everyone expected someone like a Cristiano Ronaldo or Nani mould who has been a success in their home country. Sad thing is, Bebe was a stranger in Portugal as well, and it showed in his handful of appearances that he lacked any quality of a football player, let alone a ManUtd player.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Central Midfield: Christian Poulsen (Juventus)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.teamtalk.com/10/08/640/ChristianPoulsen_2493217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://images.teamtalk.com/10/08/640/ChristianPoulsen_2493217.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a curious case when Liverpool signed a Juventus reject when Juve themselves had one of their worst seasons in 09/10, and during his time in Anfield he even lost a starting berth to an unknown quantity of Jay Spearing. He's lucky he cost for a relatively cheap price of £4.5M otherwise he would be an expensive flop.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Central Midfield: Aliaksandr Hleb (Birmingham)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Alexander+Hleb+Birmingham+City+v+Blackpool+SmDYSG927agl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Alexander+Hleb+Birmingham+City+v+Blackpool+SmDYSG927agl.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Many thought Birmingham did a fine piece of business to lure in ex-Arsenal star Hleb on loan from Barcelona after a successful spell at Stuttgart. Gosh how everybody was wrong. He barely could break into Birmingham's starting XI and when he did he became non existant on the pitch. Pity.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Left Wing: Joe Cole (Liverpool)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://soccer-magazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/joe-cole-liverpool-2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="http://soccer-magazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/joe-cole-liverpool-2010.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Signing an England International on a free? Couldve been signing of the season if it worked out. He got sent-off on his debut, got injured a lot, and when fit he never shown his quality that made him a star back at Chelsea. Burnout I suppose.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Striker: Jermain Defoe (Tottenham)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.teamtalk.com/10/08/640/Defoe2_2494272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://images.teamtalk.com/10/08/640/Defoe2_2494272.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I feel bad for putting him here on the Underperformers XI, but what can I do? only 4 goals all season? Certainly not his usual Defoe. Yeah he did get injured early on, but he never found his old form since. At least Peter Crouch has been a handful in Europe.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Striker: Fernando Torres (Chelsea)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cleansheetsallround.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Fernando-Torres-Chelsea-Liverpool-2011-300x180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://www.cleansheetsallround.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Fernando-Torres-Chelsea-Liverpool-2011-300x180.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">He wasn't that bad early on with Liverpool. 9 goals when out of form wasn't a bad return. But ever since his surprising £50M big money move to Chelsea, he also became surprisingly horrible. His inability to work well with either Didier Drogba or Nicolas Anelka and only scored 1 goal in 14 appearances, he made himself a laughing stock because of his performances.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Certainly theres more underperformers than these 11 players, namely <b>John Obi Mikel</b>, <b>Andrei Arshavin</b>, <b>Abou Diaby</b>, <b>Jonny Evans</b>, <b>Heurelho Gomes</b>, <b>Pablo Barrera</b>, even <b>Jerome Boateng</b>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Agree? Disagree? This my team, don't know yours.</div>Adhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322230162491728826.post-43688089574231996122011-05-23T01:05:00.000-07:002011-05-23T01:05:22.418-07:00My Barclays Premier League Awards<div style="text-align: justify;">Its the end of the 2010/2011 season where Manchester United won their record 19th trophy to beat Liverpool's record of 18. We also witnessed a relegation battle that went down until the last minute to determine who would go down. A great season overall where nothing could be predicted.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This post is to give out mentions to people who deserved the recognition because face it, the awards given by the PFA and the FWA were a bit lousy to give "Player of the Year" awards to sicknote Gareth Bale and relegated Scott Parker. Good thing Barclays themselves gave the award to someone who deserved it, Nemanja Vidic. Here are "MY" notable mentions:</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Player of the Year: </b>Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1xjuHDdFCfg/TQLnlAhKPlI/AAAAAAAAANE/PBoEh0b_etA/s320/nemanja+vidic.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1xjuHDdFCfg/TQLnlAhKPlI/AAAAAAAAANE/PBoEh0b_etA/s200/nemanja+vidic.jpeg" width="153" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Manager of the Year:</b> Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.therichest.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Alex-Ferguson-Best-Manager.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://www.therichest.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Alex-Ferguson-Best-Manager.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Young Player of the Year: </b>Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://zonafutsal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Best-Premier-League-Young-Player-20102011-Jack-Wilshere-Arsenal-Young-Player.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://zonafutsal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Best-Premier-League-Young-Player-20102011-Jack-Wilshere-Arsenal-Young-Player.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Best Transfer Signings:</b> </div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Asamoah Gyan (Rennes to Sunderland) £13M</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. David Silva (Valencia to Manchester City) £25M</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Luis Suarez (Ajax to Liverpool) £27M</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Rafael Van der Vaart (Real Madrid to Tottenham) £8M</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>1. Javier Hernandez (Guadalajara to Manchester United) £7M</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.truthminber.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/chicharito.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="http://www.truthminber.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/chicharito.png" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Worst Transfer Signings:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Paul Konchesky (Fulham to Liverpool) £3.5M</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Christian Poulsen (Juventus to Liverpool) £4.5M</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Sebastian Squillaci (Sevilla to Arsenal) £5M</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Fernando Torres (Liverpool to Chelsea) £50M</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>1. Bebe (Vitoria Guimaraes to Manchester United) £8M</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/attachments/fm-stories-archived/135139d1297801714-new-chapter-after-sir-alex-man-utd-story-bebe-manchester-united-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/attachments/fm-stories-archived/135139d1297801714-new-chapter-after-sir-alex-man-utd-story-bebe-manchester-united-1.jpg" width="187" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> Best Loan Signings:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Nedum Onuoha (Sunderland from Manchester City) </div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Tom Cleverley (Wigan from Manchester United)</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Danny Welbeck (Sunderland from Manchester United)</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Ali Al-Habsi (Wigan from Bolton)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>1. Daniel Sturridge (Bolton from Chelsea)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.teamtalk.com/11/02/640/Sturridge_2563999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://images.teamtalk.com/11/02/640/Sturridge_2563999.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Worst Loan Signings:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Michael Bradley (Aston Villa from Moenchengladbach)</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Aliaksander Hleb (Birmingham from Barcelona)</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Wayne Bridge (West Ham from Manchester City)</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Robbie Keane (West Ham from Tottenham)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>1. Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn from Manchester City)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pokerpurist.com/uploadedImages/bettingpro/NewsImages/TN3606_roque_santa_cruz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://www.pokerpurist.com/uploadedImages/bettingpro/NewsImages/TN3606_roque_santa_cruz.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>PFA Team of the Year:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Goalkeeper:</b> Edwin Van der Sar (Manchester United)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Defenders:</b> Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Ashley Cole (Chelsea)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Midfielders:</b> Nani (Manchester United), Jack Wilshere, Samir Nasri (both Arsenal), Gareth Bale (Tottenham)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Strikers:</b> Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Dimitar Berbatov (Manchester United)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>My Non-PFA Team of the Year:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Goalkeeper:</b> Joe Hart (Manchester City)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Defenders:</b> Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), Gary Cahill (Bolton), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), Leighton Baines (Everton)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Midfielders:</b> Rafael Van der Vaart (Tottenham), David Silva (Manchester City), Luka Modric (Tottenham), Florent Malouda (Chelsea)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Strikers:</b> Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Darren Bent (Aston Villa)</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Top Goalscorer:</b> Dimitar Berbatov (Manchester United) & Carlos Tevez (Manchester City) - 21</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://uphinh.truyenky.vn/out.php/i72019_berbatov-tevez-ht.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://uphinh.truyenky.vn/out.php/i72019_berbatov-tevez-ht.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Most Assists: </b>Nani (Manchester United) - 18</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://rich070991.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/nani-2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://rich070991.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/nani-2011.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Champions: </b>Manchester United</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Relegated: </b>Birmingham City, Blackpool, West Ham United </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Champions League Qualifiers: </b>Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal (Playoff)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Europa League Qualifiers: </b>Tottenham Hotspur, Stoke City (FA Cup Runners-up), Birmingham City (Carling Cup Winners)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Adhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322230162491728826.post-60165529530204239042011-02-03T07:00:00.000-08:002011-02-03T07:10:06.005-08:00January Transfer Roundup: Conversation Style<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan) loan to Twente</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://wedontknowfootball.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/oguchi-onyewu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://wedontknowfootball.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/oguchi-onyewu.jpg" width="167" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Milan fan: "What? has he even played yet?"</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Neutral: "No, I dont think so. He's got a great physique, sad for him not to play much."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Milan fan: "I know! Why didn't Twente sign (Daniele) Bonera instead?! We'd rather have him out!"</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Neutral: "Well even Twente knows he's crap, thats why they've taken Onyewu instead!"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Edin Dzeko (VFL Wolfsburg) £27M move to Man City</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.skysports.com/08/01/218x298/EdinDzeko_629016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://img.skysports.com/08/01/218x298/EdinDzeko_629016.jpg" width="146" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Neutral: "Okay he's great, and a fair amount of money considering his talent. But don't they have 5 strikers already?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Man City fan: "Yeah; Tevez, Adebayor, Balotelli, Jo, and Santa Cruz. Sadly we only play 1 up front."</b></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Neutral: "Thats their problem! What a waste though... unless you sell 2 or 3 of your strikers everything will be fine..."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Roque Santa Cruz & Emmanuel Adebayor (both Man City) loan to Blackburn Rovers & Real Madrid respectively</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkCGgMqsx53kCmcok33umrqL0fnlGuME-HmreS12kslzDgt-dtOo3tKWQmDJuZvVKFOYAHD5jpwpcLq1SSUQA6QwkckrL2RALNQyROxg316yKH3fCgRbe1Lz3pvoMDXe44XXl0DgfxNVI/s1600/santabayor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkCGgMqsx53kCmcok33umrqL0fnlGuME-HmreS12kslzDgt-dtOo3tKWQmDJuZvVKFOYAHD5jpwpcLq1SSUQA6QwkckrL2RALNQyROxg316yKH3fCgRbe1Lz3pvoMDXe44XXl0DgfxNVI/s320/santabayor.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Man City fan: "We've just sent 2 of our strikers on loan. Is that enough for you? now they can be happy with their respective clubs."</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Neutral: "Unless if Dzeko does become signing of the season and they flop in their new clubs then great move, Arabs!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Darren Bent (from Sunderland) </b><b>£24M to Aston Villa</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/nechronical/jan2011/0/5/darren-bent-is-set-to-join-aston-villa-in-a-24m-deal-400102213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/nechronical/jan2011/0/5/darren-bent-is-set-to-join-aston-villa-in-a-24m-deal-400102213.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Neutral: "Ain't that too much for someone of Bent's calibre?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Sunderland fan: "Well if James Milner costed as much then I say hes a bargain... yet why would he want to play for Villa? Sunderland's doing better than them!"</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Villa fan: "I don't care how much we paid at least we got someone better than Emile Heskey!"</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Neutral: "And another overrated England player goes on the list..."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Steven Pienaar </b><b>(From Everton) £3M to Tottenham Hotspur</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fansfc.com/UploadedImages/Players/Steven%20Pienaar_633568258883281250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.fansfc.com/UploadedImages/Players/Steven%20Pienaar_633568258883281250.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Spurs fan: "I can't believe we got someone who was almost certain to move to a team like Chelsea!"</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Neutral: "Yeah but I can't see how Pienaar would improve the squad. They've got enough players in and across midfield anyway. He ain't bad, but I can name about 4 players similar type to him who are better than him in this very squad!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Spurs fan: "Come to think of it, we actually didn't need Pienaar here... but we'll see what will he offer."</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Ryan Babel (from Liverpool) £6M to Hoffenheim</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footie.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Babel__Ryan_Liverpool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://www.footie.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Babel__Ryan_Liverpool.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Liverpool fan: "Hoffenheim? What kind of team is that?"</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Neutral: "Thats an uprising club in Germany. It would do him great after being underplayed at Anfield where he will go straight into the first team."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Liverpool fan: "I wish he'd stayed, David Ngog is absolutely horrible and I can't believe Hodgson put him over Babel! I hope now he's happy and can tweet more often..."</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Antonio Cassano (from Sampdoria) free to AC Milan</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cleansheetsallround.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/cassano-acmilan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://www.cleansheetsallround.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/cassano-acmilan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Neutral: "Wasn't he supposed to move to Juve?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Juventus fan: "Naah we don't need a troublemaker, besides I think we're going to sign Toni"</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Milan fan: "Cassano over Toni anyday! Great signing in Rossoneri's eyes."</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Luca Toni (from Genoa) loan move to Juventus</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Luca+Toni+Genoa+CFC+v+Bologna+FC+Serie+K5L2jU1vWyTl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Luca+Toni+Genoa+CFC+v+Bologna+FC+Serie+K5L2jU1vWyTl.jpg" width="144" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Juventus fan: "Screw this signing. Only 2 matches into his deal and already he gets a knee injury. Why didn't we sign Cassano in the first place?"</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Milan fan: "I bet Cassano's glad he moved to the right team. LOL."</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b> Giampaolo Pazzini (from Sampdoria) </b><b>£10M + Jonathan Biabiany to Internazionale</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.allenatoreincarriera.com/images/stories//pazzini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://www.allenatoreincarriera.com/images/stories//pazzini.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Neutral: "Both of Sampdoria's strikers both has left for teams in Milan. But nice signing for Inter! Finally an Italian striker since Christian Vieri would play up front for them."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Inter fan: "He could be our savior! When Milito and Eto'o aren't cutting it, he'll be there! AC Milan, here we come~"</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Ibrahim Afellay (from PSV) </b><b>£3M to FC Barcelona</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://afca1900.web-log.nl/photos/uncategorized/2009/04/17/ibrahim_afellay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://afca1900.web-log.nl/photos/uncategorized/2009/04/17/ibrahim_afellay.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Neutral: "I've seen him play at PSV and for only 3 Milli hes a real bargain!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Barca fan: "He will definitely improve an already squad!"</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Neutral: "Really? I don't know how will he play because Mascherano can't seem to take Busquets place. Everyone know Mascherano is better than him!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Barca fan: "Well Afellay can play in Xavi's position or even Iniesta's. You'll just have to believe someone of his talent and age can only improve in time. And don't be hating on Busquets..."</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Neutral: "LOL sorry I forgot he's a world champion though!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Mark van Bommel (from Bayern Munich) &a Nicola Legrottaglie (from Juventus) both free to AC Milan</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKW1cOjbhOsuL79GNV6w-nLf-mr5_i1OdiPAFImJrnQsXrnpTeQn0rTr7h3Da3nOm-4vJyyHvjS4UVgxvxnwqZsG-YwfEhK2tawOK9yX2kNzqcm3PBkO1k649TqGcRy5v5iFi1BahZkRn/s1600/vanttaglie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKW1cOjbhOsuL79GNV6w-nLf-mr5_i1OdiPAFImJrnQsXrnpTeQn0rTr7h3Da3nOm-4vJyyHvjS4UVgxvxnwqZsG-YwfEhK2tawOK9yX2kNzqcm3PBkO1k649TqGcRy5v5iFi1BahZkRn/s320/vanttaglie.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Milan fan: "Great players with great experience and we didn't spend a penny. Just what we needed though... but why sign old players like them?</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Neutral: "They are only contracted until the end of this season so if they're crap Milan wont extend their contracts. Besides they're still too young to join Milan..."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Milan fan: "Very funny my friend."</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b> Andrea Barzagli (from Wolfsburg) </b><b>£250K to Juventus</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.oleole.com/media/main/images/member_photos/group1/subgrp388/barzagli_193565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://www.oleole.com/media/main/images/member_photos/group1/subgrp388/barzagli_193565.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Neutral: "I thought they needed a striker. Why would they sign another defender?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Juventus fan: "Even I'm not pleased. I respect Barzagli and think he's awesome, but we need a striker more than another defender!"</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Neutral: "I bet refusing Cassano is still a mistake isn't it :D"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Juventus fan: "I know! I think it's goodbye Champions League..."</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Luis Suarez (from Ajax) </b><b>£27M to Liverpool</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.listandalucia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Ajax-striker-Luis-Suarez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://www.listandalucia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Ajax-striker-Luis-Suarez.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Liverpool fan: "Yeah! finally we have someone to duet with Torres up front! Ngog is certainly not good enough... He will change our season around!"</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Neutral: "But have you heard Torres is pushing for a move to Chelsea?"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Liverpool fan: "What?!!"</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Fernando Torres (from Liverpool) </b><b>£50M to Chelsea</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fansfc.com/UploadedImages/Players/fernando-torres_633570729655000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://www.fansfc.com/UploadedImages/Players/fernando-torres_633570729655000000.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Chelsea fan: "Finally we have a caucasian striker who is actually good!"</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Liverpool fan: "Damn Torres, how could you leave us in the worst ever situation?!"</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Neutral:<b> </b>"Hey at least you have enough money to buy a new striker, right Liverpool fan?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Liverpool fan: "But who?!"</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Neutral: "Just wait a for couple of hours before the window ends..."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Andy Carroll (from Newcastle) </b><b>£35M to Liverpool</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.anfield-online.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/andy-carroll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://www.anfield-online.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/andy-carroll.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Liverpool fan: "Wow! Great signing, Kenny! He's a talent and I know he can help us forget about Torres!"</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Neutral: "Yeah but the money's ridiculous. 35M? That means hes more expensive than David Villa, Carlos Tevez, Karim Benzema, Wayne Rooney, even his new teammate Luis Suarez for Christ sake!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Newcastle fan: "Poor management though from (Newcastle owner) Mike Ashley. I can't believe the club allowed him to leave!"</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Neutral: "I say this was a good piece of management though. Newcastle actually made Liverpool buy a player with only 4 months of Premier League experience... who is actually injured at the time he was signed!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Liverpool fan: "Blablabla and your criticism, he'll be a great signing and you will want to take your words back!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>End. </b>Which of these conversations most intrigued you?<b> </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.football-corner.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Emmanuel-Adebayor-City.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Adhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322230162491728826.post-91150719479546735522011-01-04T04:05:00.000-08:002011-01-04T04:08:17.635-08:00BPL title race; and why Chelsea may finish outside the Top 4.Long time no write, eh? Here goes nothing.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://medias2.lesdessousdusport.fr/image/article/actualite/foot/league/chelsea/1_39416985716334393038a351adf05944_475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="155" src="http://medias2.lesdessousdusport.fr/image/article/actualite/foot/league/chelsea/1_39416985716334393038a351adf05944_475.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 1. Chelsea's attackers celebrates... but not for long.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">To be honest, I am a Manchester United fan to the bone and I thought this season was going to be a bad one considering the bad start of the season and Chelsea to win it again. The first 10 games, Chelsea were the most feared team and won games by thrashing their opponents home & away. Drogba hitting form, Malouda's & Anelka's rejuvenated, and Kalou beginning to shine, I thought this would be THEIR season.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But now its 2011 with 21 matchdays played. Manchester United are surprisingly still unbeaten and top of the league while Chelsea's form has dipped lower than George W Bush's IQ level. What has been the reason of their downfall? Rotation policy failure.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Chelsea has the one of the best starting XI you will see in the world, but when 2-3 players are suddenly unavailable no one can fill in. When you look at Manchester United & Arsenal, they have players who can offer a lot from the bench when the starters are having an off-day. Then you see Manchester City & Tottenham Hotspur building their squad for a couple of seasons and see they both have great squads and will only improve with gametime.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In this article I will compare the starting XI and 7 substitutes of the top 5 teams (<b>Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur</b>) in the BPL standings as of January 4 2011.</div><br />
<b>Manchester United</b><br />
-----------------------------------------<b>Van der Sar</b>-------------------------------------<br />
--<b>Rafael</b>-----------<b>Ferdinand</b>-------------------------<b>Vidic</b>-------------<b>Evra</b>-----<br />
-----------------------<b>Carrick</b>------------------------<b>Fletcher</b>--------------------------<br />
<b>Nani</b>-------------------------------------------------------------------------<b>Park</b>---<br />
----------------------<b>Rooney</b>------------------------<b>Berbatov</b>-----------------------<br />
<br />
<b>Most frequent subs</b>: Hernandez, Anderson, Scholes, Giggs, Smalling, Macheda, O'Shea<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Ji+Sung+Park+Manchester+United+v+Blackburn+wOwSvsANRaql.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Ji+Sung+Park+Manchester+United+v+Blackburn+wOwSvsANRaql.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="144" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 2. Park Ji-Sung and Dimitar Berbatov.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">This team is a great one, especially when you still have players you can't mention in subs bench such as Valencia, Owen, Obertan, and Evans. This squad has depth but sadly not the consistency though. Fortunately Ferguson has that winning mentality installed in the team which brings his team unbeaten up until now.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Manchester United has the quality to win anything if they clicked more with each other and I'm not being biased. What will even be creepier is if Wayne Rooney rediscovers his old form.</div><br />
End of season expectations: <b>1st</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Arsenal</b><br />
-----------------------------------------<b>Fabianski</b>----------------------------------------<br />
--<b>Sagna</b>-----------<b>Koscielny</b>--------------------<b>Squillaci</b>--------------<b>Clichy---</b><br />
------------------------<b>Fabregas</b>----------------------<b>Song</b>---------------------------<br />
<b>Nasri</b>---------------------------------<b>Wilshere</b>-----------------------------<b>Arshavin</b><br />
----------------------------------------<b>Chamakh</b>---------------------------------------<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Most frequent subs</b>: Walcott, Rosicky, Van Persie, Bendtner, Djourou, Diaby, Eboue<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01180/cesc_13_280x390_1180179a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01180/cesc_13_280x390_1180179a.jpg" width="143" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 3. Samir Nasi hugging Cesc Fabregas.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">After years in the waiting, finally Arsene Wenger's plans of breeding youngster have paid off. What's even better is they can chip-chop their squad like crazy and still form a great team. Like ManUtd, they have more players than the ones being mentioned such as the injured Vermaelen, Vela, Denilson, and Gibbs.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Based on quality, Arsenal have a great attack, nice hard-working midfield, and a competent defence. The only thing lacking in the squad maybe the Goalkeeper as Fabianski and Almunia aren't that commanding. But their weakness isn't all that "weak".</div><br />
End of season expectations: a close second <b>2nd</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Manchester City</b><br />
---------------------------------------------<b>Hart</b>-----------------------------------------<br />
--<b>Boateng</b>-----------<b>Kompany</b>-----------<b>Kolo Toure</b>-------------<b>Zabaleta</b>-<br />
----------------<b>Yaya Toure</b>---------<b>De Jong</b>---------------<b>Barry</b>------------------<br />
<b>Silva</b>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<b>Milner</b><br />
------------------------------------------<b>Tevez</b>--------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<b>Most frequent subs</b>: A. Johnson, Balotelli, Richards, Kolarov, Lescott, Adebayor, Vieira<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://news.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Carlos-Tevez-David-Silva-Man-City.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://news.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Carlos-Tevez-David-Silva-Man-City.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 4. Carlos Tevez & David Silva</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">I've said this before and I will say it again - Money can't buy you happiness, but we will have to see if it brings you a good football team. Manchester City and Roberto Mancini has certainly wanted to try that philosophy as City has the depth in every position. Other players such as Wright-Phillips, Bridge, and Santa Cruz could impact any team as well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">How money can change a mediocre mid-table club into a dark horse to win the title is outstanding, but Man City has sometimes never lived up to the big games which causes them to drop points to often. Unless they start playing the big games, they will only achieve Champions League qualification zone.</div><br />
End of season expectations: <b>4th</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Chelsea</b><br />
----------------------------------------<b>Cech</b>---------------------------------------<br />
--<b>Ivanovic</b>------------<b>Terry</b>------------------<b>Alex</b>---------------------<b>Cole</b>--<br />
----------------------------------------<b>Mikel</b>--------------------------------------<br />
---------------------<b>Lampard</b>----------------<b>Essien</b>---------------------------<br />
<b>Anelka</b>----------------------------<b>Drogba</b>----------------------------<b>Malouda</b><br />
<br />
<b>Most frequent subs</b>: Kalou, Zhirkov, Ramires, Bosingwa, Ferreira, Sturridge, Benayoun<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Chelsea+v+Stoke+City+Premier+League+dhr52fmd27Ol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Chelsea+v+Stoke+City+Premier+League+dhr52fmd27Ol.jpg" width="136" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 5. Didier Droga & Florent Malouda</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Yes, yes. This is a strong Chelsea squad. But have you seen them play lately? When Alex, Ivanovic, Lampard & Essien went missing, this team suddenly becomes another mediocre midtable club. Ferreira & Bosingwa ain't the players they were before their big injuries while Ramires haven't excelled in Lampard's absence. Besides the players mentioned as subs, basically there are only reserve players in the squad.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Their youngsters are not bad, just inexperienced and doesn't mix that well with the seniors which forces Ancelotti to rely on first-team players or dive into the market this month. Unless they buy someone with the wealth they have, they may be disappointed come the end of the season.</div><br />
<b>End of season expectations</b>: 5th<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Tottenham Hostpur</b><br />
--------------------------------------<b>Gomes</b>---------------------------------------<br />
--<b>Hutton</b>-------------<b>Gallas</b>----------------<b>Dawson</b>---------<b>Assou-Ekotto</b>--<br />
-----------------<b>Huddlestone</b>-----------------<b>Modric</b>-----------------------<br />
<b>Lennon</b>----------------------<b>Van der Vaart</b>---------------------------<b>Bale</b><br />
--------------------------------------<b>Defoe</b>---------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<b>Most frequent subs</b>: Crouch, Palacios, Pavlyuchenko, Kaboul, Keane, Corluka, Bentley<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.victorchandler.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Bale-Van-der-Vaart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://blog.victorchandler.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Bale-Van-der-Vaart.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 5. Rafael Van der Vaart and Gareth Bale screaming.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The squad Harry Redknapp has built in Spurs were down to great signings and awesome trust in his players. What's amazing also is the surprising depth in the squad which runs from the goal up to the strikers. They have the luxury of 6 above average centrebacks and 3 rightwings with international credentials.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sure Redknapp hasn't rotated his side much, but when one gets injured/suspended, the backup players can stake a claim for Harry. What's amazing with Harry is he can trust players and bring the best out of them like what he did with Gareth Bale and Alan Hutton. With the talent in this team and consistency, they are the better of the dark horses in the league.</div><br />
End of season expectations: <b>3rd</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Conclusion: </b>Consistency and how back-up players will deliver in games will determine the end result of the league. United, Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea, and City will need their subs to deliver when their teams needs them the most and now this title race will be the most interesting to watch because virtually 5 teams are in it.</div><br />
Meet me in May and see if I got my predictions right ;)Adhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322230162491728826.post-36132865458927422842010-10-09T01:47:00.000-07:002010-10-09T01:50:19.629-07:0010 Things I've learned from my first GBK experience.10. A Diego Forlan-less Uruguay side can still annihilate Indonesia.<br />
9. No Blackberry internet services exist in and around Gelora Bung Karno.<br />
8. Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez could've easily scored more.<br />
7. Indonesia's Bambang Pamungkas should have never been taken off. We lost all aerial battles since he left the field.<br />
6. The Indonesia team were actually good enough to score 1 against a team who came 4th in the last World Cup. <br />
5. Everyone in the stadium agreed on one chant, "NURDIN TURUN!! NURDIN TURUN!!"<br />
4. The battle of the #15's were the best! Diego Perez vs Firman Utina.<br />
3. Step aside Nurdin Halid, PSSI doesn't need a guy with a bad criminal record to control our football!<br />
2. After the final whistle, let the Indonesian players have your jersey guys! It might be their only highlight of their disappointing career which was crushed by Nurdin Halid.<br />
1. Hey! At least I get to see 8 goals on my first game at the Gelora Bung Karno stands.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://genevalunch.com/files/2010/06/Luis-Suarez-L-of-Uruguay-celebrates-with-teammate-Edinson-Cavani.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://genevalunch.com/files/2010/06/Luis-Suarez-L-of-Uruguay-celebrates-with-teammate-Edinson-Cavani.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Adhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322230162491728826.post-75197405524245124212010-08-31T05:39:00.000-07:002010-08-31T19:03:49.263-07:00Yugoslavia's National Team - If they never broke apart<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://euroheritage.net/600px-Flag_of_SFR_Yugoslavia.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://euroheritage.net/600px-Flag_of_SFR_Yugoslavia.svg.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 1. Yugoslavia's old National Flag</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Yugoslavia, the country in the heart of Europe with a large <i>de facto</i> area highlighted by numerous political conflicts within the country. The country also produced some fine talents in football and qualified for Euro 1992 which was held in Sweden but later was forced to pull out of the competition due to political issues in the country that couldn't be resolved easily which eventually led to be sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 757 thus leading to being banned from appearing (not going to detail on the history here, just stating the outter line for more info on their break up click <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yugoslavia">here</a>). Their replacements Denmark won Euro instead.<br />
<br />
Now Yugoslavia is now long-gone and their former countries had considerable success in terms of Footballing sense. Yugoslavia broke to 6 different countries. Those countries are <b>Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia, and Macedonia</b>.<br />
<br />
<b>Croatia</b> has reached 3rd place in the 1998 World Cup, while <b>Slovenia </b>has qualified for 2002 & 2010 World Cups. <b>Serbia(& Montenegro)</b> reached the last 2 tournaments in 2006 & 2010 with ease but underachieved in the final stages. <b>Bosnia-Herz</b> has gona closer and closer to achieve something big and their national players have gone better and better. The least successful of them are Macedonia, and their not half bad themselves actually.<br />
<br />
The writer wrote this article here to imagine <b>"Who would make it into a 23-man Yugoslavia squad??"</b> since with the wealth of talent they have, few faces might miss out on the chance.<br />
<br />
<b>Goalkeepers:</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.inthenews.co.uk/photo/a-large-portion-of-slovenian-hopes-rest-in-the-hands-of-samir-handanovic-$7062964$300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.inthenews.co.uk/photo/a-large-portion-of-slovenian-hopes-rest-in-the-hands-of-samir-handanovic-$7062964$300.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 2. Samir Handanovic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>If you are going to a World Cup or a EURO tournament, there should only be 23 players in a team with 3 Goalies. <b>Samir Handanovic</b> of Slovenia gets my vote alongside Serbia's <b>Vladimir Stojkovic</b> with Bosnian youngster <b>Asmir Begovic</b> completing the Goal line.<br />
<br />
<b>Defenders:</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www2.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Austria+v+Serbia+FIFA2010+World+Cup+Qualifier+RT3Mrag9Axtl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www2.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Austria+v+Serbia+FIFA2010+World+Cup+Qualifier+RT3Mrag9Axtl.jpg" width="142" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 3. Nemanja Vidic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Serbia has some of the best defenders across the European elite leagues so their first choice defense line will definitely make it into my squad in the form of <b>Nemanja Vidic</b>, <b>Branislav Ivanovic</b>, <b>Aleksandr Lukovic</b>, and <b>Aleksandr Kolarov</b>. Croatia's <b>Vedran Corluka</b> & <b>Darijo Srna</b> will add depth in the Yugoslavia squad on the flanks and in the middle along with <b>Branko Ilic</b> of Slovenia who had a great World Cup a couple of months ago.<br />
<br />
<b>Midfielders:</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/modric-kranjcar-croatia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/modric-kranjcar-croatia.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 4. Luka Modric and Niko Kranjcar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Here, all of the countries had strong competition - so strong I decided to pick only 7 defenders to compensate with 8 midfielders. <b>Luka Modric</b> and <b>Niko Kranjcar</b> of Croatia are definite picks for my Yugoslavia team. Slovenia captain <b>Robert Koren</b> will be great in the middle of the park alongside Serbia's captain <b>Dejan Stankovic</b>. Competition on the wings would be completed with two Serbs in newly-signed Juventus player <b>Milos Krasic</b> and newly-signed Liverpool player <b>Milan Jovanovic</b>. Montenegro's <b>Simon Vukcevic</b> would make my team for his ability in dead-ball situations.<br />
<br />
<b>Strikers:</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01375/edin-dzeko_1375847c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01375/edin-dzeko_1375847c.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 5. Edin Dzeko</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Even I'm not going to be pleased with my striker choices because of all the possibilities available. For sure Bosnia's biggest star <b>Edin Dzeko </b>comes into my team alongside Macedonia's biggest star <b>Goran Pandev</b>. <b>Mirko Vucinic</b> is another Montenegro's representative in this star-studded squad. Croatia's striker duo <b>Eduardo</b> and <b>Ivica Olic</b> completes my Yugoslavia 23-man squad.<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Final Squad:</b><br />
Samir Handanovic, Vladimir Stojkovic, Asmir Begovic (GK); Nemanja Vidic, Branislav Ivanovic, Aleksandr Kolarov, Aleksandr Lukovic, Vedran Corluka, Darijo Srna, Branko Ilic (DF); Luka Modric, Niko Kranjcar, Robert Koren, Dejan Stankovic, Milos Krasic, Milan Jovanovic, Simon Vukcevic (MF); Edin Dzeko, Mirko Vucinic, Goran Pandev, Eduardo, Ivica Olic (FW).<br />
<br />
<b>My Starting Yugoslavia Lineup (4-4-2):</b><br />
----------------------------Handanovic------------------------------<br />
------------Ivanovic----------------------------Vidic--------------<br />
Corluka----------------------------------------------------Kolarov <br />
--------------Koren--------------------Stankovic------------------<br />
Krasic-----------------------------------------------------Modric<br />
--------------Vucinic------------------------Dzeko----------------<br />
<br />
<b>Virtual 30-man squad players (Honorable Mentions):</b><br />
<b>Stipe Pletikosa</b> (Goalkeeper) - Croatia<br />
<b>Stevan Jovetic</b> (Striker) - Montenegro<br />
<b>Zvjezdan Misimovic</b> (Midfielder) - Bosnia & Herzegovina<br />
<b>Nikola Zigic</b> (Striker) - Serbia<br />
<b>Ivan Fatic</b> (Defender) - Montenegro<br />
<b>Zdravko Kuzmanovic</b> (Midfielder) - Serbia<br />
<b>Vedad Ibisevic</b> (Striker) - Bosnia & Herzegovina<br />
<br />
Imagine if this team had qualified for any competition, who would bet against them? This team is sick! even no place for Kuzmanovic or Jovetic somehow in the team.Adhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322230162491728826.post-66558235879087697872010-08-21T05:19:00.000-07:002010-08-21T05:44:36.621-07:00Real Madrid vs Manchester CIty: Battle of the transfer quality & quantity.This transfer season as you may seen has been dominated by 2 teams; The original faces in Real Madrid and new contenders Manchester City. Each team has signed 6 and 7 players respectively as of the time this article has been written (and rumors suggest that Real Madrid wants to sign 1 last player in this transfer window). Both clubs have been splashing the cash and have caused mixed opinions on their signings. Let us take a look on their signings these season shall we:<br />
<br />
Real Madrid:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bajnokokligaja.lapunk.hu/tarhely/bajnokokligaja/kepek/real_madrid_logo_1_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://bajnokokligaja.lapunk.hu/tarhely/bajnokokligaja/kepek/real_madrid_logo_1_.png" width="142" /></a></div>Angel Di Maria (ARG) from Benfica, €25 M.<br />
Pedro Leon (ESP) from Getafe, €10 M<br />
Sergio Canales (ESP) from Racing Santander, €4.5 M<br />
Sami Khedira (GER) from VfB Stuttgart, €14 M<br />
Ricardo Carvalho (POR) from Chelsea, €8 M<br />
Mesut Ozil (GER) from Werder Bremen, €15 M<br />
<br />
Total Spending: €76.5 Million.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Manchester City:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fansonline.net/images/westham/Manchester-City.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.fansonline.net/images/westham/Manchester-City.png" width="200" /></a></div>David Gonzalez (COL) free transfer<br />
Jerome Boateng (GER) from HSV, €10.4 M<br />
David Silva (ESP) from Valencia, €25 M<br />
Yaya Toure (CIV) from Barcelona, €24 M<br />
Aleksandar Kolarov (SRB) from Lazio, €16 M<br />
Mario Balotelli (ITA) from Internazionale, €24 M<br />
James Milner (ENG) from Aston Villa, €26 M + Stephen Ireland (IRE)<br />
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Total: €125 M + 1 player.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Quality indeed these players being brought in of course, but what bothers me is the quantity of the money being spent AND the amount of players being brought in. Seriously, it FREAKS me that these teams just couldn't work and deal with what they have. The difference in both these teams are that Real Madrid looks more likely to win anything while Man City looks to be heading into a mediocre title challenge.<br />
<br />
Real Madrid has lost their legends in <b>Raul Gonzalez and Guti</b> <b>Hernandez</b> because they both just wanted a new challenge and they leave being highly regarded for their services in the past and Coach Jose Mourinho just had to by players to cover these departures. Mesut Ozil and Sergio Canales are there to replace Guti while Mourinho is still in the market to by a striker.<br />
<br />
While Man City... they're just buying players for fun with good quality players have to be kicked out because of these signings. Players such as <b>Craig Bellamy</b> and Fans 2008 player of the year <b>Stephen Ireland</b> has left while rumors suggest Robinho, Roque Santa Cruz, Jo, and Emmanuel Adebayor are looking to leave. Critics have been doing their job mostly on the signing of James Milner because he has been exchanged with arguably a better player in Stephen Ireland, and the capture of talented young striker (but temperamental) Mario Balotelli.<br />
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Both these teams though share a single similarity, which is having rivals who are a bit stronger. Real Madrid's biggest rival Barcelona only spent big bucks on David Villa (Valencia) and Adriano Correia (Sevilla) compared to Real's 6 signings currently. While City's rivals, Chelsea and neighbors Manchester United had spent little amount of money on only few players, with Chelsea signing 2 players and United signing 3. Even with the small amount of transfers among their rivals, <b>Barcelona are still favorites to win the La Liga while Chelsea and Manchester United looks more stronger in many ways compared to Manchester City.</b><br />
<br />
Money can't buy you love, but we will see at the end of the season whether it could buy a good football team.Adhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322230162491728826.post-60660119365690350792010-07-31T01:31:00.000-07:002010-07-31T01:31:39.807-07:00The "What ifs?" of Germany's World Cup Campaign<i>This was posted on my Posterous account like 2 weeks ago, don't accuse of being late in posting something World Cup-related. I'm just re-posting what I wrote there.</i><br />
<br />
The FIFA World Cup is over, and Germany's young squad missed out to eventual champions Spain in the semifinals, and ended up 3rd overall after winnign against Uruguay. Despite a great squad and performance by young players, it took everyone away from the thought that most of their key-players were actually missing from the tournament. And their path to the Semi-finals didn't come with ease. I would just like to imagine the "What ifs?" of this German squad and would've happened.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://totalfootballmadness.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/robert-enke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://totalfootballmadness.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/robert-enke.jpg" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 1. Robert Enke</td></tr>
</tbody></table>First of the problems came way before the World Cup happened where Robert<span id="goog_726430481"></span><span id="goog_726430482"></span> Enke - Germany's 1st choice Goalkeeper - attempted suicide back in November 2009. His replacement the young and promising Rene Adler declared he would not take part in the upcoming World Cup to undergo a surgery for his rib injury a month before the World Cup began. So up stepped another promising Goalkeeper in Manuel Neuer who played magnificently in the World Cup. But here comes the question, <b>"What if Robert Enke didn't die and what if Rene Adler didn't get injured?"</b>. Maybe and just maybe, Germany wouldn't concede that goal against Serbia which cost them the game, or maybe the goal from Carles Puyol in the semis. <br />
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<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:86lEYy5BQSzZpM:http://img.titan24.com/blog/110000/1800/101797/2008/06/27/895ada046505112.jpg&t=1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:86lEYy5BQSzZpM:http://img.titan24.com/blog/110000/1800/101797/2008/06/27/895ada046505112.jpg&t=1" width="136" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 2. Heiko Westermann</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Next comes the defence problems. Schalke defender Heiko Westermann was scheduled to be a key player in the German's defence to pair up with Per Mertesacker but broke his foot in the last warmup game before the World Cup. Arne Friedrich who was scheduled to play as rightback was then converted as Westermann's replacement and playing well with a goal to add in the competition. Westermann's injury forced Phillip Lahm to switch sides from Leftback to Rightback and leaving young players in Holger Badstuber and Jerome Boateng sharing roles as back-up left-back. My question here is , <b>"What if Heiko Westermann didn't get injured?"</b>. Will either Badstuber or Boateng be even called-up to the national squad? if they did, would they get a minute on the pitch? Friedrich was great in teh heart of the German defence but he may have had a better performance should he had played in his natural position as rightback.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://visitbulgaria.info/files/Michael-Ballack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://visitbulgaria.info/files/Michael-Ballack.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 3. Michael Ballack</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Then the centrepiece of them all, the captaincy. First choice captain Michael Ballack injured his ankle in his last game as a Chelsea player against Portsmouth in the FA Cup final where his opponent Kevin-Prince Boateng tackled late on him causing Ballack to miss the World Cup. Boateng incidentally, is Jerome Boateng's brother whom both played for Germany in youth levels. Kevin-Prince though decided to play for Ghana and help their campaign in the World Cup. Michael Ballack's place however, was replaced by Stuttgart midfielder Sami Khedira and his captaincy fell to Phillip Lahm's arms, while his proud #13 shirt was worn by young striker Thomas Muller. Khedira had a blast in the World Cup which lead interest from Real Madrid and Manchester United while Phillip Lahm lead the team by example, and Thomas Muller snatching the Golden Boot and Best young player. The question that fits here is, <b>"What if Michael Ballack didn't lose his captaincy because of Kevin-Prince Boateng's late tackle?"</b> who knows Ballack wouldve played better than Khedira would, and could've lead the team to even the World Cup Final.<br />
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<br />
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<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sportschau.de/euro2008/news200806/08/img/podolski-klose-512-dpa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://www.sportschau.de/euro2008/news200806/08/img/podolski-klose-512-dpa.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 4. Miroslav Klose & Lukas Podolski</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Strikers selection also became an issue. Usual choices Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose have both flopped in the league, while Cacau is naturally a Brazilian who has a German citizenship. That leaves the inform strikers of last season's Bundesliga are Stefan Keissling, Kevin Kuranyi and youngster Thomas Muller. To the surprise of everyone Podolski and Klose were chosen after all following a horrid season and Cacau too added to the squad. Kevin Kuranyi earlier in the year had a bust-up with Germany head coach Joachim Low so he wouldn't be called up, which gives Thomas Muller a chance to be part of the squad including Keissling and Spanish-born Mario Gomez in the squad as well. Media and fans criticized Low's selection policy as being "too trustworthy of Podolski and Klose". But as it turned out, Klose and Podolski both had great tournaments with Klose scoring 4 and Podolski scoring 2. Thomas Muller scored 5 and became topscorer of the worldcup, while Cacau managed to score one himself. The questions now are, <b>"What if Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski and Thomas Muller was never called-up to the National team? and what if Cacau never took Germany citizenship?".</b> Certainly things would have been very different.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/incoming/article497777.ece/ALTERNATES/gallery-large/CY34822218.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="100" src="http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/incoming/article497777.ece/ALTERNATES/gallery-large/CY34822218.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 5. Lampard's shot crossing the line</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Then came that game against England in the round of 16. Germany took the lead with goals from Podolski and Klose but England narrowed the gap with a Matthew Upson header to make the game 2-1 to Deutschland. Moments after Upson scored, Frank Lampard attempted a long range shot which bounced off under the crossbar which England fans thought that it crossed the goal-line for an equalizer, but referee Jorge Larrionda and his assistants ruled that it did not pass the line although replays showed that it passed the line by quite a margin. England never got back into the game and concede a further 2 goals from a double by Thomas Muller and lost 1-4. Next question would be, <b>"What if Frank Lampard's goal was given?"</b> England could have gone back into the match and fight until the death if the scores were tied again, but yet again the German side that day was unstoppable.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01078/muller_12_682x400_1078754a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="116" src="http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01078/muller_12_682x400_1078754a.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 6. Thomas Muller</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Thomas Muller's red hot form did not stop there as he scored and helped Germany thump Argentina 4-0 but got his second yellow card of the tournament for a challenge which couldve been avoided and misses the Semifinals against Spain because of this. Germany lost that game because they couldnt counter as much as they wouldve liked against a stubborn Spanish defence line probably because of a certain missing link on the right side of attack in Muller. Spain won the semifinals - and eventually the World Cup - with a 1-0 scoreline. Here comes the last question, <b>"What would've happened if Thomas Muller actually played in the semifinals?"</b>. I don't know if he would've made a significant impact considering how great Spain's defence is, but you can't stop the writer from wondering...<br />
<br />
Now to recap them all, <b>"What if all those never happened? could Germany got even closer to winning the World Cup?"</b> They certainly have excelled from their shortages, but it goes to wonder what if they didn't have their key absentees...Adhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2322230162491728826.post-25619576721267204272010-07-31T00:34:00.000-07:002010-07-31T00:34:55.458-07:00Been a while, back to Blogspot!I'm back at Blogger for now, this is for a School Project. I've been posting at <a href="http://flsct2.posterous.com/">Posterous</a> lately and just as now have been posting again at Blogspot. Looking forward.Adhika Prasetyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024680960867177204noreply@blogger.com0