Walk into a bar or restaurant in any major city in England and the chances are the waiter or barman who serves you will be from foreign shores. Should you fall and break your leg, chances are the same will apply to the doctor who treats you in hospital.
So why as a nation, multi cultural in practically all professions, are we so obsessed with the volume of foreign players plying their trade in the top flight of our football?
It’s argued, the presence of all these foreigners is ruining the national side, stifling young English talent out of the Premier league and into the Championship and beyond. All well and good except that isn’t the case. The pinnacle of English football, where the game is supposedly at it’s most polluted with the off shore invaders; Englishmen contribute to the spine of three out of four of the nation’s top sides and at the other, would anyone seriously argue that the likes of Theo Walcott’s development is being hampered by the total football played by Arsenal?
Just as an outlandish thought, maybe the national game isn’t suffering from the foreign invasion at all; perhaps the opposite would be closer to the truth. Admittedly the money generated by the Stamford Bridge money machine has had a negative effect on player values throughout Europe, but the Premier league has been an unprecedented success since its inception and far from showing signs of flagging, it’s attracting stronger, more competitive sponsorship and ownership with each new season. A position unique to English football, one glance at the derelict terraces of Italy is proof of that.
While the likes of Alan Shearer and Matt le Tissier contributed enormously to that success, a look back at the top flight of English football in the mid nineties, and memories flood back of an aloof Cantona skilfully wrong footing defences at the theatre of dreams, or the arrival of Gullit and Vialli to Chelsea, or even Tino Asprilla appearing at St James Park in the snow.
Fast forward a decade and while the likes of Rooney and Gerrard wet the appetite, the main course is of Henry, Ronaldo and Drogba. An article last week made reference to a lack of creative midfielders, and the absence of a Zidane in the Premier league. Our game has moved on from that. Robbie Savage and his like have made sure the playgrounds of the pedestrian playmaker have no place at Ewood Park or the Reebok; in their place are players so slight of foot and so devastatingly effective, the length of the pitch can be consumed in seconds.
Perhaps the game is over run by foreigners, but the positives they have bought to the game have far outweighed the negatives. Probably in the same way the bronzed Australian waitress has done for your local pub. Or would you prefer your lager served by the classic English centre forward, plenty about her up front, but missing a few teeth?
Tuesday, 27 February 2007
Sunday, 25 February 2007
Relegation Woe...!!
At the start of the two thousand and six, seven season, it would have been expected to see the London rivals, Charlton Athletic and West Ham United comfortably placed in mid table at this stage of the season.
After Curbs' departure from the Valley at the end of last season, his replacement Ian Dowie, had been promised and given good money to spend in the transfer market and the former Crystal Palace manager seemed to have done a good job on paper, bringing in a combination of youth and experience to freshen up the Addicks.
West Ham enjoyed a fantastic first season in the premiership under Alan Pardew, culminating with the Hammers only seconds away from a famous FA cup victory. The start of the new premier league season it seemed couldn't come fast enough for West Ham.
The issues surrounding the two clubs have been well publicised, and the manager merry go round came to the forefront of this weekends fixtures with Alan Curbishley taking on his former employers in his new position as West Ham United manager, with former Hammers boss Alan Pardew in the hot seat at the Valley.
The game that followed was as one sided an affair as has been seen this season and on that type of performance West Ham will soon be travelling to Coca Cola Championship grounds. I do feel genuine sympathy for Hammers supporters after watching Saturday's game; it's disgusting to watch players who represent the club you love, not putting the effort in for either the shirt, or the inflated wage they are paid to play a game they love.
Outside the support however, I feel no such sympathy. The conduct of the West Ham players has left little to be desired, they have shown they lack the heart for a fight against a team, like Charlton or Watford, but are prepared to have a go against the glamour sides like Man United, an appaling trait in professionals in any career. The management situation has been handled appallingly too, how many Hammers fans believe they are better off under Curbs than they were four or five months ago under Pardew, or if the sniping from the new manager amidst a back drop of growing player unrest has helped?
With Pardew at the helm, there was at least some belief the side would play their way out of trouble, at least that belief has found its way across the capital to the Valley. It was also a cheap shot for Curbs to have a dig at Pardews training methods and motivational techniques, funny how these things can come back to haunt you.
Similarly, it was also highly dis respectful of Les Reed to criticise his former boss Ian Dowie about fitness levels of players at Charlton after Dowie left, particularly as player conditioning came under the remit of Mr Reed. Thankfully, Reed lasted only weeks in the job before the Charlton senior management came to the senses and removed him, getting in a man who has conducted himself with dignity throughout a difficult period in his professional career.
Since taking over Pardew has done a good job, nothing spectacular, but you feel momentum is with the Addicks, more so than the team they battered and Herfordshire outfit Watford, who were also extremely poor against Everton in the late game on Saturday.
More over for Pardew, and a mark of the man that despite his Charlton side effortlessly disposing of the Hammers at the Valley on Saturday, I haven't found one quote criticising West Ham or their treatment of him. In a time when professional integrity and football are words on opposite plains, Pardew deserves nothing but respect for that.
After Curbs' departure from the Valley at the end of last season, his replacement Ian Dowie, had been promised and given good money to spend in the transfer market and the former Crystal Palace manager seemed to have done a good job on paper, bringing in a combination of youth and experience to freshen up the Addicks.
West Ham enjoyed a fantastic first season in the premiership under Alan Pardew, culminating with the Hammers only seconds away from a famous FA cup victory. The start of the new premier league season it seemed couldn't come fast enough for West Ham.
The issues surrounding the two clubs have been well publicised, and the manager merry go round came to the forefront of this weekends fixtures with Alan Curbishley taking on his former employers in his new position as West Ham United manager, with former Hammers boss Alan Pardew in the hot seat at the Valley.
The game that followed was as one sided an affair as has been seen this season and on that type of performance West Ham will soon be travelling to Coca Cola Championship grounds. I do feel genuine sympathy for Hammers supporters after watching Saturday's game; it's disgusting to watch players who represent the club you love, not putting the effort in for either the shirt, or the inflated wage they are paid to play a game they love.
Outside the support however, I feel no such sympathy. The conduct of the West Ham players has left little to be desired, they have shown they lack the heart for a fight against a team, like Charlton or Watford, but are prepared to have a go against the glamour sides like Man United, an appaling trait in professionals in any career. The management situation has been handled appallingly too, how many Hammers fans believe they are better off under Curbs than they were four or five months ago under Pardew, or if the sniping from the new manager amidst a back drop of growing player unrest has helped?
With Pardew at the helm, there was at least some belief the side would play their way out of trouble, at least that belief has found its way across the capital to the Valley. It was also a cheap shot for Curbs to have a dig at Pardews training methods and motivational techniques, funny how these things can come back to haunt you.
Similarly, it was also highly dis respectful of Les Reed to criticise his former boss Ian Dowie about fitness levels of players at Charlton after Dowie left, particularly as player conditioning came under the remit of Mr Reed. Thankfully, Reed lasted only weeks in the job before the Charlton senior management came to the senses and removed him, getting in a man who has conducted himself with dignity throughout a difficult period in his professional career.
Since taking over Pardew has done a good job, nothing spectacular, but you feel momentum is with the Addicks, more so than the team they battered and Herfordshire outfit Watford, who were also extremely poor against Everton in the late game on Saturday.
More over for Pardew, and a mark of the man that despite his Charlton side effortlessly disposing of the Hammers at the Valley on Saturday, I haven't found one quote criticising West Ham or their treatment of him. In a time when professional integrity and football are words on opposite plains, Pardew deserves nothing but respect for that.
Thursday, 22 February 2007
Champions League
So, a mixed week for the English teams in the Champions league. While Liverpool and Manchester United enjoyed good results, both Arsenal and Chelsea faired slightly worse.
Admittedly Chelsea managed a one all draw away at Porto, but the loss of John Terry was a heavy price to pay for that all important away goal. I'm sure given the choice, most Chelsea fans and perhaps even the special one himself, would have traded off Terry's fitness against a one nil defeat. Quite how long the England skipper is out for, and the effect that has on the reminader Chelsea's season, remains to be see.
For Arsenal, their performance midweek probably merited more than the result they achieved and a tricky tie awaits them back at the Emirates for the second leg. Going into the League cup final on the weekend they are hardly in ideal shape, that defeat at the hands of PSV, was preceeded by an awful performance in the FA cup against Blackburnand perhaps the only good news of the week for the Gunners may turn out to be that injury to the Chelsea captain.
The Barcelona, Liverpool tie, turned out to be a tale of two split camps. Whilst on one hand the Barca team seemed lacking in organisaiton, creativity and most importantly any team spirit, perhaps due in part to Ronaldinho and Eto's public and recent falling out; Liverpool on the other hand, under the tactical astuteness of Benitez, showed just how to regain that all important team togetherness.
In fairness to the Liverpool players in question, Riise and Bellamy, the type of spat the two shared, is rumoured to be common place amongst training grounds and trips away at football clubs the world over. Bellamy it seems, is paying the price for a reputation that seems to have dogged him through out his playing career. You get the feeling Liverpool may well be Bellamy's last chance and a career that might have been beckons should he be shown the Anfueld exit door in the summer.
In the other game concerning an English side, Manchester United scraped a one nil victory thanks to a highly contreversial Ryan Giggs free kick goal. The scenes that followed however, were nothing short of disgraceful and UEFA should hopefully intervene and issue Lille with a severe repremand. Pervesly, this may also serve as a major test of the new UEFA presidents intergrity. With Platini insisting on fair play at all times, the actions of the Lille players and coaching staff could prove to be quite an embarassment for him at such an early stage of his presidency.
More worrying than the scenes that followed United's goal, were the pictures taken during the match of the United fans, seemingly trapped in the bottom teir of the away supporters section. These scenes only go to show that whilst the English game has made great strides in eradicating trouble from it's terraces, it seems that in light of Tuesday's scenes, coupled with trouble in Italy and also the threat of game postponements in Germany, that our European counterparts have significant steps to take to ensure safety at their grounds matches that of ours.
Paramount in all games should be the safety of not only the players, but also the spectators. It would be interesting to see if the reaction of UEFA would differ should scenes of Tuesday nights nature in France be repeated at Anfield or Old Trafford.
Admittedly Chelsea managed a one all draw away at Porto, but the loss of John Terry was a heavy price to pay for that all important away goal. I'm sure given the choice, most Chelsea fans and perhaps even the special one himself, would have traded off Terry's fitness against a one nil defeat. Quite how long the England skipper is out for, and the effect that has on the reminader Chelsea's season, remains to be see.
For Arsenal, their performance midweek probably merited more than the result they achieved and a tricky tie awaits them back at the Emirates for the second leg. Going into the League cup final on the weekend they are hardly in ideal shape, that defeat at the hands of PSV, was preceeded by an awful performance in the FA cup against Blackburnand perhaps the only good news of the week for the Gunners may turn out to be that injury to the Chelsea captain.
The Barcelona, Liverpool tie, turned out to be a tale of two split camps. Whilst on one hand the Barca team seemed lacking in organisaiton, creativity and most importantly any team spirit, perhaps due in part to Ronaldinho and Eto's public and recent falling out; Liverpool on the other hand, under the tactical astuteness of Benitez, showed just how to regain that all important team togetherness.
In fairness to the Liverpool players in question, Riise and Bellamy, the type of spat the two shared, is rumoured to be common place amongst training grounds and trips away at football clubs the world over. Bellamy it seems, is paying the price for a reputation that seems to have dogged him through out his playing career. You get the feeling Liverpool may well be Bellamy's last chance and a career that might have been beckons should he be shown the Anfueld exit door in the summer.
In the other game concerning an English side, Manchester United scraped a one nil victory thanks to a highly contreversial Ryan Giggs free kick goal. The scenes that followed however, were nothing short of disgraceful and UEFA should hopefully intervene and issue Lille with a severe repremand. Pervesly, this may also serve as a major test of the new UEFA presidents intergrity. With Platini insisting on fair play at all times, the actions of the Lille players and coaching staff could prove to be quite an embarassment for him at such an early stage of his presidency.
More worrying than the scenes that followed United's goal, were the pictures taken during the match of the United fans, seemingly trapped in the bottom teir of the away supporters section. These scenes only go to show that whilst the English game has made great strides in eradicating trouble from it's terraces, it seems that in light of Tuesday's scenes, coupled with trouble in Italy and also the threat of game postponements in Germany, that our European counterparts have significant steps to take to ensure safety at their grounds matches that of ours.
Paramount in all games should be the safety of not only the players, but also the spectators. It would be interesting to see if the reaction of UEFA would differ should scenes of Tuesday nights nature in France be repeated at Anfield or Old Trafford.
Sunday, 11 February 2007
Lucky Arsenal...?
Watched the game this afternoon and thought Arsenal played poorly in the main, with Wigan playing far better than I had expected them too, great in the first half especially. A first half performance capped by a great goal. Had Heskey scored just before the intervel and not hit the upright, Wigan would have been in a terrifc position.
Thought the game turned after some shocking refereeing by Mr Dowd, when a cast iron penalty for Wigan was denied, but you don't get them as an away side against the big four. Also a big offside decision went against Wigan in the build up for the goal, added to Dowd not allowing an injured Wigan player to return to the pitch, Arsenal score and then the result is never in doubt.
Wenger and Arsenal fans point to the Gunners never say die attitude, and give credit to their battling credientials, fair enough, I just hope they give Bolton the same on Wednesday, far be it from me to criticise Mr Wenger, but I'll put my house on him seeing a similair incident involving Henry and a Bolton Defender.
Two things disappointed me this afternoon in particular, the inexcusably poor officiating, these guys are supposed to be pro now, but they are as scared as ever to give the really big decisions concerning away teams at the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Man U. Also Theirry Henry should be ashamed of himself after his conduct this afternoon, this latest incident is another in a long line of Gaelic strops from the Frenchmen.
Henry is a fantastic player who I, like many had previously admired for, not only his skill levels (still never in doubt those!), but also the way he conducted himself on the pitch, this seems to be a thing of the past now. Perhaps Barcelona's interest last season has gone to his head, his actions this season tend to make me think he may be regretting his decision to stay in North London. Especially considering the Gunners look to be as far away as Liverpool in terms of actually winning the Premiership. His current form is exceptional, and he is still one of the best players on the planet, but some of his actions toward fellow professionals are disrespectful at best, and at worst smell of extreme arrogance. A personal disappointment from a man I hoped would be above that type of thing.
Thought the game turned after some shocking refereeing by Mr Dowd, when a cast iron penalty for Wigan was denied, but you don't get them as an away side against the big four. Also a big offside decision went against Wigan in the build up for the goal, added to Dowd not allowing an injured Wigan player to return to the pitch, Arsenal score and then the result is never in doubt.
Wenger and Arsenal fans point to the Gunners never say die attitude, and give credit to their battling credientials, fair enough, I just hope they give Bolton the same on Wednesday, far be it from me to criticise Mr Wenger, but I'll put my house on him seeing a similair incident involving Henry and a Bolton Defender.
Two things disappointed me this afternoon in particular, the inexcusably poor officiating, these guys are supposed to be pro now, but they are as scared as ever to give the really big decisions concerning away teams at the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Man U. Also Theirry Henry should be ashamed of himself after his conduct this afternoon, this latest incident is another in a long line of Gaelic strops from the Frenchmen.
Henry is a fantastic player who I, like many had previously admired for, not only his skill levels (still never in doubt those!), but also the way he conducted himself on the pitch, this seems to be a thing of the past now. Perhaps Barcelona's interest last season has gone to his head, his actions this season tend to make me think he may be regretting his decision to stay in North London. Especially considering the Gunners look to be as far away as Liverpool in terms of actually winning the Premiership. His current form is exceptional, and he is still one of the best players on the planet, but some of his actions toward fellow professionals are disrespectful at best, and at worst smell of extreme arrogance. A personal disappointment from a man I hoped would be above that type of thing.
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