Manchester United’s Incredulous Champions League exit against Basel has sparked more than just jokes from opposition fans. Many have claimed that United’s midfield needs reinforcing, not only with a quality defensive midfielder but also with a world class playmaker. Along with that, many fans believe that, and I’m talking about United fans, players need to be sold and millions need to be invested.

Is that really necessary though?

For me the answer is no.

Sure, our defeat against Basel in the week was embarrassing – humiliating even, but we were more than unlucky on the night. United created 17 chances, yet only managed to test the goalkeeper 6 times.

Wayne Rooney had a chance he would normally bury in his sleep, yet managed to fluff his lines and miss from a yard out. Basel defender Markus Steinhofer managed to, somehow, get away with volleying the ball back towards his own goal – it cannoned back off the cross bar. Even when United managed to pull a goal back through Phil Jones’ header, he should never have had the opportunity – Federico Macheda hit the bar from two yards out with an open goal in front of him.

Basel go mental. Rooney goes to the Europa League...

And that, neatly, brings me on to the supposed deadwood in Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad.

The likes of Macheda, Mame Biram Diouf, Darron Gibson and Jonny Evans have long been seen, by United fans at least, as not good enough for the club.

The young Italian burst onto the scene by scoring a dramatic 92nd minute winner against Aston Villa at Old Trafford, but he has since gone backwards. For evidence, look at his first touch against Basel in the week – he was inside the box, with his back to goal, when Rooney threaded a ball through. Instead of controlling it though, he pushed it so far to the left that it harmlessly trailed off for a goal kick. Talk about making a good first impression from the bench…

Diouf was one of the best strikers at Blackburn - he's one of the worst at United...

And then there is Mame Biram Diouf. Following an impressive start to his footballing career in Norway with Molde – he scored 45 goals in 86 appearances – he joined United. With first team opportunities limited though, he was shipped out to Ewood Park on loan – where he netted 6 goals in 29 appearances. Upon his return to United though, he has managed 1 goal in 5 games. However, many fans believe him to be so far behind the likes of Rooney, Berbatov, Hernandez, Welbeck and Owen that he may as well be sold. I agree with them to be honest.

Sir Alex has, since signing the Senegalese international, admitted that United actually wanted to wait a couple of years before signing him to see how he developed. Maybe they would have been better off looking elsewhere altogether…

And on to the much maligned Irish duo – Jonny Evans and Darron Gibson. The defender has divided United fans since he burst onto the scene in central defence. He’s good when he’s playing well, as his international appearances show, but he is very inconsistent. He was largely at fault for the League Cup defeat against Crystal Palace, and he hardly covered himself in glory against Basel. Does he need to be sold though? Not this season. I think he needs another six months to truly embed himself into the United way of playing. If he can’t cut it after that though? Let him go, with no hesitation.

Gibson is a player I have extremely strong feelings about – he’s awful. He has no passing range, he wastes opportunities from long range and he generally stinks out the midfield. I doubt he’s reading this, but the sooner Sir Alex sells him, the better. He was, according to Sky Sports, very close to joining Steve Bruce’s Sunderland in the summer along with John O’Shea and Wes Brown. He would have done well on Wearside, but he believed himself to be Champions League quality. He isn’t and he needs moving on.

But is the rest of the squad up to standard? Yes I think it is.

Wayne Rooney, Nemanja Vidic and Nani are world class. Ashley Young, Tom Cleverley, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and David De Gea are all on the verge of greatness and youngsters like Paul Pogba and Ravel Morrison are among the best in Europe for their age.

So no, we’re not an average side, we’re still a class act. After all, we did thrash Arsenal 8-2 earlier this year, in case people had forgotten.

Yep, United did that!

But our beloved team may not be playing in the best league in the world any more.

That honour now seems to belong to La Liga.

The Spanish league has come on leaps and bounds since David Beckham’s megabucks transfer to Real Madrid in 2005, and the two best teams in the world now contest, arguably, the most coveted domestic trophy in the world.

Barcelona and Real Madrid are on another level to everyone else in the league, certainly, and it may be in danger of turning into an SPL-like duopoly, but the quality of football cannot be argued with.

The pace may be slower, and the emphasis on tactics greater, but the football that graces the Bernabeau and the Camp Nou is mouthwatering at times. Maybe that is down to the fact that the two teams are playing sides much lower than them in terms of ability, but they manage to replicate it in the Champions League as well.

The fact that Barcelona’s most seen scoreline in La Liga under Pep is 5-0 is not representative of their Champions League form.

They may not dominate Europe’s top competition in the same way they do the poorer teams in La Liga, but they still rip teams to shreds. Look at Arsenal in the Camp Nou and United at Wembley. Certainly, Guardiola has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal, but you still have to blend all the elements together.

And that is what Mourinho is doing at Real Madrid. Cristiano Ronaldo is the second best player in the world by all accounts (although in any other generation he’d be head and shoulders above the rest) and he can rip through teams like a hurricane. Trust me, I know.

There's good, and then there's good.

Away from Ronaldo though, is Kaka (who doesn’t even get in the team), Mesut Ozil (recently voted the tenth best player in the world by FourFourTwo magazine), Iker Casillas (arguably the world’s best goalkeeper) and Angel Di Maria (who has turned into one of the best wingers in the game).

And Mourinho has turned them into a machine – a unit capable of winning every trophy under the sun.

Does the Premier League have a team like that?

It used to be United, in the Ronaldo years. Chelsea had their moments when Mourinho was in charge. Arsenal were right up there when Vieira and Henry formed their backbone.

Now though?

Manchester City thought it was them, following their blistering start to the season, but their exit from the Champions League (on the same night as United may I add!) has poured some cold water on their world domination plans. Players like David Silva (the seventh best player in the world according to, again, FourFourTwo), Vincent Kompany and Joe Hart are all world class but Mancini has yet to truly mould them into a fully functioning unit. He had in the Premier League certainly, but the Champions League seemed to be the Italian’s aim at the beginning of the season – and he has failed.

United are light years away at the moment from the glorious Spanish duo now though. They have the potential to get there – the likes of Jones, Smalling, Cleverley and Welbeck look to be the best English players United have produced since the class of ’92. Now though, they aren’t quite there. We will be though, I’m sure of it.

Actually, in my eyes, the team that are most like Madrid and Barca play in North London. Yep, I think Spurs have earned the right to be compared with the Spanish giants.

That night saw Bale become world class. And Tottenham become title challengers...

I’m sure that will have raised a few eyebrows among WFC readers, but look at the squad old Harry Redknapp has available to him. Gareth Bale, Rafael Van der Vaart, Luka Modric and Scott Parker form the best midfield in the league and, while doubts may persist over a consistent number one, they deserve to be credited as title challengers.

I’m a United fan and I can accept that. I can also accept that our elimination from the starry Champions League was deserved. And I can also accept that winning the league will be one hell of a feat for Sir Alex Ferguson.

But, as a United fan, I’m sure that the boys will bounce back next season. And next season, our boys may just be men.

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I was gazing North from the balcony of our hotel, the glowing lights of the town huddled at my feet. Far below, the sea stretched away through the night towards a lost horizon. Somewhere out therein the open sea lay the ancient ruined island of…….

…Canvey.

It was another trip to Essex and that island, but this time not for Stones to pit their wits against the Islanders themselves.   Instead,  the Beachboys of Concord Rangers were the destination for the surfing safari, although, like most trips to Essex, it was not an appealing adventure for most of the Stones faithful.

I, at least, had the excuse of being six thousand miles away, with work ‘forcing’ me to journey to the native shores of the original Beach Boys.  As the match kicked off, I must confess to have been sitting at a gate in LAX, awaiting a flight to San Francisco.   Still, through the ethereal umbilical cord known as Twitter, I remained connected to the match in Essex, courtesy of a loyal band of @Wealdstone_FC tweeters led by Bananas and Howie J.

Weather wise, I had the better end of the deal, despite the approach of ‘winter’ in So Cal.   Eight time zones away, it was a damp, cold and windy isle awaiting the arrival of the rolling Stones.  The beach at Canvey is not Malibu or Santa Monica on the brightest of summer days, let alone an autumn Saturday, thus these Beach Boys don’t exactly emulate their namesakes.  Still, it’s a winter game we play, and the visitors were hopeful of disrupting any harmony the locals might muster, three-part or otherwise.

Stones trotted out Jon North in goal, James Hammond, Scott McCubbin, Wes Parker and Alan Massey across the back,  Alex Dyer, Kurtney Brooks, David Hicks, and Brett Assombalonga in the middle, with Richard Jolly and Nicci Ahamed in attack.  Chris O’Leary had been pencilled in to start but exhibited flu symptoms during the warm-up.  Relegated to the bench, he was joined by Sean Cronin, ‘F’ Scott Fitzgerald, Conor Smith and Eddie Adjei.   Peter Dean, if you’ll remember, was missing through suspension.

A quiet start was soon shattered when Richard Jolly capitalised on an uncertain defence, darting in and  squaring the ball across the box and into the path of Britt Assombalonga, who gave the Stones a thirteenth minute lead.  Having opened his account in his third week with the club, the travelling fans were finally, and boisterously, free to do the Assombalonga Conga.  The routine had been long-planned, as, from a lyrical perspective, spontaneity was out of the question when confronted with the challenge of rhyming Assombalonga.

Sadly though, it wasn’t the start of another dominating Stones performance, as the home side responded to the goal, stepping up the pace while Wealdstone struggled in the ever-increasing grey to find the movement and passing that had put paid to Banbury in midweek.  Yet, Gordon Bartlett’s back line held strong, with good challenges and blocks across the defence limiting Jon North’s workload — although when called upon, he performed admirably.

Still, on thirty-two minutes, the Beachboys equalised, when a cross was met with a sharp header.  Whether it was a home forward, or Hicksy or Wes Parker with an own goal remains a matter of contention, and I didn’t have a great seat to comment with any authority.  Thankfully, it remained the only real opportunity either side created in the opening half, with Gordon Bartlett easily the less pleased of the two bosses at intermission, considering that Wealdstone’s 4 – 4 – 2 was bossed across the park by Concord’s 4 – 3 – 3.

Stones then enjoyed an early resurgence in the second stanza, albeit their best effort a shot from David Hicks unfortunately too close to the goaltender to really test his resolve.  As the match wore on, though, Rangers re-established their dominance, but Jon North remained untroubled, called upon to block just a single close-range effort.

That penetration sparked a change, as Gordon Bartlett made a rare triple substitution, the closest thing the gaffer could manage to a collective kick in the rear for his lethargic attack.  Fitzy, Cronin and Smith came on for McCubbin, Brooks and Hicks; the changes also reorganising the Stones, to deal with the troublesome Concord forwards.

With ten minutes remaining, Harry Elmes left a chance begging, for which his side would pay dearly.  Three minutes later, Stones snatched the winner. A sharp cross from Stones new Conga King repaid Richard Jolly’s first half favour.   Jolls’ first time volley from  twenty yards deflected slightly off a defender’s legs and nestled in the back of the net. It was potentially the second own goal of the match but one that Jolls will surely claim, as he’d generally need a map to find the target from 20 yards!

The home side continued to press as the game came to a close and Stones did their best to keep the ball (and the three points).  After several matches where the Stones defence let down a prodigious attack in the latter stages, it was good to see the club steal one after the back line had kept them in the match for the majority of the ninety minutes.

By the time you read this, Stones will have been in Cup action against Enfield town in the next round of the Middlesex Cup on Tuesday evening.  However, the primary focus, win, lose or draw, will be firmly on Saturday;’s home tie with local rivals Uxbridge in the FA Trophy tournament.  Two ties in five days, both against sides from the division below, but both on excellent runs and topping their respective divisions; winnable matches, but challenging nonetheless.  While the fixtures form a definitive week in Stones’ 2011-12 campaign, I’ll be trading the Pacific Coast Highway for a reverse trip along the Oregon Trail, with stops in Portland and then across the Great Divide into Denver and Boulder, Colorado.   I hear the weekend forecast for the UK is calling for sleet and snow, so, even in leaving California behind, I’ll remain well in tune with events on the home front.

Roger Slater is a longtime Wealdstone FC supporter and, with even longer-time Stones manager Gordon Bartlett, co-wrote Off The Bench – A Quarter Century of Non-League Management, available on order from you local bookstore or directly from the Wealdstone FC Club Shop.  It is also available in e-book form, if postage and handling aren’t your thing, by clicking on the link below.

Special thanks to Steve Foster, the official Wealdstone FC shutterbug, who agrees with everyone else that James Hammond picked the wrong time to do the Assombalonga Conga.  If you would like to see more Wealdstone photos, go to:  

https://picasaweb.google.com/wealdstonefc  

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Liverpool are a team who are regularly falling between two stools at the moment. Are they the potential world-beaters who recently won twice at Stamford Bridge and gave Manchester City their toughest league match of the season? Or perhaps they’re the ineffectual bunch of wasters who have drawn home matches with promoted sides like Norwich City and Swansea, and lost at Fulham on Monday.  Depending on who you follow on Twitter, you could easily believe either side of the tale. As with most things in football, I suspect the truth is somewhere in the middle.

In any event, Champions League football is getting increasingly difficult to visualise at Anfield next season. It’s not that the team’s form is particularly bad.  On the contrary, their current points-per-game average of 1.64 translates to a sixty-two point finish, and while that is no quite as healthy a figure as Kenny Dalglish would like, the Reds have already played the majority of their difficult away games — not that the trips to Manchester, for City and United, will be strolls in the park.  The issue is that the other teams competing for fourth place are all at least as good as Liverpool, and, in many cases, better.

Before Monday’s match though, the Kopites had reasons to be optimistic about returning home from jolly old London-town with three valuable points. Liverpool gave arguably their best performance of last season in winning 5-2 at Craven Cottage in May.  Moreover, their hosts had just twelve points before Monday night’s match began, their joint lowest Premier League total after thirteen games; clearly not a team in form.

Or were they? In some matches this season, most notably their home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, the Whites had not earned the points which their performance deserved.  As for last night, it was an entertaining game where both teams had decent chances, and as the match approached stoppage time, a draw seemed an equitable result.

Unfortunately, the Reds — and contrary to popular opinion, not Kevin Friend – gave Fulham a couple of helping hands.  First, whether or not Jay Spearing won the ball first, in this day and age, we all now that it is unacceptable to catch your opponent on the follow through.  Finishing with ten men against an attack featuring the likes of Bobby Zamora, Clint Dempsey and Danny Murphy is just asking for it.

To me, it looked a dangerous tackle, with both feet off the floor. Old school fans love to use the ‘it’s a contact sport’ or ‘that wasn’t even a foul’ arguments, but that’s irrelevant.  Everyone knows the kind of tackle which refs love to punish, and Spearing’s fell well inside those boundaries.

Then, with just five minutes to go, former Red Murphy took advantage of another gift.  Glen Johnson’s poor defending led to a shot too hot for Pepe Reina to handle, and it’s not just Liverpool supporters, but England fans in general, who know what can happen if the keeper doesn’t control the ball when Clint Dempsey is in the neighbourhood.   The American’s tap-in condemned Liverpool to a first defeat in twelve games in all competitions.

Normally, that would hardly constitute a disastrous run.  Still, with the competition at the top of the current Premier League table, doom merchants were quick to take to the chat rooms and forums, proclaiming the result as the end of the world.  Let the pessimists have their day, though.  I’m an eternal optimist myself, and, regardless the result, I’ll look for the best in a Liverpool performance.

And so it is this week. Whilst the usual hindrance of poor finishing held the Reds back, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic for the rest of the campaign. After all, Liverpool were on top for large spells in the game, hit the woodwork twice, were denied an offside, and were millimetres away from being awarded a penalty or two. Fulham themselves were probably fortunate to finish the match with a full complement.

I read today, via OptaJoe, that Luis Suárez has won more fouls than any other player in the Premier League since making his Liverpool debut. It didn’t seem that way last night as an elbow in the face inside the Fulham area did not result in a penalty.

Similarly, the woodwork was no friend to the Reds either, much has it hasn’t been all season. Stewart Downing found the frame of the goal for the third time this season — no player has done so more often in the league — and he took the total to twelve for the Liverpool team as a whole.

To show just how close Liverpool are to fulfilling their potential, if every shot in the Premier League that has hit the woodwork this season was a goal, then the Reds would be just six points from the top of the league, rather than fifteen as they currently are.  It’s small margins like these that convince me that Liverpool are on the right track at the moment, even if they may fall short of the promised land this season, and an unlucky defeat at Fulham is going to change my mind about that.

Statistics sourced from EPLIndex. Read more of Andrew Beasley @ basstunedtored.com

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[If you hadn't already noticed, Touring With The Stones typically takes the scenic route in traveling the Information Super Highway. It is written in England, France, California, or wherever I happen to be at the moment. But that isn't the end of the line. It is then edited by WFC's esteemed editorial staff of one, a carpet-bagging Canadian who has settled in the wilds of suburban South Florida. This past week, your intrepid carpetbagger journeyed to visit some American relatives in the Big Apple for the uniquely North American holiday known as Thanksgiving. While he arrived safely, his laptop did not. Thus, WFC was forced to the sideline for several days. All is well now, though, with a new laptop found even if time remains lost. Still, in the interests of not wasting good work and good words -- to quote our now apologetic and well-fed carpetbagger -- the adventures of Wealdstone FC over the past fortnight is being presented in a two-part post-holiday special.  The first installment arrived on Thursday, and this is the second.

Enjoy.]

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The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then?
I cannot say.  

Bilbo Baggins, Esq.

Tuesday evening, the twenty-second, brought a chance to play a few trialists, squad players and reserves as Stones travelled to Staines in the George Ruffell Shield. The competition is a sort of Charity Shield between the previous season’s Middlesex County Cup and Charity Cup winners, Stones’ hosts on the night holding the ‘Senior’ Trophy.

Thus, it was again a much changed Wealdstone side.  Long time winger Danny Spendlove found a romantic solution to his lack of playing time at the Vale by joining the ‘gypsy caravan’, as it were, departing with Canvey Island after the weekend match between the two clubs.  Spendy’s leaving was counterbalanced by the temporary return from St Albans of Chris O’Leary, for this match, at least.  But, of the entire starting eleven, only he, Scott McCubbin, Sean Cronin and Scott Fitzgerald had any first team experience.  On the plus side, Conference South Staines Town, also took the opportunity to look at a few fringe players in their squad.

After Thursday’s reflection on Stones’ prodigious travelling support, it was a bit sad that only four fans — other than Board and Management — saw their side get off to a lightning start, taking the lead on twenty-seven seconds through an own goal.

The remaining eighty-nine and a half minutes were fairly unremarkable, as even those first team players in the squad struggled to make much impression.  Wealdstone collected their first trophy of the season, admittedly in virtually covert fashion, but it was an opportunity to see a new group of players in action, and perhaps one or two will make their way to the first team as the season progresses.

None however rode the Cocked Horse to Banbury Cross for the FA Trophy tie, and there had been some further bad news during the week when Lee Chappell had reconstructive surgery on the broken – indeed shattered – finger he suffered a fortnight ago. After the operation, news filtered in that Chaps will be sidelined between six to eight weeks.  So, thin on the ground and with few of the midweek starters doing enough to impress, it was really no surprise when Manager Gordon Bartlett dipped into the loan market to add to the squad.  Britt Assombalonga joined the club midweek, on loan from Championship side Watford, along with Republic of Ireland U21 International Connor Smith, although the youngster was unavailable for this game.

Both come in on the back of the excellent relationship built up between the two clubs. Watford realise how much benefit these players can gain from a spell under the physical challenge of competitive Ryman League football, as opposed to the standard Reserve League fare they normally play.  In fact, if you’re keeping up with news in the upper stratosphere of the FA, Sir Alex Ferguson was lamenting that very dilemma, regarding Federico Macheda and Mame Biram Diouf, after Man United’s ouster from the Carling Cup quarter-finals at the hands of Crystal Palace.

From Wealdstone’s perspective, past signings have, for the most part, made an impact.  Players such as Dale Bennett, Theo Robinson, John-Joe O’Toole and Marvin Sordell have all gone on to bigger and better things, although one or two others ‘have been found out’ and have failed to impress at Stones’ or with the Hornets.

Sadly, after a fine journey to Banbury via a pub or two, first sight of the ground and, in particular, the pitch did little to impress.   A once wide terrace behind one goal has been replaced — no doubt due to some health and safety issue — with a mass of sloped concrete that would better serve as an on-ramp for the M or the deck of a stone aircraft carrier.   The turf has no doubt seen a lot of effort put in but looked in need of the heavy roller or a herd of hungry sheep. The long grass definitely limited the flow of the game, and even the home fans were critical, although the home groundsman seemed a little upset with some of the post-match comments on their forum.

Stones lined up with Jon North in goal, a back four of James Hammond, Alan Massey, Wes Parker and Sean Cronin, David Hicks and Scott McCubbin flanked Alex Dyer and Kurtney Brooks in the center of the pitch, and Richard Jolly and Scott ‘F’ Fitzgerald took on the striking duties.  Britt Assombalonga and Chris O’Leary were joined on the bench by Eddie Adjei, Peter Dean and Nicci Ahamed.

It was a solid line-up and one that wanted to play football, but, to be honest, the game started with Banbury making the best of the poor conditions.  A strong wind added to the problems, preventing either side from settling into any rhythm.. Wealdstone found it difficult to string passes together, and, in the opening moments, the most significant play was a goal stopping challenge-cum-clearance by Wes Parker, preserving the stalemate.  The local station, Radio Horton, was somewhat more effervescent in their description “of the end to end cup tie” they were watching, making one wonder just how high the grass had  been permitted to grow in previous Banbury matches, this season.

The second half continued in the same vein, despite the Stones contingent raising their voices to urge on their side.  Richard Jolly was unlucky with a one on one shortly after the restart, but Stones next best effort only came when substitute Assombalonga saw his late shot strike the crossbar from distance.  Perhaps the best description of the goalless draw came from a Stones fan who said that “the game resembled a 90-minute cagey opening spell.”

On this Tuesday past, the Vale provided a far more closely cropped and level surface, expected to favour a more fluent second leg, with the winners set to host another of Wealdstone’s local rivals, Uxbridge FC, themselves fresh off an excellent win against Conference club Histon.  It was a wet, windy evening, with the floodlights glistening off the damp surface, and the sweat of anticipation dampening more than one Wealdstone brow on and off the field.

One of the vagaries of non-league football is that players have real jobs, too.  Richard Jolly, who actually lives closer to The Vale than anyone in the squad, thus found himself with a day of meetings in London and then Egham before he could travel to the game.  After a few nervous hold ups along the way, he finally arrived not much more than half an hour before kick-off.  Manager Gordon Bartlett could only be thankful that he did in fact arrive for such an important match, as the gaffer has suffered through more than one instance of a player not travelling too well over the course of his lengthy tenure.

Game time saw a couple of changes to The Stones line-up, with Lee Chappell still unable to lend a hand and Sean Cronin suspended.  Scott McCubbin was therefore drafted into the left back slot, with Alan Massey occupying a central role alongside Wes Parker, and James Hammond completing the defensive line in front of John North. The need to exploit the surface a little more also saw changes in the midfield with both Chris O’Leary and Nicci Ahamed starting alongside Brooks and Dyer.  In attack, Peter Dean was restored alongside Richard ‘White Rabbit’ Jolly.  Both Watford loanees, Britt Assombalonga and Connor Smith joined Hicks, Fitzy and Eddie Adeji on the bench giving Gordon Bartlett a number of attacking options if limiting his defensive cover!  Fans had to be happy to see the boss so intent on going for the victory.

The game began much like Saturday’s match, with both sides a little cagey.  Banbury saw a long range effort well gathered in by North in the opening minutes, and both sides tested their opponents and the surface.  Pushing and probing, Stones pressed forward, Jolly scuffing an early effort after he was set free by a sweet pass from Dean.  Then with Banbury seemingly deciding on long ball as their preferred route to success,  Stones stepped up the pace and, on eighteen minutes, seized control of proceedings.

Chris O’Leary collected another tasty Dean pass and volleyed home to give Stones the lead.  Minutes later, with the chants of ‘One Chris O’Leary’ still ringing in his ears, the St Albans moonlighter clipped the ball over the Banbury defence for Richard Jolly to run onto.   This time, his new boots made no mistake, slipping the ball past the Banbury custodian for a 2 – 0 lead.

By now, Stones were buzzing on and off the field.  A corner from McCubbin was well met by O’Leary, who flicked on, only for Wes Parker to narrowly miss the target. Soon after, as Stones put together possibly their  best football of the season, another slick move saw a Peter Dean shot well saved.  The visitors simply couldn’t get close to the home side.

It was to be the story of the half as Wealdstone finished in similar vein.  Dean watched a second effort saved and Parker again just missed from a corner. Stone had balance, pace and vision throughout the side, while what opportunities Banbury did muster were quickly closed down by the well-marshalled Stones midfield and defence.  The visitors looked as vulnerable as a wild boar caught in the open, unable to hide in the tall grass.

Stones kicked off the second half with no changes in the line-up and the hope of the few hundred home fans that there would similarly be no change in the performance. Damp brows were still in evidence, partially due to the drizzle in the air and partially the old adage that Stones sometimes need three to win.  Given recent let-downs, anxiety replaced anticipation in some quarter and there followed a nervous opening spell off, if not on, the field………….

……….Albeit for all of 120 seconds.  Stones restored their dominance immediately, with Dyer pushing forward and squaring the ball into the path of Jolls, who slotted home to score that magical third goal.  Even the most pessimistic of Stones fans now had one eye looking towards the next round on December 10th, against a lower-placed, though well in-form, Uxbridge.

Stones continued to press and could well have won a penalty a couple of minutes later, when Jolly went down under a heavy challenge.  Yet, the referee waved play on, the ball broke to Nicci Ahamed, who, somewhat surprised at the space he had, slipped the ball just wide from six yards.

Next came a relatively quiet spell, with Stones holding possession but being held up by Banbury.  The reprieve was short, however.  Nicci Ahamed broke down the right again and drilled in a low cross which Jolly stretched to reach, coming up inches short as the ball spun past the far post.

With around 12 minutes to go, Connor Smith made his debut, replacing Dyer.   His energy only served to quicken the Stones attack.  Another sumptuous Dean delivery saw Jolly complete his hat-trick and earn a decent bottle of a sponsor’s wine.  It was Jolls last involvement of the night, being almost immediately replaced along with Chris O’Leary.

Britt Assombalonga and David Hicks entered the fray and Stones ran down the clock.

If nothing else, the performance bodes well for a run of important upcoming games.  After the disappointment at home to Canvey, Stones would love to carry this form into league play.   That resumes with a trip to Essex, to begin December.  Concord Rangers will host and there will be at least one adjustment to the eleven, with Peter Dean suspended. Midweek brings the next round of the Middlesex Cup,Tuesday against Enfield Town, Then, next week, Stones renew their FA Trophy quest against Uxbridge.

The Road goes ever on and on
Out from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
Let others follow it who can!
Let them a journey new begin,
But I at last with weary feet
Will turn towards the lighted inn,
My evening-rest and sleep to meet.

And if, during your journey, you want to find out a little bit more about what goes on in a club like Wealdstone, you could do a lot worse than buy a copy of Behind The Season, available now and an ideal Christmas present!!

Special thanks to Steve Foster, the official Wealdstone FC shutterbug, who wasn’t alone in finding the pub board the most interesting bit of the first FA Trophy match against Banbury. If you would like to see more Wealdstone photos, go to:

https://picasaweb.google.com/wealdstonefc

Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle at the weekend has left the Red Devils five points adrift of their ‘noisy neighbours’ at the top of the table. Their loss at home to Crystal Palace in the Carling Cup exposed a worrying problem for the defending Premier League champions.  In previous articles, I have suggested that Tom Cleverley could be the man to lead United to another domestic title, but following the team’s recent performances I feel compelled to ask whether Sir Alex Ferguson should have broken the bank to mount a tilt at the Premiership?  My answer now would be a resounding maybe.

Before falling to Palace, United had gone unbeaten in three matches, with a 1-0 win over Swansea and draws with Benfica (2-2) and Newcastle (1-1).  Those performances, however, fell well short of United’s normal standards.  The ball has been bogged down in midfield, David De Gea has given some abject performances, and, with Phil Jones deputising in the center of the pitch, the defence has looked unsettled.

Michael Carrick has come in for criticism from some sections of the United support, but, when he’s on form, he can pass the ball as well as anyone in the world. He just doesn’t hit that form regularly, and, when he’s not at his best, seems to pass the ball laterally far too frequently.  It’s frustrating to watch, although his cautious play does help maintain possession when United is ahead. If they’re chasing the game, though, such a timid approach isn’t what’s needed.

Anderson began the season in great form, bombing forward and netting against Norwich City and Tottenham. Unfortunately, he has followed Cleverley to the trainer’s table.   Although Fergie couldn’t have anticipated both being injured, their absence has the gaffer scraping the bottom of the barrel for midfield talent.

Cleverley is on his way back, with Old Trafford faithful hopeful that he will return with the same confidence and control he showed before going down.   The 8-2 mauling of Arsenal, where he started, the 3-1 victory over Chelsea and the 5-0 win over Bolton, all demonstrated his worth, but since he’s been out, United have stuttered, with no-one on the bench to replace him.

Darren Fletcher has been ever-present, yes, but he is a more defensive minded player, and needs someone with guile and passing ability alongside him.  While signing Wesley Sneijder, would have seen Cleverley on the bench, when he clearly is deserving of first team selection, United might now be neck and neck with City, rather than having to match them just to stay within five points of the top.

The Dutchman is world class, there is no argument there, but Sir Alex refused to pay his astronomical wages (believed to be £200,000 a week), although it was reported in many quarters that a £35 million fee had been agreed. Even Sneijder thought he was Old Trafford bound.

It’s difficult to believe that the Inter man wouldn’t have made a difference, but Sir Alex’s decision is understandable. Whatever one thinks of the Glazers, £200,000 a week and £35 million may be a little too much.  Especially with Wayne Rooney already on the books for a similar amount.  The Americans can’t be faulted for not being Sheikh Mansour.

So what are the alternatives in the transfer window, if Anderson and Cleverley aren’t back to a hundred percent by the end of the holidays?

Mario Götze was a name that was bounded around over the summer and many United fans believed him to be the man to lead United’s new age revolution. His asking price stood, and still stands, at around £30 million. The main criticism of a deal is his age (19), but if he’s this talented as a teenager, it seems a bargain.

I don’t think either of them should be signed though. I won’t even entertain mentions of Shinji Kagawa, Xabi Alonso or another youngster, Christian Eriksen.  Instead, I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest that United needn’t spend huge money on a temporary stop-gap until their missing duo are fully recovered.

There is a veteran player out there who can unlock a defence with a single pass from virtually anywhere on the pitch, provide a bit of set-piece magic, and restore the feel-good factor to a team that’s beginning to doubt its legacy, as their noisy neighbours continue to run unchecked.  He has just completed the last year of his contract, meaning he would be available on a free; has led his side to a championship, and might be looking for the perfect ending to a storybook career.

Yes, I’m talking about David Beckham, and yes, I know he’s thirty-six, has lost virtually all of the pace that once terrorised Premier League fullbacks, making him a defensive liability.  However, he has played in the middle with LA Galaxy, in a league that, while short on skill, is definitely long on fitness and pace.  He has the intelligence to compensate for his shortcomings, and his presence may see Rooney drop back into a deep position less often, as the ginger Scouse is certainly aware that Becks can get the ball to him up the pitch.  Then, once Cleverley and Anderson are fully reintegrated, Beckham will undoubtedly be a strong mentor and threat off the bench, in the latter stages of tight matches.

While Golden Balls has fully exploited his marketability throughout his career, and has entertained the notion of playing with Spurs or QPR, there is no question that he would jump at the opportunity to once again don the red strip of United.  Nor would he cost £200,000 per week.

I may be looking through rose-tinted spectacles when I mention his name, but United certainly need a spark to revive not only their flagging hopes of another Championship, but also to regain the swagger that has suddenly gone missing in this young squad.  Too many of the icons are gone and those remaining, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs, are both playing too seldom and suffering from tarnished images.  Beckham’s tenure in MLS has been looked upon with scorn, often on both sides of the Atlantic, but there is no questioning his competitive spirit.  The doubts raised if he returns will only stoke that fire.  He’ll have something to prove, and, as he did in LA this year, he will prove it.

Who says you can’t go home?

___________________________________________________________________________________

Over the past ten days, the Reds from Merseyside have been mingling with the greens of the Premier League.  Green as in greenbacks.  New money, old money, oodles of money. Whilst they have enjoyed the benefit of a roughly £40 million net investment in their own playing squad over the last twelve months, their last three matches have been against teams bankrolled by billionaires; the type who are happy to spend around £30-40 million on single players whom are later let go for peanuts.  Andrei Shevchenko or Robinho, anyone?

Over that period, Liverpool have beaten Chelsea twice at Stamford Bridge, advancing to the Carling Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2005.  As well, they’ve come as close to beating Manchester City in the league than anyone else to date. After the doom and gloom following the draw with Swansea at Anfield, things have certainly changed for the better.

The sequence began with a league visit to Stamford Bridge. I had been calling for Maxi Rodriguez to start more often and he duly repaid my faith — and Kenny Dalglish’s — by opening the scoring in his first league start of the season.  Although Chelsea later drew level through substitute Daniel Sturridge, who had been brought on to replace the hapless Jon Obi Mikel, whose dithering had led to the first Liverpool goal, Glen Johnson popped up with the winning goal with three minutes to go.  Before I pull my arm out of its socket patting myself on the back, I should confess that I was also clamouring for  Martin Kelly to occupy the right back berth instead of Johnson.  Just a friendly reminder from the football gods, I suppose, that I should stick to blogging rather than trying to tell Dalglish what to do.

Still, I was delighted to be proven wrong when Glen scored the decisive goal, and the result heaped more pressure onto Chelsea’s beleaguered boss André Villas-Boas. Subsequent defeats in the Champions League and Carling Cup will have done him no favours either.

With no European football themselves, Liverpool were afforded a full week to prepare for the visit of Manchester City.  However, for only the seventh time in the thirty-one League games of Kenny’s second tenure, Liverpool conceded the first goal of the match, when Vincent Kompany got his — erm — shoulder to a corner.

Within two minutes Liverpool were level, though. Whilst the goal was lucky in as much as Charlie Adam’s off-target shot was deflected past Joe Hart by Joleon Lescott, it was probably the only piece of luck that Liverpool received all afternoon.  If you’re going to get a result against the elite Premier League teams, you certainly need to take advantage of those rare strokes of fortune when they arrive.  They don’t come often, nor do they linger.

England’s number one Hart was in inspired form, saving all six of the shots on target that the Reds mustered, denying them two points in the process. The stats for the match show just how well Liverpool did against City, when compared to the Citizens’ previous league opponents.

Hart has only had to make 3.8 saves per match on average, and Liverpool gave him over fifty percent more work to do. At the other end of the pitch, City had been averaging a frightening twenty shots per game until they went to Anfield; the Reds limited them to just seven. Liverpool can be proud of their performance against City, even if they only earned a single point for their efforts.

The final match of the blank cheque trilogy saw Liverpool return to Stamford Bridge, and this time my team selection was spot on.

Maxi continued his fabulous scoring form by slotting home a perfect cross from Craig Bellamy. The Argentine now has ten goals from his last nine starts for Liverpool, stretching back to last season, which is a fabulous return. The signing of Maxi on a free transfer was certainly one of Rafa Benitez’ shrewdest transfer moves.  Martin Kelly then got his head to another pinpoint Bellamy cross, from a free kick on this occasion, and the win was sealed.

Proud Welshman Bellamy deserves a huge amount of credit for registering two assists and earning the fans’ man of the match award so soon after the tragic death of his friend and mentor Gary Speed. A word, too, for the travelling Kop, who proved they know where the lines of rivalry are drawn, loudly chanting boyhood Evertonian Speed’s name at several points throughout the match, whilst the Chelsea fans booed Lucas Leiva when he was carried off on a stretcher. Such instances remind me why I chose Liverpool in my formative years.

The injury to Lucas, which has since been confirmed to have rendered him unavailable for the remainder of the season, was the only black mark on another fantastic night for Liverpool and Kenny Dalglish. I suspect that Jay Spearing, will finally be given another chance to shine in a deep Anfield squad. Jonjo Shelvey, who has scored six goals in ten games on loan at Blackpool, has also been recalled to add to the squad’s midfield options.

As for Dalglish, he has now managed the Reds to four of their last six wins at Stamford Bridge, and one of those was in 1989! He seems to have the measure of Chelsea, and long may it continue. Liverpool have now won four successive matches against the Blues for the first time since 1974, which shows how rare it such dominance can be. They actually won five in a row in that spell which began in 1972.  There’s a bit of motivational material — not that the King has seemed lacking for any.

With a cup semi-final in the bag, giving Dalglish a home domestic cup tie after five away trips in a row, and with a 1.77 points-per-game average in the league with six winnable (on paper, at least) matches to come, I am certainly looking forward to the next couple of months.

Statistics sourced from EPLIndex. Read more of Andrew Beasley @ basstunedtored.com

[If you hadn't already noticed, Touring With The Stones typically takes the scenic route in traveling the Information Super Highway.  It is written in England, France, California, or wherever I happen to be at the moment.  But that isn't the end of the line.  It is then edited by WFC's esteemed editorial staff of one, a carpet-bagging Canadian who has settled in the wilds of suburban South Florida.  This past week, your intrepid carpetbagger journeyed to visit some American relatives in the Big Apple for the uniquely North American holiday known as Thanksgiving.  While he arrived safely, his laptop did not.  Thus, WFC was forced to the sideline for several days.  All is well now, though, with a new laptop found even if time remains lost.   Still, in the interests of not wasting good work and good words -- to quote our now apologetic and well-fed carpetbagger -- the adventures of Wealdstone FC over the past fortnight will be presented in a two part holiday special.

Enjoy.]

Life is difficult.

This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see the truth, we transcend it. Once we know that life is difficult – once we truly understand and accept it – then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters. — M Scott Peck

There were a few changes for the 15 November Middlesex Cup tie v Ashford Town.  Alan Massey, carrying a slight injury, was replaced at centre half by James Hammond, with Scott McCubbin coming into the right back slot.  The midfield was supplemented from the bench with Danny Spendlove, Dave Hicks, Kurtney Brooks and Nikki Ahamed comprising the midfield four.  Peter Dean and Eddie Adeji were given the start up front.

No surprise then that the first half was a somewhat disjointed performance which saw the home side take a 2-0 lead. Stones battled on, though, with Richard ‘Tis The Season To Be’ Jolly introduced for Adeji at half time.  The change helped turn the tide and by the end of the 90 minutes the equilibrium was restored, with one goal each from the new pairing.

As the evening deepened, the cold creeping into fans and players alike meant that extra time was hardly anticipated with glee and the first fifteen minutes of the extra period did little to warm the cockles of anyone’s heart.  After the turnaround, however, the game sprang back to life.  A few touches from the kick-off, Ashford Town restored their lead, only to be immediately pegged back by a great finish from the comparatively fresh-legged Alex Dyer, blasting home from twenty-five yards, after having entered the fray towards the end of normal time in place of a spent Danny Spendlove.

The end-to-end action had fired up the crowd, but the thought of a possibly long and drawn out series of penalty kicks settling the match reminded everyone just how low the mercury was dipping.  The despair of the valiant few Stones fans who had made the midweek journey across the county, was even deeper than that of the locals, as they faced a long midnight journey home and just a short nap before heading off to work in the morning.  Moreover, Stones record in shoot-outs in recent times is not one to instill confidence.

Then, like opening gifts on Christmas Eve without waiting for Santa, Wes Parker headed home from a corner with just a couple of minutes remaining.  Stones third substitute on the evening, Parker had replaced a nearly exhausted Kurtney Brooks in the extra period.  It was rare justification for manager Gordon Bartlett, whose in-game changes had been hashed and trashed throughout the early doors of the season, in Ruislip pubs and chatrooms.  On this night, however, his three replacements each made their mark, scoring decisive goals.  Then again, as a gaffer with the experience to see the bigger picture, the pleasure must have been tempered by concerns that the starting eleven’s poor beginning exposed a lack of depth in the squad.

Searching the non-league ranks for additions to a thin squad had borne no fruit by Saturday and the home fixture against Canvey Island left the management team wondering how best to shuffle the pack, further reduced by a hand injury to Lee Chappell, which will require an operation to reset the bone, and a nasty virus that had laid Scott McCubbin low. There was, thankfully, some good news pre-game, when both Alan Massey and Scott Fitzgerald passed fitness tests.  Yet, even that meant that Stones went into the fixture with merely three available substitutes, instead of the five permissible.  A number of fans were left wondering why some of the reserves, without a fixture themselves, hadn’t at least been called up to offer late game options.

Stones began with a line up more in tune to the group who had seen them through a recent unbeaten run, with Jon North sporting an ever longer beard in goal, and a back four or Hammond, Parker, Sean Cronin and Massey.  The midfield was populated by Hicks and Dyer in the middle, with Brooks and Ahmed offering wide outlets, although the pair intermittently rotated with Hicksy throughout the opening forty-five. Gordon Bartlett went with the hot hands from the cup tie up front; Peter Dean and Richard Jolly united in attack from the start after gelling so well late on Tuesday evening.

The Islanders also lined up with a 4-4-2 formation, unusually, for the Vale,  well supported by a large, boisterous contingent of fans.  Much as Stones tend to travel in numbers, there are few, if any, travellers from most other sides in the league.  Proud of Wealdstone’s strong fanbase, I have often compared which grounds are most inviting and which the least, throughout the season.  Until now, it had never occurred to me to look at it from the opposite perspective.

Hmmph.

Indeed, it is somewhat ironic that Canvey’s Islanders have often been tagged as ‘gypsies’ or the more PC ‘travellers’ – a connection perhaps to the fact that the Island is reclaimed land in the Thames Estuary, evacuated entirely after floods in the early 1950’s — and here they were, leaving the caravans and the sea defences behind for the afternoon.

The game began with the visitors in possession and Stones weathering the early storm.  More significant was an early booking for a Canvey defender, with the young referee ‘playing by the book’.

Stones first chance came in the seventh or eighth minute.  A good move brought Hicks an opportunity just inside the box, but he scooped the ball over the bar.  The opening was a harbinger of things to come, with Stones settling in and pulling the strings.

Swift and fluid movement dragged the Canvey midfield hither and yon, stretching the defence across the park.  Ultimately, though, the final ball from Dyer and Brooks in the centre of midfield was a little over-paced or too close to a defender for Jolly to apply the finish.  On the other hand, Dean and Ahamed were having it all their way on the flanks.  The newly returned Alan Massey joined the act on sixteen minutes when he stormed down the left side, sold his man a dummy, pocketed the change, and drifted a curling cross to the back post.  Ironically, the Canvey keeper, James Russell was marooned – his bright orange kit and ginger hair insufficient to camouflage his embarrassment. – Sadly, the ball past a matter of inches in front of both the far post and the onrushing Peter Dean’s head.

Minutes later, Stones broke through as Russell spilled a long range effort from Hicks, the ball dribbling out for a corner. Hicks then swung the ball in to the back post where Wes Parker, completely unmarked, had the simplest task to head home from two yards, for a deserved Stones lead.

At the restart, Canvey were again struggling against a furious tide.  Two minutes later, the lead was almost doubled in strange fashion.  A ball played through by Brooks was intended for Jolly but Steve Sheehan stuck out a leg to block.   Russell’s formerly red face blanched as the defender’s effort barely cleared the outside of the upright.

Stones dominance continued, and they thought the lead had been extended when Richard ‘You Must Be This Tall To lead The Line’ Jolly stole in to score a rare header.  Jubilant cries were snuffed out, though, when the strike was ruled out, apparently for offside.

Next came an incident which would later play a significant part in changing the course of the game. As Stones pressed, the ball broke towards the left byeline.  Canvey’s Rob King and Stones’ Peter Dean both seemed to be set for a full blooded challenge, only to pull out at the last second.  Dean fell over the non-challenge, the defender won the ball cleanly, and the Referee brandished a yellow card for simulation.  To be honest, there was little protest on the field at the time, and the full weight of the call would not be felt for another quarter-hour or so.

Still looking to extend Stones’ lead, Alex Dyer cut into the penalty box from the left, eluded two defenders, thereby finding space for himself to shoot, but not the target.  And then the other shoe dropped.

With the half fast coming to a close, Peter Dean won the ball under pressure and was knocked to his knees by the Canvey midfield player he had just robbed.  Recovering, he carried on with the ball, only to be levelled a second time.  The sequence occurred within a three square yard space occupied by Dean, his opponent and the seemingly disinterested referee.  However, when the ball was jostled loose in the second ‘challenge’, Dean stuck out a leg to win it back, clipping his foe in the ankle and reawakening the official’s passion for his job.   The shrill whistle was followed in quick succession by a second yellow, a red, and, in the stunned silence, a distinct epithet from the Wealdstone dugout.

The half closed with no further incident — as though any further was needed — with Stones only 1-0 in front, down to ten men, and in a quandary over a bevy of missed opportunities and the competence of the man in black.   With the second half looming, there was only fifteen minutes for cooler heads to prevail and come to a decision regarding what action to take.  Some, myself included, were inclined to remove Hicks in favour of Fitzy, revert to a 4 – 3 – 2 formation, keep Canvey off their stride, and force them backwards.  The management, though, chose to stand pat and ride out the inevitable storm.

The field suddenly playing downhill, Canvey pressed from the off, showing confidence in their sudden manpower advantage.  Jon North and Sean Cronin each cleared their lines before a strike from inside the box blazed over the bar, when it looked easier to score.

Still, score Canvey did, on fifty-seven minutes.  Jay Curran equalised after cutting in from the right, although Stones defenders will look at themselves and wonder how he found space in the box, their previously stoic solidarity melting away at the worst possible moment.

Stones did rally, working a couple of chances of their own. Hicksy proved both provider and culprit on one, as he opened a move in the middle of the park, spread the ball wide, and was then on hand to receive the cross at the edge of the box.  Similarly to the opening minutes of the first half, however, his shot was wide of the mark.  Spurred by their fright, Canvey swiftly moved the ball forward, their final effort well saved by North after Sean Cronin had committed himself to a challenge, and, frankly, missed!

Canvey’s pressure was continued to build.  Stones’ ten men were now playing too deep and on the back-foot.  Another melee around the edge of the box ended with the visitors awarded a penalty when an arm deflected a shot wide of the beckoning Stones goal.   There was considerable protest of ball to hand rather than hand to ball, but, despite it being a mandatory offence, heads were scratched as cards remained in pocket.

Up stepped Rob King to slot the ball home and give the visitors a fortunate lead. There was no doubt that Canvey had been the most effective side since the break, yet that was more due to Stones drop in manpower than anything else.  Twelve v ten makes life difficult and an air of the inevitable hung over the terraces, the often vociferous Stones fans suddenly subdued on a now dull winter afternoon.

In truth, there was little more to write about in the remaining twenty minutes.  Fitzy came on for Ahamed in the dying moments, and fizzed a shot over the bar.  From there, the game petered out with home fans freely informing the referee opinions on key decisions, while the yellow army of islanders journeyed home happy with their extremely early Christmas gift.

Still, with time now given for emotions to settle looking back on the key points of the game brings a slightly different perspective.   Stones can build on the positives of a very good first half, when at full strength.  Meanwhile, the fans will voice their opinions and perhaps look to place blame, but the truth is that opinions, like the angles from which we all view the game, differ person to person and person to referee.  An official’s job is sufficiently difficult without players who double as thespians.  Whether or not Peter Dean is one to try to pull the wool over the referee’s eyes, others have done so before, and it is something that all leagues are looking to eliminate.   As well, players on yellow cards who rashly stick out a leg can’t really complain when they are called on it.  Rules are rules, and even if this particular official was inconsistent in applying them, Dean has no one to blame but himself.

See you tomorrow to finish catching up on the long and winding road of the 2011-12 Stones campaign.

Roger Slater is a longtime Wealdstone FC supporter and, with even longer-time Stones manager Gordon Bartlett, co-wrote Off The Bench – A Quarter Century of Non-League Management, available on order from you local bookstore or directly from the Wealdstone FC Club Shop.  It is also available in e-book form, if postage and handling aren’t your thing, by clicking on the link below.

Special thanks to Steve Foster, the official Wealdstone FC shutterbug, who isn’t implying that Peter Dean deliberately had himself sent off to study for his chiropractic final, even if considering a career beyond football is important.  If you would like to see more Wealdstone photos, go to:  

https://picasaweb.google.com/wealdstonefc  

Chelsea’s latest big game defeats, this time a double whammy delivered by Kenny Dalglish’s Liverpool in the league and League Cup, and a Champions League defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, prove that a complete revamp of the starting XI (and squad) is needed by the start of next season.  For now, the focus for André Villas-Boas’ team is securing a Champions League place, but one eye must be on how he can refresh the aging squad that he has inherited.

]AC Milan, in the years prior to last season’s Scudetto triumph, weren’t able to re-invigorate their squad in a timely fashion.  Instead, Rossoneri fans were forced to endure a stretch in which their thirty-somethings were routinely exposed by an Inter side which was bringing through players such as Mario Balotelli and Diego Milito.  It has been a similar experience for Stamford Bridge faithful in the current Premier League campaign.

While Frank Lampard is playing well at the moment after being dropped by Villas-Boas for the game against Swansea, the same can’t be said for the rest of the veterans.  While the pundits are quick to point out any mistake which David Luiz makes, it is surprising that John Terry isn’t being grilled in like fashion, especially as he is having a very poor season.

Personally, I thought that Luiz handled the very slippery Luis Suarez very well, most notably in the league match two weekends gone.  That Phil Dowd denied his appeals for a penalty in the Cup tie doesn’t take away from his ability to contribute at both ends.  He also denied Maxi Rodriguez superbly on Tuesday evening.

Terry, though, looks slow on and off the ball, is making unusual mistakes and looks to be shell of the player who was named in the FIFAPRO World XI five times in a row.  He was terribly exposed against the Reds, with the attempted slide tackle on Jordan Henderson and his inability to win a 50-50 against Dirk Kuyt summing up his Sunday.

Nor is Ashley Cole looking as solid this year.   He was caught hopelessly out of position numerous times in attempting to deal with Kuyt and Glen Johnson.  On Tuesday, at least, the pressure was coming from the opposite side, where Craig Bellamy delivered an emotionally charged performance in tribute to his friend Gary Speed, who sadly took his leave of this world on the weekend.

While Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda enjoyed improved performances against Liverpool, it is difficult to envision them lining up for the Blues in 2012, especially Drogba.  Like Terry, the Ivorian is a shadow of the player he once was.  It is quite sad to see the decline of two players who have meant so much to Chelsea over the years.

Yet, as well as replacing the old guard with capable younger players, Villas-Boas must also rid his squad of its dead wood.  Sir Alex Ferguson must be thanking Chelsea every day that they saved him from buying John Obi Mikel a couple of years ago.  At one point seen as the replacement for Claude Makelele, Mikel has become a liability whenever he is on the field.  When you are getting outplayed by Charlie Adam — who looks as though he took a wrong turn after punching the time clock, kit and boots over his shoulder, late for his pub league match — there is no way you should be even mentioned in the same breath as Makelele.

Mikel may have once been the most accurate passer in the Premier League two years running, but he is making up for that now.  The holding midfield player for Chelsea needs to dictate the tempo of the game, no matter the opponent, disrupting the opponents attack and creating chances at the opposite end.  Despite being afforded numerous opportunities, the Nigerian has proven inadequate at both.

Solomon Kalou and Jose Bosingwa are two other players who should find themselves leaving the club in the near future.  Although they have had their moments, their careers show every sign of being on the decline.  If Chelsea do indeed get rid of Drogba, Anelka, Malouda, Bosingwa, Mikel, Kalou, and maybe even Alex, then replacements will be needed.

Even though it failed to pay immediate dividends, playing talented youngsters Josh McEachran, Ryan Bertrand, Oriol Romeu and Romelu Lukaku was the right thing for Villas-Boas to do in the rematch against the Anfield crew.  Their lack of experience showed late on, but a bit of post-holiday shopping may augment that.

Signing Gary Cahill and a winger in the January transfer window would be a good start for Villas-Boas. With those two additions, a 4-2-3-1 formation may get the best out of Fernando Torres, but perhaps more importantly it will maximise Juan Mata’s effectiveness.  The latter Spaniard is the only Chelsea player providing stellar outings on a consistent basis.

While the £50 million invested in Torres suggests that he should be the squad’s cornerstone, it has now become apparent that the team should be built around Mata, in his advanced role behind the strikers.  While two players in the winter window may stabilise the current situation, it will likely take further renovations in the summer to complete the project.  The question is, will the embattled Portuguese manager survive long enough to finish what he’s begun?

I was reading a blog the other day and the subject was more or less the title of this article.  The blogger was referring to South American footballers who seem to arrive at European teams younger and younger every year.

It made very interesting reading. The article touched upon several examples of players dubbed as future stars, who, if they didn’t fail completely, at least fell well short of their early hype.  The list included such names as Denilson, Robinho, Aimar and D’alessandro.

Both the piece itself and the comments left by readers were, on the whole, intelligent , even if there was a sense of tunnel vision.  There were the usual observations that “Robinho is rubbish”, “Ronaldinho has lost his ambition” and “Aimar never lived up to his next Maradona tag.”  Those comments are obviously subject to the individual reader’s concept of the skill set for the ideal footballer.  Such, of course, was not the point of the blog, in the first place.

On the other hand, there were some other, more germane stereotypes voiced:

• “South American leagues are weak, and the players get to Europe and find they are not as good as they thought they were.”
• “Players find it difficult to adapt to the jump in quality and the expectations big money moves create.”
• “Players don’t develop as quickly under the high standards of European training; they don’t like it.”

These are closer to the subject matter, even though I find them to be inaccurate and patronising.  Yet perhaps not as much as the suggestion that the standard of management is so much higher in Europe that there was no excuse for South American players not to succeed.

It is, I think, a human problem, rather than a sporting one.  Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs sums the situation up well.  Psychologist Abraham Maslow first introduced his concept of a hierarchy of needs in the 1943 paper “A Theory of Human Motivation” and again in his subsequent book, Motivation and Personality.

Maslow  theorised that people are motivated to fulfill basic needs before moving on to others.  Maslow visualised his hierarchy as a pyramid, with the lowest level composed of the most basic human needs; food, water, sleep and warmth.  Once a person obtains those, the concentrate on the next level; safety and security.

As people progress up the pyramid, needs become increasingly psychological and social. Soon, the need for love, friendship and intimacy become important. Further up the pyramid, the need for personal esteem and feelings of accomplishment take priority.

If you apply the pyramid to young South American footballers moving to a new continent, society and set of customs, you can see where they might encounter some difficulty.  Money is not an issue, as they normally are well paid, with the club making sure that, at least until they have settled in their new environment, they have adequate accommodations and nutrition.

Thus, the initial success many experience can be attributed to a level of comfort as much as it is to the normally presumed enthusiasm at arriving at a new club.  Clubs know that the first six or seven weeks can be crucial in a player’s development.  Normally the players who integrate into their new communities beyond the initial stage are the ones who continue to perform at the highest level and enjoy their football.

Despite popular opinion, footballers are concerned with more than kicking a ball around and having plenty of money to spend.  In a new environment, there can be a great deal of free time and no one to spend it with.  If the club leaves the player to his own devices too soon, he may become bored, alienated and depressed, with his performance suffering as a result.

We all know that Robinho, Ronaldinho and Aimar can play; that has never been questioned.  The same goes for Juan Roman Riquelme and the new poster boy of the debate, Carlos Tevez.  What has come under scrutiny is their dedication.  Yet rather than dedication, might it not be a question of being unhappy with their surroundings?

For those of you who believe the answer lies in differing standards of footballing or coaching, ask yourself what would happen if the financial shoe were on the other foot?  What if South America was where the money was?  Would emigrating European footballers succeed in the Brasilian or Argentine leagues?

The level of training and development in the region is amazing.  South American players are known for their technique, and no matter how many emigrate to all parts of the world, there are always more to take their place.  Brazil and Argentina have long been the world’s two greatest exporters of footballing talent.  There are so many good South American players, in fact, that one wonders if there would be room for Europeans in a lucrative Campeonato or Apertura & Clausura.

No, it is not a matter of technical merit.  The struggle for young South Americans is rooted in the human condition.  And while the inexperience of youth makes it difficult to adapt to new cultures, young players at teams like Arsenal and Ajax have managed to assimilate with the support of their club.  Therefore, if you ask me, European sides aren’t buying players too young; they just aren’t realising that their investment requires more than just money to come good. 

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This weekend, Chelsea welcomes Liverpool to Stamford Bridge, signaling the start of an important run of games for the Blues throughout November and December, a period in which they have struggled in the past.  This dreaded period has been responsible for spoiling three of Chelsea’s recent title challenges after the club had come roaring out of the gate.

In the 2006-07 Premier League season, many were tipping Chelsea to claim their third title in a row, especially with their ability to win games with late goals. In December though, Jose Mourinho’s teams found out the hard way that late goals don’t always come, giving the advantage to Manchester United who ultimately won the league.

The following season, Chelsea were again tipped for the title on the back of their impressive start under Brazilian World Cup winning coach Luis Felipe Scolari. Once again, however, their form nose-dived in November and December, ruining any title aspirations and ultimately leading to Big Phil’s sacking in February.

Last season, it was a case of same sh**, different year, with the stunning start to the season followed by an equally spectacular collapse, following the sacking of well-liked assistant Ray Wilkins.  The stretch was one of the worst runs of form during their time in the Premier League.  While their incredible run down the stretch put them back in the race, the early.

So how does Andre Villas-Boas solve what Mourinho, Scolari, and Carlo Ancelotti couldn’t and make sure that Chelsea doesn’t experience their all too familiar November and December decline?

With Manchester City nine points ahead of the Blues in the league, many believe that the title is already out of Chelsea’s reach,  and are already focused on consolidating third place — the final automatic berth into Roman Abramovich’s yet-to-be-realised dream, the Champions League.   Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, and Newcastle are all currently within shouting distance of Chelsea, so laying the foundation for 2012-13 may be the wisest course.

On the other hand, if you look at the upcoming games in all competitions,  seven of eleven in the Premier League, Carling Cup, and Champions League are at Stamford Bridge.  No disrespect to any opponents, but Chelsea can realistically expect to win six of those matches, with the critical match against City being the only fixture to give the squad pause.

Of their four away games, Newcastle, Bayer Leverkusen, and Tottenham will all be difficult tests for Chelsea, although they are more than capable of getting a good result against any of them.  The fourth contest, against relegation threatened Wigan, should see AVB come out on top in a battle between two young Iberians.

To shake the early winter ‘snow’ monkey off his club’s back, Villas-Boas must stabilise his shaky defence, especially as they will have to contain the likes of Luis Suarez, Steven Gerrard, David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko, Samir Nasri, Mario Balotelli, and Roberto Soldado.  Yet, it is not as though the Blues have been impotent with the Portuguese in charge.  While there has been much criticism levied at the Chelsea attack, they have scored often enough to take points, only to see their mates fail to hold up their end.

If Villas-Boas can solidify the back-line, the attack is likely to benefit.  Should that occur, Chelsea has every chance of breezing through what has recently been a very stormy portion of the season.  Even if many of the results are ground out as was the case against Blackburn, it won’t matter.  The chairman may not be entertained, but his new Portuguese manager knows as well as the old that 1-0 garners the same three points as 5-1.

Elsewhere, it was really shocking to learn that it was a Chelsea fan who apparently leveled racial abuse at Daniel Sturridge.  Racism is absolutely disgraceful, regardless of circumstances, so it goes without saying that if the perpetrator is caught, he should not only be banned, but should face the same police scrutiny which John Terry has been enduring.  That said and while Sturridge’s experience pales in comparison to the pillorying that Paul Canoville underwent in the ’80s, it is somewhat distressing that any Chelsea player would be subject to such treatment from a so-called Blues supporter, and even moreso to think that such a person may have behaved similarly to opponents, while wearing the club’s colours and badge.

Can’t we just accept that the only way to be better than anyone else is through performance?

As Liverpool did not have a match at the weekend, due to the international fixtures, and there is now a steady stream of games which carry well into the new year, this seems as good a time as any to asses the Reds’ first team to see who has performed well, and who still has room to improve. Actually, in some cases, it may be a bit of both, but by the end of this so-called analysis I will have selected my preferred line up.

For starters, I think there are four of the starting eleven who are nailed on for a berth for the vast majority of games: Pepe Reina in goal, Jose Enrique at left-back, Lucas Leiva as the holding midfielder, and of course Ballon D’Or nominee Luis Suárez up front.

Reserve keeper Alexander Doni hasn’t even played in the Carling Cup games against lower league opposition, so it’s impossible to make a case for him.

Enrique has been a revelation at left-back, as regular readers are probably tired of me saying, so that has meant very few opportunities for the likes of Fabio Aurelio (gifted but often injured) or Jack Robinson (gifted but, at 17, a little green).

Similarly, Jay Spearing hasn’t had many opportunities to dislodge Lucas from his defensive midfield position; indeed, even when the Brazilian was suspended, little Jay was not selected. I still think there is an important role for him, but more on that later.

In attack, Suárez continues to go from strength to strength, and whilst his finishing could perhaps do with a little work, his four goals in one match against Chile at the weekend will have given his confidence a timely boost, with Chelsea (twice) and Manchester City on the horizon.

So as I said, four starting places are obvious, but what about the rest?

I am becoming more and more convinced that Martin Kelly should be Liverpool’s first choice at right-back ahead of Glen Johnson. Kelly is the better defensively of the two, and Liverpool have been creating chances by the  bucket load anyway, so I don’t think Johnson’s sharper attacking skills would be too dearly missed. Kelly displayed that he’s capable of going forward, too, for England Under 21s recently, contributing a fine goal against Iceland.

Centre-back provides an interesting conundrum for me. All things being equal, Daniel Agger would be the first name I’d put down. However, much like Aurelio, injuries frequently prevent him from putting in a decent run in the team. At the end of last season, though, the team went six hundred twenty-four minutes without conceding whilst Agger was on the pitch, so he’s still a must-pick for me.

The other defensive space is a tricky one too. Up until very recently, I’d have said Jamie Carragher without a blink of an eye. If nothing else, his organizational ability is one reason to have him in your XI. However, he turns thirty-four early next year, and the team have shown they can cope without him in tricky environments (the second half of the away match at Stoke in the Carling Cup being exhibit A for the prosecution). I am therefore awarding my other centre-back place to Martin Skrtel.  The Slovakian played every single minute in the league last season, and whilst he’s not without his flaws, is a better long-term bet than Bootle boy Carragher.

On to the midfield options. Charlie Adam has impressed me in a lot of ways, though only really in an attacking sense. He has two assists already this season from set-plays, which is an area Liverpool have struggled from in recent times, but on the other hand he regularly appears to run out of steam around the hour mark, and he offers so little defensively that Lucas is picking up soft bookings covering for him.

This is where Jay Spearing may pop up again. If Kenny Dalglish is to persist with a two-man central midfield, then in my opinion Spearing needs to take the second berth alongside Lucas to ensure there is balance to the team. That has been the formation in the Carling Cup games, and the quality of opposition notwithstanding, the team has looked better for it.

For left midfield, I would persist with Stewart Downing. I wrote on my blog recently that his statistics are comparable, and indeed mostly better, than last season at Aston Villa when he was their fans’ player of the year, so I think he will come good in due course. He just needs a little luck.

On the right, whilst this might seem a slightly maverick choice, I would pick Maxi Rodriguez. The Argentine is a very clever player on his day, and can often make the difference against a team defending deeply. Whilst Jordan Henderson hasn’t done a huge amount wrong, he has looked better in his cameo appearances in centre midfield, so I would keep him on the bench as an option to play there.

Why not Dirk Kuyt in right midfield? Because I would play him up front in tandem with Suárez. Whilst I have a lot of faith in Andy Carroll, and I’m confident he will become a top striker in the forthcoming years, I can’t escape the fact that the Reds played some scintillating football last season whilst employing the Suárez/Kuyt combination. Liverpool put five goals past the likes of Birmingham and Fulham with that duo up top, so I think they should be given a chance this season.

What, no Steven Gerrard? The captain has few bigger fans than me, but with his poor fitness record I feel he has to be relegated to the bench. That said, nothing would make me happier than to revise this side in a few months and be forced to include Gerrard due to the power of his performances.

At any right, a bench of Doni, Johnson, Carragher, Adam, Henderson, Bellamy and Carroll looks pretty good.  Of course, I’m sure Kenny will pick an entirely different side than me for the forthcoming Chelsea game; he usually does, and Liverpool usually do well.  So, what do I know?

Statistics sourced from EPLIndex. Read more of Andrew Beasley @ basstunedtored.com

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A Saturday afternoon in November was approaching the time of twilight, and the vast tract of unenclosed wild embrowned itself moment by moment. Overhead the hollow stretch of whitish cloud shutting out the sky was as a tent which had the whole heath for its floor. The heaven being spread with this pallid screen and the earth with the darkest vegetation, their meeting-line at the horizon was clearly marked. In such contrast the heath wore the appearance of an instalment of night which had taken up its place before its astronomical hour was come: darkness had to a great extent arrived hereon, while day stood distinct in the sky. 

Billericay means another one of the regular trips into Essex, and one that often sees Wealdstone on the wrong end of the result.  A goalless draw to begin the season two years ago was the best of a poor bunch, although during the season prior, a 2-0 lead held promise until a late second half capitulation resulted in a pointless journey home.  So it was on Remembrance Weekend that Stones somberly set forth for a visit to the town where, in 1916, a German Zeppelin was shot down in a First World War aerial battle.  Our fearless lads were intent on avoiding a similar fate against the current  League leaders.

Manager Gordon Bartlett was forced to shuffle the deck once more, with injury to Scott Fitzgerald ruling him out of the game, and moreover, to combat the sheer size of their opponents.  Billericay’s back four make one wonder whether, in the time of Camelot, cartographers wrote on their scrolls “Here there be Giants!”

On yet another grey, cloudy autumn day, the spacious, rural location of the ground advanced the onset of evening by a half hour and the boggy state of the pitch diminished any hope of an appetiser of passing football to tease the palate ahead of the England v Spain feast to be aired in the clubhouse later in the evening.

Stones lined up with Jon North in goal, and  Alan Massey, Wes Parker, Sean Cronin and James Hammond at the back.  Lee Chappell, Alex Dyer, Kurtney Brooks and Scott McCubbin were the midfield quartet, with Peter Dean ‘in the hole’ behind Richard Jolly, The diminutive Jolls was apparently expected to dodge between the wickets, erm… legs, of the Billericay defenders.

Unable to compete physically or match Billericay’s height, Gordon Bartlett went in the opposite direction; opting for a front six,  each of whom would struggle to break 5’10” in heels.  The obvious intent was to utilise superior speed to overcome the lumbering behemoths, and if the starting XI wasn’t up to the task, Nicci Ahmed, Dave Hicks, Danny ‘Don’t Call Me Berba’ Spendlove and Eddie Adeji were available to provide another gear.  The altitudinally challenged line-up was also limited to four substitutes, as the statuesque Chris O’Leary — who otherwise might have been in the lineup — had dual registered for St Albans of the Southern League earlier in the week and was making his debut there.  A cheeky tip of the hat to the Missing Man, if you will.

Another, even smaller, addition to the squad was Lee Chappell’s moustache, in the early stages of growth as part of the Movember campaign raising both awareness and money for Mens Health. Lee has promised that if Stones fans can raise over £150 he will dye it blue at the end of the month, So if you miss your royal blue teletubby, click here to do your bit for a worthy cause.  Who knows, if we can raise enough, a few more of the squad may join in and we can call Chaps Papa Smurf!

The game started as one might have expected in the growing gloom.  Stones, to quote @Wealdstone-FC (the WFC Twitter feed), were kicking towards the slightly darker grey sky, and Billericay began making use of the extra space afforded them by Stones deep sitting midfield.  Yet, despite dominating the early possession, chances were few and far between, as Stones stifled their opponents outside the penalty area. It was a good fifteen minutes into the game before Stones crossed the Equator and began exploring the home half.

In a spiritual moment for the traveling supporters,  the floodlights came alive on that initial foray, spreading light across the pitch as though the football gods were siding with the little guy on this day. Yet their benevolence was short-lived, and the field was plunged into near darkness a moment later, to numerous calls of ”Anyone got 50p for the meter?” After a few stuttering moments, some lights came back on for good while others remained completely lifeless, with the match continuing in a muted fugue of light and dark.

On the cusp of the half hour, Stones’ plans to cope with the opposition and break down their flanks seemed set to go awry, as Alan Massey suffered a slight hamstring pull and was replaced by Dave Hicks.  Lee Chappell slotted into the back four and Hicks joined the midfield.  Instead, the forced adjustment sparked Stones’ best spell of the half and a swift break from Chaps resulted in a good cross between the home defenders.  Richard Jolly, with one his first touches of the game, rose to head goalwards, only to see the ball cannon back off the crossbar before it was cleared to safety.  Scott McCubbin got in on the act as well, sending Stones second attempt of the half narrowly wide.

Still, the home side retained the lion’s share of possession, moving the ball quickly and accurately.  Only a couple of strong defensive blocks and some very sharp reactions from Jon North kept Stones in the match through half-time.

Wealdstone have recorded some memorable ‘firsts’ in the one hundred twenty-four years since the inception of the first club to bear the name, but half-time at Billericay almost saw their first abandonment due to darkness in decades. The remaining floodlights had been turned off during the intermission, and, although it appeared that officials wanted them put back on, that was not happening. Just before the restart, about half of the bank was restored, but there was obviously a problem. The referee and officials of the home club were in deep discussion on the pitch, before exiting via the players tunnel.   Minutes later, it was announced over the PA that the game would be abandoned.

That resulted in a few fans drifting away and, apparently, a couple of players heading for the showers but moments later the remaining lights came on and the Billericay side appeared on the pitch ready to start the second half. Shortly afterwards, Stones re-appeared and a further announcement was made that the game would restart albeit some ten minutes late.  No truth to the rumours that Richard Jolly came running out onto the pitch, at the last moment, still wrapped in a towel.

When the second half did get going, it was Stones that made the most of the opportunity, their possession and retention of the ball improved from the first period.   David Hicks became the puppet master and enjoyed probably his best period in a Stones shirt, smoothly distributing precise passes all around the field.   It was he who so nearly broke the deadlock with an effort from distance that bounced down off the underside of the crossbar. Kurtney Brooks, too, was unlucky when his effort hit the woodwork, but it wasn’t all one way as Jon North again pulled off a spectacular reaction save.

Despite their physical superiority, credit must also be given to the footballing abilities of the home side which made for an open and flowing game rather than the bruising affair that tends to be the case when a large side seeks to impose its will on a smaller opponent.  However, the finishing did not live up to the buildups, and the match remained scoreless.

Wealdstone will be happy with the point away against the League leaders and Billericay will rue not having made more of their first half possession. The result also proved that, even with a thin squad, Wealdstone are more than capable of matching anyone in the league.  Their run is now seven league games without defeat, and just a single loss in the midst of that stretch, on penalties, in the League Cup.

As this post goes through the editing process, Stones will be rolling into a Middlesex Cup encounter at Ashford Town, a foe who knocked Wealdstone out of the County Charity Cup at home earlier in the season.  More on that in the next column.   Ahead of that encounter, however, it must be noted that Gordon Bartlett will be less able to shuffle the pack and bring in fringe players, as there simply aren’t many left.  There is a chance of a new face or two by the weekend, however, when another Essex Side, Canvey Island, visit the Vale.

It was a weekend of remembrance for those who have fallen in wars around the world, the original two minutes silence on 11/11 being in celebration of the moment that the guns fell silent in World War One over ninety years ago, and at Wealdstone we remember those players from the club who lost their lives in both the first and second World Wars;

1914-1918; P Andrews, CF Bellchambers. C Bird, H Bowells, RW Bradberry, W Cozens, R Goodage, W Howman, F  Martin, and G Robertson.

1939 – 1945; K Baldwin, R Bidewell, CE Bunce, WA Burton, WW Parr, E Walker, and WA Winterbottom.

Thank you for your service.

Roger Slater is a longtime Wealdstone FC supporter and, with even longer-time Stones manager Gordon Bartlett, co-wrote Off The Bench – A Quarter Century of Non-League Management, available on order from you local bookstore or directly from the Wealdstone FC Club Shop.  It is also available in e-book form, if postage and handling aren’t your thing, by clicking on the link below.

Special thanks to Steve Foster, the official Wealdstone FC shutterbug, who is willing to put a fiver down that, if Billericay’s defence looked this good, Richard Jolly wouldn’t spend nearly as much effort trying to get a moment alone.  If you would like to see more Wealdstone photos, go to:  

https://picasaweb.google.com/wealdstonefc  

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I can’t speak for other footy fans who were born in North America, but one of the reasons that I have embraced the game and now virtually ignore sports on which I was raised (hockey, baseball and grid-iron football), is that all the leagues in America have gone corporate.

Don’t misunderstand.  You won’t find me sitting on a commune, growing my own wheat-grass, curdling my own tofu, and taking time off to attend sit-ins against the UN or the World Bank.  I’ve nothing against money.  Hell, I’ve crewed on yachts for a healthy portion of my life.

If a baseball player has the opportunity to sign a ten year, $250 million contract, more power to him.  If NFL owners can cajole multibillion dollar television contracts out of American networks, let them sit back and light up a cigar.  No, what irks me is that American sport has become so image-conscious in chasing the almighty dollar that they’ve censored into extinction the characters who made their world so captivating.

You’ll never see another Casey Stengel or Yogi Berra, or have the opportunity to hear but not understand exactly what either is trying to say.  In hockey, Don Cherry, his garishly coloured suits and homespun conservatism are the last of a dying breed.  In the NFL, Rex Ryan may have carried on from his father Buddy and the immortal John Madden, but the five digit fines that the NFL is handing out to anyone who utters anything other than the company line have silenced him, as well.

If you’re an American athlete, coach or team executive, and want to keep your weekly wage packet, you’ll check your personality at the door and utter banal clichés whenever a microphone is thrust in your face.  Corporate speak has won.

If you reside outside the ‘greatest democracy in the world’, however, free speech is still an option.  That is why Giovanni Trappatoni can talk about cats being in sacks, Harry Redknapp can threaten to give the media the cold shoulder if he’s fined for calling a bad call a bad call, and Jose Mourinho, bless his heart, can call Arsene Wenger a voyeur.   And don’t get me started on that Frenchman’s penchant for speaking his mind.

The American sports fan loves to make an ass of himself, braying endlessly about how boring soccer is, but the fact is, even if that were the case (I said if, you plonker) the goings on off the pitch make the beautiful game more entertaining than anything Uncle Sam can dish out, at least on the order of ten!

And while il Trap’s comparison of Estonia to a bedraggled tabby almost bagged and ready to be dropped in the river was worth a chuckle for those of us not indoctrinated into PETA, it wasn’t the most eye-popping statement made this week.  Nor, given Ireland’s massive four-goal advantage, is Estonia likely to leap out of their sack and give him cause for regret.

On the other hand, Santos president Luis Alvaro Ribeiro may find that his latest outburst may come back to bite him where it hurts most.  Ribeiro has fought a running battle in the press with European clubs eager to obtain the services of his sensational teenaged striker Neymar.  For the most part his defiance has been admirable, as he has warred against the disrespect some European outfits exhibit towards South American clubs, by dealing directly with the player’s agent rather than the club.

Most recently, it was rumoured that Real Madrid had negotiated a mega-deal to sign Neymar in the January window.  Instead, Santos penned the youngster to an extension which ties him to the Paulista squad until the 2014 World Cup.   Unfortunately, Ribeiro then pulled a Derek Llambias, insulting the Meringue negotiators and boasting about his hold on his starlet.

“The behaviour of Real Madrid’s board of directors was lamentable and arrogant. Their attitude resembled a colonial mentality. I convinced Neymar to stay by telling him that Jose Mourinho would have forced him to cut his hair. He can do with his hair whatever he likes here.”

Political rhetoric and historical grudges aside, the last time I checked, Jose Mourinho wasn’t acting like a drill sergeant.  Ribeiro’s jibe was obviously in reference to Emmanuel Adebayor, who had his locks shorn voluntarily, as he was desperate to get his career back on track with a top side.  To suggest otherwise fails to take into account Didier Drogba, who kept his dreads upon his Stamford Bridge arrival, and continued to grow them throughout the Special One’s tenure.

What’s more, if the Castilians are willing to invest €40-50 million on the Brazilian wunderkind, would they allow the deal to fall through because Neymar has a phobia regarding barbers?   If you’re going to heap praise upon yourself, that’s fine, but the braggadocio has to maintain at least a shred of credibility.  The worst aspect of Ribeiro’s rant, however, is the potential effect it could have on the player at the center of the matter.

There is no question that the boy has both a healthy ego and prickly temper.  He has argued with his coach in the midst of a match, seen that coach sacked, and accused the entire Scottish citizenry of racism because of one errant banana peel (thrown as a prank, it turns out, by a German student on holiday).  Further, he has topped his reed-thin frame with a mohawk of such bushy proportions that if he stood on his head in a closet, the team janitor might mistakenly begin sweeping the clubhouse floor with him.  When it comes to Neymar’s coif, ostentatious is understatement.

Yet for all that, he has mirrored one of his heroes, Pele, by putting off his publicly proclaimed desire to play abroad (preferably with Real Madrid), in the interests of promoting the Brazilian game ahead of that country’s upcoming turn at hosting the World Cup.  That could, in turn, attract other Brazilian stars, such as Robinho, to return home.  Given the improvements in the Brazilian economy, standard of living and with the upcoming tournament, quality of stadia, one might eventually see a few European players heading over to the land of Carnaval.  And I’m not just talking about unwanted Manchester City stars, either.  Yet, those dreams hinge precariously on Neymar’s willingness to stay.

If such was your decision to make, how would you feel if your team president informed the world that you were so foolish as to believe him when he told you that possibly the world’s greatest coach at possibly the world’s greatest team would not sign you, possibly the world’s next great player, if you refused to cut your hair?  As lamentable, arrogant and colonial as Real’s attitude might have been in pursuing their target, Ribeiro has easily trumped them, and his charge can’t be so stupid as to have missed the slight.

Given the dismissal of Dorival Junior, it’s fairly certain that Neymar already knows that he can do as he likes at Santos.  He can grow his mohawk.  He can colour it pink and green.  In fact, he can probably insist that the club change its colours to match whichever tint he has dyed it this week.  More importantly, he can stay as long as he likes, or, contract or no, leave at a moment’s notice.  And, if he chooses to exercise the latter option, he can name his price and any conditions he likes, wherever he goes.

So, as much as I love to hear footy personalities speak without forethought, this might have been one time that Luis Alvaro Ribeiro might have been better advised to shut it.

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In 2010, the Colorado Rapids found their stride down the stretch of the regular season.  They continued that momentum into the precarious do-or-die environment of the playoffs, eventually overcoming FC Dallas in the final moments of extra time to win what might have been the best MLS Cup Final yet to be played, certainly eclipsing the similar run of Real Salt Lake, who stunned the Los Angeles Galaxy the year before, and making up for the lack of a marquee club in the showpiece match during a World Cup Year.  Much of the credit was given to English coach Gary Smith’s emphasis on a strong, physical presence straight up the middle of the pitch.

This season, despite adding one or two players, most notably former Hull City standout and Irish international Caleb Folan, the Rapids finished in virtually the same position as the previous campaign and were eliminated early in the playoffs.  Smith was sacked after the defeat, proving that, despite the long term philosophy collectively espoused by the league, there are still some impatient ownership groups,.  Never mind that only twice in the league’s now sixteen year existence has a club successfully defended its MLS crown — DC United in the sophomore campaign and Houston Dynamo in 2007 — the Rapids backroom staff felt the need for a change.  Even more puzzling is that the team is owned by Stan Kroenke, the same man who now presides patiently over Arsenal’s six-year trophy drought in the Premier League and Europe.  Perhaps the man who married into the Wal-Mart fortune feels that is enough staid conservatism for one man and has fallen into the same trap as London rival Roman Abramovich, preferring attractive football to a solid team capable of producing a steady run of trophies.

Meanwhile, the Houston Dynamo, holders of four MLS titles (two won during their early years in San Jose) were rewarded for sticking with coach Dominic Kinnear.  The architect of the most recent back-to-back champions endured a stretch of mediocrity — and the accompanying criticisms — which can be attributed in great part to midfielder Stuart Holden’s exodus to Bolton Wanderers and the chronic injury problems of striker Brian Ching.  Dynamo did not return to their dominant ways in 2011; rather they assumed Salt Lake and Colorado’s role as the late charger, rising up the table through August and September to finish runners-up to Eastern Conference champion Sporting KC.

Let’s ignore the question of why both Houston and Kansas City, both on the wrong side of the Mississippi and associated with the American Old West, are placed in the Eastern Conference.  What’s important is that, as with RSL and the Rapids before them, Houston’s rich vein of form has extended deep into the post-season tournament.

If the Texans are to win a fifth title, however, they will have to produce an extraordinary performance to claim it.  Not only must they face the consecutive Supporters Shield winning Los Angeles Galaxy, led by USMNT talisman Landon Donovan, former England and possible Great Britain Olympic captain David Beckham, late season acquisition Robbie Keane, and MLS Defender of the Year Omar Gonzalez, but they must do it in the unfriendly confines of the Home Depot Center, the Galaxy’s home ground, where the side are unbeaten in this campaign.  Further, it’s likely that they’ll have to do so without the services of their own playmaker, Brad Davis, who left their semi-final victory over Sporting KC in the early going, with a torn quad muscle.

While Houston is surely disappointed at the loss, they will take confidence from the fact that they went on to victory despite Davis’ absence.  There are also chinks in the Galaxy armour, which Kinnear will look to exploit.

Donovan is nursing a leg injury himself; not nearly so serious, as he’s played all three playoff matches and scored from the spot twice, but sufficiently troubling for the star to excuse himself from international duty in France on the weekend.

As well as the twelve-goal man’s physical limitations, there are questions about the limited familiarity between newcomer Robbie Keane and the other two attacking stars.  Galaxy fans, who endured Beckham’s European vacation in a vain quest for one last World Cup adventure, must be grinding their teeth at the thought of Keane ditching the team ahead of the MLS Cup, to join the Ireland side as it looks to qualify for Euro 2012.  Galaxy coach Bruce Arena has likely already spoken with Ireland boss Giovanni Trappatoni about only using Keane as an emergency substitute in Tuesday’s second leg, after the Irish romped to a nearly insurmountable 4-0 lead over Estonia in the opening match.  Keane’s spirit will definitely be buoyed by qualification, but an unnecessary knock might throw a wrench into LA’s plans.

In any event, all the pressure is on the Angelenos and their biggest star.  In the fifth and final year of his contract, Beckham has finally put together a full, productive season in keeping with his own lofty standards.  He appeared in twenty-six matches, registered fifteen assists (second only to Davis’ sixteen) and kept his famous temper under relative control, collecting ten yellow cards but no sendings off.  Even better, his stellar play quieted the hecklers and preempted any further handbags with supporters.

Historically, however, the big game has rarely been Beckham’s friend.  Two red cards for England and an ineffective performance against Real Salt Lake (due to injury) in the 2009 MLS Cup are all he has to show for one-off affairs.  Although the league cannot afford $5 million per year on a thirty-six year old who has lost a step and was never the swiftest in the first place, MLS commissioner Don Garber has stated that, regardless of next week’s result, Beckham has delivered for the league both on and off the field, and they would love to have him back.  If he wants to stay, Golden Balls will only help his position if he can orchestrate a third championship for the Galaxy.  However, with their own midfield wizard sidelined, don’t be surprised if the Dynamo pay special attention to the face of the league, in an attempt to stir his prodigious temper.

Why not?  It’s worked before.

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“The cat is in the sack, but the sack is not closed.  The cat is in it, but it’s open – and it’s a wild cat…. At this moment, we are near qualifying at 4-0. But I repeat the same sentence: don’t jump the gun. I have been many times at the edge of a cliff. I know these situations. I have been to many big tournaments and matches like this are what I call top level matches.  But it’s not necessarily important to achieve one objective, we have to focus on what comes next. This is my law. I never look back, I always look forward.” 

It’s a good thing that Ireland boss Giovanni Trappatoni doesn’t look over his shoulder, because, if this translation is accurate, the trail of metaphorical carnage and felines trussed up in sacks which he has left in his wake would be horrific to look upon.

The quotes come from an interview given ahead of the second leg of Ireland’s Euro qualifying playoff against Estonia, and, while they tend to paint il Trap as a buffoon, it’s really the reporters who should be held to account.  Knowing that his English is primitive at best, the media are only too happy to focus on his shortcomings rather than celebrate his leadership in refusing to allow defeat at the hand of Thierry Henry in 2010 World Cup qualifying to stunt the growth of the FAI programme.

I do have a sense of humour and the thought of Herr Schroedinger turning over in his grave at the Italian’s imagery does make me chuckle, but I’m also aware of the underlying prejudice of English journalism, even if its practitioners are not.  Trappatoni is lucky, however.  His animated, good-natured personality provides the beast with what it craves:  interesting material which the masses will swallow whole.  For that reason, they are content to let him go about his business, pausing now and then to poke him playfully with a single claw.

His compatriot, England boss Fabio Capello, is not so fortunate.  The former Milan and Madrid manager’s reserved demeanor and sense of propriety cause the beast to bare its teeth, snarl and leap for the throat.  In the build-up to consecutive major competitions, he has found himself defending his captain against unproven accusations.  While Trappatoni was instructing on the proper method for transporting tabbies, Capello was being repeatedly grilled on why his captain John Terry wasn’t starting the Saturday match against Spain.

Never mind that these same journos have written on numerous occasions that (a) the fixture list is too congested and players need to rest, (b) there are far too many friendlies in said list, (c) it’s well past time that a new generation of English players are given a chance to develop, and (d) Terry has become too slow and would easily be exposed in major tournaments by the ball movement of sides such as Spain, their only intent at this press conference was to goad the manager into throwing his embattled player under the bus.

Time and again, they repeated the same questions, insisting that the only reason for Terry’s absence from the lineup was the investigation into his allegedly racial exchange with Anton Ferdinand.  When Capello insisted that it was purely a footballing matter and that he refused to discuss issues occurring outside of team parameters, he was described as “flustered” and “frustrated.”  Angry, disgusted and ashamed at the people he serves is probably closer to the truth.

And by those he serves, I don’t mean the FA.  I’m speaking of a public who buy into the sensationalism fed to them by the media, as though it were the sustenance of life, rather than its ruin.  There is far too much truth in the premise that if you repeat an idea, frequently and loudly, no matter how ridiculous it may be, people will come to believe it.

Trust is a commodity which our generation sorely undervalues.  It is a noble quality without which marriages fail, families drift apart and society crumbles.  Have we already forgotten the riots in London and other UK cities this summer?

In the far less important arena of football, trust is something which every championship squad needs.    Fabio Capello, a former champion both as a player and coach, understands this.  Rather than scorn, he deserves our respect and admiration for practising what he preaches.

Having accumulated a small store of wisdom during his Three Lions tenure, Capello isn’t apt to consider Saturday’s victory over Spain as redemption, either.  After all, it was just a friendly, wasn’t it?  No, the beast is always hungry; it won’t be put off for long.

Maybe those who suggest that England should have an English coach are correct.  At the moment, the country doesn’t deserve the one it has.

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After poor results against Queen’s Park Rangers, Arsenal, and Genk, it was vital for Chelsea to win their latest league game against Blackburn, as well as tighten up their defence which has been unusually leaky of late.  They did both in a scrappy one-nil win at Ewood Park, and it may be just what the doctor ordered for André Villas-Boas’ ailing Chelsea team after a couple of bad weeks on and off the field.

With games against Liverpool and Manchester City coming up after the dreaded international break, Villas-Boas must be hoping that the win and rare clean sheet has signaled an end to his ‘blue’ period as Stamford Bridge boss.

With Liverpool and Manchester City upcoming, and both boasting an array of quality attacking options, the clean sheet in particular was necessary to boost the squad’s confidence.  Although the defence was troubled by Blackburn at times, it was a vastly improved performance, with the Portuguese’s selection decisions paying off.

Branislav Ivanovic was a significant improvement over the struggling Jose Bosingwa at right back, putting in a solid defensive performance while also setting up Frank Lampard’s goal with a lovely cross.

Alex was solid in his return to the team, after losing his place in the centre of defence to Ivanovic and David Luiz.  The veteran dealt well with the aerial threat Blackburn posed.  Even though he was solid against Rovers, if Villas-Boas wishes to continue with deploying the defence in a high line on the pitch, a quicker central defender may be required; possibly David Luiz, if the youngster can limit his cerebral implosions.

Although the back line may not be etched in stone, the midfield and attacking positions have been cemented.  Lampard has played so well since being temporarily dropped by Villas-Boas that he was designated to lead the Three Lions onto the pitch for their daunting encounter with Spain, this weekend. As well, Ramires is improving noticeably with every game.  In fact, the only position yet to be permanently assigned by AVB is the holding role.  John Obi Mikel, Raul Meireles, and Oriol Romeu are all vying to man the position until Michael Essien returns from his latest knee injury.   Of course, there is also the dilemma of just how to get the eager Josh McEachran some much deserved playing time.

Up front, Fernando Torres’ shocking miss against Blackburn has led to suggestions that his return to form was short-lived.  Be that as it may, the Spaniard must still be considered as Chelsea’s starting centre forward, not due to his reputation, but because he is simply the best of a disappointing bunch for the Blues.

Didier Drogba has looked off the boil and disinterested in the games that he has played, especially against Bolton and QPR, when he was handed the chance to claim the centre forward spot as his own.  Nicolas Anelka has been fine coming off the bench but doesn’t deliver when he’s on the pitch from the start.

Romelu Lukaku was brought in as the future of Chelsea’s forward line but right now he desperately needs to go out on loan and get experience, as he has looked very raw.  It’s a lot to ask of a teenager, to come into matches against Manchester United and Arsenal with his mates chasing the game.

Daniel Sturridge was deployed in the centre forward position against Blackburn and did well.  As a permanent solution, however, it’s borrowing from Peter to pay Paul.  Other than Sturridge, Chelsea do not have a strong option on the right side of their attack.  Florent Malouda doesn’t look anything like the player he was a couple of years ago, Sturridge is needed out wide, opposite Juan Mata who, at least, must be considered as being a candidate for the signing of the season.

Thus, while Villas-Boas is surely grateful for the bit of confidence the Blackburn match inspired, he knows it is a fragile thing, given the holes in his squad.  Expect him to be less worried about the charges levied against him by the FA and, instead, be glued to the television over the break, rooting for both Lampard and the again maligned John Terry to have stand-out performances for England, and bring back an air of invincibility to the Stamford Bridge clubhouse.

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written by Shaun Best

“We are delighted with this result and are happy for the League position and for our fans. It is a joy for them.  We have gone beyond our rosiest expectations.”  – Edy Reja

What a difference a month makes, especially if you’re a Lazio fan.  Sitting pretty atop the Serie A summit and ‘suffering’ from vertigo while looking down at giants such as Inter, who are hovering just above the relegation zone seems too good to be true.  And it is, for now at least.

Sharing the leadership with old Champions League sparring partners Udinese, one hopes that Lazio coach Edy Reja is taking time to reflect, during the international break, on a remarkable change in fortune.  If his Eagles finally nesting in an appropriate perch doesn’t put a smile on his face, maybe the thought of Francesco Totti choking on his morning corn flakes at the mere sight of the Serie A standings will.

Yet, before the first kick of the campaign, it was a different story altogether. Eagles fans were as enraged with their coach as the benched Totti was with his. Angered by the sale of beloved starlet Mauro Zarate, the tifosi were further frustrated to see their side squander a two-goal lead against Scudetto holders Milan in the season’s curtain raiser, leaving San Siro with a solitary point.  Just one week later, the protests gathered steam when Lazio suffered a shock 2-1 home reverse to Genoa.

Fed-up with the fans undermining his efforts and unsettling his players, Reja called a joint meeting between his squad and President Claudio Lotito. During this meeting, Reja allegedly tendered his resignation, which was vehemently rejected by both his staff and employer.  The fallout from the meeting led to a cryptic message from the 66-year-old tactician.

“I have no problems working here – the picture is good in Rome, it’s just the frame that is rotten.”

Many share Reja’s frustration, as an ungrateful few seem to have conveniently forgotten how he’s turned a team battling relegation into Champions League battlers in less than two years.  With Reja venting his frustrations, both publicly and privately, Lotito acted quickly to smooth the cracks and prolong the relationship, at least until the end of the season. In response, the club pulled out of free-fall and began to soar.

In the weeks since the spat, Lazio have undergone somewhat of a renaissance, with their only loss being away to Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League.  Domestically, Reja masterminded his first ever victory over ‘i vicini rumorosi’, as Lazio came from behind to win 2-1 over Roma, putting to bed a string of five consecutive derby defeats.

It hasn’t all been perfect, but despite stuttering to two home draws against Palermo and Catania, the Biancocelesti have shown no signs of travel sickness, recording four straight road victories in Serie A.  Cesena, Fiorentina, Bologna and Cagliari have all been brushed aside with gusto.

The new signings are also beginning to find their feet and gel with the established stars.  Between the sticks, Federico Marchetti is starting to show the form which saw him net a place in the Azzurri at the World Cup.  The splinters he’s picked up from being benched for a year in Sardinia have now been firmly displaced.  Defender turned midfielder Senad Lulic has also caught the eye. After some disastrous appearances at the back, the Bosnian has since been pushed into a wide midfield position. The results have seen Lulic flourish, highlighted by his peach of a long range strike at Cagliari.

Up front, the evergreen Miroslav Klose has rediscovered his goalscoring touch, winning the hearts of the Lazio faithful with his last-ditch effort against Roma.  Thus far, the German has bagged eight goals in thirteen games in all competitions for his new club, and his sparkling form has seen him earn a recall to the German national squad.  The goals may have dried up for Djibril Cisse, but the Lord of Frodsham Manor has turned provider, weighing in with a flurry of assists.  Even veteran marksman Tommaso Rocchi has found time to finally join Lazio Centurions Silvio Piola, Giuseppe Signori, Giorgio Chinaglia and Bruno Giordano. Anything Cristiano Ronaldo can do and all that.

The club is going for glory on three fronts this season, with the Europa League and Coppa Italia providing alternate routes to possible silverware.

Lazio are delicately poised in Group D of the UEFA competition, with five points after four games. However, having played seven games in twenty-two days has taken its toll, leading Reja to blast league officials for giving teams playing in the Champions League more consideration when it comes to rest days.

“Playing Thursday night and then thinking even 24 hours after the game about Sunday is not easy.  When we play on a Thursday, the Serie A game really ought to be on a Monday.  It is true that others play abroad as well, but we are under equal pressure.”

Reja understands that the games will continue to come thick and fast after the international break, too. In addition to a crunch European tie at Romanian club FC Vaslui, Lazio’s impressive away record will also be tested in the league, when they travel south to face Napoli, before welcoming Turin giants Juventus to the Olimpico.

Edinson Cavani, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Marek Hamsik and co, face a tough balancing act themselves.   Days after the Lazio game, they face a do-or-die Champions League clash against the millionaires from Manchester City. Given the importance of that match, and the preparation required of the Neapolitans, Lazio will certainly fancy their chances in the league tilt.

It’s one thing getting to the top, but staying there is another matter altogether.  After all, at this time last year, the Aquiles were in an even stronger position, only to be run down before the holidays by eventual champions Milan.  Six points from the club’s next two league games will solidify the belief that, this time, the nearly men can go all the way.

We were somewhere around the edge of the ‘desert’ when the drugs began to take hold. I remember saying something like “I feel a bit lightheaded; maybe you should drive….” And suddenly there was a terrible roar all around us and the sky was full of what looked like huge bats, all swooping and screeching and diving around the car, which was going about a hundred miles an hour with the top down. And a voice was screaming: “Holy Jesus! What are these goddamn animals?”

But that was outside.

Inside, everyone knew that this was the Wealdstone FC Tour Bus to Margate.  Setting off on a grey day seems to be coming somewhat of a standard for autumnal Saturdays.  Still, the almost full compliment of the Stones travelling army was breathless – some in anticipation of a day by the seaside, some due to their age and infirmity, and a few because they still think that 10:30 is an unearthly hour to get up to go to football.

On arrival, a tour of the seafront in search of a suitable hostelry was high on the agenda, as was the obligatory stroll on the nearly deserted beach, which, with the advent of a passing shower, was more orange peel than than its traditional peach; prophetic for a town that is at the very least showing it’s age..

As the afternoon’s entertainment approached, so did a consistent rain, but the fans were at least cheered by the realisation that Stones were set to attack the covered end in the first half, the massed ranks taking shelter behind their host’s goal.

The team selection saw a couple of changes.  With Wes Parker suspended, Alan Massey moved back into the centre of defence and ‘Bruce’ (see above) Lee Chappell dropped back into the left back slot.  Scott McCubbin was benched in favour of Nicci Ahmed and Kurtney Brooks came into the centre of the park, alongside Alex Dyer and Dave Hicks, while Danny Spendlove was recalled out wide after a second recent reserve team hat-trick, leaving space only for the lone Richard Jolly up front in a 4-5-1 formation. Scott Fitzgerald and Chris O’Leary joined McCubbin on the bench as did Peter Dean and reserve goalkeeper Sam ‘Snoop Dog’ Beagle.

Mastering the conditions from the off, Stones started the brighter and the extra man in midfield certainly made a difference in terms of possession, but as was to become the story of the game, Stones found it difficult to pick out the lone ranger up front and to create much more than half chances.

Sean Cronin and Richard Jolly had the best of the early opportunities without really threatening.  Indeed, Jolls later lamented that his first look at goal was one of only ten touches he had all game.

Meanwhile, at the other end, Margate plugged away without much cause for concern, Jon North answered the summons to make his first serious save some six minutes before half time.

Just two minutes later, the hosts pressed forward again, and this time, Stones paid for their lack of industry.  A loose ball in the box fell to Richard Avery who gave the home side the lead as the half petered out. It was a frustrating forty-five minutes for both the side and their supporters, with limited outlet for the possession and typically enigmatic performances from the wide players.

With an element of fear coupled with a not-too subtle loathing from the Stones fans at half time, the formation and the performance was severely questioned.  At the restart, it became apparent that similar questions had been asked in the dressing room.

Scott Fitzgerald was brought on for the ineffective Danny Spendlove.  Despite his undoubted ability, Spendy seems to have ‘one of those days’ more and more often of late – a non-league Dimitar Berbatov, if you will.   At any rate, with the change effected, Stones reverted to a 4-4-2 formation and began their quest for an equaliser.

The visitors actually capitalised on the worsening weather after the intermission, too.   Fitzy’s physical presence and experience caused the home defence as many problems as the slippery footing.  Yet, Margate were equally energised coming out of the clubhouse, giving as well as they got, eagerly seeking the second goal that would surely seal victory.

Thus it was, that despite trailing, it was Wealdstone who would hit on the counterattack to level terms just before the hour mark.  A loose ball broke to ‘F’ and his twisting, overhead scoop of a shot traced just the right arc to beat Simon Overland in the Margate goal.

From there, the combatants exchanged long spells of possession, but chances to break the deadlock were few and far between, as the defenders overcame the muddy conditions to hold their lines.  The Stones contingent comfortably dealt with eight consecutive corners in the final few minutes of the half, and then a final effort from the home side would be firmly rebuffed by North, leaving the side’s bedraggled supporters with a disposition neither as dark as it had been at the half or as sunny as it might have been had the squad made better work of their first haolf chances.  Instead, it was as grey as the day that had greeted them, as they embarked on their journey down to the sea.  All that was left was to take the long way home and prepare for Tuesday evening’s replay.

For those that were unable to travel, Margate does provide a decent commentary on their home games – unusual, to say the least, at this level – and better still, they edit the commentary down into ‘highlights’ for those that want to relive the excitement whilst whiling away the hours before the next fixture, albeit in this case only seventy-two hours hence.

If you’re curious as to the quality of the punditry, this link covers the first half and this  the second!

With the replay in the offing, much of the conversation down at Floyd’s barbershop was the Monday lunchtime draw.  The optimists chose to debate the best sides — Dartford, Dover and Sutton — who might bring a little more money through the turnstiles as renaming the not-quite-so historic Vale is probably not as lucrative a proposition in Ruislip as it might be Tyneside.  The pessimists countered that there were definitely teams to be avoided — anyone in Wealdstone’s division.

The promise of a tie away to Banbury United for the victors was not one to set the heart racing, but that is what the draw produced for the next step on the road to glory. No big home gate for a much needed top up to the bank balance but with Banbury as a mid table Southern Premier side – similar level and a similar position as both Stones and Margate, albeit from ‘across the pyramid’it was on paper at least, a winnable tie for Tuesday evenings eventual victors.

Preparation for the replay at The Vale saw Wes Parker back in contention for Stones and most fans predicting a 4-4-2 line up to start, and so it was. North lining up behind the re-instated back four of Hammond, Parker, Cronin, and Massey.  Dyer and Brooks manned the centre of midfield, with Hicks and Chappell on the flanks, and Jolly and Fitzgerald the two-pronged attack.  Dean, McCubbin O’Leary Ahmed and Spendlove were on splinter watch. The weather again demanded an old-school match, with the grey glow of mist and drizzle that welcomed the protagonists to the battlefield reminiscent of the infamous London fog.  To further the effect, the moisture gave the playing surface a slick covering that glistened under the floodlights.

In keeping with the meteorological symmetry with Saturday’s tilt, Margate began very much where they left off, with a corner.   However, the similarities were soon dispelled with the first booking.  It came around three minutes in, when Duane Jackman made a late, lazy challenge on James Hammond.

Paying no heed to the caution, ‘Gate stuck to their plan to take on the hosts in the early stages, following their first foray with a break down the right and a low cross fired across the six yard box.  Fortunately, the delivery arrived with more venom than either defender or attacker were capable of handling, though another Margate corner soon followed – again well defended.

Stones first threat of the night saw ‘F’ volley over from twenty-odd yards.  All in all, the first fifteen minutes offered more goalmouth action and entertainment for the neutral – or, come to that, Margate fans – than Saturday’s full ninety had managed. It’s just a shame that the damp grey midweek evening meant there were few of any allegiance in the sparse crowd.

Margate’s initial upper hand eventually gave way and  Stones began to feel their stride. It was the hosts, midway through the half, who carved out the best early chance, when Wes Parker’s header from a free kick was spilled by Overland and hacked away by a defender. Turning defence into attack, North was called on to make an answering save at the other end.

As the match began to resemble the footy version of Pong,  Stones opened their account with a cracker on twenty-three minutes. A great ball by Kurtney Brooks was played in, first time, by Lee Chappell and Richard Jolly slid  it home from five yards.  An eleventh touch wouldn’t be required on this night.

Indeed with the fans still warmed by the quality of the goal, Jolly was unlucky not to extend the lead, with Overland equal to the task this time. It was only a quarter of the game gone, but the grey skies were certainly turning Wealdstone Blue!

Stones rode out the next segment very much on top; Margate looking a little shell shocked, not only by the goal, but also from the sudden spark in Wealdstone’s step. As the half wore on, 2-0 seemed inevitable, as Jolly seemed to be at the forefront of every move and was finding space to get his shots away, even from the edge of the box.  Yet another effort, approaching half time, was just wide but left the keeper scrambling across the goal line. That final threat ensured that Stones were the happier dressing room at the break, while questions were being asked of a Margate eleven facing an uphill task.

And up the hill they ran.  Stones made a half time change with Fitzgerald, suffering a hamstring injury, replaced by Peter Dean.  Then, within a couple of testing, teasing moments, Margate won a penalty out of nothing – awarded for a foul in the scramble as a great shot pinged back into play off the upright.   It was duly dispatched by Kwesi Appiah and the cry from the visitors was game on!

Stones were shocked, but not rocked by the goal, and were still moving the ball well.   They were unlucky not to restore the lead when Cronin saw his header cleared off the line.  Then Dave Hicks created two chances in quick succession; the first when a great ball released Jolly, who was foiled by a good challenge just as he was about to strike; and the second when a gloriously floated corner was missed by everyone in the box. Stones were still in the ascendancy despite the equaliser spoiling the best laid half-time plans!

Stones continued to press and Chappell saw an effort just over the bar before Dyer again released Jolly with a defence splitting pass. As he bore down on goal at the mid point of the half, Dean Pooley was close enough only to pull him back.  As the last man back, Pooley’s desperate actr left the referee with little choice but to brandish the red card.  looking back on his way to the showers, the defender was happy to see his sacrifice justified, when the resulting free kick from just outside the box was fired high and wide by Hicks..

The miss not only frustrated the supporters but the gaffer, as well, and it turned out to be Hicks’ last real involvement in the match.  Gordon Bartlett shuffled the pack soon after, bringing Nicci Ahmed in to exploit the space left by Pooley’s dismissal.

With the half wearing on, Margate seemed to struggle to keep up the pace and with twelve to go, Alex Dyer stole in to score from a Lee Chappell cross, restoring Stones’ lead.

McCubbin was then brought into the fray, replacing Hammond like for like at the back, but Stones weren’t just shoring up.  With a couple of minutes remaining, Peter Dean collected the ball in midfield and, seeing an opportunity, attempted an audacious lob from thirty-five yards which sailed just over the bar, leaving the exclamation point off a decent Stones performance.   It was the same from the Margate perspective, as their ten stepped up for one final but vain push to send the tie into extra time.

And so, Stones move forward to face a club with a rich past, in Banbury FC, in a fortnight’s time.

Roger Slater is a longtime Wealdstone FC supporter and, with even longer-time Stones manager Gordon Bartlett, co-wrote Off The Bench – A Quarter Century of Non-League Management, available on order form you local bookstore or directly from the Wealdstone FC Club Shop.  It is also available in e-book form, if postage and handling aren’t your thing, by clicking on the link below.

Special thanks to Steve Foster, the official Wealdstone FC shutterbug, for proving that Nigel de Jong’s infamous World Cup tackle on Xabi Alonso has had an influence even at the non-league level.  If you would like to see more Wealdstone photos, go to:  

https://picasaweb.google.com/wealdstonefc  

]]> http://worldfootballcolumns.com/2011/11/12/touring-with-the-stones-fear-and-loathing%e2%80%a6%e2%80%a6/feed/ 0 Enter the Dragon roge22 Enter the Dragon WealdstoneCrest Off the Bench banner small http://worldfootballcolumns.com/2011/11/09/life-isnt-getting-easier-for-the-albiceleste/ http://worldfootballcolumns.com/2011/11/09/life-isnt-getting-easier-for-the-albiceleste/#comments Wed, 09 Nov 2011 03:44:47 +0000 javierperez1978 http://worldfootballcolumns.com/?p=22632 ]]> ___________________________________________________________________________________

Another game and more disappointment for the Argentinean national team.

Not everyone played badly, and Alejandro Sabella needs more time to establish his programme, but game after game the Albiceleste seem to be moving backwards when they should be advancing.

Let’s go through the formation, provisionally a 4-3-3.

Defensively, Pablo Zabaleta and Clemente Rodriguez play outside and Martin Demichelis and Nicolas Burdisso are the centre halves.  I am happy with the Manchester City and Boca players being there. They are not spectacular, but the best available; able to go forward, but also defend tidily.

Burdisso, has passion, commitment and, again, is the best of a nondescript bunch.  Demichelis, on the other hand, has been consistently out of form since before the World cup, when he was let go by Bayern Munich.  He should not be playing for the national side, but, then again, he didn’t select himself, did he?

If the manager calls me, I go.  If he puts me in the starting eleven, I play. If I am not good enough — I hear you laughing — then I make mistakes and they cost the side dearly.  But should Demichelis say, “No, Sr Sabella, I do not wish to play?”

There is definitely need for at least one change at the back.  Fabricio Coloccini is having a great season with Newcastle in England.  Surely it’s not too late to bring him on board?

In the center of the pitch, the plan before Sergio Aguero’s injury, was to pencil in Fernando Gago, Javier Mascherano and Ricky Alvarez.  This surely would have meant a double five of Mascherano and Gago playing deep, with Ricky slightly ahead of them to collect the ball and link with the forwards, who would have been Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Kun.

In principle, I like this lineup. But if Alvarez played poorly,  Messi and Aguero would be required to drop back to collect the ball, breaking the shape intended by the manager and destroying the team’s balance.

Once Aguero became unavailable, the shape shifted to a 4-3-2-1. with Javier Pastore inserted for Kun, maintaining balance and creating more options in transition.  With Leo and Pastore five metres ahead and flanking Alvarez, one expects a more fluid side.

Gago and Mascherano play well together, with implicit trust and their skills each complementing the other. Gago, especially, has a good range of passing, able to connect with Pastore and Alvarez, bringing Leo more into play and distracting defences from Higuain’s presence.

From this formation, there should be endless ways to create chances and score.  It should be an excellent opportunity to play modern football. But what transpired was something else entirely.  Zabaleta and Clemente were moving forward down the flanks, and they ended up tripping over Ricky and Pastore who were far too forward.

Consequently, Gago was unable to find open teammates, and was holding the ball for longer than he would have liked.  Against Bolivia, Gago had a great game; he ran, he recovered and he carried the ball forward. But when the creativity of your team depends on Gago, you know you are not going to produce a masterpiece.

Unfortunately, on the day, he was the best player Argentina had.  Messi was finding his path blocked too often by his mates and Bolivia was finding it very easy to mark the Albiceleste attackers.

Once Ezequiel Lavezzi came on for Alvarez, there was an improvement, although due more to the commitment Pocho brought than any tactical changes.  His entrance would have been a good moment to move Pastore back a little, but it did not happen.  The PSG star kept trying and could have scored, but he needs to bring the ball from midfield, being less efficient up front.

While the defence is average at best, Argentina has the players in midfield and up front to succeed.  The problem is that Sabella has yet to sell his players on his system.  When that belief arrives, the confusion on the pitch should be replaced by hunger, passion, and, most importantly, results.

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The media vultures have been circling over Anfield in the wake of Liverpool’s lacklustre  0-0 draw with Swansea City at the weekend, which was Kenny Dalglish’s first goalless draw since returning to the manager’s office in January.  The weekend result, of course, followed just a fortnight after an equally disappointing one-goal standoff with the Canaries of Norwich City.

With such dismal efforts, it’s hard to argue with the press when they suggest the Reds are for the birds.  Certainly, the headlines didn’t sow any seeds of hope.

The Guardian went with ‘Carroll gives limp Liverpool new kind of Tosh’, comparing the current striking duo at Anfield with Kevin Keegan and John Toshack. “Unfortunately for all concerned, whereas the excellent Suárez may be Keegan’s equal, Carroll is “Tosh” only in the pejorative sense” the report said.

Personally, I think that the media have been a little harsh on Andy Carroll. So far, he has played 1,088 minutes (or twelve full games effectively) in the league for Liverpool, and he has scored four goals. A one-in-three scoring ratio is hardly the return of an outright flop, especially when you consider that he was patently not fit during his first four months with the club at the end of last season.

The Reds’ early season advantage in the league table over the likes of Spurs and Arsenal, who were considered their main rivals for fourth place, has been rapidly eroded.  Much of that is due to the fact that only two of the six matches played at Anfield this season have been won. Some of the criticism in the media is therefore merited, but not to the levels it has reached.

The point earned on Saturday by last season’s Championship play-off winners means that the Reds have now only won three of their last eleven games against newly promoted sides. Hardly a record that will strike fear into Queen’s Park Rangers when they come to Anfield in December. Carroll and Jose Enrique’s old mate Joey Barton and his new side have beaten Chelsea and gave Manchester City a fright at Loftus Road at the weekend.  One doesn’t need one hundred and forty characters to understand that they won’t be overawed.

Make no mistake about it though, the Swans were decent value for a point, and a repeat of the 8-0 defeat they suffered on their previous visit to Anfield in 1990 never looked more than a million-to-one shot.  Michel Vorm, the Swansea goalkeeper, was equal to everything that came his way, and made some wonderful saves. He visited Anfield last season with FC Utrecht in the Europa League, and that also finished 0-0, so he clearly plays well against the Reds.

The Swans’ best chance fell for Mark Gower, who has been more renowned for his creative abilities this season.  Prior to the match he had averaged 3.8 chances created per game, and no player in the top five European leagues can match that.  Swansea boss Brendan Rogers must wonder at all the fuss about Xavi and Iniesta.

Poor finishing in front of goal once again cost Liverpool more dearly than any other aspect of their play.  Whilst this was certainly one of the poorest performances since the weign of Woy, the Reds still managed to have twenty-five shots at goal; that only five of those were on target illustrates best why another two points were dropped at home.

Tree-huggers everywhere grew more agitated, as Liverpool continued their record assault on the woodwork. Carroll hit the bar early on, making it eleven ricochets on the season.  They did eventually find the target, but Dirk Kuyt’s effort was narrowly — but correctly —  ruled offside towards the end of the match.

Liverpool’s fascination with near misses is becoming beyond a joke now. Not only do they lead the Premier League in this dubious category, the much maligned Stewart Downing has found the frame more times himself (three) than some teams. He’s also without an assist, yet if Carroll had converted that early chance on Saturday, then the £20 million man would be off the mark in that regard. If ever a player needed a little luck to kick-start his season…

Whilst it is still early days this term, Liverpool currently have a better points per game average away from home than at Anfield, and that is not a common occurrence. In fact, Liverpool have already earned half as many points on their travels as they managed in the whole of last season, despite only playing five games on the road so far.

When you consider that they have played two promoted sides at home, plus Bolton who are in the bottom three, whilst their trips have included Arsenal and Everton, their lopsided record this season seems even stranger.

Overall, they are now averaging 1.73 points per game. Whilst this would have been enough for fourth place in twelve of the previous sixteen seasons, it’s clear that the bar for fourth has been considerably raised; indeed, the 1.79 points per game that has always meant a minimum of fourth place in years gone by is unlikely to be enough this time around.

After the forthcoming international break, Liverpool have a run of three massive games within ten days: Chelsea away and Manchester City at home in the league, and then another trip to Stamford Bridge for a league cup quarter-final.  In this, they parallel an unexpected rival for a Champions League place, Newcastle, who face the same three sides in the league once play resumes.

Everyone expected that Carroll and Enrique would enjoy far more success than their former comrades after their respective moves.  Amazingly, it hasn’t turned out that way, but their clubs, old and new, may have their seasons defined by their November exploits.  For both, three defeats will have the vultures picking at their carcasses.

Statistics sourced from EPLIndex. Read more of Andrew Beasley @ basstunedtored.com

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Frank de Boer wasn’t fuming, despite his Ajax side turning in one of the worst defensive performances during his tenure.  In a similar situation, he once bluntly stated that school children would have been embarrassed with his side’s performance. The same description perfectly summed up Ajax’s afternoon in Utrecht.

It was a game that had just about everything, except the points which would keep the Amsterdammers from falling further behind Eredivisie leaders AZ Alkmaar. It was a ten goal thriller, won 6-4 by FC Utrecht; a hockey score, if you’re José Mourinho.

“It was a crazy game.  It’s a shame that we have lost.  The last three games we had an upturn in our football; today we were bad defensively. We were dominated by opportunistic football. We defended poorly, we were not attentive to the danger and [Kenneth] Vermeer didn’t have his best game.”  De Boer didn’t sugarcoat the result.

There are turning points in every team’s fortunes. De Boer himself was present at the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps in March 1993 when Stanley Menzo gave a less than convincing performance. The keeper was subsequently axed by Louis van Gaal in favour of the twenty-three year old Edwin van der Sar. ‘Het Ijskonijn’ (Ice Rabbit) as he’s affectionately known, had already made sporadic appearances, but never had a run in the side until then. A similar decision might befall the former left-back now manning the sticks.

So far this season, Ajax have one clean sheet in twelve league games, a poor return for a side favoured to retain their crown. Now eleven points behind leaders AZ, their crown looks like slipping away despite it only being early November.

The loss of Maarten Stekelenburg was always going to hit hard.  His replacement, Vermeer — never really been a number one — has been far from convincing. It would be harsh to levy the blame solely on him, but Ajax is a club whose philosophy dictates the integral importance of the keeper; to organise his defence, take responsibilities and be the eleventh man.

It should not come as a surprise if he is replaced after the international break by Jasper Cillessen, although De Boer, when asked, reassured that Vermeer will keep goal against NAC Breda. One of the promising young keepers in Dutch football, Cillessen’s style has been compared to Van der Sar’s. the problem is that he’s only twenty-two, young for a keeper, and with a struggling squad in front of him, throwing him at the deep end might turn out to be detrimental. Yet, his style perfectly fits the football De Boer wants to play. Cillessen has the traits to master the role of sweeper-keeper, an attribute the Ajax manager commented on during his quest to sign him.

The match began well for Ajax, but the loss of Siem de Jong – with the game barely five minutes old – put a spanner in the works. It almost seemed immaterial, when his replacement, Dmitri Bulykin, gave the Amsterdammers the lead, finishing off a neat build up.

Then, as Jan Vertonghen would later comment, “setback after setback” put the match in FC Utrecht’s hands.  The hosts, who won 3-0 in the previous encounter between the two at the Stadion Galgenwaard, asserted themselves through a familiar face.  Rodney Sneijder, on loan from Ajax, equalised through Nana Akwasi Asare and then Edouard Duplan turned the game on its head.

Undeterred, the champions regrouped, equalising when André Ooijer – on for the dazed Toby Alderweireld – used his stomach to direct the ball into goal. Bulykin would then get his second, a bullet header, from a neat outside-of-the-foot cross by Miralem Sulejmani. The impressive turnaround should have taken the wind out of Utrecht’s sail, especially considering that they hadn’t won since October 1st. But it didn’t

The manager, Jan Wouters’, instructions couldn’t have been clearer at the start of the second half. He sensed a weakness in the Ajax defence and his side exposed it, capitalising in the space of eight minutes. The visitor’s failed to adapt and Wouters’ squad would hit for three more, only conceding one in return.

The incredibly woeful defending consigned De Boer’s side to their second defeat of the season. Incredibly the Amsterdam club have won just once from their nine lunchtime games since December 2010.

Even though Ajax continues to push forward, their attacking game chugging along, it’s at the back which De Boer has a headache. The loss of Nicolai Boilesen, against PSV, has deprived him of a recognised left-back. He did play youngster Dico Koppers against Feyenoord, but his main second choice has been the auxiliary player Vurnon Anita.  Regardless, the side has struggled to close out games, AZ’s lead in double digits as a result of too many draws for the Amsterdammers.

Last season, Ajax had the best defence in the league. Coming into this campaign, there was no visible reason to expect anything but a watertight unit.   Instead, the back line has been as leaky as a submarine with screen doors.  The troubles have confounded the boss, whose own reputation as a player, was nothing short of superlative. Some have attributed it to an overly cavalier approach. The club’s initial struggles were put down to problems in the midfield, which left the defence unprotected.  That has since been addressed, for the most part, but the rearguard is still gun-shy.

More often than not sides have pressured and counterattacked to great benefit against Ajax. That coupled with individual mistakes, a keeper lacking consistency and you have a recipe for disaster. One solution might be turning to the 3-3-1-3 formation de Boer played against Roda JC.  It won’t shore up the defence, but it will for greater ball possession, especially in midfield, and as a result limit the opposition’s opportunities.

In the aftermath, there was no knee-jerk reaction from De Boer, although the gaffer is not the type to brush such a result off easily or label it as a one-off match.  In the past few weeks, Ajax have approached the level where their manager wants to be.

A wise man once said that every disadvantage has its advantage. This could be the penny that drops. The defeat away to Den Haag last season saw Ajax go on an eight game winning run top overtake PSV and Twente to claim their thirtieth championship With thirty-one still a distance away, De Boer will not panic.  As a player, he rose to the challenge adversity presented time and again and it will surely be the same as manager.

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Another international break is upon us.  They seem to be coming fast and furious, this autumn.  Then again, so does Newcastle.  Inexplicably, the Magpies are in third place, ahead of familiar names and expected Champions League contenders Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham.  It’s not a distant third, either; the Geordies are just a single point behind Manchester United.  In the armed forces and the constabulary, on the high seas and anywhere else where radio is still a common form of communication, the call sign for such unexplained phenomenon is Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.

What makes the club’s early success so surprising is that their chairman has developed a reputation for doing everything that a team owner can to guarantee that his club sinks into mediocrity.  Discount sportswear magnate Mike Ashley has applied the rules of business to football, much to the derision of all of us who know that running a club is much like owning a yacht; in that they’re both bottomless money pits.  If spending large amounts of cash with no other return than a few moments of pleasure causes you concern, then football isn’t for you.

Chairmen such as Jack Walker and Peter Ridsdale have experienced both the adoration and hatred of their supporters, with the love flowing so long as they lavished money on their respective clubs.  When the well ran dry, however, and they had to tighten their belts, they quickly became pariahs.  Yet, more reviled still are those owners at big clubs who seemingly sit on their money, when it could be used to improve the club.  Supporters would like nothing more than to see the back of such skinflints.

The Red Knights at Manchester United have had little success in dislodging the Glazers because Sir Alex Ferguson has proven adept at developing young talent and keeping the Red Devils in the top two for so long that it seems as though they have never been any lower in the table.  The Kop, however, mounted an impressive guerrilla campaign to force the club’s board to sell against the wishes of the overextended Americans Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

The Toon Army’s war against Ashley has not been nearly so effective, as evident in the fact that while both the Glazers and Hicks & Gillett became very reluctant to show themselves at matches, Ashley proudly dons the Newcastle kit and sits amidst the fans at every game at hallowed St James Park.

Sit there he does, though, rooting on his Magpies, despite the massive outcry from those around him when he attempted to rename the club’s historic ground for marketing purposes; despite the overwhelming condemnation when he failed to hire Alan Shearer as manager, even though everyone else believed that the former captain was the man to bring them immediately back to the top flight; despite the unanimous disgust at his sacking of Chris Hughton after the oft called upon caretaker boss had done the job in Shearer’s stead and more, knocking Chelsea out of the Carling Cup at Stamford Bridge, defeating Arsenal in the league and guiding the Magpies into the top five of the Premier League in the opening months of their return campaign; despite the outrage when he hired personal friend Alan Pardew as Hughton’s replacement shortly after Pardew had been sacked for coaching Southampton to the bottom of the League One table; despite selling hometown hero and Shearer heir apparent Andy Carroll to Liverpool for £35 million and reinvesting little, if any of the profit; despite allowing team morale to sink to the point where captain Kevin Nolan forced a sale to newly relegated West Ham, now managed by one-time Toon boss Sam Allardyce; despite those two champions of free speech and public protest via Twitter, Jose Enrique and Joey Barton, following Nolan out the door, the former sold, again to Liverpool, and the latter permitted to move to QPR on a free transfer; and despite replacing the three departed Britons and single Spaniard with so many French-speaking players that there was a run on Rosetta Stone software in local bookshops.

That’s a lot of spite for any man to endure, yet Ashley has done so.  What’s worse, the combination of Toon’s recent success and the unimpressive performances of those he has discarded in the name of efficiency, workplace harmony and cost consciousness has largely, with the exception of renaming the ground, proven him to be right; one man against tens of thousands, a lone voice in the wilderness.  When you’re talking about a man who sells jogging suits to overweight couch potatoes at a discount, that’s frankly embarrassing.

Yet, here we are.  Newcastle is one of only two unbeaten teams in the Premier League; the other, ironically, being obscenely wealthy Manchester City.  Toon may not have played anyone of consequence other than the then-floundering Gunners, but, unlike the Liverpool side partially staffed by former Magpies Carroll and Enrique, they have taken all the points which one would expect of them.

A former fringe player under Hughton, striker Leon Best, and new arrival Demba Ba, who passed Kevin Nolan on his way out the Upton Park door, have made people forget Carroll, whereas the Geordie giant’s meager haul of goals in a red strip have left the Kop all too mindful of his exorbitant price tag.

Pardew has his squad fully confident and playing amazingly consistent football, while Hughton, again in charge of a freshly demoted side with no money to spend, is finding it difficult to weave his magic a second time.  Birmingham is four points out of the playoff positions and one place away from the bottom half of the table.  Hardly the dominance the former Irish international enjoyed with Newcastle.

The outspoken Barton is leading QPR, who are holding up well in the middle of the Premier League standings, although he personally has felt a backlash after putting the knife to Arsene Wenger and Wolves enforcer Karl Henry in one hundred and forty characters or less.

Most notable of all is the general lack of respect from the public for Alan Shearer as a broadcaster, largely down to his casual approach to research in preparedness for the World Cup in South Africa.  After all, who would want a manager who saw no need to do his homework?

As ludicrous as it seems, all the evidence leads one to the conclusion that a football club can be run both competitively and profitably at the same time.  Of course, after the international break, Newcastle face a run of games against their fellow clubs in the Champions League frame.  The daunting trifecta of matches begins with a tour of Manchester; Saturday the nineteenth at a stadium which is itself a cautionary tale in naming rights, the Etihad Campus, against City, and seven days later at Old Trafford against United.  Finally, Chelsea journey Tyneside on third December, hoping to prey on a bruised, battered and demoralised Toon.

If that is in fact what the Blues discover when they arrive, and they have their way, then the lack of points from the three fixtures may affect the Magpies through the remainder of the season.  On the other hand, if Pardew’s squad can come away with three solid performances and a result or two, there is no telling how high the club will go or whether its supporters will actually come to love their universally despised owner.  After all, when has that ever been the case in Geordieland?

Sir Alex Ferguson. Just the mention of his name conjures up so many memories for any Manchester United fan. There are all the last-gasp winners, the iconic signings, the phenomenal games and the trophies, oh the trophies.

Never before has a manager made a club their own quite like Sir Alex, except maybe the late, great Bill Shankly at Liverpool. Apart from these two majestic Scotsmen, no other manager in history has quite managed to embody the spirit of a club. There may be the argument that Arsene Wenger has managed it at Arsenal but the teams he has built have been so contrasting that you would struggle to compare him to either Fergie or Shankly.

The fact is this: Manchester United is Alex Ferguson and Alex Ferguson is Manchester United.

The  sight of him striding up and down the touchline, chewing on his gum with the intensity and purpose of a mastiff gnawing a bone, and the accounts of his terrible clubhouse tirades and alternative use for cosmetological equipment have made him a living legend.

It almost didn’t happen.  When he came from Aberdeen, replacing Ron Atkinson in mid-campaign, the club finished eleventh.  He led them to second place the following year but then they dropped back to eleventh.  Only the first of a long string of memorable victories, an FA Cup replay defeat of Crystal Palace saved him from the axe.  It wouldn’t be long before the suggestion of sacking Fergie would be greeted with laughter.  United’s dominance in the Premier League years soon made him untouchable.

His fighting spirit is United to a tee. Not once have I ever seen a Manchester United team roll over in my seventeen years of support. Not once. There may have been a couple of shambolic performances down the years, the 6-1 mauling at the hands of City being the latest, but there is also the 0-0 draw against Burton Albion and the 6-3 loss to Southampton. Yet, even when you look back at the embarrassments, you have to say, United always played the United way.

Even better for each of those few humiliations, there have been any number of defining triumphs. Look at the recent 8-2 battering of Arsenal, the recent 6-1 win over those same Gunners, that wonderful penalty shootout win over Chelsea in the Champions League, the 5-3 comeback against Spurs, the 2-1 win in the Nou Camp over Bayern Munich and the 7-1 humbling of Roma. There have been so many that I could write an article just on the subject of United fans’ best memories and I think I’d take a 6-1 defeat if it meant 10 more nights like the one in 1999, or 2008.

That is the testament to Sir Alex Ferguson’s management; every loss is answered by a run of victories and every departing star makes way for a brilliant replacement.

That is, again, a testament to his management. Look at David Beckham. A loyal servant to United since he joined as a schoolboy but when he left for Real Madrid in 2003, United pocketed £25 million. As a replacement they signed a rather precocious teenager for £12 million. That teenager was Cristiano Ronaldo, and what a player he is now. When the Portuguese followed Golden Balls to the Spanish capital, for a tidy £80 million this time, Wayne Rooney stepped to the fore.  When Paul Scholes retired, the manager remained calm while all around him panicked, calling for a major signing, be it Wesley Sneijder, Samir Nasri or Luka Modric.  Instead, Sir Alex gave young Tom Cleverley an opportunity.  Before his unfortunate injury, Cleverley stepped seamlessly into the creative midfield role and led United to that Community Shield fight back over City.  For me, that is Fergie’s greatest attribute – the ability to spot a diamond in the rough.

Chicharito is his most recent, signed for £7 million from Chivas and already an established name on the United team sheet. And there have been so many more on down the years. Nemanja Vidic was plucked from obscurity, so was Patrice Evra along with Peter Schmeichel and Denis Irwin. Of course, that hasn’t stopped the gaffer from making a few mistakes. Kleberson and Eric Djemba-Djemba spring to mind, along with Massimo Taibi and Bebe (who Fergie admitted to signing sight unseen) but the old prospector has yielded far more nuggets than dirt in his time.

In fact, so many great players have passed through Old Trafford in my lifetime, that it’s difficult to name the greatest match the club has played under Ferguson.  After thinking on it, my choice may surprise a number of people, as it is not a final, nor a deciding game in the title race. Instead it’s the 1-0 win over Barcelona at Old Trafford in 2008.

Part of the magic of that victory was that it was one of those rare matches where United were not expected to win.  They’d held Barcelona at the Nou Camp with Ronaldo missing a penalty, but the Catalans had looked stronger, more decisive. The rematch at Old Trafford will forever be etched into my memory and that of thousands of other United fans.

It wasn’t just that we won, it was the way it was accomplished. A screamer from Paul Scholes in the early stages was coupled with the most outstanding defensive display I have ever seen. Barcelona threw everything at United — absolutely everything — and the defence was magnificent. Owen Hargreaves played at right back, with Wes Brown and Rio Ferdinand the centre back partnership and it was Patrice Evra at left back. Looking at that defensive line up, you’d struggle to believe they kept a clean sheet against the likes of Messi and Henry but they did it through sheer force of will. They believed they were going to get through the game unscathed, they believed they were going to make it into the Champions League final.

And who is that down to?  Sir Alex Ferguson of course. Very few manager can claim to have tactically outclassed a Barcelona side in the past ten years. Sir Alex did, although Barça would exact their revenge.

Not many managers can claim to have won two European Cups, either. Or to have lost another two.  Not many managers can claim to have built not one, not two, but nigh on five title winning sides, to have averaged at least one major trophy per year over a quarter of a century or to have defied the BBC and the FA for seven years and remain employed.  Sir Alex Ferguson can.

Whenever a new power has risen to threaten United’s supremacy, be it Gerrard Houllier and Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool sides, Arsenal’s Invincibles or Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea, Fergie has always bounced back, defying belief, with a new stronger squad.  For those who think city’s ascendance will finally put him on the sidelines, they’d best think again.  They’ve only given him a reason to stick around.  Sir Alex loves nothing more than a challenge.

And that is why it’s going to be so hard to replace him. Names like Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola always pop up when the discussion is revisited.  While either of that duo would be wonderful, when the Scot finally abdicates his throne, United fans had best be prepared for a difficult time.  There is simply no one on the planet who can walk in and immediately top twenty-five years of glory.

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The Wheel of Time turns, and ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave birth comes again. In one Age, called the Third Age by some, an Age yet to come, an Age long past, a wind rose in the Mountains of the Mist. The wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings nor endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning.

And as far as Aveley, inside the M25 near Thurrock, in the County of Essex (though actually still part of Greater London), goes, the beginning was about the most exciting thing to happen.

Ever.

Aveley is no wasteland, yet neither is it anything to write home about  – though write I shall!  Still, I must stress, before going further, that it’s very much the place and not the people with which I find fault.

Translated, Aveley means ‘wood clearing’ and that just about sums it up.  Since this particular wood was cleared, another few million or so hectares have gone the same way, much now being known as East London and the remainder as ‘Shopping Centre’.

Even Wikipedia struggles to provide points if interest from the history of this millenium-old village.  Aside from the name, the high point of a short entry is that John Newton, author of Amazing Grace, once lived there;  the hamlet being the home of the father of his second wife. While once described (1848 actually) as ‘a long and pleasant village on a bold acclivity, two miles north of the River Thames’, its more recent designation as the ‘major urban development to take on London’s overspill after World War II’ creates a far more accurate picture in the mind of an occasional traveller.

And so it was that Wealdstone and a small army of fans set off last Saturday to make one of the less popular and often most tedious 60 mile journeys of the season, round the M25 to Aveley.

It’s not an unpleasant destination, it’s just totally unremarkable in every way and on a grey morning (as if needing an excuse) the location — a rutted pitch with a bleak outlook — the meager home support, the lack of pleasing football in proportion to and probably because of the near sparsity of grass on said pitch, make this one journey that many Stones fans mark out as one to miss. Thus, it was traveling support at platoon rather than brigade strength which made its way to the quiet, eerie Aveley ground, with its long shadows, appropriately enough on Hallowe’en weekend.

Two wins to the good, however had lifted the gloom surrounding Wealdstone, so much so that those die hard souls who had made the journey fully expected a win, despite the pitch.   After quaffing a decent, if somewhat delayed burger, huddles were set to discuss the latest selection from the dug-out.

The recently standard defence, comprising goalkeeper Jonathan North, with his line including James Hammond, Alan Massey, Sean Cronin & Wes ‘Don’t Call Me Craven’ Parker, lined up behind a midfield four of Scott McCubbin (recalled in favour of Jake Parsons), Alex  Dyer, David Hicks and Lee ‘Going To The’ Chappell (in for Nicci Ahmed), with Peter Dean (spelling the working Scott Fitzgerald) playing behind Richard Jolly up front.   Chris O’Leary, Danny Spendlove and Kurtney Brooks joined Ahmed and Parsons, on the pine.  Gordon Bartlett’s changes related not only to form but the quality of the playing surface, which favoured battlers over purists and certainly left a few of the Stones fans — and no doubt players — longing for the billiard table like surface at The Vale.

The game itself started as you’d expect, with both sides not only sussing out their opposition, but using Pythagorean theorem and calculus to an incredibly high degree – not something you’d expect from the average Non League player – in order to deduce just what bounce, spin or angle might deliver the next pass to its intended target.  As the shortest distance between two points at Aveley is most definitely not a straight line, playing there requires an understanding of both meanings for the word ‘English’.

It was the Stones side who channeled Jimmy White soonest, as a strong break on ten minutes saw Lee ‘Gonna Get Married’ Chappell round the back of his defender and slide the ball, with almost nuclear precision, into the path of Richard Jolly; the striker scoring yet again from a distance shorter than his height.  And with Jolly, who, if he didn’t have male pattern baldness, might get into the cinema on a youth discount, that’s saying something.

Given the terrain, Stones didn’t really shift up through the gears in the first half, despite their early advantage.  Aveley, surprisingly for their familiarity with the playing surface, conversely lacked the nous to make the final telling pass that would put the screws to Wealdstone’s back four.

It was at the other end where most of the action took place, with Jolly unlucky not to extend the lead just before the half hour when either his first touch or the pitch let him down on a one on one; the ball bounding into the keeper’s arms like a kindergartener home from the first day of school.  Minutes later, Wes Parker rose to powerfully head a free kick goalward, only for it to be scrambled off the line.  Then Chaps had his man beaten again, only for his cross/chip-shot to be headed behind from under the crossbar by a backpedaling defender.

The resulting corner actually gave Aveley their best chance of the half, as Stones tried and tested (?) set-piece routine failed, allowing the hosts to test North on the breakaway.  The Wealdstone keeper, who until that time had largely been studying the clouds, passed the ‘pop quiz’ with flying colours.

The second half saw the home side offer a little more in the way of attack, as Stones’ concentration seemed to waver.  The visitors gave away a series of what can only be called silly free kicks, one of which required a sharp save from a good long range effort; North tipping the ball over the bar.

As the half progressed, Stones began to recover their composure and Jolly again scampered across the open ‘meadow’.  The last minute arrival of two defenders was just enough to knock him off-balance, sending his effort awry.  Shortly afterwards, though, a perfect bisecting pass connected with a breaking David Hicks.  His composed finish doubled Stones advantage with just a quarter of the match still to play.

On seventy-five minutes, Hicks again penetrated the penalty box; his effort blocked by the defence, only for Jolly to clean up the rebound and make the score 3 – 0 to Wealdstone.  Shades of Emilio Estevez in ‘Men At Work’!  The tally wrapped up a comfortable afternoon’s work for the visitors, who were happy to deliver the anticipated three points to their expectant devotees.

Looking forward, a more appealing trip awaits the Stones next Saturday as they return to FA Trophy action, making a return visit to league rivals Margate.  The seasiders haven’t won a league game at their Hartsdown Park home this season, but also haven’t lost a Cup game there; an enigma that Stones will be doing their utmost to reverse next Saturday!

Margate, the town, may well have seen better days – the hiatus no doubt being the fifties and sixties — but there is still plenty to enjoy, not least the journey among peers.  With the bonus of a cup-tie, the Stones travelling strength will increase and, as always, make the trip with smiles on their faces.  Who doesn’t prefer a day at the beach to a rocky patch in an empty clearing?

Roger Slater is a longtime Wealdstone FC supporter and, with even longer-time Stones manager Gordon Bartlett, co-wrote Off The Bench – A Quarter Century of Non-League Management, available on order form you local bookstore or directly from the Wealdstone FC Club Shop.  It is also available in e-book form, if postage and handling aren’t your thing, by clicking on the link below.

Special thanks to Steve Foster, the official Wealdstone FC shutterbug, for snapping the easiest goal Richard Jolly will ever score.  If you would like to see more Wealdstone photos, go to:  

https://picasaweb.google.com/wealdstonefc  

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Collectively, Liverpool supporters are well known for their pride in the club’s history and traditions.  Rivals might call it living in the past, but many wish they had as rich and vibrant a backdrop for their club.  Yet, while clubs love to parade the names of former greats, most also have skeletons in their closet.

In the not too distant past, Doncaster Rovers signed the loathsome El-Hadji Diouf, who, when he wasn’t spitting at opposition players and fans, was busy becoming the only number nine in the club’s history not to register a league goal across a whole season.  On the management side, Merseysiders need only rewind twelve months to find the most widely hated of Liverpool managers, one Roy Hodgson.  Not only was Woy weviled for his cautious (the more fervent among his detractors might say cowardly) approach to matches, but when he was finally shown the door, he returned and promptly took three points from his former club, as the new man at West Brom.  On Saturday evening, the man with the extremely stroke-able chin sat in the home dugout, with visiting Liverpool seeking to put their pursuit of Champions League qualification back on track following a disappointing home draw with Norwich City.

Whilst revenge might not be the most accurate term to use, the fans were certainly looking for Dalglish to put one over on Hodgson after the Baggies manager had said, last year, that he considered the King less suited for the role of Liverpool manager than himself.  Everyone is entitled to their opinion, I suppose, even if it is wrong.  It was hugely interesting, therefore, to see both teams line up in a 4-4-2, with Woy’s team playing as reluctantly (poorly for you fanatics) as his Reds had  a year ago.  Meanwhile, Kenny’s current breed of Kop idols proved that an ‘outdated’ formation can be hugely effective if properly deployed.

As usual, it was Luis Suarez making the headlines for the wrong reasons. Yet, believe-it-or-not, on this occasion he was not to blame.  A challenge in the box sent the Uruguayan to the ground, causing any Sir Alex Ferguson acolytes in the viewing public to mutter, “Typical Suarez, diving to win a penalty.”

This instance was a little different to the usual theatrics, however.  Rather than beseech the official with eyes agog and arms outstretched, little Luis simply got back to his feet and tried to rejoin play. Before he could get involved though, the linesman flagged for a penalty which referee Lee Mason duly bestowed on the Reds.

Hodgson, naturally, was not happy with the award of the penalty.

“It was a situation where our defender is entitled to screen the ball to clear it and should have been allowed to do so. I don’t think the referee will be in too many doubts, or the linesman, what most of the people watching the game thought of the decision.”

I’m not sure about ‘most people’, but the travelling Kop were clearly delighted, especially when Charlie Adam coolly slotted home to give the Reds the lead.

Suárez was then involved in the second goal, a swift, flowing counter-attack which was finished by Andy Carroll in first-half injury time. It’s still early days for Liverpool’s Mutt and Jeff strike duo, but there are certainly indications of a fledgling understanding between the two hitmen.

Although the Baggies still had the second half to make a game of it, that, in truth, never looked likely. The Reds picked up their third clean sheet of the season, despite having yet to register even one at Anfield.  They also continued this season’s unbeaten run when scoring first, a trend which they have exploited in eight of their ten games so far.  Much of the credit for that success may be down to the side also extending its lead in the fewest shots on target conceded (3.5 per game) category.

Pepe Reina, who was captain for the night in the absence of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, was, for the most part able to merely supervise, rarely needing to adopt a hands-on approach.

It was also a good night for Daniel Agger, and one where he may have had a point to prove.  Despite being widely recognized as the only centre-back on the Anfield books who can defend, dribble effectively out of his own end and distribute the ball with some imagination, the Dane was nearly forced out of the Liverpool exit door by Roy Hodgson.

Luckily for the Reds’ fans he outlasted the former manager and, on Saturday, showed Hodgson just how wrong he was with a superb effort.  With Martin Skrtel too often paired with Carra, the double dose of hoof-and-hope were aimed at Carroll far too often.  Agger’s ability to supply subtle, cultured passing options is certainly more suited to complement the skills of Luis Suárez.  Having options is always good.

Revenge is all well and good for the fans and players, but more important to management is that Liverpool is again dead on course to finish the season with the targeted 68 points which would normally put them in the mix for fourth place. Unfortunately, while that number has been sufficient to yield Champions League football in the recent past, the current form of Tottenham, Arsenal and, surprisingly, Newcastle suggests that a higher figure may be required in this campaign.

The victory at the Hawthorns lifts Liverpool ten points ahead of last season’s pace, but the upcoming quintet of fixtures were all 2010-11 victories for the club.  In short, the best they can do over the next stretch is tread water.  With Chelsea and Manchester City lying in wait, just beyond this week’s match with Swansea, weathering the tide will be challenging indeed, no matter your opinion of Kenny Dalglish’s talents.

Statistics sourced from EPLIndex. Read more of Andrew Beasley @ basstunedtored.com

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As Fred Rutten took his seat, memories of his last visit to De Grolsch Veste reverberated. It was here that PSV’s title charge came to an end last season. For more than twenty years, he had called Enschede home.  Yet, on that evening it was anything but.

This time around, the result brought mixed emotions.  In a game his side should have won, they didn’t and it was clear to him who was responsible.

Rutten’s finger was squarely pointed at Kevin Blom, a name Scottish football fans won’t forget in a hurry.  Blom was the offending figure in the recent international at Hampden Park between the Scots and the Czech Republic, wherein he gifted the Czechs an added time penalty and then denied one to the home side.

His decision to show Kevin Strootman a straight red left the midfielder, his teammates and Rutten incensed, with the manager refusing to shake hands after the game.

“I think the referee got it catastrophically wrong when he sent him off.  I respect colleagues, referees and I feel that everyone is allowed to make a mistake. But this is the kind of mistake he should never have made.” – Rutten offers to make a donation to the Eredivisie Respect campaign.

The gaffer just might have a point. PSV was, to Rutten’s surprise, in control for large parts of the match against one of their strongest title rivals. The only times they weren’t were the first ten minutes and the final twenty, after Strootman was sent off. The midfielder was his usual metronomic self, collecting the ball and circulating it with impeccable timing and rhythm.  Moreover, when he changed pace and made the odd deep run, he forced Twente onto their back foot.

His rapid assimilation has greatly benefited PSV, who for much of last year were criticised for being too passive. Cautiousness was formerly the mantra in Eindhoven. These days, the byword is attack. After their damp squib ending to the ’10-11 campaign, the prevailing opinion was that Rutten’s reign was up but he was given a reprieve by the PSV board; one more season to get things right. After a financial crisis was averted in the summer, things went smoothly, and the manager largely has Strootman to thank for the upswing.

During their hour of dominance, PSV played as they have done all season:  with verve and control, often relying on the counterattack, which they’ve used to devastating effect. Conversely, Twente were the architects of their own problems.  Co Adriaanse, known for his attacking mentality, indirectly allowed his side to concede possession and, as a result, further galvanised Rutten’s men.

Adriaanse began with an attacking line-up which included Nacer Chadli, the winger recently returning from a spell on the sidelines.  This was his first league start of the season. Even if he was off the pace, it wouldn’t trouble his manager greatly, as the boss had announced that he wished to build his new Twente side around the Belgian and the since departed Bryan Ruiz. There were moments last season when Chadli demonstrated his full capability, with football that made many sit up and take notice.  In this match, Adriaanse was just glad to see him back in a red shirt and getting his feet wet.

Both sides went into the game with identical records including one defeat; PSV on the opening day at AZ and FC Twente, surprisingly, away to Roda JC. Psychologically, Twente held the upper hand, unbeaten in the pair’s previous seven meetings and not having lost at home since October, 2005.

Preservation of that record couldn’t have begun any better, when Brazilian-born Douglas – who recently acquired Dutch citizenship – gave FC Twente the lead ten minutes in on a fortunate goal; the defender’s shin managing to connect with the ball as he was falling down after attacking a corner.  On the balance of play to that point, though, it was a deserved marker, with it evident that Adriaanse’s plan was to get out of the traps quickly.  The manager, looking at his watch as the goal went in, might have tipped his opposite number as to his future intent, however.

Another winger in the headlines immediately equalised for De Boeren.  The 18-year-old, Zakaria Labyad, latched onto a Georginio Wijnaldum pass and finished perfectly, continuing on from his imperious performance in the Cup midweek.  Labyad, who has been linked with Sevilla, might be better advised to commit his foreseeable future with PSV. While he’s often compared with his idol and former club captain Ibrahim Afellay, he’s till too green to be wandering far from home. Like the Barcelona player he possesses great pace, agility and dribbling technique all in abundance, and, utilising them all, he proved a constant thorn in the Twente full-backs’ sides.  Rutten has gushed that the youngster is a “few levels above his peers” and it wasn’t difficult to see why on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Strootman is not the only summer signing paying early dividends for PSV.  His former FC Utrecht teammate Dries Mertens has also settled in superbly. One of the early candidates for the player of the season, he’s chipped in with thirteen goals from midfield — ten in his last eleven games — and countless assists. His latest helper restored PSV’s lead.  Following up on his own corner, Mertens floated in a sumptuous ball that Marcelo, the Brazilian defender, headed past Nikolay Mihaylov. It was the first time PSV had managed to score twice at De Grolsch Veste since April 2005, and they looked on course for their first victory at the stadium in six years.

The other shoe dropped minutes after taking the lead.  Strootman engaged in a 50-50 challenge with national teammate Luuk de Jong, and was adjudged to have gone over the top. On second viewing, a yellow might have been best and that was what Strootman was expecting. However, the referee only gets one look and it appeared to be a much more dangerous play in his eyes.

Once the red was shown, Rutten’s expression revealed his fear that the game might just have slipped through their hands. And, as though to prove him right, the newly inserted Leroy Fer quickly scored his second goal for The Tukkers in as many games.

The source of many a ruffled feather, Referee Blom flew the coop via a side exit, attempting to avoid the waiting press.   Yet, with some journalists camped by his car, he did offer his perspective.  While conceding the right for all concerned to debate the colour of the card, as far as he was concerned it was the right decision, as Strootman’s challenge endangered De Jong. A despondent Rutten went home ruing the result; his side having played the better football and deserving of all three points.   Before departing Enschede, he attempted to put a positive spin on the outcome.

 “The season is still long; we can repair this error made by the referee.”

Is Michel Platini fighting a losing battle or is 2011-12 merely the final, frantic, spasming death throe of the way it’s always been done?  After a cautious 2010-11, when spending was tempered by the reality of a global recession and the perceived threat of Financial Fair Play, 2011-12 has erupted into the Year of Money, making one wonder just how seriously the big clubs are taking UEFA’s attack on excessive spending.

Look at the defending champions in Ligue 1, the Bundesliga, Serie A and even the Premier League.  Lille and Borussia Dortmund each won their competitions with young, mostly homegrown squads.  Both sides emerged from a condensed pack in the second half of the season, taking control of their leagues while the traditional powers, such as Bayern, Bremen, Leverkusen, Marseille and Lyon, struggled to come to grips with the fact that age and experience were no longer sufficient to overcome youth and speed.

It was the same elsewhere.  AC Milan traveled a more beaten path, acquiring thoroughbreds Robinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Antonio Cassano, albeit at cut-rate prices, as the Rossoneri also emerged from a jumbled pack in the winter months to claim their first Scudetto in seven years.  In England, Manchester United belied their status as the most valuable sporting club in the world, weathering Chelsea’s early dominance, Arsenal’s enthusiasm and City’s persistence and pacing themselves to their record nineteenth championship, without any noticeable spending.

Barcelona was the only champion who won by spending big, bringing in David Villa and Javier Mascherano in a bid to stay ahead of Real Madrid, now led by their Champions League nemesis, Jose Mourinho.

This season, the shoe is on the other foot.  The Achilles heel of Arsenal’s youth policy — that loyalty to club is trumped by big money offers — was cruel exposed this summer, with both Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri jumping ship.  The same has occurred at Lille and Dortmund, with players such as Yohan Cabaye, Gervinho and André Schürrle lured away by clubs willing to pay more than the title holders can afford to keep their talent.   Milan, who made only small changes in the summer, are chasing a completely revamped Juventus.  United, who spent big but focused on youth, were blown out of the water by their ‘noisy neighbours’, who again lavished tens of millions on big name stars while casting away last year’s investments like outdated fashions.

A week after their 6-1 thrashing of United at Old Trafford, which put them five points and twelve goals clear at the top of the Premier League, City widened the gap by beating Wolves 3-1 while United held off Everton 1-0.   All that oil money is beginning to pay off.

In Paris, another Qatari contingent has invested millions in that city’s lone major club, signing Palermo’s Javier Pastore out from under the noses of Chelsea and complementing his talents with those of Kevin Gameiro, Jeremy Menez and a host of others.  After a short but bumpy bedding in, during which nearly everyone other than new Sporting Director Leonardo was ready to panic, PSG are now three points ahead of Montpellier in first place.

Bayern, whose reputation as big spenders may colour perceptions somewhat, largely stood pat in the off-season.  Their one major purchase was secured before the window opened, agreeing to terms with Schalke for the services of German number one Manuel Neuer, after a heated negotiation.  Still, the line-up which is now leaving the rest of the Bundesliga behind is comprised of highly sought after and dearly bought talent.  The key differences are that Franck Ribery is finally in the full bloom of health and form, and that new old coach Jupp Heynckes has placed complete trust in Mario Gomez, whereas had his predecessor Louis van Gaal had his druthers, the twelve goal man would have been offloaded two summers ago.

Ironically, the lone exception of money talking and bullshit walking this year in the major competitions is Barcelona.  Despite finally prying Cesc Fabregas from the Gunners and paying through the nose for the now injured Alexis Sánchez, the Catalans are chasing Real Madrid, who turned down opportunities to purchase Neymar and Emmanuel Adebayor.  To be fair, the Castilians did match Barça euro for euro during their summer shopper spree, but other than Fabio Coentrao, most of Madrid’s investment has been earmarked for the future, while Cesc and Sánchez were very much intended to be plug and play.  In that light, Real’s early lead seems an example of doing more with less.  Of course, as the former American wrestler Nature Boy Rick Flair was fond of saying, “To be the man, you have to beat the man.”  So, one can’t put too much weight on the Meringues’ early lead until they meet  the Blaugrana in the opening leg of this season’s Clasico in December.   When the season ends, it won’t be a shock if Barcelona’s €55 million outlay brings them yet another championship.

The lure of the big buck works both ways, however.  United Arab Emirates club Al Ain forced a loan from Premier League side Sunderland by turning the head of Ghanaian World Cup hero Asamoah Gyan with the promise of outlandish wages and let’s not even get into what Russian Premier League minnows Anzhi Makhachkala paid to sign Samuel Eto’o.  So, it’s not just the top sides who flash the cash.

In any event, it does not appear that clubs are taking UEFA’s proposals seriously.  All told, UEFA clubs paid out over half a billion euros for players in the summer.  That’s a mind-boggling figure, even if top sides weren’t facing the prospect of losing their license to play in the Champions or Europa Leagues should they fail to balance the books.  That they are makes their lack of restraint even more puzzling.

On the other hand, the top clubs’ continued dissatisfaction with international scheduling and compensation for injured players has led European Club Association chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge to suggest that the organisation’s contract with UEFA, which obligates major clubs to compete in the Champions and Europa Leagues and to allow their stars to compete when summoned by their national teams, should not be renewed when it expires in 2014.

If that occurs, ECA members could break away from their national federations and form an elite European league, possibly patterned after the American franchise system, which does not employ promotion and relegation.  While the concept may seem completely alien and even impossible to the average European fan, it has been so profitable that the Forbes list of the fifty most valuable sports teams is dominated by American franchises.  Most notably, all thirty-two NFL clubs are on the list, although they are joined by six baseball and two basketball squads.  F1 teams Ferrari and McLaren also make the cut, leaving just eight places (less than twenty percent) to be split between the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga and Bundesliga, UEFA’s so-called Big Four.  ECA big wigs can’t be happy with those numbers.

Further research into dealings across the pond reveals that baseball and basketball both support lower league programs which the universally profitable NFL has chosen to abandon.

An ECA break from UEFA, in order to follow gridiron’s ‘look out for number one’ example, would naturally have a drastic effect on the footballing landscape.  An elite competition without promotion and relegation would likely consign lower divisions and non league football to the rubbish heap.  Big clubs with the power to deny national federations access to their best players would also threaten the existence of the Euros, Copa Libertadores, African Cup of Nations and, of course, the World Cup.  Yet, with the amazing success of the NFL, can ECA chairmen be blamed for wanting to be rid of the ‘dead weight’ of the lower leagues in exchange for a much bigger slice of the pie?

Michel Platini doesn’t believe that the threats of the ECA are anything more than posturing. He points out that big clubs are just as much to blame for the crowded fixture list when they schedule extended summer tours to the far corners of the globe, regardless of the fact that these lucrative junkets help to promote UEFA as a whole.  But when he asks why the ECA doesn’t consider smaller clubs when lobbying for independent television rights, he loses his audience.  The big clubs know that they can make more money if they don’t have to prop up the lower tiers.  Threatening to “throw them out” before they leave of their own accord, as Platini did in July, may not be the best position to take.

Abandoning the century and a half old club system may seem inconceivable to UEFA, but both sides have been pushing hard to rake in every available penny and pound, filling the fixture list with competitions, friendlies and tours to the point of bursting, with neither group satisfied with their share of the spoils.  Platini needs to pay more heed to the clubs’ argument that it is they who invest the money in players, assuming the greater financial risk.

Should he not, the question bears asking again.  Is Financial Fair Play necessary and just legislation which will corral irresponsible spending and preserve the UEFA club system or a draconian measure that will drive the big clubs right off the reservation?

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For the past three or four years, most of the world has been suffering through what is being called either a depression, recession or economic downturn, depending upon who you ask.  However you phrase it, the main point is that nearly everyone is hurting for money.

In football, at the club level, there are one or two clubs, Arsenal and Manchester City come to mind, who are not feeling the pinch.  As for countries, Brazil is doing well and Germany just found an extra €55 million in their piggy bank.  Every little bit helps.

At the other end of the scale, the footballing nation most affected by the harsh economic climate is neither Italy nor Greece, despite their mutually high levels of debt and, in the case of the former, the fact that the situation has politicians coming to blows.  Nor is it Turkey, who are mired in a match-fixing scandal which threatened the 2011-12 Super Lig campaign, and indeed delayed its start for over a month.  Instead, it’s the home of the world’s greatest active player which has been confounded by winds of financial fortune.

The Primera Division de Argentina, a league in which Lionel Messi has never played, having been shipped off to Catalonia at a very tender age, is in a state of complete upheaval.  Sure, the familiar Azul y Oro of Boca Juniors is at the top of the table, but their closest rival is no longer thirty-three time champion River Plate.  Rather, the new contender for the Primera A Apertura is the club who won automatic promotion as a result of winning the Primera B title.  After twelve — or roughly two-thirds — of the nineteen round Apertura season completed, Atletico Rafaela is comfortably ensconced in second place, two points ahead of Racing Club and the club which relegated River in a two-legged playoff, Belgrano de Córdoba.

With that much of the campaign in the books, Rafaela’s success has to be considered more than an anomaly.   Even better, the upstarts have a golden opportunity to slash Boca’s six-point lead in half when they invade La Bombonera this evening.

It’s not just one side either.  In 2010-11, four out of four possible promotion candidates made it through to the highest level.  Joining Atletico and Belgrano in experiencing success in the Argentine top flight is Unión de Santa Fé, holding down the final place in the top half of the table.  Only San Martin de San Juan is struggling, the club’s meager point per match average anchoring them to the bottom place in the relegation table.

The flip side of the coin, of course, is that 2010-11 saw more than one top club go down.  Along with River, well known clubs Huracán and Gimnasia de la Plata suffered the drop.  The revolution looks likely to continue, as well, with Tigre, Olimpo and All Boys in the danger zone and San Lorenzo and Racing on the bubble.  Worse, the bottom four in the Apertura standings is an unlikely quartet including Argentinos Juniors, Newell’s Old Boys, Banfield and the defending Apertura champion, Estudiantes de Plata.

The chaos has surprised many, given that the relegation system, with established Primera Division teams demoted based upon their performance over the previous three years, is designed to protect the big clubs.  In hindsight, it makes sense, however.

Even moreso than Italy, where the chairman of the defending Serie A champion and the President of the country are one and the same, football is tied into Argentina’s national identity.  Clubs have long enjoyed the protection and patronage of those in power, leading to careless spending and huge debt which can no longer be ignored.  Thus, even the largest clubs have become eager sellers on the international transfer market.  In the spring of 2011, it was announced that Argentina had overtaken the far more populous Brazil as the world’s largest exporter of professional footballers.  Naturally, such an exodus of talent from the big boys levels the playing field; in Argentina’s case, to the point where the gap in talent between the first and second divisions is extremely marginal.

Boca has found the cash to keep Juan Roman Riquelme from returning to Europe or Brazil, and, with their icon healthy, are the exception to the new rule.  But, until the rest of the Argentine football establishment gets their house in order, the AFA landscape will continue to resemble something from a sci-fi B movie; a quagmire filled with pitfalls and traps where no club can gain a sure foothold.

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Unlike the Scandinavian leagues, which all take place in relatively small countries, each with a proportionate populace, Russian and North American top flight football both have the potential to reach an immense fan base.  Of course, Russia does not have so prevalent a sporting culture as the US and Canada, and thus found it easier to accommodate FIFA’s wish to transfer to a winter schedule. That concession may have made the difference between the Russian Federation being awarded the 2018 World Cup, whereas the US, who declined the same request, lost their bid for 2022 to Qatar.

Yet, the harsh winter wasn’t the true obstacle to Major League Soccer aligning itself with UEFA, chronologically speaking.  The bigger problem was the overwhelming competition the league would have faced for a share of the average fan’s sporting dollar.  With the National Football League, NCAA football and basketball, the National Basketball Association (when it is not on strike) and the National Hockey League all beginning their regular seasons in September and October and contesting their playoffs in January (professional and college football), March (college hoops) and May and June (the NBA and NHL), MLS would essentially be a midget wrestler entering a battle royal against a handful of heavyweights.  Like as not, they would be thrown out of the ring before the most passionate American soccer fan could say David Beckham or Thierry Henry.

A summer schedule not only offers mild weather and the opportunity to develop a more appealing national style, it leaves them with just one major competitor for the fans’ attention:  Major League Baseball.  Despite the B in MLB also representing Big (as in Big Leagues), while the S in the less-established MLS still has the taint of Small about it, soccer has made significant inroads in the American sporting market, perhaps making the cost of snubbing Sepp Blatter worth it in the long run.

This season, however, baseball has thrown down the gauntlet, putting on one of the most memorable playoffs in the sports long history, capped off by a seven game World Series which featured what is being labeled the greatest baseball game ever played.  As the 2011 MLS regular season wound down with the playoff participants and Supporters Shield winner decided early and only the seeding to be determined, October baseball was reminding its dwindling audience just how compelling its game could be.

The mighty New York Yankees were ousted in the American League Divisional Series by the Detroit Tigers, who then fell to the defending American League Champion Texas Rangers.  In the National League, the heavily favoured Philadelphia Phillies, with its deep pitching staff, was upset by wild card entrants, the St Louis Cardinals, with the Cards Chris Carpenter winning a classic 1-0 pitcher’s duel between two Cy Young winning aces, over Philly’s Roy Halladay, in the fifth and deciding game.  St Louis then powered their way through the Milwaukee Brewers, who had pipped them to the National League Central Division championship by six games.

The World Series was a back and forth affair, with Texas winning Game One in St Louis, only for the Cardinals’ slugging first baseman Albert Pujols, generally considered the game’s greatest active player, hitting three home runs in to level the Series in Game Two.  The feat had only been accomplished three times previously in WS history; twice by Babe Ruth and once by Mr October Reggie Jackson, making Prince Albert the first non-Yankee to do it.  The Rangers then won two of three at their ground in Arlington, Texas, leaving the Cardinals no option but to win both of the remaining games at Busch Stadium in St Louis.

With Texas pitching around Pujols after his Game Two performance, it was left to the players behind him in the lineup, the switch-hitting outfielder Lance Berkman and third baseman David Freese to get the job done.  That they did, in spectacular fashion.  Down to their last strike in the bottom of the ninth of Game Six, Freese hit a triple which tied the contest at seven and sent it into extra innings.  Texas jumped out in front again with two runs in the top of the tenth, but, once again down to their last strike, Berkman came through with a single to level terms at nine.  Then, in the eleventh, Freese hit a walk-off home run to send the Series to a do-or-die seventh game.  Only won team had ever come back from being one strike away from defeat to win the World Series.  St Louis now had the opportunity to do it after being in that situation twice.

Game Seven began with Texas getting two runs off Chris Carpenter, pitching on just three day’s rest.  Yet, Freese was still in form, doubling home two runs in the Cardinals’ half of the inning.  Allen Craig would then homer in the third and St Louis would take advantage of a tired Texas bullpen in the fifth, scoring twice more without getting a base hit (three walks and two hit batsmen) as they went on to a 6-2 victory and a wild celebration of their eleventh World Series crown.  Freese was deservedly named Series MVP, as he had contributed not just in the final two games, but throughout the Series and the playoffs as a whole.

Thus led by a player who had missed almost half the season due to injury, winning it all despite entering the tournament with the worst regular season record of any of the eight clubs involved, having been ten and a half games out of the wild card race with just over a month remaining and down to their last strike twice in Game Six, not to mention playing a Series that was derided by most for its lack of big name clubs (NY and Philly had both been knocked out in the first round), St Louis’ run was remarkably similar to the last two MLS Cup playoffs, wherein Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids continued late regular season runs on into the playoffs to claim the league championship.

However, MLS is just in its sixteenth year.  Without the weight of history behind it, those two championships don’t seem as significant as the Cardinals’ incredible October.  Worse for MLS, the marquee match-ups which might have ridden the coattails of the World Series into November, RSL v Seattle Sounders and (especially) New York Red Bull v the Los Angeles Galaxy are being played out this week in the quarter-finals.  Having Landon Donovan, David Beckham and Robbie Keane face off against Thierry Henry, Luke Rodgers and Juan Agudelo this early in the playoffs is a disappointment for the league, even if it does mean a two-legged tie rather than the one-off Cup Final.

Still, team play, not individual star-power has been the strength of MLS in recent seasons.  Of the top four 2011 MLS goal scorers, only Henry is still playing.  Red bull cast-off Dwayne de Rosario, who caught on with DC United and San Jose’s Chris Wondolowski, each with sixteen goals, were unable to carry their clubs into the playoffs, while the Columbus Crew’s Andrés Mendoza wasn’t able to get his side on the board in a 1-0 wild card loss to defending champion Colorado on Thursday.

That doesn’t bode well for the runaway and repeat Supporters Shield winning Galaxy.  Landon Donovan is their lone standout striker, sixth overall with a dozen tallies.  Robbie Keane has strike twice in just four appearances but whether the chemistry is there between him, Donovan and Beckham in so short a time, is a major question for a squad which, lately, has failed to translate its regular season success to the pressure-filled crucible of the playoffs.

Four of their seven rivals for the championship, including NY boast either a tandem or trio who have notched over twenty goals combined.  The immediate threat, naturally, is the Red Bull.  Henry’s fifteen goals are complemented by Luke Rodgers’ nine and Joel Lindpere’s eight.  Should they get past the New Yorkers, LA may have to deal with Sporting Kansas City’s triumvirate of Kei Kamara, Teal Bunbury and Omar Bravo (all with 9 goals), Seattle’s South American duo of Fredy Montero (12) and Alvaro Fernandez (9), and/or Real Salt Lake’s lethal Latino pair, Alvaro Saborio (11) and Fab Espindola (10).

Philadelphia, with lone striker Sebastian LeToux (11 goals), presents a problem at the other end of the pitch.  They are joint second behind the Galaxy in goals conceded; their success in their sophomore MLS campaign obviously tied to their obstinacy.  However, the club alongside them, defensively speaking, is the one that most are pegging to spoil the Angeleno’s party once again.  Real Salt Lake have recovered from their extended malaise, suffered after falling to defeat at home with the CONCACAF Champions League all but in the bag.

On the other hand, if you want to go by the recent trend in MLS, and this year in MLB, the team in the midst of an improbable late run is three-time MLS champion (once as the original MLS San Jose Earthquakes) Houston Dynamo.  After spending most of the first half of the campaign near the bottom of the table, Dominic Kinnear’s side exploded in August, surging all the way to second place in the Eastern Conference.  With no player having scored more than five goals, their most dangerous attacker, Brian Ching, having been hampered by injuries and sporting the worst goal difference of the remaining sides, except for Colorado, the orange-clad Texans seem to fit the bill as the perfect dark-horse candidate.

However, even if one of the most compelling story-lines in MLS plays out; be it NY or LA going the distance, with David Beckham or Thierry Henry finally validating the Designated Player Rule, or Houston overcoming long odds and a complete lack of star-power to join baseball’s Cardinals as unlikely champions, one gets the feeling that, after enjoying the benefits of a World Cup Year, this season, US soccer will have to raise its hands to the World Series and say “fair play.”

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“I do believe that you can access truths about the game by speaking to Arsène Wenger, if he feels like telling you. I don’t believe you can access them by speaking to Wayne Rooney.”

So says Simon Kuper, in the introduction to his new book, entitled – deep breath – ‘Soccer Men: Profiles of the Rogues, Geniuses, and Neurotics Who Dominate the World’s Most Popular Sport’, which features profiles and interviews with a variety of the game’s greats, both past and present.

The above quote is the key theme of the book; players have very little, if anything, of interest to say.

“Twitter demonstrates the problem,” Kuper told me in an interview to promote the book.

“Players are constantly getting into trouble for things they have tweeted. In many countries, players have less freedom of speech now than they would have had in the Soviet Union. Players learn over time to say nothing.”

Indeed, there’s an amusing line in the profile of Freddy Adu (the only American player featured in the book) where Kuper states that the fourteen year old ‘spoke with more articulacy than I have heard from any adult England player’. But why are the English superstars so tongue-tied?

“I think it’s partly because they get teased by their peers if they sound too clever-clever or too middle-class. Their goal when speaking in interviews is to say nothing, because any interesting thoughts are liable to get them into trouble, and so inarticulacy becomes a sort of self-defence”.

The book is inspired by ‘The Football Man’, a 1968 book by Arthur Hopcraft, which Kuper admitted is “a little bit dated now”. But he felt the idea behind that book is still valid: “Portraying a series of individuals and thinking about what they have in common”.

It’s interesting then to see that the people in this book don’t actually have all that much in common. Besides being good at football and very career orientated (“In the end almost everyone in football is out for themselves” Kuper told me), there isn’t all that much that binds them based on the information that is presented here.

A chapter on a boasting Edgar Davids is followed directly by one about a shy Rivaldo; the likes of Jari Litamen and Thierry Henry are shown as being football obsessed, whilst it barely seems to register with Johnny Rep and Bernd Holzenbein (in a joint chapter) that they played in the World Cup final at all. The World Cup final!

The literary pretensions of the players themselves are entertainingly mocked in a chapter that looks at the autobiographies of England’s ‘golden generation’. Kuper confessed that no-one had ever asked him to write one, and I suspect few players will be asking him in future, if they have read this section of the book at least.

“I’d vaguely thought I’d be interested in doing it for Dennis Bergkamp but that won’t ever happen” Kuper revealed, and I wonder if, as the author of Soccernomics, he feels a connection with the Dutch legend who (as the book reveals) was teased as the dressing-room geek at Inter Milan.

Aside from looking at the players themselves, the book also covers the football cultures of different countries, which proves interesting. For example, we learn about the Argentine concept of the pibe, and that Dutch children often follow players rather than teams.

“If you grew up in Holland, you were taught an extreme interest in the actual game itself and in its tactics. So you learned to appreciate, for example, Bergkamp or Van Basten no matter which club they played for”. As an English fan of football, with all of its tribal rivalries and hostilities, this certainly seems an alien concept to me.

As the profiles date from 1997 to the present, it’s interesting to see which predictions Kuper made in his original articles came to fruition and which did not. I won’t spoil it here, but the author is honest enough to admit when he was off the mark.

It’s not just players in Kuper’s sights though; there are profiles of managers and ‘some other soccer men’ (as Part III of the book is titled).

Amongst these, there’s an interesting comparison between Glenn Hoddle and Tony Blair, from when one was England manager and the other the Prime Minister (the two most difficult jobs in the UK according to most of the natives). But who is soccer’s Barack Obama?

“Lilian Thuram is a very politically engaged man. They have something of the same aura: tall cerebral men who exude a great calm”. There you have it; look out Nicolas Sarkozy!

There’s also a fascinating portrait of Billy Beane, star of the book (and now film) ‘Moneyball’ who, it is revealed, is a soccer obsessive. With his analytical mind, I wonder if Beane could cross the divide and become a success in soccer. Kuper thinks so:

“I suspect it’s going to happen one day, that he’s going to make the leap to soccer, just because he has such passion for it and spends so much time thinking about it. Not soon, but one day”.

Whilst I very much enjoyed the book, as a fan who struggles to get tickets to see his own favoured team play, it does sometimes seem that Kuper is complaining a little too much about a life spent trying to interview players whilst going to every game imaginable, including the World Cup final itself in 2010. Want to swap places Simon?

But that’s a minor gripe. The book is very readable, obviously well written and researched, and you learn some incredible and occasionally startling facts about the stars of the game.

If nothing else, the book is worth reading to find out which World Cup winner showed his testicles to Luis Chilavert. You’re wondering now, aren’t you?

Soccer Men is available online at Amazon.com, BN.com (Barnes & Noble Booksellers) and in a book store near you.

Read more of Andrew Beasley @ basstunedtored.com

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The glazed eye of the tired reader resting for a second on the above title will presume it to be merely metaphorical. Stories about the cup and the lip and the bad penny and the new broom rarely have anything, to do with cups or lips or pennies or brooms. This story Is the exception. It has to do with a material, visible and large-as-life camel’s back. — F Scott Fitzgerald

Coming off the back of a victory – albeit somewhat unconvincing in the second half – in the Battle of Hastings, Stones fans approached the Alan Boon Cup-tie at Leatherhead on Tuesday with a little trepidation.  Further, a much-changed Stones line-up did little to quell their nerves.

Two of three missing men – Lee Chappell and Danny Spendlove, back from their reveling on Tyneside – were restored to the line up and further changes saw others who have been on the fringes of the team in recent weeks also given a start, as manager Gordon Bartlett strives not only to keep everyone in the squad happy, but to maintain fitness levels in a side that is afforded just a single opportunity to train together per week (on Thursday evenings) when there are midweek fixtures to play. It’s difficult for fans to understand how much that has to do with the lack of consistency and, more importantly, wins in the early doors but it is essential to keep everyone as close as possible to match readiness in a side which has the league as its most important target (although a decent cup run in the FA Trophy is a financial necessity at this point, as well).

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the performance, despite the return of the lively Nicci Ahmed, was more reminiscent of some of the season’s low points, and the resurgent homesters, fresh from an FA Cup win away to league leaders Billericay seemed in the mood to take advantage, taking an early lead and pinning Stones back for long spells.  Fortunately for Wealdstone, Jon North was in fine form, keeping Leatherhead at bay after the early goal, allowing Stones’ first attack — midway through the half — to be a telling one.  Richard Jolly pounced on a rebound after Ricky Miller’s shot was saved to equalise and put matters on equal footing after forty-five minutes.

The second half saw a marginal improvement from the Stones, but it was again the hosts who broke the deadlock, almost at the restart, as Greg Andrews broke through.  Jon North doggedly kept it close, however, as he denied Andrews and Kevin Terry in quick succession.

As the half wore on Stones, finally found their feet and began to stamp their mark on the game.  A twenty-five yard curling effort from Ahmed flew just over the junction of post and bar, then with the clock ticking down, Jolly stole in for his and the Stones second of the game to tie the score at 2 – 2. It was another example of the striker’s art, as Ahmed created both time and space for himself on the ball, cut inside and shot, only for the save to rebound to Jolly for a nice late breakfast of two goals poached.

There was nothing more to report in the ninety minutes, except the disparate views of the game from the two sets of fans, the Tanners enjoying a good performance and an exciting match, while Wealdstone remained concerned about a below par performance and perhaps, a Jolly spate of good fortune.  Thankfully, however, a change in the rules for this season meant all were spared (or denied, depending on your perspective) a further thirty minutes of extra time, this competition going straight to penalties to decide a winner on the night.

Just as in the League Cup Final between these two clubs two seasons previous, a draw over one hundred twenty minutes, Leatherhead ran out victorious, 4-3 and will progress to the next round, whilst Stones are left to discuss the why’s and wherefore’s of not perhaps starting with their strongest XI.  On the other hand, in listening to management and fans, you’d struggle to find three or four persons who would agree on just who would comprise that group.

Thus, it was left to contemplate the arrival, for an FA Trophy affair, of Tooting and Mitcham  — a side with a decent record of late against Wealdstone, having won four of the six encounters in recent seasons — a worrisome thought given the lack of a certain character at Wealdstone in the early doors.

As if to deflect the raging bi-polar opinions of Stones fans on the internet during the week, there was something to cheer about when former Stone and Stranglers fan Stuart Pearce was named as Manager of the Great Britain Football Team for the impending 2012 Olympics.  Stuart (for those who are new to the history of this club) was not claimed as a former player for cameo appearances at the end of his a career, as he in fact joined Wealdstone at the age of sixteen on his release from QPR and played some two hundred forty-two times before he was transferred to Coventry City at the age of twenty-three. His career then went from strength to strength with Notts Forest, Newcastle, West Ham and finally Man City, as both player and Manager.   That long history was outshone by his appearances for and as captain of the England team where he also now resides as U21 Manager.

Still, he has stayed in touch with his roots, appearing three or four times at Wealdstone in recent seasons where he will he will always be fondly remembered and recorded as the first Full International Manager to have started in the Non League game.   A few years later, he was joined at this exalted level by another former Stone, erstwhile hard man actor and former footballer Vinny Jones, who started his career with Wealdstone, at seventeen, appearing seventy-odd times before he joined the famed Crazy Gang at Wimbledon and then went on to captain the Wales side.

As seems to be ‘the standard’ this season, Wealdstone’s week had more humps than a dromedary’s back – indeed the club managed another midweek peak of sorts when taking on local rival H*rrow B*ro in a reserve fixture away, winning 1 – 0 in front of thirty or forty Stones fans, but the discussion on the terraces was of the forthcoming Saturday fare.

The line-up surprised a few as Gordon Bartlett shuffled the pack a little – maintaining the back five from the Hastings fixture, Jon North in goal with Alan Massey at left back, James Hammond on the right and Sean Cronin and Wes Parker in the centre which meant that Lee Chappell returned to the bench after a midweek start, Nicci Ahmed retained a place – but unusually starting on the left of midfield, with Jake Parsons preferred on the right and Alex Dyer and Dave Hicks holding the central births — relegating Chris O’Leary and Scott McCubbin to the bench.  Danny Spendlove wasn’t in the squad and Richard Jolly was joined in the front line by our own (often referred to as ‘F’) Scott Fitzgerald.  Fitzy’s return, after a spell on loan at Hemel Hempstead Town to get fit, relegated Ricky Miller to the bench.

Going in, some of the fans saw this match as make or break for the season and possibly even the management team, but in the long view, we’ve been here before. Another challenge to a club with limited finances and resources but the heart to thrive in times of adversity and enjoy the successes, big or small, when they come.

And there was a small success in the match as, after a five or ten minute spell at the start when Tooting had a couple of half chances, Stones soon took a foothold in their opponents half and seemed to be playing the game at half pace while Tooting and indeed, Mitcham were chasing and harrying without getting a touch.  Such was the confidence with which Stones sprayed the ball around, pushing forward at will to put the visitors under pressure, Dyer Ahmed and Hicks all-seeing early efforts just past the goal, it seemed that their opponents were primed for a fall.

Yet, Jolly miscued an effort close in and then David Hicks saw another strike just clear the bar.   As supporters had seen this too often on the year, it was almost a surprise when midway through the half, a great effort from Alex Dyer was tipped round the post and from the resulting corner, ‘one knee’ed’ skipper, Wes Parker rose to head home and give Stones the lead.

On the restart,  the visitors were put back under pressure.  Some ten minutes later Stones were awarded what seemed to be a fortunate penalty, with their own crowd appealing for a corner, James Hammond, in the box, broke to the bye-line , but was tackled as he tried to put in a cross, the ball ricocheting off of the unfortunate defenders arm as he made the challenge and that was enough for the officials on the day. Up stepped ‘F’ to slot home and it was 2 – 0 Wealdstone.

After more of the same in the remaining minutes of the first half, with Dyer, Jolly and Fitzy all going close, Stones came out in similar fine fettle for part two, belying the previous week’s dismal second half.  On this occasion, relentless was the byword, with Stones  pressing on and consistently forcing Tooting into a stoic, if doomed, defensive performance.

Five minutes into the half, a subdued Jake Parsons, out of tune with his rampant mates, was replaced by Lee Chappell, who soon played a part in the move that brought the third goal. Jolly outdueled a much bigger man, winning the ball and poking past the visiting keeper. Shortly afterward,  Jolls attempted to repeat his goal against Hastings the previous week; this time his cheeky lob over the keeper was cleared off the line, although a fourth goal would not have been more than Stones deserved.

The final tally was enough to see Stones bank the victors prize money and enter the hat on Monday, when the next round is drawn; a chink of light through the veiled curtain of the early season?  Only time will tell but another defeat might well have been the straw that broke the camel’s back.  Victory was in the offing, however, and, content at having handed out a proper battering, Stones are happy to wish you all a heartfelt….

Roger Slater is a longtime Wealdstone FC supporter and, with even longer-time Stones manager Gordon Bartlett, co-wrote Off The Bench – A Quarter Century of Non-League Management, available on order form you local bookstore or directly from the Wealdstone FC Club Shop.  It is also available in e-book form, if postage and handling aren’t your thing, by clicking on the link below.

Special thanks to Steve Foster, the official Wealdstone FC shutterbug, for snapping the easiest goal Richard Jolly will ever score.  If you would like to see more Wealdstone photos, go to:  

https://picasaweb.google.com/wealdstonefc  

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Liverpool dropped two points at Anfield on Saturday evening, as they failed to convert a truck load of chances against the high-flying Canaries of Norwich City.  Unfortunately for the Reds, Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez became the first player since Cristiano Ronaldo (in December 2006) to have ten attempts on goal in a single Premier League match without finding the back of the net.  Luckily for the club — and for Suarez — Craig Bellamy was on hand to score with the final kick of the first half in the first league start of his second spell Merseyside.

The Welshman now has a goal in each of his two starts since returning to Anfield, following up well on a man of the match performance at Brighton and Hove Albion in the Carling Cup. Based on his early appearances, Bellamy certainly looks a good bit of business for a free transfer.  Liverpool’s overall wastefulness, however, enabled Norwich substitute Grant Holt to equalise in the second half with a bullet header, continuing his remarkable rise from non-league football to Premier League star and Kop heartbreaker.

As in last week’s 1-1 draw against Manchester United, questions will be asked about the Reds’ defensive unit. On a play more like a Keystone Cops routine, the returning Glen Johnson, vice-captain Jamie Carragher and goalkeeper Pepe Reina all went for the same cross, only to collide and be beaten to the ball by Holt.  The Reds have yet to register a clean sheet at Anfield this season, and the two they have mustered on the road came against Arsenal and Everton, both of whom finished the match with only ten men on the field.

Norwich, and especially their manager Paul Lambert, deserve a lot of credit, however, no matter how much they rode their luck through a tumultuous first half.  They mustered seven shots on target, which, while it may not sound a huge amount, is the same amount that Liverpool’s three prior league opponents combined to accumulate.

Yet, as well as Norwich played in the second frame, Liverpool should really have battered them.  The home team created twenty chances, which matched their cumulative total in their previous two matches, against Everton and Man United.  Suárez showed several flashes of the brilliance that instantly won the hearts of the Kopites upon his arrival from Ajax last winter. However, his commitment wasn’t sufficient to carry the ball over the threshold of the Norwich goal.  Sometimes, it just isn’t your day.

More worryingly than his profligacy on the day was the way that, as the frustration mounted, his brilliance was replaced by histrionics  – most notably at his failure to be awarded a free-kick when challenged by defenders.  Personally, I find such antics tiresome, and whilst it is a common theme with the majority of South American players, I hope Dalglish is having a quiet word with Suárez and reminding him it’s not popular with the fans in England.  The club is making every effort to reforge its identity into a likeness of the Liverpool of old.  It would be pleasing to see the Uruguayan bring his behaviour in line with that code of honour.

Conspiracy theorists might also point to Sir Alex Ferguson’s comments following last week’s match as a reason why Suárez received little support from the men in black. When questioned about the award of the free-kick that Liverpool subsequently took the lead from against United, Ferguson said:

“The referee is under tremendous pressure but, when you see it again, it was a very soft one.  Suarez dives all over the place and it makes it very difficult for the referee.”

Fergie was knighted in part for services to mind games I think, and whilst most managers have learned to ignore him, apparently his comments may still have some influence amongst officials.  Nonetheless, he’ll be less than pleased that his words took effect a week later at Anfield, rather than at Old Trafford, where their influence was desperately needed.

Regardless of the reason for the referee’s indifference, though, Suárez’s persistent appeals didn’t help the Reds in the second half against the Canaries.  Andy Carroll was summoned from the bench, but only provided more ammunition to those who believe him to be an overpriced waste of space, in putting a late header wide of the post. Even so, there was still time for the Norwich keeper John Ruddy to make a last fine save against the eternally frustrated Suárez, in stoppage time, but that was all for the Reds.

Ultimately, the result meant that further points were dropped in the race for Champions League qualification. A second successive draw means that the points per game average has dropped to 1.67, below the target of 1.79 that has guaranteed a minimum finish of fourth in years gone by.

I’m tempted to put a positive spin on things by rationalising that Norwich, who finished second in the Championship last season, are the natural substitute for Blackpool, relegated in second-to-last position in the Prem.  Such logic would add another point to LFC’s improvement over corresponding fixtures in last season’s campaign, but as the Reds didn’t play Norwich in the last campaign, some might consider it not cheating, necessarily, but fudging.  So, we’ll leave them at seven points to the good and look for another improvement against (bite your tongue!) Roy Hodgson’s West Brom, at the Hawthorns.

Before that contest, from which they drew a blank in ’10-11, Dalglish’s squad make their second trip to the Britannica this fall, this time on Wednesday afternoon in the Carling Cup.  Like as not, Tony Pulis’ Potters will give Luis Suarez plenty of reasons to seek out the match officials once more.

Statistics sourced from EPLIndex. Read more of Andrew Beasley @ basstunedtored.com