RIP

puts all other titterings into context

Dortmund's Atmosphere: German Football and Safe Standing

Tonight Arsenal face Borussia Dortmund in their first Champions League group game. In the build up to the game Sky Sports News just showed a clip of the Dortmund 24,000 capacity standing tier in full voice. This stand is the largest standing section in European football, enabling rows of fans to stand in what would be presumed as safe conditions whilst enjoying the football. To add to that, German football also allows the drinking of beer within the inner sections of the stadium (i.e. the seating and standing sections) which is currently banned by the FA in all stadiums.What becomes clear by watching these videos, and learning of the regulations for fans in German football, is that the atmosphere at games is by far superior to anything that can be found in the English game.
  That is not to say Anfield's "You'll Never Walk Alone" can't get the spine tingling, but as you will see, even the German's can compete with that:

For everything that the English game can offer in terms of an atmospheric stadium; St. James' Park, or, Upton Park in a full swing with "Forever Blowing Bubbles" (see below), it seems that the Dortmund fans alone could compete.

I'm genuinely excited for the game tonight (YES I am excited for an Arsenal game!?!?) with my newly informed knowledge on the Dortmund fans' singing section, yet also concerned by the route the English game has taken in response to the incidents at Hillsborough, Valley Parade and Heysel in the 1980's. I am in no way showing a lack of sensitivity to such events, i just believe that an alternate method of stadium management could successfully and safely be achieved despite such events.

Here is a link to the Safe Standing campaign with the Football Supporters' Trust:

http://www.fsf.org.uk/campaigns/safestanding.php

Jesse

NO TIME FOR SENTIMENT

Why would anyone ever choose to support NUFC?:

Well I am sure there are some reasons; great fan-base, nice stadium, sometimes impressive performances (emphasis on sometimes)... But with the recent events coming out of St. James' Park, a Newcastle fan really has to ask himself, firstly, 'what the **** is going on', and secondly how worth it this may all be. Do not get me wrong, I am in this for the long haul, committed til I die and all that, but to me it often feels as if Newcastle fans really get the worst of it.

Having been successfully promoted from the Championship it all started to look sunny again, with the woes of the 08-09 season left in the past, and the bright Premiership future giving many fans reason to possibly think Mike Ashley had turned things round. How naive it seems we were. The sacking of Chris Hughton, Andy Carroll's sale, Kevin Nolan's sale, Joey Barton's 'dismissal', Jose Enrique's imminent sale. All events which have taken place in the last year under the stewardship of big MA and DL (Derek Llambias). All events which seem to have had an entirely negative affect on the team developed in 08-09.

The owner and his cronie seem to be choosing an approach to club management which (as a club 'source' supposedly said) is "un-sexy" but will benefit the club in the long-term. This is in effect a business plan based around Mike Ashley's attempts to create a club that is self-sufficient. This in many ways seems like a positive approach considering the debts involved in modern football, yet the fact that it seems to be tearing the team apart is to the contrary.

New signings Yohan Cabaye, Sylvain Marveaux, Demba Ba and Mehdi Abeid are positive moves for the club. Three out of the four above however were free signings, which suggests Mike Ashley is keen to keep funding to a minimum this transfer window. Having cashed in on Carroll, followed by Nolan, you would imagine that Newcastle's current net spending would be more than £500,000 at this point in the transfer market, with 30 or so days to go. With a serious need to build on our current squad, and with the imminent departures of Routledge, Barton and Enrique (add to that transfer listed Nile Ranger, Leon Best, Alan Smith and James Perch) I cannot help but feel concerned. If Ashley is unwilling to spend this window, yet keen to unload so many players, where will our squad stand on September 1st?

The rise of young talent and return from injury by many players has seen additions to Newcastle which were missing last season. Dan Gosling has returned from an injury which saw him make only one appearance (after signing from Everton) for NUFC, and is looking sharp. Haris Vuckic, the 18 year old linked with Man United and Chelsea last season, has also returned from injury and grabbed 2 goals in 2 senior friendly appearances so far. Ben Arfa was back for three games only to be again injured and ruled out for a further 3 weeks, meaning he will miss massive games against Arsenal and Scumderland. All these returns are positive for Newcastle, yet not enough to suggest more investment is not needed.

I am an avid follower of anything NUFC based on twitter (@jesserivers11 wink wink) so have been absorbed by recent events involving Barton and all Newcastle's transfer dealings. Over-riding pessimism seems to have dwarfed the #NUFC tag line in recent weeks. Rumored attempts to sign Mevlut Erdinc seem to have come to nothing and interest elsewhere seems sparse. I believe that we will now need the following:

• 1 further striker with pace and flair to work off the bigger players such as Ameobi and Ba.
• A left back to replace Jose Enrique
• A midfielder (probably based on the right) to replace Barton 

These are all essential signings and anything else would be lovely. Links with the Swiss, Leverkusen based Barnetta in replacement for Barton have not left since the opening of the transfer window, similarly links with Cheick M'Bengue and Wayne Bridge at left back seem to continue. The agreed fee for Mevlut Erdinc may not mean anything as he seems very reluctant to come to Newcastle. Apart from him NUFC have been linked with Shane Long, Defoe and numerous players who are unlikely to make the move north. 

Ashley's recruitment system seems to follow a continuous theme. All new signings must be below 28 or so. All new signings must take a fairly standard if not small Premier League wage. All new signings must have the ability to gain a profitable selling on fee (fairly easy if gained for free!). And, it seems, all new signings will come mainly from France, as scout Carr may view the revolution in French national football as a chance to steal any up and coming international talents i.e. Yohan Cabaye. 

Considering this, sales of players such as Nolan (who wanted a 5 year contract at the age of 29) fit Ashley's business plan. He knows that in a few years, when Nolan has past his peak, his high wages as captain would have been an nag similar to that of Alan Smith who currently warms the NUFC bench on £60,000 a week. Being honest I saw a lot in Nolan that I did not like last season, and his lack of pace and clinical pass would only be exaggerated as the years went on. Joey Barton however showed a whole new side to his game, and he will be greatly missed. He wanted a four year deal and the club offered 3. He had previously declined contract talks twice. Ashley was having no more and with the addition of his frequent twitter outbursts was being seen as more of a disturbance than a help in the NUFC dressing room. 

The clique of 08-09 that held the team together and provided promotion and last season's security has slowly but surely been removed by Ashley as he looks to gain complete, dictator-like control of the club. He has a business plan which is ruthless and a disposition that should not be tempered. In my honest opinion I do not agree with his plan, it is far too risky and although he clearly has a vision ( we hope ) which will lead the club to greater things in the future, he is destroying the current team. The big question is whether the puppet Alan Pardew has what it takes to keep this team together and secure another successful season with NUFC. That question must wait, as the results of this summer's transfer window will be vital on September 1st; a first step which Newcastle can feel they may judge the summer dealings. 

This write up must surely be pretty dull for all those with no affiliations with NUFC, yet I have sat by and said very little for a long time. 

Thanks 

Jesse 

Office Awards (stolen idea from sky sports)

Will Davies



Best Player:  VIDIC. A truly solid defender, perhaps the most consistent in the Premier League. His power and determination acted as a key factor in United's success this season. Could they have done it without him? Everyone knows a solid defence is essential in winning the league, Vidic led the team throughout.

Best Rising Star: WILSHERE. Wilshere came to the fore this season in solidifying Arsenal's midfield, a weak point in their team last season. Still a young player, Arsenal would have been significantly weaker without him as he secured his first XI place this year. Wilshere's precise passing, tough tackling and relentless energy makes him a possible future England captain already. His performances against Barcelona's Xavi and Iniesta exemplified his talents.

Best Match: Newcastle 4 - 4 Arsenal. Already 4-0 down at half time who would have thought Newcastle could have returned from such a deficit? Undoubtedly the most thrilling game to watch this season as Arsenal crumbled after Diaby's dismissal. Tiote's equaliser was one of the moments of the season as he lifted the roof off of St. James' Park.

Best Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson. For best manager, Sir Alex Ferguson receives the award after taking what many believed as a weak squad to their 19th title. United showed great determination throughout the season to grind out results with a squad less powerful and admired than those before them. Unbeaten for most of the season, Ferguson grinded a winning mentality into a team that usually wouldn't have been so successful - reaching the Champions League Final was another respectable feat. A mention should also be given to Ian Holloway for keeping Blackpool in with a chance of survival against the odds, regardless of their relegation.

Best Signing: Javier Hernandez. At just £6 million Hernandez is the obvious choice for best signing. Hernandez took the Premier League by storm in only his first year in English football, keeping top scorer Dimitar Berbatov out of the starting XI. It was not just the number of goals Hernandez scored however, but the games he scored them in. According to Martin Tyler's blog, without Chicarito's goals United would finish in 4th place - a true match winner.

Biggest Flop: Fernando Torres. Whilst noone truly expected Torres to shine in his first six months on the back of some very poor form for Spain in the WC and Liverpool, his lack of goals for Chelsea in the second half of the season was also unexpected. Fans throughout the Premier League gleefully looked on as the £50m pound man scored just 1 goal in 14 Premier league games.

Best Goal: Wayne Rooney/ Gareth Bale. For me neither of these goals can be ignored when choosing best goal. Wayne Rooney's overhead kick was undoubtedly the most spectacular goal of the season, and the occasion made it all the more important. As Martin Tyler bellowed on Sky Sports, it 'defies description.' The goal catapulted United and Rooney onwards for the rest of the year. However, Gareth Bale's volley early in the year against Stoke City was unforgettable. The technique in the volley was unbelievable and set the tone for the first half of the season for the Spurs winger as he tore apart Inter Milan and other teams alike.

Best Celebration: Sergio Ramos dropping the Copa Del Ray off the roof of the bus, only to find it under the wheels. What was he thinking?

Best Moment: Every one of Ian Holloway's interviews throughout the year, although his dealing with speculation over Charlie Adam's future in January was a favourite. 'If he's only worth £4m then I'm a Scotsman called McTavish.' Holloway was entertainment throughout the season and will be sorely missed next year - His reaction to the Rooney transfer chaos was also very funny, if not frightening - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_RdLGZ89uU

Biggest Bugbear: The sacking of Andy Gray. Whether or not you agree with the reasons for his sacking, no one can deny they missed the 'take a bows' and 'what a hit son' in the second half of this season. His commentary was sorely missed as Rooney bicycled into the Man City net.


    Jesse Rivers

Best Player: ADAM. Who would have thought that a Blackpool player would make such a great impression on the Premier League this season. Definitely not me. Adam is class, with a left foot Rio Ferdinand would be happy to call a 'paintbrush, OOOFFFF'... or something along those lines. His distribution and control in games have been excellent, add to that his set pieces and it's no wonder the likes of Man United are after him. Transfer talk did cause a slight iffy patch in his season following January, yet as he showed on the last day, his abilities were vital in Blackpool's attacking approach to life in the top division. I hear people talking about 10 more Scotty Parkers, well with 10 more Adams, Blackpool could have been far better off.


Best Rising Star: WILSHERE. How boring. Me and Will have chosen the same player. Wilshere is only a couple of months older than myself and look where he is. Winner of the PFA Young Player of the Year award and battling it out with the best midfield in the world. Carroll deserves a mention for doing the business for my dearly beloved pre-January, but his injuries and form past that date have meant his £35 million price tag is looking good in our bank now.

Best Match: NEWCASTLE 4 - 4 ARSENAL / NEWCASTLE 5 - 1 SUNDERLAND. 
Well this one was fairly obvious for me, not only do I get to include the best comeback in Premier League history, but also get to point out that we annihilated our derby rivals. The comeback is my actual choice, probably being the most exciting game all season for Newcastle fans and the neutrals out there. 8 goals, 2 penalties, a red card and only the second goal of Cheik Tiote's professional career, and oh my was it a gooden. Surprised it wasn't up for goal of the season to be honest.

Best Manager: SIR ALEX FERGUSON. Has to be really doesn't it? As Will has mentioned, this was one of the weaker (starless?) Man United teams, yet he still managed to get them their 19th title and a place in the final of the Champions League alongside Barcelona. Managing over half the season unbeaten, Fergie brought the best out of players like Giggs, deploying him in a variation of positions new to us standers-by. Similarly he kept Rooney, which turned out to be vital as MUFC turned on the heat with Rooney in fine form towards the end of the season. Lots must also be said for Harry Redknapp, taking Spurs into the heights of Europe, but also battling it out with most of the 'top four' this season.

Best Signing: CHICHARITO / SUAREZ. Another instance where I agree with Will. At only 22 years old and acquired for only £6 million he was a steal, providing pivotal goals both in quantity and nature. On the other hand the signing of Suarez for those greedy scousers saved their season. It could be argued that the mere return of King Kenny had this effect, but Suarez was instrumental in providing goals and flair for a team that had been looking all wrong under Hodgson. I know this annoys most, but I would like to mention Tiote again. Worth £3.5 million from Twente he has been pivotal to NUFC this season. His display against MUFC, completely closing Rooney out of the game, was a great example of his CDM capabilities and at only 24 is one for the future. Without him we would have had Alan Smith filling that role...

Biggest Flop: FERNANDO TORRES. Obvious no? His price was ridiculous. He hadn't been performing anywhere near the level of previous Liverpool seasons and his World Cup was quiet in a winning team. We spent the season waiting for the moment Torres would return, score a fantastic goal and just not stop. But it never came. He scored (singular) in standard fashion and had to watch David Luis net twice before he could get anywhere near the goal. What a waste of time and space.

Best Goal: WAYNE ROONEY / CHEIK TIOTE. Both goals were sublime. Rooney's was out of this world. His form had been poor building up to that game, and something special was the turning point for his season. I wanted city to win that game, but couldn't help jump up and down screaming when Roonaldo did that. Too much. The sad fact with Tiote's is that I didn't see it in real time. Newcastle vs. Arsenal wasn't on TV, meaning the only places to watch it were laggy lag lag internet, or St. James' Park. Watching it back on MOTD later that night was still special though. What a goal, not only in skill but also in its timing and meaning. Brilliant.

Best Celebration: WAYNE ROONEY. Bit of a joke really, but as Rooney scored his comeback penalty against Rangers he appeared to get a bit excited... couldn't find a picture though... In fact a few of Rooney's celebrations this season have been fairly amusing...

Best Moment: Have to agree with Will. Practically anything that Holloway said was gold. I also got a little bit of warmth from NUFC fans chanting "Steven Taylor shagged your lass" as Andy Carroll took to the Anfield pitch. Similarly, as Sammy Ameobi (Shola's little brother) took to the field at the same time as Shola, leading NUFC fans to chant "There's only two Ameobi's" rather than the usual "Only one Ameobi".

Biggest Bugbear: SALE OF ANDY CARROLL. Worst moment of my season. Caused so much sadness, anger and grief. Agents should all be shot. This also applies to Rooney and Tevez, as player power is becoming ridiculous. Mike Ashley's general presence in the world is also up there, Hughton's sacking was probably the most unfair thing to happen in the league since... oh wait... the sacking or forced resignation of Kevin Keegan nearly two seasons before that.

FULL TIME DREAM TEAMS

It's been a very long time since anything was posted on here, but as the football season has now ended, this would be a perfect opportunity to complete another dream team. This one will in fact be a team of the season. Previously Will and I made a 1/2 season dream team, with a set of rules to make it more interesting. Those rules wont apply this time, but I obviously wont be putting out a full Man United squad etc... I think...

       JESSE SEASON XI:

                                      FOSTER

                    

              VIDIC            KOMPANY            BAINES

                              PARKER        TIOTE

    ROONEY                     ADAM                           BALE

                                                                          

                         TEVEZ                 CHICHARITO           

SUBS: YAYA TOURE - ENRIQUE - COLOCCINI - NANI - BENT - VAN DER SAAR - MEIRELES

MANAGER OF THE SEASON: SIR ALEX FERGUSON / IAN HOLLOWAY

Obviously there is a bit of bias involved in my total 18 choices, but I honestly would choose some of the NUFC players from this season (i.e. Coloccini and Enrique) over defenders from teams such as Arsenal, who have had a dreadful season in defence considering they are a Champions League side going for the title.

Equally, Tiote, despite his love affair with the yellow card this season, has been a sensation playing CDM. His skill on the ball is Essien-esque, and is a definite one for the future at only 24 and a steal at £3.5 million. There are some obvious choices that will be found in all end season XI's: Vidic, Adam, Tevez, Baines, Parker, Bale and probably Kompany. 

However, with the likes of Rooney, his fantastic second half of the season rediscovery of form grants his inclusion. Note also that he has been placed in attacking midfield, a decision made based on his quality in distribution of the ball, short and long, and his work ethic in a team in which he seems to be the provider for the clinical Chicharito. The 'little pea' was an obvious choice. His speed, sharpness and poachers instinct was frightening to watch, let alone his goals to game ratio. Ferguson has worked magic in acquiring him for just £6 million. 

Finally, in goal we have Foster. I know Birmingham have been relegated, yet this does not fairly represent his performances between the sticks. His performance, for instance, in the final of the Carling Cup, was epic. He has matured greatly, and similarly to Joe Hart, transformed into a great keeper at Birmingham. GK was a hard one with Joe Hart having a good season (albeit slightly dropping in form towards the end) and Van Der Saar completing his final season in style, yet Foster's efforts in a team that fell dangerously following winter were spectacular, deserving him his place in this XI. 

Possible dream team from Will to come...

Jesse

PREMIER LEAGUE ALL TIME TOP TEN

Knicked this off Martin Tyler, so thanks i suppose...

All-time Premier League table (top 10):

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
1. Man Utd	722	465	156	101	1431	615	1551
2. Arsenal	722	391	191	140	1255	652	1364
3. Chelsea	722	375	187	160	1194	684	1312
4. Liverpool	723	360	183	180	1165	701	1263
5. Aston Villa	723	271	220	232	919	857	1033
6. Tottenham	722	271	189	262	988	961	1002
7. Everton	722	250	204	268	906	930	954
8. Newcastle	643	256	173	214	926	815	941
9. Blackburn	647	252	172	223	867	812	928
10. West Ham	605	200	156	249	710	858	756

Just thought it was quite cool. Man United fans will be happy, but to be honest so am I. None of those Man City lot...

Jesse

TOON SAVIOUR...SHEFKI KUQI?

I am joking. 

PIECE FOR SCHOOL NEWSPAPER

   

JOEY BARTON - A LIFE IN TWO HALVES.

In the eyes of many he follows in the stud-marks of individuals such as Duncan Ferguson and Vinny Jones, both players noted for their more aggressive style of play (to say the least). To Man City fans he is a nightmare of the past, yet to Newcastle fans he is their glimmer of hope as Premier League status is slowly but surely regained. To say he has had a contentious career is an understatement. Found guilty of common assault and affray on the 20^th of May 2008, the Liverpool born player was sentenced to six months imprisonment, which was cut short by his release after 77 days of this term. This incident as well as his attack on fellow Manchester City player Ousmane Dabo looked to have fundamentally ended his playing days, with surely no club of notability ready to take him under their wing. Yet as Saturday’s 4-4 draw between Newcastle and Arsenal shows us, football is a crazy game and can surely make room for some crazy individuals.

Essentially what Saturday showed the footballing world is that Joey Barton, as reviled as ever by most fans, has successfully completed his resurrection from the depths of the footballing black list to the heights of calls for England duty and Premiership success. His life could almost be fit into the two halves of Newcastle’s sensational comeback. As simplistic and amusing as this concept seems, it could be seen as efficient in describing the tumultuous ups and downs he has experienced.

Newcastle’s first half was dire, some claimed the worst the team had seen since relegation. Barton, although showing some spirit was nothing of the player most Newcastle fans have become accustomed to this season. The team as a whole were not ready for the onslaught Arsenal were to give in a mere 26 minutes, consisting of four goals, and all were to the away side.

It would seem an impossible job for Newcastle to come back from 4-0 down at half time. An angel of some sort would have to be called upon… step up England’s most hated player. Clearly pumped up from a half time team talk filled with as many four letter obscenities as one can imagine, Barton took to the field with a sense of clear purpose. This team were not going to go down without a fight. What followed was one of the most miraculous halves of football the Premier League has ever seen, with Barton using his aggressive style of play to put himself about the pitch, always hassling Arsenal, insuring two penalty conversions and goals from team mates Leon Best and Cheik Tiote.

This however is not a dictation of the weekend’s game, but a comparison between Newcastle’s performance and Joey Barton’s ‘second half’ alteration of his lifestyle and career. This is not to say that Barton has altered all his ways, for as Newcastle’s game against Blackburn showed, he still holds the tendency to lose his head… punching Morten Gamst-Pedersen in the chest following comments between the two being a prime example of this.

This is a man who has clearly had issues, for despite the belief that all famous people should be perfect models of society; this cannot always be a reality. There are those that need the opportunity to take a second chance in life. It is quite difficult to argue in Barton’s case due to his behaviour, as he said in an interview with the Independent in 2009: “At the end of the day I let a lot of people down and now I am just hoping to re-pay them. I know a lot of people don't think that I deserve another chance and rightly so but fortunately I have got one.”

Despite his altercations in his career and personal life Barton is showing that he still has a lot to offer football and the Premier League. He cannot be completely forgiven for his actions of the past, and there are few excuses for him to hold on to, yet he is publicly attempting to make it clear that he wants to change. As difficult as it is to take footballers for their words these days, Barton’s honesty can be seen as genuine. This is rather admirable in the face of such intense media scrutiny and a trait which has stuck with Barton since the days of his release from prison. His honesty, often blunt and unforgiving towards his confronters, has been part of the understanding that he has built with Newcastle fans over the past few years.

Barton is a no-nonsense footballer. He plays the game because he loves it, and despite his personality traits that have caused him so much trouble in the past, is currently showing that on the pitch. He tackles, shoots and runs to his utmost, and is one footballer reassuring this writer’s belief that footballers do have a soul.

Jesse

RECORD BREAKING

On Saturday the 5th of February 2011 the Premier League dished out the best day's football Gary Lineker claims to have ever overseen on MOTD. A record 41 goals were scored in the one day, with a few hat-tricks here and there and also the best ever come back in P.L. history, with Newcastle United using just 22 minutes to reduce 4-0 to 4-4 against Arsenal. We also saw Manchester United's unbeaten streak end for the season '10/'11, with a surprise 2-1 loss at Wolves meaning Rooney and co. will not be the next "invincibles". Notable games such as Everton 5-3 Blackpool, Wigan 4-3 Blackburn and Stoke 3-2 Sunderland also added to the excitement and goal tally. This was a brilliant day for English football, reasserting the qualities it holds over its fellow European competitors such as La Liga and the Sirie A, who for me offer very little in comparison to the Premier League. Much of this I believe to be down to the strength the league currently has in depth, with a vast array of teams all capable of pulling off a result against one another. There no longer seems to be the understanding that when a 'top four' side plays they will win and so on and so forth. Nothing is a certainty this season. Everything from the top to the bottom of the league is on a knife's edge and will surely make for great entertainment as the number of weeks left minimizes.

P.S. let's not forget Chelsea vs. Liverpool on Sunday, a game that will surely follow in the same vain as those from today?

Jesse

THE DAYS OF LOYALTY IN FOOTBALL ARE GONE

 31/1/11: An account of my feelings as the transfer window comes to a close and my worship of a local hero is cut short.

  18:00: I'm sitting here on my laptop, Sky Sports Live Transfer Centre open in my other tab and a look of misery and confusion on my face. The transfer window has today completely blown me away. Not only was I excited at the start of the day to see who Newcastle would get in before 11 0'clock, but totally unprepared for the Carroll saga that has ensued before us all. As it is being made pretty clear by most sites, Carroll has just been allowed to enter talks and take up a medical with Liverpool F.C. for a fee suggested of £35 million plus add ons.

18:30: Still sitting here baffled. I have chosen to document this little post in this way to try and catch how I feel over the period of the transfer window's close. Don't understand this all, loyalty is nothing in football now. Unless there is something I am totally unaware of, Carroll (the Newcastle born boy, brought through the academy until a figurehead of the club with the legendary no.9. on his back and an England international cap under his belt) has just turned his back on his team-mates and all the fans that have grown to appreciate him so much. I can only expect this is for money?

18:40: Right, so, yeah of course a complete profit of £35 million is a good thing. Like really good I suppose. But firstly it is very frustrating that this is happening so close to the close of the market as we will struggle to replace Carroll in time, and secondly that money wont be spent until the summer. OR if Ashley is a real c**t he will keep that money for himself like the little piggy he is. I don't really know what to think. Unless we had an idea of who to go for before all this surely a last minute deal wont happen?

18:50: Liverpool are going crazy. Sky Sports is suggesting that they are in talks with C. Adam as I type and also made an approach for Micah Richards. Apparently were willing to go to £20 million but were rejected by City. This is all getting a bit comical, this sheer desperation from Kenny and co. to save their worst season for many years is getting silly. Considering burning my Carroll shirt, although don't want to burn Newcastle shirt... Maybe just rip off his name? Might have to check out price of new one with Barton no.7. on the back now...

19:00: Carroll has just arrived at Liverpool's training ground. I hope he is happy knowing he is letting all his fans and fellow players down. Not sure whether I want him to fail or pass his medical... Hatred has been building for him for a while now and not sure I could take him back if he failed. I point out he has a torn thigh muscle and hasn't started running yet so not really sure how it works, but will he pass if that is the case? Not sure why I bother with players names on my shirt, none of them can be trusted unless you are the Man United's and Barcelona's of the world. But even saying that we had the Rooney madness this season...

19:01: Maybe I should blame all of this on Chelsea and Torres. They started this ridiculous domino effect. I feel so let down.

19:22: Truly depressed. Football is bad for one's health. I have work to do for tomorrow as well... I can't concentrate. Football is about the individual. Team's are nothing. I have lost all faith.

19;42: Agents corrupt players and lead them to attempt to gain as much as possible economically in their short playing careers. I wish all players were a bit more like Matt Le Tissier, a player who was in it for the joy of the game. A real footballer. HOW IS CARROLL WORTH MORE THAN BECKHAM, VILLA, ROONEY AND (maybe) TEVEZ? WTF!?

20:28: I will give it a rest now, Carroll is gone. Nothing more to say. Now what am I going to do with that shirt of mine...

Jesse
 p.s. Here's a great quote: "Everything else -Geordie boy, famous number nine, fog on the bloody Tyne, whatever - goes out the window. Football romance is dead, everyone is a liar, contracts should be printed on toilet paper." - http://nufc.com/

SOME CLASSICS

and you didn't see this one coming...

1/2 SEASON DREAM TEAMS

Once again Will and I have put our heads together and decided to create a set of dream teams. Heavily controversial, yet most popular of our posts it seems, was the last set of dream teams. Hopefully we can achieve something similar with this next batch.
   The idea is to choose a team made up of players from the Premier League who we believed to be performing at the highest level. To make it slightly more interesting we also decided to only allow ourselves two players from each team for both the 11 outfielders and 5 subs.
(p.s. of course there will be some bias)

Here is my selection:

                                                J. Jaaskelainen


B. Sanga               N. Vidic                                G. Cahill              L. Baines



Nani                     S. Nasri                                 J. Barton               G. Bale

                              
                                                                     R. Van Der Vaart
                           A. Carroll                        
   (although this choice is now extremely painful)


Subs: Tevez, T. Cahill, J. Henderson, S. Parker, C. Adam.


Will's selection to come some time soon hopefully...

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

With the January transfer window reaching the half-way point and various players making their comings and goings, I have started thinking about the state of the transfer market, and most importantly, the prices players are being passed around at by the big boys of football. By 'big boys' I am not referring to today's trophy winning teams such as Barcelona, but teams such as Man City who seem to have too much money for their own good. Chelsea were the culprits of seasons past and similarly were/are Real Madrid, with the focus on building a strong, experienced team in a matter of months seeming to be the aim. 

  I may be wrong here, but the fact that Edin Dzeko has recently moved from Wolfsburg to Man City for £27 million is rather bizarre. I personally do not see why a player who has not won anything of real world notability (a Bundesliga title and Bundesliga player of the year 08-09 prize being the exception), can be priced so highly. In 111 games he scored 66 goals. This is good, it cannot be denied, yet he is not the only player Manchester City have poured money into in this strange fashion. For example Joleon Lescott who signed for City in 2009 is, in this fans opinion, no where near the quality to have cost an estimated price of around £22-£24 million. The same applies for James Milner (£26 million), Nigel De Jong (£18 million), Emmanuel Adebayor (£25 million), all players who are of course 'good' but are not really good enough to make up for the money spent on them. Maybe the fact is that City just have so much money that these prices, which would stretch far beyond most clubs piggy banks, are a set standard. For me a player worth over £20 million is surely world class, forget Ronaldo's £120 million madness, for realistically £20 million is a lot of money. 

  I read yesterday that West Ham's Upton Park would be sold for £40 million should they move to the Olympic Stadium following the summer of 2012. This shocked me, for surely a player, a single player who's career with a certain club may not even last 5 years, cannot be worth three times what a stadium with over 100 years of history is. 

 In 1996 Alan Shearer signed for Newcastle for a world record fee of £15 million. Look at how the times have changed. I understand that the modern game has far more financial backing than that of 10 or 15 years ago, yet I do not understand why that leads to players prices rising so dramatically. 

   Thankfully the Premier League as a whole has seemed to gather some sense in recent years, as spendings have dropped significantly as a whole. Manchester City seem to be the only club throwing money around in England, and other clubs know this and of course do take advantage of it. The surrounding top 4-6 teams seem to have gained more sense, both due to debts to tackle and just general boring transfer attitudes (Arsene!), and have taken good steps towards building youth squads and working with what they have. 

   I'm not going to say this is a good thing, for I enjoy the transfer window immensely, yet would just rather that football would return to reality slightly. £120 million is a lot of money, enough to... you know... save the world or something...

http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/?ito=1482&pscid=ggl_GR_Brand-High+Vol&gclid=CP_ezrDbvKYCFYUe4Qoden-FHA

Jesse

JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW GUIDE. WHO SHOULD BUY WHO?

After a congested winter period, managers now have one month to enhance their teams in the January transfer windows. The so called 'big' players rarely make a move in January with teams not wanting to risk their season, however historically some very important players have been purchased in the window. Both Patrice Evra and Nemaja Vidic for Manchester United were bought in January, as did Nicholas Anelka for Chelsea. On the other hand, some managers can go for 'panic buys' such as Roy Carroll (Rangers to Derby), one of the worst keepers to ever brace the Premier League.
Here is a list of each club in the Premier League, and the signing(s) they need.

ARSENAL

Good first half of the season, firmly in the title race. Perhaps with a greater central defensive pairing they would be further up the league table? With Vermalaen out and Squillaci and Kosceilny looking vulnerable, a big, strong, solid and preferably tall centre back would most likely be the strongest signing Arsene Wenger could look to make. Arsenal have been vulnerable from set plays this season and a strong headerer of the ball at the back with a good physical precense would give their title hopes an extra boost.

Signing - Gary Cahill

ASTON VILLA

It's been a tough first half of the season for Gerrard Houllier with some mixed results and Aston Villa sit in the drop zone at the beginning of January. Villa could do with several signings in reality, preferably including a holding midfield player, a dominating striker and a strong centre back should Dunne not return to full form/fitness.

Signings - Diarra, Robbie Keane, Samba

Birmingham City

Alex McLeish's men sit in the bottom half of the table in January, however their home form remains formidable and they are still proving to be a difficult side to break down. The problem at Birmingham is clear, the lack of goals. Cameron Jerome is hardly the complete forward and Birmingham are one of the lowest scoring teams in the league at this point in the year. If they are to move further up the league, more goals must come in.

Signings - Kenny Miller, Robbie Keane, David Bentley

Blackburn Rovers

Blacburn sit in a respectable 9th position at half way through the season, despite the shock sacking of Sam Allardyce. Blackburn, similarly to Birmingham lack mainly in the offensive department, with the Diouf's providing limited striking options.

Signings - Robbie Keane, Santa Cruz, John Carew.

Blackpool

Blackpool are this year's relegation side that are shocking the league with formidable performances throughout the first half of the year. Ian Holloway is a big fan of getting in an array of strikers and one expects he will bring in another again this January. With the team doing so well and Holloway's reputation. if he could lure a 'big' striker in the seasider's team would be greatly enhanced. However, you expect this is unlikely and Holloway will in fact sign younger players with potential.

Signings - Santa Cruz, John Carew

Bolton

With a great first half of the season, Owen Coyle's men sit 7th in the league are pushing for European football. This is largely down to the fantastic striking partnership established between Kevin Davies and Elmander. Rather than buying players, you would expect Coyle will look to keep his big players. An additional midfielder could also do wonders.

Signings - Larsson, keep Elmander.

Chelsea

With Ancelotti under scrutiny with an array of poor performances and results, the Chelsea Manager is under the most pressure since joining the club. Chelsea sit out of the top 4 at the beginning of January, and you fear for the manger's future if things dont improve rapidly. Chelsea have looked vulnerable at the back for the first time in years, and a lack of creativity upfront is proving inadequate to beat Premiership sides. With Drogba looking off form, Chelsea could do with a striker as well as a defender if they are to reach the heights they have shown previously they are capable of.
Signings - Gary Cahill, Neymar, Adebayor

Everton

Everton sit in 11th place at half way through the year. Everton's problem, similarly to Birmingham is clear, they need a striker who will consistently score goals. With Saha as erratic as ever, and Jermain Beckford not taking to the Premier League as well as many expected, in front of goal Everton haven't looked much of a threat. The 'cutting edge' is missing.

Signings - Robbie Keane, Santa Cruz

Fulham

It's been a difficult start to his tenure as manager for Mark Hughes, and many are pretty shocked at how low in the table Fulham have been at times this season. Fulham are currently 14th, although they have been very unlucky with injuries. With Bobby Zamora suffering a broken leg early on in the season, Fulham haven't looked much of a threat in front of goal. Without their best player, Fulham need another striker who can get goals consistently, who could have turned some of the 10 draws this season into wins. Mark Hughes previously worked with Santa Cruz, and looks the best bet to join Craven Cottage this January.

Signings - Santa Cruz, Bentley, Wright Phillips

Liverpool

Where to start ... Hodgson's signings have proved largely ineffective with Joe Cole providing a lack of inspiring performances and signings like Poulsen proving flops. Firstly Dalglish will have to hold onto big players like Gerrard and Torres who reportedly told his agent to find him 'anywhere else' other than Anfield. Then Liverpool need to be rebuffered all over the park, with a lack of attacking wingers, an effective goalscorer and strong enough defenders. If Dalglish is to please the Kop and fight for a European place he is going to have to be active in the January transfer window.

Signings - Adebayor, N'Zogbia, Cahill

Manchester City

Mancini will be pleased with City's season so far, and they sit in 2nd place at the beginning of January and very much a part of the title race. City are quite clearly a stronger side than last season, and will aim to enhance their squad even more in the January transfer window. City's defence has been their strongest point, and with an array of midfield options their only real concern is an over reliance on lone striker Carlos Tevez. With Adebayor and Santa Cruz seemingly on the verge of moving, and the new signing of prolific goalscorer Dzeko, City's next move is pretty unpredictable, however more attacking options could come in and possibly even another defender.

Signings - David Luiz, Pepe, Neymar, Forlan, Fabiano

Manchester United

At the beginning of January, United sit at the top of the Premier League unbeaten, however their performances have been well below par. With Berbatov and Hernandez looking dangerous in front of goal, and Rooney seemingly returning to form, United's attacking options will not worry Sir Alex Ferguson, however the lack of strong options to play in central midfield will be a concern. With Scholes ageing, there is no real replacement who looks viable, therefore Ferguson could look for one. Another could be a goalkeeper, with Alder asking Ferguson to allow his 'dream move' a possibilty.

Signings - Adler, Diarra, N'Zogbia

Newcastle

Alan Pardew has had mixed results since taking over and Newcastle will be pleased to be in the top half of the league at the start of January having been promoted last season. With speculation regarding Carroll's future largely resolved, Newcastle will most likely look for a winger and a striking partner for Andy Carroll.

Signings - N'Zogbia, Charlie Adam, Robbie Keane, Santa Cruz, Larsson

Stoke City

Tony Pulis' men sit in 10th place in the league at the beginning of January, and will be pleased with this. Stoke are now an established Premier League side and will look to move on in the league and push for European football before too long. With this in mind, Stoke could do with a more creative midfield unit and possibly a stronger left back.

Singings - Wayne Bridge, Larsson, Charlie Adam

Sunderland

Steve Bruce will be delighted with Sunderland's season so far, pushing for European football in 6th place just over half way through the season. His summer signings have proved effective, with his attacking trio of Welbeck, Bent and Gyan providing goals game in game out at the Stadium of Light, and even at places like Stamford Bridge. Bruce will also look for more creativity in midfield, and possibly some strengthening of the defence. Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia is strongly linked with the club.

Signings - N'Zogbia, Onouha (permanent from loan), Bridge, Larsson

Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs again look a formidable unit with Gareth Bale having continuously impressive form, and summer signing Van Der Vaart looking like the best of all the summer buys. Redknapp will naturally however push for more in the second half of the year, with the competition for the top four places tighter than ever. With players like Keane and Bentley moving out of Spurs, Redknapp will most probably search for replacements. Whether the Beckham deal will happen or not is uncertain, however Spurs are linked with several players. Redknapp has however made it clear that he will only buy a player of which he truly believes will enhance the squad.

Signings - Cahill, Jolean Lescott, Scott Parker, Suarez, Beckham
West Bromwich Albion

West Brom sit just above the drop zone at the start of January, and have been declining since starting impressively in August. Di Matteo will look for another striker to provide the goals that are largely missing in the team, and another creative midfielder in order to take some of the burden off of Chris Brunt.

Signings - Samaras, Wayne Bridge, Luke Varney

West Ham United

2010/2011 is proving to be a tough season for the Hammers, and Grant looks close to the sack should things not lighten up at Upton Park anytime soon. West Ham sit at rock bottom in the league at the start of January, and signings are desperately needed to improve the state of things. As much as making a signing is of importance, holding on to Scott Parker, the messiah of Upton Park, must be made a priority. West Ham certainly need new faces to escape the drop however, and Grant will look for players all over the park. Another striker, midfielder and defender could be enough to save West Ham.

Signings - Robbie Keane, Poulsen, Samba, Wayne Bridge

Wigan Athletic

Wigan's prospects look as bleak as the Hammers, sitting in 19th place. With Chris Kirkland out on loan at Leicester, Roberto Martinez will look for a goalkeeper to strenghen his squad. The Spaniard would also welcome the addition of a new forward, having scored just 18 goals in 21 games this season. If Wigan are to avoid the drop, and Martinez is to avoid the cut, Wigan need new faces at the DW.

Signings - Thomas Kuszczak, Emmanuel-Thomas

Wolverhampton Wonderers

Mick Mc Carthy's side were always going to find it difficult in the Premier League and it has proved to be true. Wolves are just outside the drop zone, however they will soon find themselves back in it should they not improve the backline. McCarthy will look for a new striker and defender. Holding onto Matt Jarvis and Steven Fletcher could be equally as important as finding a new player also.

Signings - Robbie Keane, David Wheater

Conclusion

So there you have it, my take on the moves clubs should be making in the January transfer window. These aren't moves I think are going to be made, but moves the clubs should be considering. So, Dalglish, Grant, Martinez if you're reading ... go for it!

Any comments to degodenzonen11@gmail.com, thanks,

Will   

"MINNOWS" TO "GIANT KILLERS" - WELCOME BACK THE F.A. CUP

Well for this particular fan it wasn't such a welcome start to the F.A. Cup's third round. As per usual all the hype had been building for a game that presented League Two side Stevenage welcoming F.A. Cup 'rivals' Newcastle United in a game which could present the opportunity for a large scale upset. There is history between these two clubs, as ESPN made crystal clear in their tiresome build up to the game, with a tie in the fourth round back in 1998 needing two rounds for the Alan Shearer led Toon Army to surpass the then non-league Stevenage outfit. Many remember this game for the embarrassing closeness by which Newcastle avoided defeat, yet this time all will laugh and remember the time when Newcastle Utd. were outplayed and outclassed in a 3-1 defeat to a team placed 70 odd places behind them in league standings.
      Watching this game I was shocked, embarrassed and very, very confused. Yet what more should I have expected? From what I have seen of the weekend's results we were not the only team to be put to the sword by lower opposition. Arsenal drew with Leeds, Sunderland lost to Notts County and both Premier League sides were at home. It seems that if anything, this is a case of team mentality rather than skill. This cannot be an excuse for Premier League teams, for in my own opinion, every game matters. Teams should be ready to excel and relish opportunities to dismantle lower league opponents, like Chealsea's 7-0 annihilation of manager-less Ipswich. Yet this is so often not the case, and is what many see as the beauty of the F.A. Cup, with spirit, determination and belief providing the basis for fantastic performances from teams that would so often lie dormant within their respected leagues.
     I personally have never enjoyed following Newcastle adamantly through an F.A. Cup run due to my age and commitments at the time of the 1998 and 1999 F.A. Cup finals, so therefore feel as if I have never truly connected with the cup. This does sound strange but it's something that bothers me slightly, for I feel as if personally I haven't quite grasped the 'magic' of it yet.
     This magic is often built up of a formula I think of as something similar to this:

   ("Minnows" team spirit, belief and basic footballing ability) + (Premier League arrogance and lack of respect, poor mentality and effects of chaotic winter period games) + the opportunity for lower league sides to either welcome P.L teams at HOME or be inspired on the big stage AWAY = The 'Giant Killer' equation.

  It's a strange one with the F.A. cup, for there are always Premier League teams that fall into the above formula, almost as if a lesson is never learned from years previous and so on. The fact that Premier League teams often don't even put out their starting eleven in this cup is another matter altogether. Of course I understand the need for youth talent to pick up experience and reserves to get a game, but when your reputation and chance to proceed in this historic tournament is on the line, surely your strongest side available is necessary? I point a finger right at Arsene Wenger here. For me he epitomises the arrogance of the Premier League, fielding weak and inexperienced sides for years in both the F.A. and League Cup. He is not the only one at it, Ian Holloway made nine changes to his first team for this weekend's loss to the Saints. His excuse was that Blackpool were never going to win the F.A. Cup in the first place, so he believes, why risk injury to key players that are needed in the Premier League battle to stay afloat let alone in a comfortable 13th place.
    I despise this sort of negativity. Mr. Holloway would say he is being realistic, yet how can you tell in the F.A. Cup? Look at Portsmouth, winners and finalists in such a short space of time yet also relegated. The F.A. Cup is about more than realism, it's about positivity and belief. It seems a bit cliche to be saying all this but I strongly believe it to be true. From the Premier League team's point of view is it a case of forgetting all connections with league position and they may have a stronger chance, or is this too simplistic? Is the F.A. Cup really not that important to footballers and managers these days? English players who have grown up watching this historic cup must know its importance and surely dream of lifting it after a climb up those Wembley steps. Cups are what fans thrive on, silverware can mean everything, I would know, we've been after one for some 42 years now...
   
Jesse   

p.s. if anyone feels like commenting Will and I know how difficult it can be on Blogger so we ask you to send us an email at degodenzonen11@gmail.com. Hopefully if constructive we can start putting some of these up for debate etc.

 thanks