The FC 100: Loves Talking Football.

Due to being very busy and important thefc100 is on a small break and will return soon…..

(5): Rio Ferdinand, Manchester United

Ah Rio. Ever since making his stupid ‘Punk’d’ rip-off , lounging about in his over-sized ‘Am I white? Am I Black?’ clothes and saying stupid lines like ‘Wazza my son, you fowt you waz well ard’, the non-Manchester United fans of this world have begun to despise Mr Ferdinand (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvWpkLwiQNc). A missed drugs test in 2003 may well have proved nothing in regards to illegal activity, however it did prove to everyone that Rio was in fact, as stupid as we all suspected. I believe an inside source said at the time: “Not the brightest”. Indeed.
Having been banned from driving on a number of different occasions, Ferdinand was dropped from the England squad earlier in his career after being found guilty of drink-driving. He has called DJ Chris Moyles a ‘faggot’ live on air. He has his own record label, TV and film company and property company. However, he still manages to contribute ‘thousands’ to charities each year according to his Biography. Ah, bless him. He’s really just one of us when it comes down to it I suppose. How many thousands I wonder? 2? 5? 10? Let’s say a weeks wages? 100?

(4): Robbie Savage, Derby County.

What is it about Robbie? The blonde hair, the horrendous challenges. The fact that he loves when opposing fans try to wind him up? Whatever it is, there is no doubt Robbie Savage gets under the skin of a lot of fans, up and down the country. He has pissed off Spurs fans when his play-acting got Justin Edinburgh sent-off in the League Cup Final in 1997. He has pissed off Birmingham fans for leaving to join Blackburn saying he wanted to be closer to his parents. Having recently completed a move to Derby he claimed they had no chance of staying up in the Premiership. While true, not the best way of saying hello to your new supporters.
Savage has been awarded more yellow cards in the Premiership than any other player. Having played 39 times for Wales, Savage quit after a very public falling-out with John Toshack. He has previously fallen out with several other managers. Hell even darts fans don’t like him: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4L6qfoqHjs

Continue reading ‘Top 5 players we love to hate:’

Yes, you’re probably bored to death of reading about the proposal to move Premiership football abroad for a competitive  fixture or two, an idea that has been met with some praise but mostly condemnation.

This blog is mostly of the condemnation opinion. There are advantages. It’s a fact that forward-thinking people help to keep competitive businesses alive and varied and exciting and there is no doubt why this would appeal to fans worldwide. Especially in the Far East where Premiership football is revered. Would the Americans be interested? Possibly. However this would primarily be due to the dollar signs lighting up their eyes. While some have come out against the idea in America, there is no doubt of the financial appeal to the plans.

The USA may wish to focus on promoting the MLS, a league that has hardly transcended barriers as many thought it would when Beckham arrived. It never will, however, because for ’soccer’ to thrive it would have to knock integral US sports like baseball and American football off their pedestals. And they are damn tough pedestals so don’t expect it to happen any time soon.

Many countries will be attracted by the wealth and prestige the Premiership can offer, however again it is a push-pull factor between financial strength and the desire to focus on their own game.

 As for the Premiership’s hierarchy, announcing the move as a surprise was a smart one. While Alex Ferguson may have started his complaints at not being informed before it went to press, the top dogs will have assumed that Fergie et al would have been against the proposal and would have rallied anti ‘extra-curricular games’ troops before the announcement was made. The fact that it was a surprise means people had a chance to digest the move without hearing immediate criticism. It means the plans could be announced as bold and exciting before the complaints started, rather than having to go on the defensive from the outset.

In this blog’s opinion it would be a sad day for the game. Ordinary fans are already being alienated and even turning to other sports like rugby, which currently charge nowhere near the admission price of football, have far less prima-donas playing on their teams and also have that fresh sense of a sport untarnished by money. Eventually rugby will become spoilt, like football has been to a certain extent. For Gavin Henson read David Beckham. Sky and Setanta have already realised the potential of the Heineken Cup and will battle for rights, driving up bidding and increasing money into the game. Football, sadly, started turning into a business long ago.

Summer tours to the Far East, new kits brought out each year, pay-per-view club channels, increased merchandise, inflated wages and transfer fees, diamond studs and flashy women. Wags. Hounding of referees. Divers. Defensive tactics. Golden goals. Offside rule? Bribes. Television replays? Compulsory ticket-buying. Fans banned. Fans warned. Game’s over, out ya get.

It might make for sad reading, depressing even, but the truth is it remains in my and millions of others’ eyes: The Beautiful Game. It’s just the idea of taking it away from the fans who support their team through thick and thin makes me feel angry. The fact that a chairman can be so far removed from his supporters that he feels he can take the team worldwide and get fans who are willing to pay whatever he wants to watch his team play. And he feels like he can get away with it. And the really sad thing? He can.

Let’s figure out how to help the Premiership thrive. Let’s just leave Europe to the Cups and America and Asia to pre-season tours. Everyone stays happy and people don’t have a reason to feel betrayed by the very team that made them love football in the first place.

Don’t you just love Christmas?

 This weekend’s action kicks off at 12.45 with a traditional cracker: Arsenal V Spurs.
Spurs have shown promising signs recently of becoming a football team again, they’ll need to keep their discipline though because as we saw during the week, playing against a ten-man Arsenal team can be tough, playing with ten of your own is just suicide.
Spurs welcome back captain Robbie Keane which means Jermaine Defoe will be back in the familiar surroundings of the dugout. Didier Zakora starts a 3-game ban, Steed Malbranque doesn’t. Where’s the justice in that?

  Cesc Fabregas should have seen red for his nasty foul on Ashley Cole in last week’s game against Chelsea. He didn’t though and unfortunately for Spurs, he’ll take his place in the team. Van Persie is also fit to start and should be amongst the goals as he’s been a bit quiet since his return without looking 100 percent match-fit.

This game is generally very entertaining and with both teams looking to kick-start a successful Christmas campaign, fingers crossed we’ll see a few goals. Prediction: Score Draw.

 (Cannavaro V Zambrotta. We’re backing the lad with the muscles - Cannavaro)

Sunday sees El Classico: Real Madrid V Barcelona. Messi is out for Barcelona so we won’t be treated to a repeat of his famous hat-trick last year. Speculation is also rife that Ronaldinho won’t start. However, to be honest, he probably will. Giovanni dos Santos has been in top form but ‘Diny has to be included as he has a good record in the Classico encounters in his time there. Thierry Henry, if passed fit, renews rivalry with Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Expect lots of hugs and pats on the ass and both of them to get on the score sheet. Samuel Eto’o may be the preferred choice after the Cameroon hit-man has exploded back onto the scene since recovering from injury, grabbing a brace in last weeks 3-0 win over Valencia.

As with Spurs-Arsenal, this one is always worth a look. Not simply because of the players involved (although it’s a little exciting to see them all on one pitch), also because of the fact that the fans simply hate each other. And the players have been known to get a little testy too. With Real Madrid currently on top, Barca need the win. A win for Madrid would leave Raul and co sitting pretty, seven points clear of their rivals, a far cry from last year when they trailed for most of the early season. Kick-off is at 6p (GMT).

(Kaka miserably fails to bring sexy back)

 Onto Serie A now where the Milan derby also takes place this weekend. Possibly not one to stimulate as much in recent years as the players are probably doped up and betting on each other while the referee has presumably got himself a nice brown envelope to spend as he sees fit once everything goes to plan.

Hopefully all that rubbish is a thing of the past though and 83,500 screaming fans will certainly get the pulses racing. Not to mention the volatile characters on both teams. Ok on Inter’s team. Ibrahimovic is expected to return after being rested midweek. Inter are, technically, the home team and they start the game a massive 22 points clear of their fierce rivals. AC Milan’s home form has been particularly bad this season although technically they are the away team so you never know…..

AC need the win despite the fact that Inter are already too far ahead. Defeat and te pressure on Carlo Ancelotti will increase and Jose Mourinho may find himself back in a job. Kick-off there is at 2pm (GMT).

And finally we leave you with a picture or two we just stumbled upon. Happy Christmas.

(Francesco Totti’s wife. Yes but is he happy though…….yes, yes I think he is)

Rafael Benitez is not a happy man at the moment.
After surprising reporters by mentioning that he might be a candidate for the England job, Benitez has now been given a stern rebuke by co-owner Tom Hicks.

Hicks said:
After the Champions League final in Athens, Rafa made certain demands of us and we responded to those demands in the summer.
We brought in some good players and spent more money than has ever been spent before at this club.
We now have some crucial games coming up in the Premier League and the Champions League and we want to see if we can win these games with the players we have.
This was the message we gave to Rafa recently and I think during the international break he must have grown a bit frustrated about this.
We told him to concentrate on the games coming up and nothing else and I guess he didn’t like that.
But, for the time being, we just need to be focused on what happens on the pitch.

Benitez stunned the media assembled for his press conference on Thursday by saying he would be a good candidate for the England job. Apparently unhappy at the reaction to his announcement, Benitez said:

Maybe I could be Steve McClaren’s replacement if I improve my English. I was being serious. You never know what can happen in the future.

The dispute between Benitez and the club’s owners seems to have got slightly out of hand, with the Americans refusing to talk about further signings until they meet with Benitez after Liverpool’s home game against Manchester United on the 16th of December. Benitez is reportedly frustrated that the owners have refused to green-light the full signing of Javier Mascherano whose loan expires at the end of the season.
Mascherano has impressed fans and pundits alike with the ease in which he has settled into the club and become an important member of the first-team. Mascherano will not be short of suitors should Liverpool fail to come up with the money for his transfer, though the player is reportedly keen to stay on Merseyside.
Whatever happens, watch this space because this dispute won’t go away easily. Liverpool’s results will be under huge scrutiny with the club’s owners unlikely to need too much persuasion to part with the Spaniard should they fail to qualify for the next stage of the Champions League, or should league form not improve.

The latest odds on who will replace Steve McLaren as England manager….(odds in brackets represent odds first offered when the news of McLaren’s sacking broke). We will be updating this page whenever interest is declared or a manager is ruled out.

Monday 10th December: JOSE RULES HIMSELF OUT! Plenty of people have lost a bit of cash today after Jose Mourinho sensationally ruled himself out of the running for the vacant England job. Mourinho decided that the job wasn’t for him after posting a message on his agent’s website. Mourniho’s decision makes Fabio Capello the overwhelming favourite with the bookies although the lack of English must still be an obstacle. It may also leave the way open for Harry Redknapp to re-enter the running. However, O’Neill and Mourinho are now both gone, leaving the FA facing another situation whereby they’ll be offering the job to a man who wasn’t their first choice, like McLaren after coveting Scolari last time around. And we all know how well that ended up. Mourinho does stay at 16/1 as it would be just like him to take the job tomorrow after this announcement. The idea of a German managing the English team will probably rule out Klinsmann, Lippi is a good bet at the moment.

Friday 7th December: Mourinho wants it. The fans want him to have it. The FA will pay him €6 million a year. Er. No brainer? Anyone? Regardless, the 7/2 you could have had when McLaren was sacked is still not great. The 11/10 on offer now is almost better in that he’s roughly even money and overwhelming favourite for the job. The only way he won’t get it is if Barcelona or AC Milan sack their managers. Which is unlikely. Capello remains second-favourite but the lack of English thing may be a problem coupled with the extreme differences between Serie A and Premiership styles and players.

Thursday 29th Nov: Louis Van Gaal has declared his interest in the job. The AZ coach will have delighted his club by registering his interest with the media. Van Gaal has a clause in his contract which allows him to leave his job to coach England but it doesn’t kick in until 2009. Chances are he won’t get offered it anyway, although he boasts an impressive cv having won both major European competitions as well as Dutch and Spanish league titles.
Jose Mourinho either wants it desperately or isn’t sure depending on which paper you read. Most reckon he’s issued a come and get me plea. As the overwhelming fans choice (I didn’t say all fans before Utd and Liverpool fans start arguing) Mourinho’s odds are likely to stay low whether he says the FA can f*** off or kisses their feet.
Benitez’ odds have drifted after a couple of good results rendered his job slightly safer.
Alan Shearer is still a decent outside bet given the high-profile backing he has received, as is Hiddink ridiculously enough. Russia’s decision to stall his contract talks could be taken personally by a successful manager like the Dutchman. Smart money is still on Mourinho though.

Monday, 26th Nov: Alan Shearer is still available at decent odds as talk of him being ‘perfect for the job’ grows: Alan Hansen’s words, not ours. Jurgen Klinsmann is another big mover after he declared an interest while Jose Mourinho’s people, whoever they are, say the Special One (God, enough already) is waiting on a call from the FA.

Friday, 23rd Nov: Odds dramatically tumble on Rafael Benitez after he refuses to rule himself out of the running amid reports of a breakdown in his relationship with Liverpool’s owners. Benitez is cut from 50/1 to 18/1. Alan Shearer says he is surprised but won’t rule himself out either. Arsene Wenger says is should be an Englishman and says it won’t be him. O’Neill’s odds drift after he says he is not interested. Capello has become the out and out favourite. Anyone asked Martin Jol?

Thursday, 22nd Nov: Harry Redknapp confirms he will be putting his name forward for the vacant position. Sam Allardyce rules himself out uncertainly, saying he has to honour his contract. Not saying, I don’t want to go for the job. Fabio Capello has already registered his interest in the job while Martin O’Neill has played down reports linking him with the job (again).

Steve McLaren has been sacked as manager of England after last night insisting he would not resign after England failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
McLaren has been sacked by the FA just hours after telling a press conference that he would not walk away from his England job despite the disappointment of failing to qualify for a major final for the first time since 1994’s World Cup in the USA.
The FA had no option but to sack McLaren after the 3-2 defeat last night rendered his job untenable.
Early favourites are Jose Mourinho (who is likelier to take a club job, although the salary involved would be astronomical), Fabio Capello (who has already said he’d like the job-talk about enthusiastic!) and Martin O’Neill who will be linked with the England job every time it becomes available over the next hundred years.
O’Neill has already said he’s not interested though that is unlikely to quell the speculation given that O’Neill is favoured by members of the FA and the general public who see him as the man to whip a generation of under-achievers into shape.

McLaren gave his reaction to the news of his sacking.
He said: “this is one of the saddest days of my career.”
Continue reading ‘McLaren Sacked (+ his reaction)’

Thefc100’s weekend accumulator (for your consideration):

Winning Teams in bold. To see how we got on, take a look on Monday. Unless they all came up. In which case I’m off on holiday (to Brighton).

-GERMANY v Cyprus (Right)
-HOLLAND v Luxembourg (Right)
-CZECH REP v Slovakia (Right)
Continue reading ‘Weekend Flutter’

United and Arsenal in happier times… 

It feels like it has been missing for the past few years. There were epics, pitched battles, moments to savour and, unfortunately, a couple of dull ones but when the Arsenal and Manchester United have met it invariably provides talking points, controversy and deepening distaste between fans.

Arsenal falling off the pace of the likes of United, Chelsea and Liverpool over the past number of seasons has been the major factor in this fixture slipping under the radar but now the two top teams in the premier league come face to face again with the stakes higher than they have been in recent times.

This game has a high billing. The two most attrctive, arguably most consistent over the past decade and the two best managers in the league coming face to face on even points with Arsenal having one game in hand.

Ferguson has come out saying that this game won’t decide the title and he’s right but the confidence and the mental advantage that is at stake here will go a long way to getting there. It is a testament to the consistencey and performance levels of the top teams in the league that clashes such as this are so vital. We have seen Chelsea, United and Arsenal all sit on top of the league for months and months at a time. Even though it is only a table and the real decisions will be made on the pitch, the confidence of being on top is crucial to a league winning side. We saw it with United and Chelsea last year, Chelsea simply were not comfortable chasing the title.

No matter what the managers, players, pundits, tea-ladies or your mother says, this game is vital. And it is sure to be an absolute cracker. Often this fixture can be over-hyped and since the exit of Messrs. Keane and Viera it has most definitely lost some of its appeal but now there is a host of new, young players in each club and hopefully tomorrows clash will be the breeding ground for many new rivalries.

With both teams on song and both squads relatively healthy it is next to impossible to pick a winner tomorrow but when push comes to shove it has got to be United really.

Arsenal have talent and what they lacked in experience over the past few years they are making up for with determination and conviction this year but they still lack that cutting edge and if it becomes a real battle tomorrow at the Emirates then I don’t know who they have to fight for them. Fabregas is turning into a real player, a soon to be “great” player but his attitude and desire haven’t really been tested so far this season so it remains to be seen how good he is. Far be it from me to question the judgement of Arsene Wenger but, for tomorrow especially, he has to pick Gilberto over Flamini. The Brazilian’s experience of the big games and his ability to lead on the pitch is second to none, even if Wenger bowed to pressure by giving the Captain’s armband to Gallas.

Ferguson doesn’t have too much to do for tomorrow but will be boosted that Gary Neville, Louis Saha and Michael Carrick are all available. Neville is unlikely to feature but Carrick is likely to come in for the injured Scholes and then Sir Alex must decide if Saha sits on the bench or disrupts the balance of the attacking phenomena which is currently in progress. The form of United at the moment is likely to carry them through tomorrows game and give them the win they need. Big performances are expected, hoewever, from the likes of Hargreaves who needs to show why he was signed. He has yet to play the way he played for England in the World Cup and I wonder if we will see that side of him.

I’m still backing United but I don’t think there will be as many goals for either side as in previous games. It will be good to watch so make sure you see it. Anything tipped to be “GAME OF THE SEASON” usually disappoints but maybe, just maybe we could be in for something special tomorrow afternoon.