Just another WordPress.com weblog
New Leicester boss Paulo Sousa wants Swansea midfielder Darren Pratley to join him at the Walker’s Stadium.
Pratley, 25, has attracted interest from Nottingham Forest, but an opportunity to be reunited with his former boss could put the Foxes in poll position.
Pratley has scored 17 goals in 143 appearances for the Swans, and the Welsh side want atleast £1.5m for their talisman.
England’s crushing 4-1 defeat to Germany last week was greeted by shock in some parts. For the Germans, though,
their impressive World Cup journey into the semi-finals is the early result of a long-term master plan to which the Bundesliga has an integral role.
Whilst the supporters of Manchester United, Liverpool and so many more are concerned about takeovers and enormous debt, those who follow Bayern Munich have no such worries over a similar scenario at the Allianz Arena.
The system by which Bundesliga clubs are regulated, with an emphasis on strict financial rules and licensing, means Bayern are debt free, allowing the club to offer some tickets for as little as 12 euros (£11) in a world class stadium. The fans also play a major part. Under Bundesliga rules, members must own 50% of the shares, meaning a full takeover by any outside group is not possible. This situation alone is one that the Premier League should view with envy.
The counter argument over the last five or so years has been that this financial prudence has meant a limited ability for German clubs to compete with their English counterparts in Europe. Anyone, who like me, witnessed Bayern Munich dump Manchester United out of last season’s Champions League would surely agree that any ‘limit’ to Bayern’s ability in that particular match was ignored. Unless of course such inability is the mediated view of Premier League chiefs, looking to find any way possible to justify a system which has seen the Premier League lumbered with over half of European Football’s total net debt.
Also, all but one of the German players who started against Fabio Capello’s men in Bloemfontein play for German clubs. When you consider ALL of England’s starters in that match play in what the Premier League deem ‘the most exciting league in the world’, one should further question the PL’s claims of superiority over their German counterparts. The sheer technical ability and innovation of Joachim Low’s young side was refreshing, and to England’s answerless stalwarts, embarrassing.
The Bundesliga and Premier League are polar opposites when it comes to philosophy. The risky free market ideals employed under Richard Scudamore are millions of miles away from the financially prudent Bundesliga. The question is, who seems to be getting it right?
Played 43. Won 28. Drawn 11. Lost 4.
When the Magpies lost their Premier League wings last April they were rescued by a parachute. Any worries of a crash landing were averted, any hopes of another club winning the Championship eroded.
The parachute conveniently at the Magpies disposal was of course the payment made to clubs who crash out of the Premier League. The parachute that is worn safely on the backs of those who are relegated, to ensure their feet land firmly on the ground for another crack at the big time next time round.
And now with news that parachute payments are to rise from £12m to £16m over four years instead of two, expect the ‘Magpie effect’ to be the common decisive factor in the promotion shake-up for years to come.
The relative ease for which Newcastle and West Brom have eaten up the division this season is obviously attributed to their ability to keep many of their Premier League players; after all that is the purpose of the current payment. What I cannot understand, apart from the fact it exists in the first place, is the need to increase and extend it.
There is something that bugs me about Roberto Di Matteo praising his players for their ‘fantastic achievement’ in overcoming Doncaster Rovers and confirming their fourth promotion this decade. The fact that failure to get promotion would have seen him out the door at the Hawthorns hints that it was the minimum requirement anyway. And it should have been.
The Championship prided itself recently on being ‘unpredictable’, with each game having the uncertainty of outcome that made shocks inevitable and a balance of competition which meant success was not out of the reach of even the smaller clubs. Newcastle’s four defeats this season puts pay to that romantic notion.
Who knows, maybe my views are emotionally biased in my hope of once seeing my own team, Cardiff City, in the top flight. The reality is striking though, and some say promotion this season is vital with the riches on offer. £64million for a season’s failure in the Premier League? The Bluebirds would fall like a feather.
As Arsenal go into the second leg of their Champions League clash with Barcelona tonight, many are already assuming failure in their quest to overcome the Catalan giants.
Surprising? Maybe not. Arsenal were swept away by Barcelona in the first 45 minutes at the Emirates and if not for a string of impressive saves by Arsenal’s Spanish ‘keeper, Manuel Almunia, damage limitation would be the replacing target ahead of what now is already pinned by some as an unrealistic one; victory at the Camp Nou to seal a place in the semi-finals.
You see, as good as they were for an hour, the Spanish superpower was seemingly discharged with a Theo Walcott inspired comeback that would have even blown the Spanish Armada out of the water.
But if Arsenal are serious in their intentions to take the game to their hosts and seal a place in the final four, achange in tactics is greatly required. Arsene Wenger must set his team out to disrupt the flow of Pep Guardiola’s men going forward, and take advantage of the suspensions that Barca have at the back. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who terrorised the Gunners and installed Barcelona as favourites with his two away goals, is also out with a calf injury. The loss of the enigmatic Swede though should be downplayed by the possibility of former top Gunner Thierry Henry taking his place.
Arsenal have major worries themselves with several key players still unable to have their say in Spain. Cesc Fabregas is out for the season whilst William Gallas, badly missed in the first leg, is out yet again. It had been hoped that the rapidly improving Alex Song could fill in at centre back alongside Thomas Vermaelen; but Song’s absence will mean another out-of-tune defence lining up against Lionel Messi and co.
With Andrey Arshavin also missing, Arsenal and England fans will be hoping that Walcott can offer some sort of attacking ammo for the Gunners in a game where counter attacking could be the forced offensive avenue. His timely impact from the bench in the first game was a perfect cameo for a player still unsure about his place in Fabio Capello’s world cup plans, and now he could be called upon from the start to make the kind of impact that the Croatians are all too aware of. Far too often young Theo has teased us with his brief moments of magic but failed to find consistency. But I feel now that his time must come; a time to declare his development from England prodigy to Arsenal performer.
I’m not alone in thinking Walcott’s contribution could be key in Catalonia. Whether that be from the first whistle or from the bench, we’ve seen recently and in the past the contribution he can bring from both situations. And with Arsenal’s heralded former number 14 likely to be lining up against, what better time and place to announce your own arrival from ambiguity to pre-eminence.
Over to you, Mr. Walcott.
GARETH THOMAS makes his first ever rugby league appearance in South Wales tonight wondering why he didn’t switch to the 13-man code sooner.
The former Wales and Lions union captain is in the Crusaders’ starting lineup to face Harlequins at The Gnoll in Neath (kick-off 7.30pm).
“I remember talking to Kevin Ellis before I came up (to Wrexham),” Thomas said. “And he said to me that after a couple of weeks of playing it, you’ll ask yourself why you didn’t do it earlier.
“I was asking that question to myself after just two weeks of training!
“It’s something so different and testing for me that I wish I just had a few more years ahead of me to establish myself as it’s a great game to play.
“The fitness levels are very different. Rugby league players are a lot fitter as it’s a constant game, it’s always on the go, you’re always having to move back 10 metres.
“In rugby union, playing as a back, you have time to rest with scrums and lineouts and let the forwards do the work, but in league it’s pretty much a team-game and everybody’s working constantly.
“As Dylan Thomas said ambition is critical, and I feel fresh, I feel great and the first two weeks of training made me feel like an 18-year old again.
“I love rugby, the sport, the people, the fact I can run out onto the field in front of fans, and I don’t want to lose that.
“I love challenges and there’s been no bigger challenge for me than this one with the Crusaders now.”
Thomas faced Harlequins (albeit their rugby union arm) six times when with the Blues and never finished on the losing side.
In fact, his final try for the Blues was against Harlequins on January 24 this year.
Head coach Brian Noble has named him in his unchanged 19-man squad following last week’s 22-16 loss to Castleford Tigers.
Thomas endured a baptism of fire on his Super League debut when he was brought off with concussion after just half an hour of the Crusaders’ win over Catalans Dragons.
Meanwhile, Crusaders prop Mark Bryant, who played for the Welsh side at Bridgend last year during their first season in Super League, is looking forward to going back down South.
He said: “I have a few good memories from last year.
“The people down in South Wales were fantastic and they gave us some amazing support.
“Some of them still travel to Crusaders games, both home and away, which is phenomenal, so it’s good to go back down there.
“It will be a new experience for some of the new guys and we’re really looking forward to playing at The Gnoll.”
Half-back Tommy Lee is ruled out of tonight’s clash for Noble’s side after breaking his leg in training last week, while Gareth Raynor is still a doubt after missing the last two games with a whiplash injury.
Harlequins remain bottom of the Super League table after one win in their opening eight games.
Tonight’s match is the first of a double header of rugby league at The Gnoll on Easter weekend with the table-topping South Wales Scorpions taking on Hunslet Hawks on Easter Monday (kick-off 2pm) in Championship One.
Crusaders (from): 1 G Thomas, 2 N Youngquest, 3 T Martin, 4 V Mellars, 5 G Raynor, 6 M Witt, 8 R O’Hara, 9 L Withers, 10 M Bryant, 11 W Hauraki, 12 J Chan, 13 R Trimarchi¸14 L Dyer¸16 F Winterstein, 17 A Peek, 18 J Thackray, 19 J James¸ 22 E Kear, 23 P Lupton
Harlequins (from): B Jones-Bishop, W Sharp, T Clubb, R Esders, J O’Callaghan, L Gale, C Randall, O Wilkes, D Orr, D Ward, L Williamson, C Melling, J Golden, L Bryan, D Williams, B Bolger, L McCarthy-Scarsbrook, M Smith, R Purdham
This article was published in both the Western Mail and South Wales Echo newspapers and on the icWales.co.uk website:
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sports/rugby-league-news/2010/04/01/rugby-league-alfie-is-left-wishing-he-d-made-switch-to-crusaders-much-earlier-91466-26150726/
SWANSEA CITY striker Lee Trundle is desperate to play his part in tomorrow’s South Wales derby, admitting a goal at the Cardiff City Stadium would be his best in a Swansea shirt.
Trundle, who has plenty of goals to choose from having scored 85 in his original spell with the Swans, was forced to watch on from the bench during his team’s 3-2 derby win at the Liberty Stadium back in November.
He is flat out to leave his mark this time round though and, determined to help the Swans cement their play-off place, knowing that a goal against arch-rivals Cardiff would go a long way to realising both the team’s and his own personal ambition.
“I would love to score against Cardiff,” he said. “I have loved every one of my Swansea goals but to score against them, especially if it’s the winner, it would be the best goal I ever scored for the club.
“I don’t care if it’s a tap-in or if someone takes a shot and it goes in off my back. I will take anything.
“I have to be on the pitch for that to happen though and I just hope I get out there. I was looking forward to doing that in the last game at the Liberty but I didn’t manage it.
“Hopefully it will be different this time because it’s a game I’ve always wanted to play in. It’s a career ambition of mine.”
Trundle, who admits to being frustrated at a lack of starts since joining on loan from Championship rivals Bristol City, accepts his best chance of making an impact tomorrow will be from the bench. The 33-year old has made 14 appearances this season but has only made the starting XI twice.
Despite the obvious disappointment, the veteran showman refuses to complain about his predicament though. And, if called upon by manager Paulo Sousa, he is confident that he is ready to take his chance.
“It is frustrating,” he revealed. “I want to get out there and I want to help the side.
“When I’ve come on I have done well and got my goals.
“I’m itching to get on their and get amongst the action because I know if I get chances, I will take them. I just have to keep working hard in training. There’s nothing more I can do, I’m just here and ready to help when needed.”
While the hope now is to be involved at some point tomorrow, Trundle admits the prospect of playing in a South Wales derby was something he could barely even contemplate when he first joined the Swans in 2003.
The two clubs were competing at opposite ends of the Football League, with Swansea miles behind their rivals.
Adamant Sousa’s men now have what it takes to complete the first derby double in the fixture’s 80-year history, the striker admits he sometimes struggles to believe how much things have changed. As far as he is concerned, the fact both teams are now on the verge of a shot at the Premiership shows just how far the Swans in particular have come.
“When I first came here the two teams were polls apart,” he explained. “They were a couple of leagues above us so the only chance we had of getting a derby was in the cup.
“As soon as I left they drew them in the cup and had two games in the league as well. I was at the first one of those games and it’s just one I really wanted to play in.
“I didn’t think it would ever happen when I joined because they were miles ahead of us back then.
“That just shows we have come such a long way though.”
As for how the two teams match up now, he continued: “Cardiff are a strong side with players that can cause us problems. But we can go there and not be scared of them.
“The last couple of games have been a bit of a dip for us but the derby has come at a great time. It’s a game that you have to be up for and a game that you don’t really need any motivation for because we all know how important it is to everyone in the city.”
This article was published in the Western Mail Newspaper on 02 April 2010 and on the icWales website:
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-news/2010/04/02/derby-goal-would-cap-it-all-trunds-91466-26160111/
Finally I can say the new Stadium feels like home. It’s has taken time, of course it has. Ninian was home for so long and it’s unique character can never be replaced. But the fact is Ninian was a decrepid relic of pre-modernised football and its heart and spirit were for long belying its crumbling body.
Last night though, I felt like this spirit was back, and I was heartened by a performance and atmosphere that reminded me just why I’m a Bluebird. Cardiff fans relish a challenge and last night we were certainly presented with an ‘against all odds’ situation against Leicester. The sending off and accumulation of injuries on a wet windy night were all ingredients to what amalgamated into a crescendo of noise and passion.
It’s taken time but it seemed last night everything fell into place to make the Cardiff faithful pull together and roar the team to victory. Even Dave Jones praised the level of noise from the stands and acknowledged the affect it had on the team.
It makes me excited then, that this Saturday those noise levels should be turned up a good few levels when our rivals from the west trudge their way to their capital city. I have been to all the meetings between the sides since the Jacks’ promotion 2 years ago and they are great games to watch and be a part of. It’s an intense hated atmosphere and the feelings are mutually tribal.
The only problem most Cardiff fans have is their recent one sided record against us. A lot is said about it being a bigger derby for them and what not. Bollocks! Whilst they share the same league table as us they are our main rivals. Not Bristol City, not Leeds, not Plymouth or bloody Sheffield United. No, its the Jacks.
There’s a reason I’m looking forward to this game more than any other, and dare I say it, why Bothroyd got booked against Sheffield United. It’s because this is the game to play in and be apart of. Its great because of the level of uncertainty and the personal gamble you make beforehand. You know how gutting it will be to watch your side lose but you outweigh that with the thought of winning.
It is attempt number five for Dave Jones to get that win. Let’s hope lessons have been learnt and finally we get a derby perfomance to be proud of.
Turf Luck
I notice two of the Premier League’s more established managers, Arsene Wenger and David Moyes, are blaming the state of the pitch on their team’s shortcomings over the weekend. I heard that Birmingham and Wolves both rented their homes to local farm owners for the week and damage was inevitably done. Either that, or it’s just the general wear and tear that seems to have affected more clubs than not this season due to adverse weather patterns. I’m guessing it’s the latter and my sources are wrong! With that in mind, and the fact both managers would have known about the state of the pitch beforehand, I have just four words: Get on with it!
Gooooooal…. Oops!
“and it’s another wonderful strike by United’s…. Own Goal”. That’s right it’s United fox in the box Own Goal (commonly known as OG) getting on the score sheet again this weekend with a predatory 11th goal of the season at Bolton. His name sake was not to be outdone though, scoring a winner for Derby County against rivals Leicester City at Pride Park.
Aerial Bombardment at the Palace
Don’t worry the Queen is safe; unless she’s due to sign for a league one club next season, because playing against Crystal Palace should come with a health warning. Ask Roger Johnson who was hospitalised after receiving an elbow to the neck from defender Claude Davis last season, or the numerous Cardiff players still taking nursing their headaches with paracetamol this morning following the 2-1 win on Saturday. Despite coming under pressure from a blitz of high balls and set pieces, we managed to show a resolve which has been lacking at some points this season to steel the points from right under the noses of our Royal hosts, and that peasant Shaun Derry.
It is sometimes easy for John Toshack to find excuses following what is now a typical poor performance and almost certain defeat. I’m sorry John, this time the excuse sits firmly in your lap.
The decision to effectively ‘axe’ Manchester City star Craig Bellamy from friendly matches, and in turn throw doubt upon his international future, is somewhat ridiculous and raises further questions about his management of the Welsh national team.
It’s not uncommon of course to see Toshack take such a stance. Robbie Savage was infamously axed by the former Real Madrid boss soon after he was installed as Wales boss in 2005 and many have retired prematurely under Toshack’s stewardship. Paul Parry and Jason Koumas fall into this category; both talented players who could still offer Wales so much if managed in the right manner.
Bellamy though is the most high profile to date and if it is true that Tosh is trying to push the 30 year old through the door, I suggest he turns the light off and follows suit because his position will become untenable.
Wales at their strongest possess few stars, and certainly none has bright and experienced as Bellamy. Only Gareth Bale, Jack Collison, James Collins and Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey resemble Craig’s Premier League quality. The rest of the squad put together could only just about muster the 58 caps he has himself. Add this to the fact that he is Toshack’s appointed captain and his blistering form for Manchester City and the situation seems all the more murky.
With the European Qualification just around the corner Tosh must heal old wounds or inflict fresh ones on Wales’ international hopes. At the moment, qualification seems a billion miles away.
The Premier League was formed in 1990 during the last recession. In that time it has grown into the biggest football league in europe. The Premier League has changed the culture of football, with commercial and corporate activity a highly regarded source of income for clubs, and an accompanying media obession. Football has gone from a pre-industrial past time to huge business and therefore, like other businesses, has a crucial interest and reliance on the state of global economy. The economy is currently unhealthy and I want to examine the adverse affects of the recession on the Premier League and its member clubs.
Deloitte have recently published a document which states that major clubs are relatively resistant to the economic crisis. I want to look at their reasoning behind the claim and if the evidence supports, what does this mean for the ‘smaller’ clubs in the Premier League and the trickling down affect into the Football league. I will look at the economic structure of the Premier League and conclude whether or not this structure will help clubs in their fight against the recession or put them in a weak position. Football fans are a unique consumer
With spiralling debts amongst Premier League clubs and a perceived unlevel playing field, I will look at what the future might hold for the Premier League. Will the Premier League continue in it’s current format and traditions or will the top clubs disband to take part in a much discussed European Super League. What would this mean for the clubs left behind? Should the governing bodies intervene and propose that salary caps be introduced before wages get out of hand?
Bottomcorner's Blog 