photo credit: gordonflood.com
Yes, we’re doing this again, but I finally have it figured out…
Ok, so this thing with Fabio Capello is getting out of hand. Now Alex Ferguson is in the middle of this mayhem because Rooney hurt himself again in the English friendly with Egypt.
Now, here’s where I think we have some seriously backwards thinking. Fergie says that Fabio Capello isn’t to blame for Rooney’s injury because Rooney should have “taken care of it himself”. Ok, so what was Rooney supposed to do? Tell Capello–a maniac–that: Read more... (374 words, 4 images, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)
photo credit: esivesind
1) Kevin Nolan of Newcastle United
Nolan leads his first place side in goals scored this season and the forward is also among the best in the league this year with 11 goals. He will not lead the league in the stat, but his club is the best in the division.
2) Pete Whittingham of Cardiff City
Whit leads the league in most goals with 16 and his club has a solid shot at making it to the top division next season. He could finish the season with around 25 total goals scored. but I’m sure he would give it all away for a spot in the Premier League next year. Read more... (275 words, 4 images, estimated 1:06 mins reading time)
photo credit: Jonathan Gill
Things are look “up” in Red Country…
Rafa Benitez says that Liverpool can’t really take any more slip-ups if they want to finish in 4th place in the EPL and vault themselves into the Champion’s League next season. He makes a good point, but perhaps now I think he has realized the error of his ways and decided to make this as positive as possible.
He knows–I think–that all the griping earlier in the season just made things harder and Torres talking about needing more playmakers was completely worthless. Read more... (332 words, 4 images, estimated 1:20 mins reading time)
photo credit: ph-stop
Arsenal-Burnley
I think it is pretty safe to say that Burnley is the coldest club on the top tier right now and in fact they have only won a single match since October in league play. Over that span the club has lost to Portsmouth, the Wolves, and even Reading in the FA Cup. This week things should not get any easier as they take on the third place Gunners squad. It looks like Burnley is all but a guarantee to join Portmsouth next year on the second tier of English football. Read more... (273 words, 4 images, estimated 1:06 mins reading time)
Bolton midfielder Stuart Holden will be sidelined for up to six weeks after breaking his right leg in the U.S.s’ 2-1 loss to Holland yesterday.
Holden was hurt from a bad tackle by Nigel de Jong that somehow did not even earn the Dutch player a yellow card.
The U.S. Soccer Federation issued a statement Thursday saying that Holden was “recklessly tackled.” The USSF said the bone was the fractured was his fibula.
The 22-year-old Holden had started Bolton’s last two matches after leaving Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo to sign with the Premier League club in the January transfer window. Read more... (220 words, 4 images, estimated 53 secs reading time)
photo credit: DhubaX | Eduardo Lacerda
Briefly lets take a look at the best and a little bit of the worst team statistics on the second tier of English football.
BEST OFFENSE
West Bromich has been the best offensive unit of the first half of the season on the second tier and the club is the only in the league that has surpassed 60 goals this season. Most impressive is that the club has actually scored more goals on the road then at home this season. They are the only club that has scored +30 goals in road games so far this season. Read more... (266 words, 4 images, estimated 1:04 mins reading time)
photo credit: nicksarebi
Briefly lets take a look through the second tier of English football and see which teams have a real shot of playing on the top level next season.
1) Newcastle United
A regular top flight squad that was relegated last year, many believed that Newcastle was the favorite for the English League Championship this season. If they continue with their recent form then they will not disappoint. The club is currently 19-9-4 and they have a very comfortable five point margin over the rest of the pack.
2) Nottingham Forrest Read more... (301 words, 4 images, estimated 1:12 mins reading time)
Despite the protests of Manchester United fans, the financial situation of the club is improving according to new figures showing an increase in revenue and profits.
The figures for the six months up to December show turnover up 19% to £144.7million from £121.7million for the equivalent period in 2008, largely due to increases in match day revenues, TV money – particularly from the Champions League – and commercial revenue.
Media revenues have increased 33% from £40.3million to £53.4million and commercial revenues up 16% from £33.5million to £38.7million. Read more... (175 words, 2 images, estimated 42 secs reading time)
photo credit: jacreative
Can you imagine the ire if the government nailed a whole club?
It appears that Portsmouth has even more to worry about–you know, besides the administration and the 9 point loss on the table. Yeah, now they are thinking that the “Inland Revenue”–England’s IRS–is out to get them. Now, since I’m someone who leans towards conspiracy theories I wouldn’t be shocked at all if this were the case.
At Fratton Park, the club is thinking that “the man” is considering making an example of the club by shutting them down. However, it goes deeper than that. Read more... (332 words, 4 images, estimated 1:20 mins reading time)
photo credit: Smabs Sputzer
The keeper is the last line of the defense and is often seen as the most important player on the pitch. Although offensive players usually win all the awards and receive all of the spotlight; it is the goalie that has the final chance to stop this success from happening. It is the play in the net by the keeper that can change a game and make the defense look that much better in the box score.
And Chelsea is fully aware of this. Read more... (329 words, 4 images, estimated 1:19 mins reading time)
