http://footballforums.com/blogs/ Football forums is a forum for all football fans to chat about matches, players, teams and anything else football related. en Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:15:41 GMT vBulletin 60 http://footballforums.com/footballforums/misc/rss.jpg http://footballforums.com/blogs/ http://footballforums.com/blogs/jamestaylor/83-does-rooney-face-burnout.html Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:00:36 GMT Only a fool would deny that Wayne Rooney is at the absolute top of his game. The Manchester United striker has been in top form for his club this... Only a fool would deny that Wayne Rooney is at the absolute top of his game. The Manchester United striker has been in top form for his club this season, netting 30 goals already. The two he bagged against Milan last night show just what a talent he is. More than that, he has the drive and determination to turn his innate skill into world beating class. However, it is this determination that could prove to be his down fall in the end.

Rooney is a great player, no doubt about it, but not even great players are invincible. If, as seems likely, he keeps playing through the pain barrier it won't be long before he ends up with a serious injury. With the World Cup looming England fans will be hoping he stays fit, but it does seem inevitable he will come a cropper sooner or later. Ensuring Rooney learns to take it easy but still keeps his competitive edge might be Sir Alex Ferguson's biggest challenge yet. The World Cup 2010 betting odds make England third favourites, but they will need Rooney to be at his very best if they are to have any chance at all. ]]> jamestaylor http://footballforums.com/blogs/jamestaylor/83-does-rooney-face-burnout.html http://footballforums.com/blogs/gunnerryan/82-lets-get-behind-england.html Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:57:55 GMT We all know how it goes. Someone is appointed as England manager, the tabloids big them up then when things start to go badly, or the papers just... We all know how it goes. Someone is appointed as England manager, the tabloids big them up then when things start to go badly, or the papers just need to fill space, the knives come out and the tone of the coverage changes drastically.

Fabio Capello had a fairly easy start to his reign as England manager, his side dominated their qualification group so there was little else for the papers to do other than praise him. However, his players have given the tabloids some much craved after ammunition in the run up to the World Cup and they've taken full advantage of it.

Personally, I have little interest in the personal lives of footballers but I do want them to perform well on the pitch. I often wonder if this is a feeling shared by tabloid journalists. So this time around, lets ignore the likes of the Sun and the Star and just focus on backing the team. England's World Cup betting odds make the side third favourites to win the competition but they will need all the support they can get if they're going to go all the way. ]]> gunnerryan http://footballforums.com/blogs/gunnerryan/82-lets-get-behind-england.html http://footballforums.com/blogs/mightyreds86/81-no-need-panic-over-carragher-stories.html Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:48:30 GMT I get the impression the news stories regarding Jamie Carragher's contract talks were blown out of proportion this week.

With the club battling to secure fourth place in the Premier League, potentially disruptive contract talks are the last thing on Carragher's mind, though he must surely be aware of big offers on the table for other, younger first team players.

Carragher said: "I'll still play my best and if I have to move then I'll move. It wouldn't bother me."

"The club will give me a new contract if they want to, it's a club thing. It's down to them. I'll keep playing and see where it takes me."

This was, unsurprisingly, automatically that has translated into sensationalist "Carragher willing to leave" headlines.

But putting things into perspective it isn't really something Liverpool fans should be worrying about. First off all, Carragher's form this season hasn't been that impressive. Age does appear to be catching up with him and should he leave, it will not be to a team considered one of our rivals.

However, a player of his experience and attitude would be a fantastic back up player I admit - there have been occasions this season when the wise footballing brain of the recently departed Sami Hyypia would have come in handy, so Carragher's departure would be a blow. But with money not necessarily in rich supply, and their Champions League place uncertain, I don't think the club should be bending over backwards to meet his demands.

Not that Carragher seems too concerned either. His comments actually suggest he is perfectly relaxed with the situation and wants to play things down, rather than build it up into a big issue.

He knows the score, he knows his age, his form and everything else going on with the club. It should be considered a bonus that Liverpool have a player willing to concentrate on the matters in hand.

Liverpool are still my Premier League tips to clinch fourth, but they need to make sure they keep picking up points to ensure they overhaul Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Carragher might be feeling a twinge of regret over his decision to retire from international football.

A spate of injuries means that he would have been highlight likely to play in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. ]]> mightyreds86 http://footballforums.com/blogs/mightyreds86/81-no-need-panic-over-carragher-stories.html http://footballforums.com/blogs/gunnerryan/80-england-question-marks-remain.html Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:04:47 GMT As with most international friendlies, last night's game against Egypt provided more questions than answers. Yes, the home team ran out 3-1 winners in the end, but the first half performance was pretty dreadful. One of the few facts manager Fabio Capello can take out of the game is that Wayne Rooney and Jermaine Defoe cannot play together. The pair have not scored when they have started together upfront and it's unlikely Capello will try this expect again. However, even this answer leads to another question. If Defoe won't start with Rooney, who will?

The most obvious answer is still Emile Heskey, but he seems to be out of favour at Aston Villa and could face the international axe as a result of this. Peter Crouch did well to grab two goals last night, but several question marks still hang over the giant forward. Things are even worse at the back, Matthew Upson was shown up by a strike force he should have really helped keep quiet. If injuries continue to ravage England's defence, then Capello could find himself having to make some awkward compromises in the run up to the World Cup. England's World Cup 2010 betting odds make them third favourites, but I feel they will once again struggle to get past the quarter final stage. ]]> gunnerryan http://footballforums.com/blogs/gunnerryan/80-england-question-marks-remain.html http://footballforums.com/blogs/jamestaylor/79-friendly-difference.html Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:59:09 GMT I'm not usually a big fan of international friendlies. The games are usually played at a very low pace and against sub-standard opposition. That makes it very difficult to actually learn anything about the players on show. However, perhaps the only exception to this rule are the matches that take place in the run up to major tournaments. Take England v Egypt tonight. Ok, they'll still be plenty of reasons for the leading England players to take their foot off the gas - who could blame Wayne Rooney for not wanting to get injured as the Premier League reaches its climax? However, several other individuals will be going all out to ensure their place in the squad for the Football World Cup 2010.

For this reason, the match should have a little extra bite to it. Furthermore, Egypt are more than just your run-of-the-mill opposition. Despite the fact they won't be at this year's World Cup they recently proved themselves to be the best team in Africa by winning the Cup of Nations. England shouldn't expect to have things all their own way at Wembley. ]]> jamestaylor http://footballforums.com/blogs/jamestaylor/79-friendly-difference.html http://footballforums.com/blogs/gunnerryan/78-wayne-bridge-burns-his-bridges.html Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:04:18 GMT So Wayne Bridge has decided to rule himself out of playing for England. It doesn't take a genius to work out the obvious motivating factor behind his decision but I suspect his thought process runs a little deeper than that. Clearly he dislikes John Terry and is upset about what has happened in their personal lives. However, instead of trying to press on and play for England like nothing has happened, Bridge has decided to call it a day not for his own reasons, but for the good of the team.

England's World Cup odds make them third favourites to win the tournament and the left-back clearly feels he won't be able to perform to his best alongside Terry. Just one player having an off day is enough to sink a team at the highest level. In the long run though, I doubt it will make much difference. England aren't capable of winning with or without Bridge. Anyone looking for World Cup tips should seriously consider Germany. They will be ruthlessly efficient as always. ]]> gunnerryan http://footballforums.com/blogs/gunnerryan/78-wayne-bridge-burns-his-bridges.html http://footballforums.com/blogs/jamestaylor/77-arsenals-optimism-mis-placed.html Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:39:29 GMT Football fans tend to fall into two separate groups. On the one hand you have the overly pessimistic who think their side will never win a game again... Football fans tend to fall into two separate groups. On the one hand you have the overly pessimistic who think their side will never win a game again and the manager should sacked forthwith, on the other you have the overly optimistic who believe no matter how bad a situation is there is always a chance of their side winning the day. Both as bad as each other. The former has relegated their side before a ball has even been kicked, while the latter will think their team will win the title no matter how far they are lagging behind.

This brings us to Arsenal. Now most right thinking people wrote off the Gunner's chances when they lost to Man United and Chelsea in successive games. But not this Betfair Football fan. No. He thinks that Arsenal are set to go on a 12 match unbeaten run and nab the Premier League from under the noses of their rivals. Sadly, anyone with a passing interested in football will tell you that the Gunners have shown no sign of having this kind of quality at any point during the season. They'll hold on to third, but that should be the extent of their ambitions. ]]> jamestaylor http://footballforums.com/blogs/jamestaylor/77-arsenals-optimism-mis-placed.html http://footballforums.com/blogs/jennytharayil/76-world-cup-2010-qualifying.html Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:34:38 GMT A total of 204 teams entered the qualification process of FIFA world cup 2010 (http://www.worldcuplive2010.com).Qualifying matches were played on 25... A total of 204 teams entered the qualification process of FIFA world cup 2010.Qualifying matches were played on 25 August 2007 and concluded in 18 November 2009.

Africa
Africa (CAF) had a preliminary round to reduce teams to 48, followed by 12 groups of 4. 12 winners and 8 best runners-up divided into 5 groups of 4, the winners of these groups qualified for the final rounds of FIFA World Cup 2010.

Qualified Teams : *Cameroon,Nigeria,Algeria,Ghana and*Côte d'Ivoire

Asia
The preliminary rounds of Asia (AFC) qualifying tournament *narrowed the teams down from 42 to 20,*which are then split into 5 groups of 4. Winners and runners-up moved on, and these 10 teams are then put into 2 groups of 5. The winner and runner-up of each group qualifies, with the two 3rd placed teams played a playoff against each other. The winner of this game then gone into a playoff with the 1st placed OFC team.

Qualified Teams: Australia,Japan, Korea Republic and Korea DPR

Europe
Europe (UEFA) qualification tournament had 8 groups of 6 teams and 1 group of 5. Winners are qualified, the eight best second-placed determined the other 4 spots with a home and away play-off.

Qualified Teams:

Denmark,Switzerland,Slovakia,Germany,Spain,England ,Serbia,Italy,Netherlands,Slovania,Greece,France and Portugal

CONCACAF (North, Central America and Caribbean)

North,Central America and Caribbean (CONCACAF) had two preliminary rounds to narrow the number of teams from 35 to 12. There were then 3 groups of 4. inners and runners-up then entered to the final group of six, where the top 3 teams alified. The 4th placed team entered into a playoff with the 5th placed team from CONMEBOL.

Qualified Teams: *USA,Mexico and Honduras

Oceania

The top 3 of the South Pacific Games (Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia) joined New Zealand for the OFC Nations Cup. The winner of this entered in to a play-off with the 5th placed from AFC.

Qualified Team : New Zealand

South America

10 teams in a single group (round robin), teams from 1st to 4th position are qualified, the 5th placed entered into *a two legged play-off with the 4th placed team from CONCACAF.

Qualified Teams: Brazil,Chile,Portugal,Argentina and Uruguay

World cup 2010 is just a few months away. Soccer fans are waiting for exciting moments in each game.WorldCupLive2010.com brings you the latest world cup 2010 videos for all the soccer fans. Let us celebrate each and every moment of world cup. ]]> jennytharayil http://footballforums.com/blogs/jennytharayil/76-world-cup-2010-qualifying.html http://footballforums.com/blogs/jamestaylor/75-arsenal-set-hit-back.html Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:00:39 GMT The European hangover has dogged Arsenal in the past. Indeed, Wenger has blamed it for costing them valuable points in the league matches that follow... The European hangover has dogged Arsenal in the past. Indeed, Wenger has blamed it for costing them valuable points in the league matches that follow their jaunts overseas. This weekend, things might be a little different. Although the side will no doubt be jaded after their exertions in Portugal on Wednesday, something else will see them through against Sunderland - anger. Porto's second goal was a farce and Arsenal players will rightly feel aggrieved. What's more they will also be looking to take three points off a side who got one over on them earlier in the season. However, Sunderland have struggled since then and as this Front Room football blog points out they could be on the receiving end of a spanking at the Emirates. I've got a feeling that Steve Bruce's men could leave London with very red faces indeed. They won't go down this year, but they won't be left with their pride intact either. ]]> jamestaylor http://footballforums.com/blogs/jamestaylor/75-arsenal-set-hit-back.html http://footballforums.com/blogs/mightyreds86/74-europa-league-leaves-bitter-taste.html Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:47:25 GMT It's hard to believe that a little under a year ago Liverpool were dismantling Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Back then, on that early March evening, Anfield was rocking as Gerrard and co did the business in style, humbling the Spanish giants 5-0 on aggregate.

But fast forward to this week's European clash, at the same ground, and you will have found morgues that have a better atmosphere.

The turgid 1-0 win over Romanian side Unirea Urzinceni on Thursday was a massive-come down, as the consequences of their early exit from the Champions League began to hit home.

The demotion to the Europa League was a humiliating one for the Reds fans. They had grown used to a spot in knockout stages of Europe's Premier competition over the past six years.

So it was perhaps no surprise that, after such a long time dining a Europe's top table, the feast on offer below was greeted with a rather bemused silence.
To be fair the Liverpool fans turned out in force, they know how form in Europe can lift a side's league campaign. And the entertainment on show wasn't helped by the dire defensive tactics of Unirea, who came with the sole purpose of boring us all to death. However, the football betting suggested Liverpool should have won more comfortably.

Indeed, the Reds should have enough quality to break sides like this down. Without the ruthless finishing of Fernando Torres the Reds once again look frail up front. With such a packed penalty area it needed something above the ordinary to make the difference.

If the performance was down to attitude and a feeling of not belonging in such a competition, then Benitez has a job on his hands. The side travel to Man City on Sunday for arguably their biggest game of the season. A City win would put them four points clear with a game in hand. It is a game Liverpool can't afford to lose.
If Liverpool truly believe they are better than the Europa League then they need to start playing like it, both in Europe and domestically. Now isn't the time to look down on Europe's second competition, they are there on merit, and if things don't improve they will be there next season as well.

The Europa League betting odds might make Liverpool favourites to win the tournament, but they will need to up their game if they want to lift the cup. ]]> mightyreds86 http://footballforums.com/blogs/mightyreds86/74-europa-league-leaves-bitter-taste.html http://footballforums.com/blogs/gunnerryan/73-tale-two-cities.html Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:29:19 GMT The much heralded Manchester City revolution has been coughing and spluttering for a while now. The sacking of Mark Hughes and the appointment of... The much heralded Manchester City revolution has been coughing and spluttering for a while now. The sacking of Mark Hughes and the appointment of Roberto Mancini was supposed to provide the catalyst which would drive the side on to fourth spot and perhaps even cup glory. For a while it looked like the move was going to work. The Sky Blues looked more solid at the back and, while their attacking prowess was blunted a little, they were still scoring goals when it counted. Sadly for them things seem to have fallen to pieces after their Carling Cup semi-final defeat against rivals Manchester United. The galling manner of that loss won't have helped morale at all and the manner of their draw against Stoke in the FA Cup at the weekend suggests there could be an issue with self-belief. However, despite what this Front Room blog suggests, I'll be backing the Citizens to get back to winning ways tonight. Fourth sport is still in reach, after all. ]]> gunnerryan http://footballforums.com/blogs/gunnerryan/73-tale-two-cities.html http://footballforums.com/blogs/jamestaylor/72-stoke-give-city-blues.html Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:28:30 GMT No matter who you support you've got to admit that Tony Pulis is doing a great job at Stoke City. When compared to some of the other teams in the league his transfer budget is all but non-existent. Yet somehow, through good man management and excellent fitness training he has managed to cobble together a squad that looks a safe bet for mid-table once again. Perhaps this weekend's cup tie against big spending Manchester City will provide some sort of indication as to just how well Stoke can do. While this Front Room fan appears to have lost faith in his side (at least temporarily) I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the Potters grab a draw. Even though Man City will be up for the cup, to coin a phrase, Stoke are nothing if not battlers and I expect to see a few hard but fair tackles flying around. That could be just enough to put off the multi millionaires. I'm going to say 1-1. ]]> jamestaylor http://footballforums.com/blogs/jamestaylor/72-stoke-give-city-blues.html http://footballforums.com/blogs/gunnerryan/71-spurs-fans-still-giving-us-laugh.html Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:46:14 GMT Spurs fans. Love them or hate them you have to admire their perseverance. They just don't know when to give up. At the start of the season, every season, they always think that it's going to be their year, there chance to break into the top four and then push on to challenge for the league. Every season they manage to mess up in some hilariously imaginative way. It might be "food poisoning" or sacking their best manager in years and replacing him with a bone fide loser but they always find some way to entertain. Take this fan over on the Betfair Football blog. He reckons Spurs are set to prove their top four pedigree by beating Wolves. I hate to break it to you mate, but you don't prove you're top four material by winning against relegation candidates. You've got to see off the likes of Man U, Liverpool and Chelsea for that. Go away and come back next season. We'll probably need a laugh. ]]> gunnerryan http://footballforums.com/blogs/gunnerryan/71-spurs-fans-still-giving-us-laugh.html http://footballforums.com/blogs/mightyreds86/70-form-mersey-duo-set-latest-local-tussle.html Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:53:18 GMT It says much for the motivational and coaching skills of David Moyes and Rafa Benitez that both Everton and Liverpool are in such good form going... It says much for the motivational and coaching skills of David Moyes and Rafa Benitez that both Everton and Liverpool are in such good form going into the Merseyside derby this weekend.

When the teams last clashed, a little over nine weeks ago, both clubs were virtually on their knees, their fans stunned by an astonishing loss of form that saw their pre-season expectations ripped to shreds before the Christmas decorations had even been put up.

In late November Liverpool had just been cast out of the Champions League and had suffered five defeats in 13 matches. Everton hadn't won in ten and had just lost 3-2 at Hull, a performance David Moyes described at the worst in his time at the club.

The last Merseyside derby was seen by both clubs as a chance to turn their season around. Things appeared to be favouring the red side of Merseyside when Javier Mascherano's wild shot deflected off Joseph Yobo and into the Gwladys Street net after just 12 minutes. Indeed lady luck was on Liverpool's side that day, with Everton enjoying the lion's share of the possession but failing put the ball past the impressive Pepe Reina, before Dirk Kuyt sealed the points late on.

That defeat left Everton teetering just three points off the relegation zone, with an injury list as long as the Mersey and plans for a new ground scrapped by the government - things were looking blue for the Goodison Park club.

So it is a credit to David Moyes that he has managed to turn their season around so quickly. Unbeaten in the league since that derby game, the Toffees have since breached the top ten and have their eyes once again on Europe.

Liverpool, of course, had that disastrous defeat to Reading in the FA Cup which turned up the heat on Benitez, but in the League at least things have improved. They have managed three wins and a draw from their last five outings, lifting the club to within a point of 4th placed Spurs. Benitez has promised his side will finish in the Premier League top four and they will need to keep up this run of form if they are to do so.

So on the back of their respective good runs both Liverpool and Everton will see his local clash as an ideal platform for a successful finish to the season.
However, the football betting suggests that it will the red half of Liverpool who will be celebrating again this weekend. ]]> mightyreds86 http://footballforums.com/blogs/mightyreds86/70-form-mersey-duo-set-latest-local-tussle.html http://footballforums.com/blogs/gunnerryan/69-arsenal-look-re-start-title-challenge.html Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:28:51 GMT Arsenal are halfway through what is a make or break period for their title challenge and at the moment it's looking very much like break. Arsene Wegner's men have faced Aston Villa and Manchester United in their last two games only managed to take one point from the fixtures. Next up are Chelsea followed by Liverpool and the Gunners will know that a similar points haul will leave them in a fight for the top four and not top spot. As this Betfair Football blog points out it is very hard to picture Arsenal taking anything at all from their visit to Stamford Bridge on Sunday. If they do come away empty handed then their game with Liverpool will take on even more significance. A defeat against the Merseyside club would allow Rafa Benitez's men to claw their way into the fight for Champions League football and leave Arsenal scrabbling for the points needed to secure their top four place. Wenger won't want that. ]]> gunnerryan http://footballforums.com/blogs/gunnerryan/69-arsenal-look-re-start-title-challenge.html