Your spot for what's kicking in the world of soccer.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Chelsea's Big Brazilian Brut "Alex," Makes Move To PSG


Alex has moved to Paris Saint-Germain for a fee of 4 million Euro's reuniting him with former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti. With the new arrival of Bolton's Gary Cahill at the Blues, Alex could see his already non-existant field time diminishing even more.

This transfer window has been a bit quite on a whole, and this deal is only one in a few that sees a slightly- high profile player move to a high profile club. All I am saying is he can hit a mean free kick, so  hold on to you Berets players of League 1.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

"El Classico" And A Dani Alves Screamer (Video)


In the latest edition of the " El Classico," Real Madrid once again finds it impossible to defeat Barcelona in their Copa Del Rey second leg tie, at the Camp Nou. It was another frustrating evening for the "Los Blancos," and Jose Mourinho as they drew on the night, yet do not progress due to a 4-3 aggregate score from last weeks defeat.

Once again Madrid exploded out of the gates, with Gonzalo Higuain squandering a chance inside the first minute from a Barcelona defensive mix-up. Madrid looked like scoring first, yet couldn't muster a goal. I heard the great Ray Hudson talking on a radio show earlier in the day where he said that it's almost a detriment to score first against Barcelona. It's kind of like aggravating a tiger. The beast already want's your throat, pulling it's tail only increases this hunger.

The deciding goal was absolutely howitzer-ed home by the Brazilian fullback putting the game out of reach for Madrid. Check the video below, paying close attention to the celebratory dance starring goal scorer Alves and Eric Abidal...It's an absolutely classic jig, for an absolutely classic occasion.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Surfer Magazines: Shit Surfers Say....


Funny spot on what shit surfers say. I am currently living in Hawaii....and you meet a lot, and I stress a lot of these bros.

Juventus Fan Tries To Sell Amuari On Ebay

Frustrated Juventus fans have developed a brilliant way to sell players who do nothing but suck money from the club, case and point Amauri.  The out of form Brazilian/converted Italian has been a somewhat of a disappointment since moving from Palermo in 2008, and fans look to the power of the internet, with guaranteed next-day shipping.

The bidding reached 10 million euros before the listing was pulled.

This made me think about who I would post for sale on ebay from my team Liverpool? Now that David N'Gog is gone, and Lucas Leiva has become a fantastic player I'd say maybe no one.....not Andy Carroll... yet.
http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Liver n' Onions: Liverpool is that bad friend who always gets you into trouble


Oh it has been an interesting few weeks for Liverpool football club, racism, arrests draws with Stoke, all makes it on a whole a pretty grim start to the new year. 

In the wake of Luis Suarez's 8 match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra, Liverpool fans have been up in arms over a decision that sees their main out of action. What has come out in result of this is the club creating " support Suarez" t- shirts to which players have warn whilst warming up. This seems a bit wrong, supporting racism in a way, even if it's a team member.  Feeling aggrieved that their goal threat is now significantly diminished, the club has tried to distance them selves from the racism claim and fight the fact that it was racist at all for Suarez to say what he did to Evra. What sees those efforts squashed, quickly to mention  was a certain number of  fans racially abusing young right-back Tom Adeyemi during Liverpool's FA Cup clash with Oldham. This abuse brought the young player to tears, playing in one of the most significant games in his young career.

As a Liverpool fan this disgusts me....the fact that a fans would have the nerve to racially abuse a player is one thing,  but this occurring directly after the Suarez ordeal is just plain stupid. Feeling aggrieved that their star man will out for what they view as not a racist act, only responding with the events that took place against Oldham. Once again the Reds are in the papers for the wrong reason. Stalling a bit in the league, without their main strike force, and now a pair of racist offensives equals hardly a comfortable standing. Expanding on this Stewart Downing was taken into custody after allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend,  in a night-club. This is  the last thing that Liverpool needed in the wake of the Suarez incident, and what happened at Oldham. Downing scored in the 5-1 win against Oldham, his first goal since moving from Aston Villa this summer, screaming somewhat of a disappointment in the scheme of new players brought in by Dalgleish

Liverpool have been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons these last weeks with events mentioned above. With the January transfer window upon us rumors of Andy Carroll making a surprise move back to Newcastle, the team he moved from for 35 million pounds. Struggling with fitness since the move Carroll has yet to prove himself at Anfield, but with Suarez out for 8 games people should be focusing on how he now has the chance to prove himself instead of him leaving. 

From the red side of Liverpool it has been a silly week or so,  but all put levity aside when Liverpool faced Manchester City in the Carling Cup last Wednesday, defeating the Manchester powerhouse 1-0. The goal of a fourth or better place of the Dalgleish lead Liverpool is one that will be difficult so in that light the reds should focus sights on the Carling Cup. In all honesty the Carling Cup is a competition that the Reds should feel they could win. A Champions League spot paired with some silverware, though be it the Carling Cup is something the reds should shoot for.

Some have accused manager Kenny Dalgleish of being tactically negligent, having taken a long break away from football, and this view-point seemed to retained water when his squad faced Stoke City. The old dog showed us well some old tricks as we failed to score a goal, playing in a highly defensive set-up.  Stoke is a side that prides its self of being defensively solid, with strong players from back to front. Liverpool having one of the most defensively sound record this season seemed to fight fire with fire, seemingly to at times have a 5 man back-line. With Luis Suarez out and Carroll well whatever…Dalgleish had the options of Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy, the Scot chose Kuyt to pierce the Stoke back-line, leading the line on his own.  It looked as though he was hoping the trickery of Kuyt would foil the slow, strength oriented Stoke back-line. This did not work and Kuyt scuffed a pure peach of chance, as he found himself with a free header but it spun wide.  Andy Carroll came on with 30 minutes to go to try to get on the end of Gerrard's passes, but he looked lost, and the one dimensional style of lofting balls at the pony-tailed head of Carroll, was dealt with ease by the Stoke defenders.  

There was just not enough in attack, resulting in a 0-0 draw with Stoke, Kuyt came to Liverpool as a striker, but after years of watching him, he's not. Better supporting a striker, as a link between midfield, Kuyt has been a great servant but I would not ask him to lead the line. Craig Bellamy would have been a better option as his second stint on Merseyside has been more fruitful than expected, and his speed and agility is tough for many to deal with. 

To be honest the love affair that I have with Dalgleish is being tested. Great last season, when implemented as coach but results this season have fallen by the wayside.  It's actually not so much the results but its the way that we set up at the start of the game, the mindset, the approach, all of that. Liverpool put on a defensive clinic against Manchester City  in the Carling cup, after Gerrard put the team ahead through a penalty. With Jamie Carragher

With transfer rumors swirling around the footballing landscape, Liverpool have been pretty quiet. Feeling as though he has the squad to push on, even with the suspensions and injuries, the few rumors there has been have come on the offensive side of the game. With Dalgleish trying to build a strong British based side, sights  have been set on Jermaine Defoe, who has been suffering from sores sustained by sitting on the Tottenham bench. Needing a goal scorer, the risk of going for a player whose bench time outweighs his time on the pitch is not really the direction I would orient my compass. I'm one for the outrageous and nothing would be more outrageous than an Anfield return from the once divine son, Fernando Torres. With Torres being " offered" to Carlo Ancelotti at PSG, the striker with something to prove could do this back at his own stomping grounds having seen what it's like at the next level. Call it a vision quest, and now he is ready to return and show the player he was and is.  

On a more realistic note  Liverpool have completed the signing of a player who has been heralded as " The New Deco," 19 year old João Carlos from Sporting Lisbon academy, the same academy who produced Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani. 

With Liverpool's next match against Bolton a team floundering at the bottom who recently lost their prized asset Gary Cahill to Chelsea, will be a  wounded animal that Liverpool should set out to ravage. 

Monday, January 16, 2012

Battle of the Boston Big-Wiggs.

Posted on the Boston Globe today news that Liverpool could be facing AS Roma in a friendly at Fenway Park this summer. Why Boston? Well that is because both teams have been recently purchased by Boston- based investors. John Henry of the Fenway Sports Group purchased the England club in 2010, taking over from the previous American owners John Hicks and George Gillett. The Rome based club was taken over by minority owner of the Boston Red Sox Thomas DiBenedetto and Celtics owner James Pallotta.

The Red Sox's home of Fenway Park would be the appropriate location to hold this glorious Bostonian occasion, and with the growing interest in the foreign game I would expect to seats filled all the way up to the seats perched on the green monster. This would fall into both of the teams summer tours, dates have not been confirmed but Liverpool is said to be in the Boston area from June 20th-July 4th.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Arctic Monkeys and The Black Keys announce tour dates.


You would be hard pressed to find two bands, currently playing that I would rather see more than these two. The Arctic Monkeys and the Black Keys will be touring together in the States, not long after both bands have produced new albums. The Arctic Monkey's "Suck It And See" was released last summer and personally it has been growing on me ever since. More recently the Black Keys released "El Camino," which has been gathering plaudits left and right. Personally it's my least favorite of their albums, preferring the more bare-boned, garage rock that their earlier albums boast. Anyway this will not deter me from attending one of these  mammoth occasions. One disappointing element is it seems that in the all  concert locations listed below, the venues tend to be arenas....booo. I'm from the Bay Area of California and the fact they are playing in the Oracle Arena disappoints me.

Here are the dates and locations:

BLACK KEYS

Arctic Monkeys are pleased to announce a 2nd North American run of dates with The Black Keys in 2012.
Further to the previously announced 16-date tour in March, Arctic Monkeys will play a further 16 shows throughout April & May 2012.
APRIL - w/Black Keys
24th AprilCynthia Woods Pavillion, Houston, TX
25th AprilFrank Erwin Center, Austin, TX
27th AprilChaifetz Arena, St Louis, MO
28th AprilBOK Center, Tulsa, OK
30th April1st Bank Center, Broomfield, CO
 
MAY - w/Black Keys
2nd MayMaverik Center, West Valley City, UT
4th MayOracle Arena, Oakland, CA
5th MayPowerbalance Pavilion, Sacramento, CA
7th MayRose Garden Arena, Portland, OR
8th MayKey Arena, Seattle, WA
9th MayRogers Arena, Vancouver, BC
11th MayScotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, AB
12th MayRexall Place, Edmonton, AB
14th MayMTS Centre, Winnipeg, MB
15th MayTarget Center, Minneapolis, MN
16th MayBradley Center, Milwaukee, WI
All shows will be on sale Friday 13th January - except Seattle(onsale TBC) & Denver(17th Jan).
Head to http://www.arcticmonkeys.com/ for ticketlinks and all other show announcements.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

If America had invented Soccer.


One of my favorite soccer related commercials of all time, Under Armor and Jonathan Wright have made
“Get up. Play on.” (If America Had Invented Soccer). Hit the link and prepare for some absolute brilliance.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Keeper beats Keeper


In Everton's 1-2 loss against Bolton Wanderers Everton's keeper Tim Howard launched a back pass from his box that took a bounce over Bolton's keeper Adam Bogdan to score his first goal of the season(tongue & cheek). A game where the weather played a factor, the ball seemed to be swept up by the wind landing in the goal just out of reach of the flailing Bogdan. A keeper scoring a goal is a sight not seen very often....truly spectacular.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Liver n' Onions: Bellamy Blasts Back



Emerging from the holiday season a slight bit heavier, I recollect on the football feast that has taken place weeks prior to the new year. The holiday season is always a crowded one, where depths of squads and the fitness levels of players are tested. As for the Red side of Merseyside, Liverpool faced  a schedule that  pitted them against manageable opposition, only to emerge with a draw 0-0 draw against Wigan, and a one all with Blackburn. Hardly the Christmas/ Hanukkah wish of the Liverpool fan. Liverpool is a team that of late has struggled to put chances away, and when Liverpool faced Newcastle United on friday they would be without leading scorer Luis Suarez out due to suspension. 

One of the highest scoring fixtures in the Premier League era, former Newcastle player Andy Carroll would be looking to continue that trend leading the line for Liverpool in the Uruguayan's absence. A stop-start career since moving to Liverpool for a phenomenal fee of 35 million pounds, Carroll would relish the opportunity to sink  the magpies. Having been robbed of winner last week by Blackburn's keeper Mark Bunn, Carroll's frustration continued into this game as he mustered only one real notable chance but his header rocketed back off the bar.


The two teams came into this game 1 point different with Newcastle sitting below Liverpool in 7th. Newcastle scored first with a freak- like goal headed on initially by Yohan Cabye, resulting in a ricochet off of Liverpool's Daniel Agger and into the back of the net. Oh no…here we go again I thought as a less than spectacular record at Anfield this year has left me a skeptical and bitter man. Liverpool have been the embodiment of mediocrity of this season dropping valuable points against lesser opposition. This said my woes where short-lived as Liverpool leveled via Craig Bellamy blasting a loose ball of a corner past Tim Krul in goal. Without many notable saves from either of the keepers, this game looked destined for a draw, which would have made it 5 draws in the last 6 home games for the Reds. With one of the best defenses in the Premier League, breaking down the center back pairing of Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel has proved a tough prospect.

Solid defending paired with a lack of scoring has been the formula for the bountiful draws that the reds have incurred his season. A formula foiled as once again Craig Bellamy hit a peach free kick that dodged traffic on its way into Krul's net. Bellamy had an immense game on the wing, starting in place of Maxi Rodriguez who performed well in the 1-1 draw with Blackburn, yet dropped this weeks dropped to the bench. 

Possibly the signing of the season, Newcastle's Demba Ba nearly leveled the match reaching a slide rule pass in the box which he chipped over Reina from a tight angle, but the Super Slovakian Skrtel was there to clear it off the line with emphatic style.  

Liverpool's central two of Charlie Adam and Jay Spearing operated well, with Spearing sitting the farthest back making the formation almost a  4-1-4-1 at times. Spearing was back from his Red card suspension and nearly paid the price for his tenacity again, as Cabaye straighten his leg and went studs up on a 50-50. With Newcastle deserving of being a man down, yet receiving no punishment Liverpool remained dominant in the center of the pitch. Adam was withdrawn and to the roar of fanfare from the crowd captain fantastic himself, Steven Gerrard emerged. Looking to put the injury woes of this year behind him Gerrard started the new year off right putting the game out of reach for Newcastle in the 79th minute running on to a Henderson pass and nut-megging Krul from an acute angle. Gerrard's goal made it 5 goals in his last 5 appearances against Newcastle, and now with a score of 3-1 the game was out of reach for Newcastle.

With the transfer window now open It's only natural that Dalgleish would look at his squad and take stock. The team has depth in most areas but with the injury sustained to Lucas and a Gerrard struggling with fitness and age, I wonder if some more reinforcements are needed. I have heard links with Fulham's Clint Dempsey, possibly looking to leave Craven Cottage in search of the next level. Versatile, hard working and an American International his introduction would be a seamless fit. American owner John Henry has brought footballing awareness to the States with his acquisition of Liverpool and with an American poster-boy of Clint Dempsey's stature, I would expect the American viewing audience to increase. Just say that the deal happened shits and giggles sake that would mean that with Landon Donovan returning to Everton on-loan,  come the Merseyside Derby on February the 25th we could see the best current American players face off against each other…Tasty.

Luis Suarez  is facing a possible 8 game suspension and Andy Carroll is struggling for form, plentiful draws, and a lack of goals being scored should be a sign to add another striker to the ranks. For me a loan deal might best suite the team as Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt will get their chances.  Rumors of swoop for Villa striker Darren Bent  has graced the pages of nearly every English news publication, the last couple days and it's a rumor I welcome.  The unsettled English international left Sunderland for Villa after just a short spell with the black cats, and now could be move again.


The eve of battle is upon us as Liverpool will face Manchester City tomorrow at the Etihad, a game that can be viewed on ESPN. Don't be surprised if you see  Steven Gerrard start from the beginning, proving once again his importance to the team against Newcastle. I think Dalgleish might go with Carroll and Kuyt up top together, with Downing and Bellamy on the wings. I see a tight game that ends in a 2-2 draw with some late heroics from a Liverpool player to salvage a point. Another draw is not what we're looking for but against City at the moment I would take anything.

That's your Liverpool fill for the week so enjoy it like you enjoyed your mothers pumpkin pie. Stay tuned for next weeks addition of Liver n'Onions