Just when we were enjoying the prospect of a good old fashioned ding dong in the premiership title race Manchester United have slipped into the top gear. Ever since old Rafa said his piece about Fergie it seems to have fired up the Old Trafford boss because his team looks the most likely champions. In comparison, the men from Anfield are fading fast.
Benitez has had his own problems with multiple operations for kidney stones and that has certainly not helped Liverpool. Whether they can continue to challenge or not remains to be seen. The league table does not lie and when you look at the number of points Liverpool has dropped it does not look well. They have simply drawn far too many games for a team that is going for the title
When you compare squads from all the title challengers then Man United look the most formidable. They have had their share of injury problems but it has not hindered their progress. Liverpool has plenty of quality themselves but sometimes you wonder why Benitez makes so many changes to his side. This is a source of frustration for even the most loyal supporter.
It is also a tale of two strikers. Manchester United has Dimitar Berbatov up front while Liverpool signed Robbie Keane for around £20 million. Berbatov made an instant impression and has looked like a great signing. In contrast Keane has not established himself. The transfer fee that Liverpool paid for Keane did raise some eyebrows at the time and he has not justified it yet. When you pay so much for a top striker then you really need to see a return of some description.
The Complete Football Betting System For Use On Betfair.
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Monday, 26 January 2009
FA Cup Coverage On TV
For years, we have been used to watching FA Cup football on the BBC so it is very strange now it is on ITV. Of course, Setanta has it as well but this is not much good to the many that refuse to subscribe to yet another TV channel. FA Cup football is traditional and it is only right it remains on terrestrial television.
The coverage of FA Cup football was always highly polished when it was in the hands of the Beeb. Regardless of what people thought of the individual commentators and presenters they all did a thoroughly professional job. In comparison, the ITV coverage has at times seemed a little rusty. This is to be expected and will fade over time.
It does seem odd watching the opening credits and instead of the good old Match of the Day theme tune we have the ITV version which does not have the same impact.
The main problem with the ITV coverage is the amount of advertisements you have to put up with. This was demonstrated perfectly on the 5th round draw programme. The ad breaks ruined ITV’s coverage of Formula 1 especially with that painful, monotonous Sony clip that drove us crazy. Advertising keeps these channels in business but sometimes they should remember what it is we are actually tuning in for.
The BBC does not escape criticism after all they receive an obscene amount of money every year via the TV licence fee. In return, the viewers expect them to be able to secure major sporting events like the FA Cup. Sadly it seems as time goes on the BBC becomes less keen to do this.
It remains to be seen whether the BBC is serious about cup football when the rights are up for renewal. The ITV channel has dabbled in previous years most notably with their premiership coverage. It would not be that much of a surprise if the FA Cup coverage swapped hands again next time.
The Complete Football Betting System For Use On Betfair.
The coverage of FA Cup football was always highly polished when it was in the hands of the Beeb. Regardless of what people thought of the individual commentators and presenters they all did a thoroughly professional job. In comparison, the ITV coverage has at times seemed a little rusty. This is to be expected and will fade over time.
It does seem odd watching the opening credits and instead of the good old Match of the Day theme tune we have the ITV version which does not have the same impact.
The main problem with the ITV coverage is the amount of advertisements you have to put up with. This was demonstrated perfectly on the 5th round draw programme. The ad breaks ruined ITV’s coverage of Formula 1 especially with that painful, monotonous Sony clip that drove us crazy. Advertising keeps these channels in business but sometimes they should remember what it is we are actually tuning in for.
The BBC does not escape criticism after all they receive an obscene amount of money every year via the TV licence fee. In return, the viewers expect them to be able to secure major sporting events like the FA Cup. Sadly it seems as time goes on the BBC becomes less keen to do this.
It remains to be seen whether the BBC is serious about cup football when the rights are up for renewal. The ITV channel has dabbled in previous years most notably with their premiership coverage. It would not be that much of a surprise if the FA Cup coverage swapped hands again next time.
The Complete Football Betting System For Use On Betfair.
Saturday, 17 January 2009
Man City In A Hurry
Thanks to their new owners Manchester City are probably the richest football club in the world at present. Many teams face an uncertain future thanks to the economic downturn but City is flexing the financial muscle. The fact they have attempted to sign the world’s best player is a statement of intent. If they do not secure the services of Kaka then they will simply move on to the next target.
The signing of Robinho was a stunner especially when you consider Chelsea looked like his preferred destination. That signing looks like being the first of many as the Abu Dhabi group try spending their way to success on the pitch. Money does not always guarantee success. The two Brazilians are as skillful as you like but they may not relish a muddy pitch in late November. They will also need high calibre players who are prepared to roll their sleeves up and get stuck in.
This is a curious way of building a team that has provoked some criticism. Managers like the late Brian Clough used to build teams from the back but Man City’s owners just like Roman Abramovich do not see things quite the same way. People with huge resources do not usually want to hang around and these guys want success in a hurry.
Arsenal seems to be fading this season and Aston Villa is on the verge of establishing themselves in the top four. A strong challenge from Manchester City in future will certainly spice things up where the title race is concerned. Money will probably have a massive impact at Eastlands because world class players want to be competing in the Champions League and winning trophies.
The Complete Football Betting System For Use On Betfair.
The signing of Robinho was a stunner especially when you consider Chelsea looked like his preferred destination. That signing looks like being the first of many as the Abu Dhabi group try spending their way to success on the pitch. Money does not always guarantee success. The two Brazilians are as skillful as you like but they may not relish a muddy pitch in late November. They will also need high calibre players who are prepared to roll their sleeves up and get stuck in.
This is a curious way of building a team that has provoked some criticism. Managers like the late Brian Clough used to build teams from the back but Man City’s owners just like Roman Abramovich do not see things quite the same way. People with huge resources do not usually want to hang around and these guys want success in a hurry.
Arsenal seems to be fading this season and Aston Villa is on the verge of establishing themselves in the top four. A strong challenge from Manchester City in future will certainly spice things up where the title race is concerned. Money will probably have a massive impact at Eastlands because world class players want to be competing in the Champions League and winning trophies.
The Complete Football Betting System For Use On Betfair.
Saturday, 10 January 2009
Benitez Speaks His Mind
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez did not sidestep any issues at his recent press conference. He gave Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson both barrels in an extraordinary attack. Fergie has been in the game for so long that many people are reluctant to cross swords with him but Benitez was not having any of it. They may not say so in public but privately there will be plenty of managers who agree with what Rafa had to say.
It has been compared to the outburst by Kevin Keegan when he was Newcastle United manager all those years ago. On that occasion, Fergie’s notorious mind games clearly got the better of Keegan and he duly cracked. This was different though because Rafa was cool, calm and collected and spoke at length about his grievances with Ferguson. In particular, about how he complains about everything and is rarely punished.
Ferguson is a legend in managerial terms but he does appear to do more than his fair share of complaining. Having a dig at the referee before the match is a subtle way of applying pressure to the official. All managers have their moments where referees and linesmen are concerned but the recent complaint about the Manchester United fixtures was ridiculous. The idea it had been done deliberately to harm their premiership title bid was just plain daft.
Jamie Carragher recently spoke about the possibility of psychological warfare from their title rivals. He correctly predicted it would signal how seriously teams are now taking Liverpool. Now the half way point of the season has past we can expect things to get very interesting both on and off the pitch. Fergie is not slow in coming forward if he has got something to say. With Chelsea looking unconvincing and Arsenal constantly up and down it may yet prove to be a battle between Liverpool and Man Utd for the premiership title.
The Complete Football Betting System For Use On Betfair.
It has been compared to the outburst by Kevin Keegan when he was Newcastle United manager all those years ago. On that occasion, Fergie’s notorious mind games clearly got the better of Keegan and he duly cracked. This was different though because Rafa was cool, calm and collected and spoke at length about his grievances with Ferguson. In particular, about how he complains about everything and is rarely punished.
Ferguson is a legend in managerial terms but he does appear to do more than his fair share of complaining. Having a dig at the referee before the match is a subtle way of applying pressure to the official. All managers have their moments where referees and linesmen are concerned but the recent complaint about the Manchester United fixtures was ridiculous. The idea it had been done deliberately to harm their premiership title bid was just plain daft.
Jamie Carragher recently spoke about the possibility of psychological warfare from their title rivals. He correctly predicted it would signal how seriously teams are now taking Liverpool. Now the half way point of the season has past we can expect things to get very interesting both on and off the pitch. Fergie is not slow in coming forward if he has got something to say. With Chelsea looking unconvincing and Arsenal constantly up and down it may yet prove to be a battle between Liverpool and Man Utd for the premiership title.
The Complete Football Betting System For Use On Betfair.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)