Well, today I have struggled to think of a post, but shall not dissapoint, and will ask the question, Is Messi the best player ever?
Well for me the young Argentine superstar, is a world class player, and you can not take away the fact that he is currently the best player in the world. We all have a favourite player, and it is generally Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. My personal favourite? Ronaldo. Probably due to his ties as a former Manchester United player. The reasons for being a fan of Ronaldo is his dazzling foot work. The skills I have seen from him over the years are remarkable. He is pacy, an eye for a goal, two good feet and fantastic heading ability. For me, Ronaldo offers more than Messi in terms of ability, but Messi scores more goals and has more assists to his name.
Can you say Messi is the best ever? For me, no. Messi is a young man, and although he has achieved more than most, until he retires I don't feel you can call him the best ever. He has won with Barcelona:
5 La Liga titles
1 Copa del Rey title,
5 Supercopa de Espana titles
3 UEFA Champions League titles
2 UEFA Super Cup titles
1 FIFA Club World Cup title.
With Argentina:
1 FIFA U-20 World Cup
1 Olympic Gold Medal
Plus a number of individual awards. When he retires he will have more titles to his name, and I am sure will be the most coveted player in the history of the game.
For me, Pele and Diego Maradona are the big names in the history of the game. Both have achieved one thing Messi has still yet to capture to his impressive titles, the World Cup. If and when Messi and Argentina win it, he will go up the ranks even more.
Personally in my opinion, it is hard to say who the best player is ever. Would Messi have been the player he is in the 60's, 70's or 80's? Would Pele be the player he was in the modern game? We will never find out, and a big sadness for me is not having had the oppurtunity to watch players like Alferdo di Stefano, Bobby Charlton, George Best, Pele, Maradona, Eusebio, Cruyff etc play the beautiful game. Of course I have seen clips on youtube or footage played on the telly, but it isn't the same as watching these players now.
So the debate is up. Who really can be crowned, the best player ever?
Friday, 7 October 2011
Thursday, 6 October 2011
England’s Chances of Winning a Major Tournament
Good Morning, followers and readers of my blog!! I would like to just say that I have had the chance to send an article in to www.4thofficial.co.uk and have the oppurtunity to write for them!! I have only just started blogging, but maybe this is a big oppurtunity for me!! I am keen to get involved in football and this may have opened the gate to something new. And for that I must say I thank Becka Quantick, who you can follow on twitter!! @becka_quantick she is a lovely girl, and a mssive Torquay fan and started a blog. After reading it, I thoroughly enjoyed it and it aspired me to start my own. So thanks!!
Here is my article, that I wrote and sent this morning to 4thofficial:
Here as I speak, we as a nation are just one point and one game away from qualification, to the coming European Championships in Poland and Ukraine. It has been a good qualification for England, and going into the Montenegro game, we are unbeaten with five wins and two draws from seven games. Fifteen goals and just three conceded, make it good showing for our chances in the finals.
But the question is, Can we actually win a Major Tournament? Realistically, we have some word class players, but our squad just doesn’t match up to that of Spain, who has a squad oozing class. Our first XI is very strong, but is the “second string” team good enough?
For me, there are massive problems for England to win a Major Tournament. Since the World Cup success of ’66, England has never reached another final. The best chance of winning a tournament in recent times was 1996, ironically the European Championships played on home turf. England has the quality but there is other areas which will ultimately see us fail yet again. Going into a Major Tournament, there is a lot of hype on the squad to go and win the competition, and we as a nation, do not help the cause. The players come across and seem over confident, saying we will win this time. The press always say “This is our best chance of winning since”, when it is said every time we qualify.
The press play a massive part in our tournaments, and seemingly build the players and manager up, and then knock them back down. This does not help the team for confidence, when suddenly a story of what Wayne Rooney or Steven Gerrard may have done five years ago crops up. I myself, as an England fan enjoy the hype of a Major Tournament and when the first game arrives, can be sure I will be with my mates, drinking and cheering on the lads.
We then come on to the fact that our record of penalty shoot outs. This seems to play on players minds. Can these guys cope with the pressure? Playing for Manchester United at Old Trafford is pressure in itself, but Wayne Rooney still nine times out of ten puts his penalties away, same as Steven Gerrard at Anfield for Liverpool. Frank Lampard is well known for being a goal scorer and tucking away his penalties. They are human as ourselves and make mistakes, but why do they seemingly miss penalties for England? Maybe the pressure that we as a nation heap on them to win is too much for them to handle. In the future, perhaps we should let the players go to the Major Finals without the added pressure.
I do hope that you have enjoyed reading. Please leave comments and let me know on your opinions!!
Here is my article, that I wrote and sent this morning to 4thofficial:
Here as I speak, we as a nation are just one point and one game away from qualification, to the coming European Championships in Poland and Ukraine. It has been a good qualification for England, and going into the Montenegro game, we are unbeaten with five wins and two draws from seven games. Fifteen goals and just three conceded, make it good showing for our chances in the finals.
But the question is, Can we actually win a Major Tournament? Realistically, we have some word class players, but our squad just doesn’t match up to that of Spain, who has a squad oozing class. Our first XI is very strong, but is the “second string” team good enough?
For me, there are massive problems for England to win a Major Tournament. Since the World Cup success of ’66, England has never reached another final. The best chance of winning a tournament in recent times was 1996, ironically the European Championships played on home turf. England has the quality but there is other areas which will ultimately see us fail yet again. Going into a Major Tournament, there is a lot of hype on the squad to go and win the competition, and we as a nation, do not help the cause. The players come across and seem over confident, saying we will win this time. The press always say “This is our best chance of winning since”, when it is said every time we qualify.
The press play a massive part in our tournaments, and seemingly build the players and manager up, and then knock them back down. This does not help the team for confidence, when suddenly a story of what Wayne Rooney or Steven Gerrard may have done five years ago crops up. I myself, as an England fan enjoy the hype of a Major Tournament and when the first game arrives, can be sure I will be with my mates, drinking and cheering on the lads.
We then come on to the fact that our record of penalty shoot outs. This seems to play on players minds. Can these guys cope with the pressure? Playing for Manchester United at Old Trafford is pressure in itself, but Wayne Rooney still nine times out of ten puts his penalties away, same as Steven Gerrard at Anfield for Liverpool. Frank Lampard is well known for being a goal scorer and tucking away his penalties. They are human as ourselves and make mistakes, but why do they seemingly miss penalties for England? Maybe the pressure that we as a nation heap on them to win is too much for them to handle. In the future, perhaps we should let the players go to the Major Finals without the added pressure.
I do hope that you have enjoyed reading. Please leave comments and let me know on your opinions!!
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
Premier League Season so far
I would like to touch upon the Premier League season so far. At the moment, Manchester United and Manchester City look like the teams to beat, whilst Blackburn Rovers on the other hand, look like they are in for a long old season.
Boss Steve Kean, has seen his side win just three times this season. Arsenal 4-3 in the league and Carling Cup ties against Sheffield Wednesday and Leyton Orient (both at home). It interests me to also see that Blackburn have picked up 17 yellow cards and 1 red already. The next 5 games are crucial for Blackburn and Steve Kean, should he remain in charge. QPR (a), Spurs (h), Norwich (a), Chelsea (h) and Wigan (a) are all tricky games for a team seemingly low on confidence.
Next, I would like to touch on the promoted teams, QPR, Norwich and Swansea. All three teams sit 9th, 10, and 11th after seven games all on 8 points. All teams have started fairly brightly and look like they could maintain their survival. QPR must bounce back from the 6-0 defeat against Fulham, if they want to maintain there start to life back in the Premier League.
All credit must go to Swansea so far, the first Welsh team in the league. I watched them twice last season whilst watching Bristol City, away when Bristol City won 1-0 and at Ashton Gate which we lost 2-0. I must say Swansea blew me away with the football they played. All one touch, quick, sharp passes, which were very direct, and they still play it in the Premiership.
Norwich have surprised me, with some good football, and were unlucky not to pick up at least a point at Old Trafford at the weekend. The quality of the champions, coming through at the end of a tough game.
Bolton and Arsenal have both struggled for different reasons so far this season. Bolton sit bottom with Arsenal 15th. Not where Arsene Wenger would want them going into the international break. Bolton have had a tough run of fames, including Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal. These are tough games in themselves, but they are usually a very tough side to beat at home, and have so far shipped 15 goals in the 4 home games they have played.
Arsenal for me have been playing some decent football, but lack the midfield support and the final cutting edge. The departures of Nasri and Fabregas have been key, and I think they need to replace these players. Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun are fantastic players, but it is a big ask to replace £50 millions worth of talent. I think this International break will do wonders for them.
Newcastle are the biggest surprise this season. 7 games played and in the top 4. This is more than Alan Pardew could imagine, and shows the spirit in the Newcastle United dressing room right now. They are all on a high, and battle hard for each other and the manager. This is a factor why they are one of four teams unbeaten this season. The others being the two Manchester clubs and Aston Villa. Demba Ba has scored 4 goals this season, both in his last two games, and Leon Best has found his feet in the Premiership, and has scored 3 goals himself.
I am just going to leave you now with a current team of players I believe to be on form this season. Some players you may agree with, others perhaps not but this is my opinion and I welcome yours. I will go 4-4-2.
Goalkeeper - Shay Given
Defenders - Kyle Walker
Phil Jones
Fabricio Coloccini
Jose Enrique
Midfielders - Ashley Young
Frank Lampard
Sebastian Larsson
David Silva
Strikers : Wayne Rooney
Sergio Aguero
Bench: Tim Krul
Ashley Williams
Vincent Kompany
Nani
Rafael Van Der Vaart
Luis Suarez
Danny Welbeck
Boss Steve Kean, has seen his side win just three times this season. Arsenal 4-3 in the league and Carling Cup ties against Sheffield Wednesday and Leyton Orient (both at home). It interests me to also see that Blackburn have picked up 17 yellow cards and 1 red already. The next 5 games are crucial for Blackburn and Steve Kean, should he remain in charge. QPR (a), Spurs (h), Norwich (a), Chelsea (h) and Wigan (a) are all tricky games for a team seemingly low on confidence.
Next, I would like to touch on the promoted teams, QPR, Norwich and Swansea. All three teams sit 9th, 10, and 11th after seven games all on 8 points. All teams have started fairly brightly and look like they could maintain their survival. QPR must bounce back from the 6-0 defeat against Fulham, if they want to maintain there start to life back in the Premier League.
All credit must go to Swansea so far, the first Welsh team in the league. I watched them twice last season whilst watching Bristol City, away when Bristol City won 1-0 and at Ashton Gate which we lost 2-0. I must say Swansea blew me away with the football they played. All one touch, quick, sharp passes, which were very direct, and they still play it in the Premiership.
Norwich have surprised me, with some good football, and were unlucky not to pick up at least a point at Old Trafford at the weekend. The quality of the champions, coming through at the end of a tough game.
Bolton and Arsenal have both struggled for different reasons so far this season. Bolton sit bottom with Arsenal 15th. Not where Arsene Wenger would want them going into the international break. Bolton have had a tough run of fames, including Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal. These are tough games in themselves, but they are usually a very tough side to beat at home, and have so far shipped 15 goals in the 4 home games they have played.
Arsenal for me have been playing some decent football, but lack the midfield support and the final cutting edge. The departures of Nasri and Fabregas have been key, and I think they need to replace these players. Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun are fantastic players, but it is a big ask to replace £50 millions worth of talent. I think this International break will do wonders for them.
Newcastle are the biggest surprise this season. 7 games played and in the top 4. This is more than Alan Pardew could imagine, and shows the spirit in the Newcastle United dressing room right now. They are all on a high, and battle hard for each other and the manager. This is a factor why they are one of four teams unbeaten this season. The others being the two Manchester clubs and Aston Villa. Demba Ba has scored 4 goals this season, both in his last two games, and Leon Best has found his feet in the Premiership, and has scored 3 goals himself.
I am just going to leave you now with a current team of players I believe to be on form this season. Some players you may agree with, others perhaps not but this is my opinion and I welcome yours. I will go 4-4-2.
Goalkeeper - Shay Given
Defenders - Kyle Walker
Phil Jones
Fabricio Coloccini
Jose Enrique
Midfielders - Ashley Young
Frank Lampard
Sebastian Larsson
David Silva
Strikers : Wayne Rooney
Sergio Aguero
Bench: Tim Krul
Ashley Williams
Vincent Kompany
Nani
Rafael Van Der Vaart
Luis Suarez
Danny Welbeck
Diving
Now diving is a massive thing in the beautiful game now, and in my opinion something that does need clamping down on. The problem we have with diving is quite clear in the case of one Paolo di Canio. Di Canio is famous for being a fantastic player in the Premier League, and fans of Everton will remember him for catching the ball in the 18 yard box, with their goalkeeper down injured.
Di Canio, who now manages Swindon Town in League 2, watched his team suffer yet another away defeat last Friday night, this time at the hands of Macclesfield Town. Di Canio was left fuming, when Matt Ritchie, who got clipped rounding the Macclesfield goalkeeper Jose Veiga, stayed on his feet and didn't get a penalty.
"From now on I will tell my players to dive," Di Canio told BBC Wiltshire.
"From now on I will bring in a different culture because this was a red card and penalty."
He added: "I'd prefer that they risk getting a yellow card for simulation. My team are the only ones who do not dive somewhere around the field.
"He [Ritchie] was too honest but it wasn't malicious - he [Veiga] had no intentions. You can't stay on your feet just because you want to be honest."
In my opinion, you have to look at this two ways. I don't condemn diving in the slightest, but you have to do what it takes to win football matches. This problem now creates a problem for referees. How do they know if you have dived or if you have really been fouled? It is a hard enough task for the referee, and I am in the majority of fans to give the referee abuse if I feel he has missed something. We are all human, and I can not say that I have never made a mistake, because I have.
But let me ask you to picture this.... The fourth official has indicated a minimum of four minutes added time, in the World Cup Final, in Brazil in 2014, and Wayne Rooney is bearing down on goal, with Real Madrid's Iker Casillas awaiting him. It is 0-0 and Rooney goes round Casillas and his touch is heavy and goes down without being touched. The referee, points to the spot and awards England a penalty kick. Casillas is sent off, and now Rooney has a chance to win the World Cup. He hammers the ball into the roof of the net, and England win the game.
My question to you is.... Are you bothered that Rooney has dived and we have won the World Cup? Would you not celebrate because he has cheated? For me, it may be wrong, but you have to do whatever it takes in order to win the game. What's your views on it?
Di Canio, who now manages Swindon Town in League 2, watched his team suffer yet another away defeat last Friday night, this time at the hands of Macclesfield Town. Di Canio was left fuming, when Matt Ritchie, who got clipped rounding the Macclesfield goalkeeper Jose Veiga, stayed on his feet and didn't get a penalty.
"From now on I will tell my players to dive," Di Canio told BBC Wiltshire.
"From now on I will bring in a different culture because this was a red card and penalty."
He added: "I'd prefer that they risk getting a yellow card for simulation. My team are the only ones who do not dive somewhere around the field.
"It's not fair but it's the only way to receive something.
"He [Ritchie] was too honest but it wasn't malicious - he [Veiga] had no intentions. You can't stay on your feet just because you want to be honest."
In my opinion, you have to look at this two ways. I don't condemn diving in the slightest, but you have to do what it takes to win football matches. This problem now creates a problem for referees. How do they know if you have dived or if you have really been fouled? It is a hard enough task for the referee, and I am in the majority of fans to give the referee abuse if I feel he has missed something. We are all human, and I can not say that I have never made a mistake, because I have.
But let me ask you to picture this.... The fourth official has indicated a minimum of four minutes added time, in the World Cup Final, in Brazil in 2014, and Wayne Rooney is bearing down on goal, with Real Madrid's Iker Casillas awaiting him. It is 0-0 and Rooney goes round Casillas and his touch is heavy and goes down without being touched. The referee, points to the spot and awards England a penalty kick. Casillas is sent off, and now Rooney has a chance to win the World Cup. He hammers the ball into the roof of the net, and England win the game.
My question to you is.... Are you bothered that Rooney has dived and we have won the World Cup? Would you not celebrate because he has cheated? For me, it may be wrong, but you have to do whatever it takes in order to win the game. What's your views on it?
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Football Managers
Just in the last week or so, we have seen the start of the managers losing their jobs. Peter Reid has lost his job at Plymouth Argyle, with them seemingly looking in trouble early on this season. This has been followed up by Steve McClaren resigning from his post at Nottingham Forest on Sunday evening, and Keith Millen ending his 12 year stay at Bristol City after being sacked on Monday.
Interestingly, when considering doing this blog on football managers who have recently lost their jobs, I checked out the League Managers Asssociation (LMA) website, and found many names out of work. These men range from Carlo Ancelotti (former Chelsea manager) to Chris Turner (most famous for his spell at Hartlepool United, amongst others). Other names mentioned are Gianfranco Zola, and Gianluca Vialli, who both had ties with Chelsea. For the full list of managers on the LMA list, you can find them here: http://www.leaguemanagers.com/
With so many managers out of a job, why do some teams look at managers in a job? Currently, Bristol City have been linked with Derek McInnes (current St. Johnstone manager), and they today have come out and said they would not stand in his way should Bristol City approach them. They have started brightly this season, and sit 5th after 10 games. McInnes has been in the job since Owen Coyle moved to Burnley, and so far has achieved winning the Scottish First Division in 2009, and two 8th placed finishes in the SPL.
But why look at this man and seemingly disturb what the Scottish club are doing? Managers such as Mark Hughes, Roy Keane, Dave Jones, Aidy Boothroyd, Alan Curbishley, George Burley, Paul Ince, David O' Leary, Gordon Strachan and Martin O' Neill etc are all still unemployed.
Some of these managers have been missing for a long time from the game, and you wonder what the future holds. How are some of these managers going to get back into the game? Are they finished in football? When will we see them next? The other point to consider, is are they up together with current football? Some of the names on the LMA website ahve been missing for a long time. Can they come back to a game that has seemingly moved onwards and upwards?
So my question is for you to ponder is.... Do managers get treated unfairly and should be given more time? We all know what has happened with Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson.
Interestingly, when considering doing this blog on football managers who have recently lost their jobs, I checked out the League Managers Asssociation (LMA) website, and found many names out of work. These men range from Carlo Ancelotti (former Chelsea manager) to Chris Turner (most famous for his spell at Hartlepool United, amongst others). Other names mentioned are Gianfranco Zola, and Gianluca Vialli, who both had ties with Chelsea. For the full list of managers on the LMA list, you can find them here: http://www.leaguemanagers.com/
With so many managers out of a job, why do some teams look at managers in a job? Currently, Bristol City have been linked with Derek McInnes (current St. Johnstone manager), and they today have come out and said they would not stand in his way should Bristol City approach them. They have started brightly this season, and sit 5th after 10 games. McInnes has been in the job since Owen Coyle moved to Burnley, and so far has achieved winning the Scottish First Division in 2009, and two 8th placed finishes in the SPL.
But why look at this man and seemingly disturb what the Scottish club are doing? Managers such as Mark Hughes, Roy Keane, Dave Jones, Aidy Boothroyd, Alan Curbishley, George Burley, Paul Ince, David O' Leary, Gordon Strachan and Martin O' Neill etc are all still unemployed.
Some of these managers have been missing for a long time from the game, and you wonder what the future holds. How are some of these managers going to get back into the game? Are they finished in football? When will we see them next? The other point to consider, is are they up together with current football? Some of the names on the LMA website ahve been missing for a long time. Can they come back to a game that has seemingly moved onwards and upwards?
So my question is for you to ponder is.... Do managers get treated unfairly and should be given more time? We all know what has happened with Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson.
Welcome to my Blog
Well, where do we begin? From the start I guess. As you probably know, I am Rob Mills, a massive Football fan. You can follow me on twitter!! @Millz_10 I am 24, from Stroud in Gloucestershire. I support Manchester United and Bristol City and play in goal on a Saturday for my local team Randwick Fc, in the Stroud District Football League in Division 1. You can find out how we are doing by going to: http://www.stroudleague.co.uk/index.php?p=1_8
Randwick also have teams in Division 4 and 8.
On a Sunday, my team is Chalford Cavaliers, who play in the Gloucestershire Sunday League in the Premier Division. You can check our progress here: http://football.mitoo.co.uk/LeagueTab.cfm?TblName=Matches&DivisionID=15732&LeagueCode=GLOUC2011
This blog will be about my passion for football, things going on in football and the latest from my own games etc.
As I have said in my "About Me" section, I am a Manchester United fan, and own every home shirt since the 1994/95 season. The reasons I started supporting them was because I loved Eric 'The King' Cantona, and Peter Schmeichel was my goalkeeping hero. I used to always want to emulate the Danish superstar.
I am also a keen Bristol City fan, through bad luck with injury and also friends who have season tickets, and travel the country to watch them. In September 2009, I unfortunately fractured my tibia, playing in a game and had this injury through til January 2010 but made a handful of substitute appearances in April for Chalford Cavaliers. I went with my friends home and away to watch Bristol City and thoroughly enjoyed my time doing so. In 2010 in June, I suffered the exact same injury and started watching again. Come Christmas time, I started playing again and watching away games.
Moving on to the 2011/12 season and things looked bright up until two weeks ago. Playing in goal for an unbeaten Randwick, I was totally cleaned out and suffered damaged ankle ligaments which will rule me out for 6-8 weeks. This has now enabled me to watch Bristol City again whilst I am injured.
Well this is my first post. Sorry if you have found it a little long and boring but it is my first blog, and is just an intruduction to who I am and the reasons for supporting these teams. Should there be anything you wish to see on my blogs, please feel free to put forward your suggestions.I hope you have enjoyed it!!
Randwick also have teams in Division 4 and 8.
On a Sunday, my team is Chalford Cavaliers, who play in the Gloucestershire Sunday League in the Premier Division. You can check our progress here: http://football.mitoo.co.uk/LeagueTab.cfm?TblName=Matches&DivisionID=15732&LeagueCode=GLOUC2011
This blog will be about my passion for football, things going on in football and the latest from my own games etc.
As I have said in my "About Me" section, I am a Manchester United fan, and own every home shirt since the 1994/95 season. The reasons I started supporting them was because I loved Eric 'The King' Cantona, and Peter Schmeichel was my goalkeeping hero. I used to always want to emulate the Danish superstar.
I am also a keen Bristol City fan, through bad luck with injury and also friends who have season tickets, and travel the country to watch them. In September 2009, I unfortunately fractured my tibia, playing in a game and had this injury through til January 2010 but made a handful of substitute appearances in April for Chalford Cavaliers. I went with my friends home and away to watch Bristol City and thoroughly enjoyed my time doing so. In 2010 in June, I suffered the exact same injury and started watching again. Come Christmas time, I started playing again and watching away games.
Moving on to the 2011/12 season and things looked bright up until two weeks ago. Playing in goal for an unbeaten Randwick, I was totally cleaned out and suffered damaged ankle ligaments which will rule me out for 6-8 weeks. This has now enabled me to watch Bristol City again whilst I am injured.
Well this is my first post. Sorry if you have found it a little long and boring but it is my first blog, and is just an intruduction to who I am and the reasons for supporting these teams. Should there be anything you wish to see on my blogs, please feel free to put forward your suggestions.I hope you have enjoyed it!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)