Topics

61

Football / Barcelona - The way forward

« on: May 08, 2008, 08:08:49 AM »

Barcelona with all its stars is in a mess ...what should the President do ?
My view is that he should get rid of Rijkard, possibly try to get Pellegrini of Villareal, keep Ronaldinho and build the team around good ball players. Real has bought young and barcelona has some good young talent in their mix. getting rid of ronaldinho might not be the best thing ....I would rather lose Frank !

62

Football / Champions League here we come !

« on: April 29, 2008, 09:42:45 AM »

Champions League here we come!!
 
A wonder strike from ‘amarillo’ skipper, Marcos Senna earned the spoils against Betis at the Ruiz de Lopera stadium and guaranteed at least a top four La Liga finish for Villarreal
 
  The match was won with unquestionably one of the goals of the season scored by Senna from just inside the opponent’s half. With four games left, Villarreal now find themselves an unassailable 12 points clear of fifth placed Racing but with a superior goal difference. The win also puts them on 65 points equalling the highest ever total in the club’s history.
 
Fifteen minutes into the match, Senna, spotting Casto off his line, sent a crashing lob cum shot from about 50 metres over the home side’s keeper for what must surely be a contender for best strike of the season. Bolstered by Senna’s moment of magic the visitors then imposed themselves on the game with Cani, Cazorla and Senna pulling the strings in the midfield and Rossi creating havoc up front for the home defence.
 
With Manuel Pellegrini side playing their usual high quality possession football, the home side relied more on the long ball and the speed up front of Odonkor and former ‘amarillo’, Jose Mari, but were limited to one clear cut opportunity when Capi’s strike brought a fine right handed save from Diego Lopez.
 
It was a stronger and more incisive Betis that came out after the break in search on an equaliser. Jose Mari went close, Arzu’s effort hit the side netting with sections of the crowd thinking the ball had hit the target and then Diego Lopez showed his quality with a point blank save from Juanito.
 
Now relying on the counter attack, superb play between Cazorla and Cani let in Nihat whose shot was deflected for a corner and then Casto denied Matias with a save following a piece of individual brilliance from the Villarreal substitute.
 
The only bad news of the day was the fifth yellow card picked up by Eguren in the 33rd minute for a foul on Juande, which means he is now suspended for Sunday’s home clash against Getafe. 
Headlines
Select another new
Fotografías Web: Manolo Nebot y Pau Bellido
 
 
Well, well ... all the praise to the yellow submarine , still in contention, though a remote possibility, to take the crown. La Liga is a real ..no pun intended... down to the wire league. Anybody could beat anybody in the last days.
All barca fans would remember me saying that Rijkard had lost the dressing room and the plot. Ever since Ten Cate left he has struggled. Now ten cate has resurfaced in Chelsea and their rush is genuine. there must be something to this dutchman. Rijkard has more or less the same team...even with some improvements ...yet they cant seem to beat even modest teams anymore.
I staying wid de boat ...sink or float ..ah stayin wid we boat !

Palos ..yuh ready to eat humble pie now ??

All dem hounds yuh tell me I does back shining now eh ??  Riquelme, Tevez, Messi, Villareal and Boca juniors !!! You eh want me to start on what Riquelme doing at Boca now ?

63

Football / Movement on the field

« on: March 14, 2008, 02:00:58 PM »

I know we have posted questions on who is the fastest player etc. but what about the question of efficiency of movement ? i remember morvant running up and down in we little carnival sweat but he was winning and losing the ball all over the field.
sometimes we just look at a player running with a ball but ignore the player who quickly gets into postion , off the ball .
 good examples of this are  mascherano and Fabregas.
Some players look slow but they cover ground very quickly because of ease of movement. If you have seen darrel brown run you know what I mean. these players are considered slow yet they are able to control a game with a lot of ball possession. surely a slow player in today's game wont stand a chance !
Let me add this quote from the Boca's site ...

Riquelme, the mile-trotter 
 
 
 

According to what the sportsnewspaper Olé writes in its Tuesday 11 issue Boca’s  team of  physical trainers has carried out a study that measured the distance  covered by the players in  running along a field per game played, in order to design personal training routines for each one of them.

This study was carried out during Boca’s commitments against Atlas and Independiente and   Juan Román Riquelme is among the players at the top of the list, behind  Sebastián Battaglia and Fabián Vargas, who run an approximate 12 kilometers per match.
 
The physical trainers were astonished about the ease with which Riquelme climbed the hillside slopes  with  only two or three stretches of his legs, when the team was doing its pre-season at the Posada de los Pájaros in January.  "No player is able to do this without having good legs” said  physical trainer Julio Santella. "It is said that he is slow, but when he accelerates with the ball at his feet he is very difficult to stop” added  Diego Rousse, Boca’s second physical trainer.

Ledley King, no slow contender in the midfield, said .." they said he is slow but i could not get near him " when argentina met england.
Locally I rememeber Lindley Prince, who was a ball winner < these players are not considered when fast players are mentioned yet they are the ones to Run down the " fast players " .


 

64

Football / Slow but sure

« on: February 16, 2008, 06:52:22 PM »

Remember the footballer many deemed slow ? ...you know the one who was benched for half a season  then was loaned out and led his hometown team to the Copa libertadores title thereby being named footballer of the tournament ? You know the one who was the third highest scorer of goals for the year 2007 and on the shortlist for footballer of the year and the only player to be on that list who played his football outside of Europe. ... You know the one I have been raving about in spite of all de haters ?
Well it seems " slow " who is leading Argentina in its defence of their olympic title, is on to another major milestone and this one may immortalize him ....
Check this out from Boca juniors website ...



It Makes Me Happy"
 
 
 In the poll made by this website, where more than 50,000 people have voted, Juan Román Riquelme is in first place and getting closer to cement his place as the iconic figure of the club. Nothing easy when we are talking about an institution born more than 100 years ago.

Although, most voters are young, Riquelme's achievement cannot be overlooked.

The attacking midfielder expressed his happiness about this in an interview with newspaper Olé. "I'm grateful and happy about his. It makes me happy that the supporters like me; I hope I can play well in the future and we can give them a title this year."

Despite this happiness, Riquelme also went out of his way to praise other Boca glories. "The club was born more than 100 years ago and I'm sure there are many other idols; probably many of them are dead by now. But we are used to remembering just those who we get to see every day. It happens when you lose or tie a match, like last weekend. We get caught up in the moment. So, I'm sure Boca has lots of idols".



 

65

Football / Keon Daniel- a diamond in the rough !

« on: February 07, 2008, 08:04:14 AM »

I was wondering why de section over to the East made so much noise when the fella in the yellow boots was summoned from de bench. I thought it was some kinda negative crowd disturbance or something ... The man tall, nashy and looking like he just wake up but from the first touch I realise why dem fellas was making so much noise. 15 mins was enough to see that we have there a diamond in the rough.
The man has the touch ..... when he puts his foot on the ball ..dat's it ! Even in defence he displayed a calmness putting many of his senior counterparts to shame. I was disappointed in the performance of the team against an ordinary Guadeloupe team but if we have unearthed one good player from this exercise we could count it as a success. This was not a well talked about player before the game but I saw Maturana off his feet when the boy was making football look so easy on the left side.
The Guadeloupe team realised this as well and gave him room. No one tackled, you dont just run into good players who have the ball at their feet,  he strode around and made some good passes. I was particularly impressed with a twenty yard pass from the left to the middle that never left the ground, didn't wobble and was well weighted. He also has the ability to turn with the ball and the fact that he is left footed makes him all the more special as these players are not easy to find !
I still feel he can do more if given a bigger role. Few have demonstrated the ability to remain calm and to pass the ball on the ground as this fella did. It was the first time I was seeing him .... he looked like one to put in cellophane ... for me, he is one to give special attention to.
Can anyone on the forum fill in the gaps on this guy ?
I notice many mentioned the 19 without naming him .... I guess he was a surprise to many of us although I have seen his name mentioned on the forum awhile back.

66

Football / strike squad playing on saturday

« on: January 31, 2008, 08:03:34 AM »

...Ran in to Leonsen Lewis last night and he mentioned that the strike squad would be playing on saturday after carnival in the st James infirmary at 400pm. Just for visitors or aficionados of T&T football to check out some of the guys who made us proud in '89 even though they did not make it to the WC.

67

Football / Argentine Olympic Soccer Team Seeks Riquelme, Gold

« on: January 16, 2008, 02:59:55 PM »

Sergio Batista, who trains Argentina's Olympic soccer team, said on Tuesday that he would call up Boca Juniors midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme, one of the nation's best players.

 

Argentina has a large number of quality players and the Olympic team can have three players over 23, one of which will be Riquelme, Batista said. The team is seeking its second consecutive Olympic gold, after 2004's Athens victory, he added.

 

Batista took over the Olympic management role from Alfio Basile, who is training the senior team for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

 

Batista, who was part of the World Cup winning team in the 1986 tournament in Mexico, said he would look for other players over-23 who are not part of Basile's World Cup team.

 

"I would love to be able to draw on all the players, but I need to see what Julio Grondona and Basile think as well," he said. Grondona is president of the Argentine Football Association.

 

Among those Batista said he would like to have on his team are Lionel Messi, Sergion Aguero, Oscar Ustari and Fernando Gago.

 

Riquelme is "one of the best players in the world. A great player and someone I have a good relationship with. I want to go to the Games with Roman. Let's hope it can be done," Batista said.

 

He said the Olympic team would play a series of friendly games ahead of the Olympics. The first of these will be on Feb. 6 against Guatemala.
 
 
 Argentina pulling out all the stops ....
I dont know how many of us can remember Sergio Baptista when he played in trinidad just after the World Cup. .....

68

Football / The slow Genius

« on: December 20, 2007, 12:31:35 PM »

It would be a total disappointment to fellas like Palos if I did not post this ...

So Palos 

Long live the game of football !!! ( yuh mean Jai en post nothing on de man who is the only player nominated for World footballer of the year who played his football outside of Europe ? )
...an jai eh even show what Kaka had to say before de Milan game ? well here it is folks ...

Viva Roman !

The Phenomenon Called Juan Roman Riquelme
 
Juan Roman Riquelme – the mercurial playmaker continues to stamp his authority on the South American qualifiers for Argentina. Having been left out of the team at Villarreal by Coach Manuel Pellegrini, the maestro has scored four goals in the last three games.
 

 
zoom - galleria He has been called a slow genius. He has split the country in half. Some love him – some hate him.  He is an introvert, and his mood dictates his play on the pitch. 

He can play no supporting roles and the team is usually built around him.  The number 10 shirt is a huge responsibility in Argentina – and after Diego no midfielder has upheld the shirt like Riquelme. 

Where Ortega failed, Riquelme shone. Where Aimar was unsuccessful Riquelme outclassed. Where D'Allesandro disappointed, Riquelme accomplished.  Yet he doesn't have the pace of the mentioned attacking midfielders.

So, what he does do is majestically dictate play. When the players don't know what to do with the ball - they simple give the ball to Riquelme, and the lazy magician conjures something up. He is the fulcrum, the axis to a team and cannot play any supporting roles.

In the first World Cup qualifier against Chile, Riquelme started the game slowly.  His first pass to Messi on the right was off.  Argentine supporters at the bar let out a collective groan – which emphasized the coach Coco Basile had made a mistake by including him in the starting lineup. 

But Riquelme soon got back to his ways and in the 27th minute, he curled a free-kick into the top right hand corner of the opponents’ net.   The crowd roared and there was a collective awe. Riquelme, who hadn't played for Villarreal in 3 months, had just scored for Argentina. 

His majestic free-kick from 30 yards in the 54th minute was even more impressive.  He earned the free kick himself and curled it again into the top right hand corner.  Riquelme had restored Basile's faith in him.  (Watch both free kicks here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psI9w4rE4FY).   

The Chilean fans could not believe it.  One of them came up to me and I quote, "It’s impossible he does this after sitting in the stands for 3 months."  I smiled wryly as if to dispose any doubts I had about Riquelme's selection into the team. 

Against Venezuela, Riquelme dictated the play in the scorching sun and produced a trademark free-kick to give Argentina the lead. (Video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EJNOwZ-Iok ).   

In a team that has Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Maxi Rodriguez, Cambiasso and Mascherano – Riquelme has outshone them all without having played a single minute of competitive club football.  This was duly proven yet again on Saturday against Bolivia. 

Riquelme started rusty in the first half but duly stamped his authority on the game.  In a team that started with 3 young Maradonas (Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi and Carlitos Tevez), it was the former Boca #10 that rose above them. 

His first free kick in the 56th minute was a curler into the top left corner.  Riquelme had arrived.  His second shot showcased his natural one touch ability and audacity, as he coolly side-footed and curled a shot from the edge of the box into the top right hand corner leaving Carlos Arias for dead.(Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWDt1rTZf7s )

If his performances are anything to go by – more national team players should follow his lead and spend time in the stands at their respective clubs.  I hope to see Riquelme play competitive club football in January. 

It is an absolute disgrace to leave a man of such audacious skill on the bench.   It is sad day for football lovers when they have to wait months at a time to watch such geniuses of the beautiful game.  Argentine football is truly beautiful once again and it's not because of Messi, or Tevez or Ageuro.  It's because of the one and only Roman. 

Dale Roman!   

Kaká: Great For Milan That Boca Have No Riquelme
 
Kaká says he's pleased AC Milan won't have to come up against Juan Roman Riquelme in Sunday's final of the Club World Cup.
 

 
zoom - galleria  Sunday sees the final of the World Club Cup in Yokohama, Japan.  Predictably, the big game pits Europe against South America, as Italian giants AC Milan face Argentinean greats Boca Juniors. 

European teams often swagger into these tournaments assuming victory, but both Liverpool and Barcelona have come up short against South American opposition in the past two years. 

It's a trap Milan's Brazilian playmaker Kaká is determined not to fall into.  “It is a Final, so it’s difficult to say who is the favourite," he old Argentine newspaper Ole.  "Both clubs have a good chance of victory." 

Juan Legend Is Missing

Both sides have one of world football's truly great stars in their ranks.  But while Kaká will be strutting his stuff in Japan this weekend, Boca's influential midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme - recently returned from Villareal - has been denied clearance to play. 

That, claims Kaká, suits him perfectly.  “It is a shame for the fans that Juan Roman Riquelme is not eligible to play, but better for Milan this way, as he is a fantastic player who knows when to be decisive.”

Missing Trophy

Boca were the more impressive of the two sides in the semi-finals, seeing off Etoile 3-1 while Milan laboured to a 1-0 win over home side Urawa Red Diamonds.  But the fact remains that the Rossoneri are in the final, and the game offers a terrific chance to pick up another honour. 

“This is the only trophy that I have not yet won in my career," said Kaká, "so it has a very special meaning for me.  We hope to take control of the tempo and therefore the match." 

69

Football / Ever Banega- Argentina's new rising star

« on: December 05, 2007, 03:45:09 PM »

Boca Juniors president reveals AC Milan bid for Banega
tribalfootball.com - November 19, 2007

Boca Juniors star Ever Banega has attracted a formal bid from AC Milan.
The midfielder was Argentina's big star at this summer's U20 World Championships in Canada and Boca president Mauricio Macri has confirmed an offer has arrived from Milan for the youngster.

"The Rossoneri have offered £8 million," revealed Macri, "but we want twice that amount - at least."

Atletico Madrid are also keen on Banega.

You could be sure I would be behind this promotion ....since I just love the style in Argentinian football. I see Juan Roman Riquelme as an artist whose canvas is the football pitch, bumbling and reclusive off it but a genuine master once the whistle blows .... but that is for another time ...
there was a time when the brazilians were described as caressing a pass to a teammate rather than kicking it ...Alas how times have changed ...

I have been looking at Banega for at least a year now and saw all the games in the Copa libertadores ...this boy is class. he is a mixture of a young Veron and Simeone mixed with a touch of Ardiles. He is afraid of noone. he takes no prisoners. he has speed and does his work in style.

These type of players ( defensive midfielders ) dont get the praise they deserve but times may be changing if the interest shown by Milan for Banega and liverpool for Mascherano is any indication of how the pendulum is swinging.

At 19 Banega has already won the 2007 World under 20 youth Cup playing a huge role in the team, and the 2007 Copa libertadores title as well , the south American Equivalent of the european cup,  putting more senior players on the bench.

It was a joy to see him teamed with Riquelme in the Copa. Now he gets his chance to see some action in the World Club championship staring later this week. You wont want to miss him.

70

Football / is thre a planned Soca warriors football in T&T day anytime soon ?

« on: November 23, 2007, 10:23:27 AM »

I was wondering if I could catch up with some of the forumites and even pull out meh Mitre " togs " to boot  anytime soon ...

71

Football / Riquelme leads Argentina to victory ...again !

« on: November 17, 2007, 06:15:03 PM »

Just thought I would keep fans and haters of the only team with a perfect record in South America W/C qualifiers up to date, Well Roman scored a double ...Again !!!!!!! One from 25 yards ..a trademark freekick which keepers just seem to love to watch go in .... they are doing it so often ..you wonder if the leave alone tactic still works !
Let's see now ...argentina has scored 7 goals so far.. and Roman has scored in every game and has 5 out of that. Not bad for a too slow, sometime- ish, wont make it anywhere player who is not even playing football for his club in Spain. Villareal must be hoping that Pellegrini commits to them for a long time real quick as they wont want to lose them both at the same time. Roman is due to be sold in january ...but teams are looking closely at the Villareal tactician and the club could suffer a double wammy. i am still at pains to learn why they refused to offload him when they could have yet choose not to play him after giving him a squad number 
Meanwhile.... I suffer a football tabanca ..not being able to see Roman week in week out as he is so far from ever playing again in Spain, even Theobald stands a better chance than he does !
Brazil plays tomorrow as action continues..
I would love Roman to go to Spurs ...just to prove that class is class ...but Milan wont hurt either. If AC Milan gets him then Roman gets a chance to go after another title after winning the south American version of the European Cup last season and being named player of trhe tournament, scorer of the most goals in the tournament, South American player of the year and to think he did all this while only playing in the latter half of the tournament ! Could he repeat if he goes to Milan...well this is Jai ...dreaming out !

72

Football / Just how good is Fabregas

« on: November 05, 2007, 09:22:34 AM »

I remember sometime ago responding to a post which asked what would you do if you had 30 million pounds to spend on a football team..my response was to spend it all on Fabregas

...I wonder if that sum is enough today to prize him away from Arsenal.
 I see articles suggesting that Gallas is the man ..but I back Villareal so I look a little deeper than the obvious  and it is that fabregas is the dynamo of this team that is threatening to run away with the premiership this season.
one writer mentioned that he does not cover ground so well....I guess he must live in his own little goldfish bowl as fabregas highlights can well demonstrate the opposite ....i am sure many forumites have seen the U tube highlight of goalscoring opportunity at one end and the getting back to " jam' christiano, who is by no means slow, on the other end, against United .
everything rolled into one is this midfielder and he is now making it very clear to everyone that if they intend to go through Arsenal they have to go through him first ...oh and he has scored double figures in goals this early in the season...
so the question is how good is this catalan ?

73

Football / Barcelona vs Villareal

« on: October 19, 2007, 03:54:06 PM »

Barcelona go into this game knowing that if Villarreal get the three points they will leap frog Barcelona into second spot. It is essential then, that the Catalan team have a good game. They have been playing extremely well of late, even if they are relying a tad too heavily on young sensation Leo Messi. Barcelona president Juan Laporta has lately been complaining about having to let his players go off for international duty without the club getting any money for if any of them return injured. The last two weeks have seen the Barcelona training camp turn into something of a ghost town, as on some occasions they were less than five players available. If there are any injured players there will be hell to pay, that’s for sure. Coach Frank Rijkaard has had pretty much nothing to do except listen to rumours of him coaching Chelsea next season, especially as the London club have just announced the capture of Ten Cate from Ajax as their second in command. This rumour looks pretty solid if you ask me; Rijkaard has had to take quite a lot of criticism recently, and I think he’s almost had it with Barcelona. After six consecutive victories in the league and in the Champions competition, scoring eighteen goals and conceding just three, things have calmed down a little for the Dutchman. Bust he knows only too well that he is only as good as his last result and Villarreal does not bring back good memories for Barcelona. In the last five visits they have only been able to pick up one victory and four defeats, and find it very difficult to score there. As for Villarreal, they are having the perfect start to their season. Although they lost their last game by three goals to two against Osasuna, they were able to put together an impressive four game unbeaten run which has catapulted them to third in the league table. The Turkish hitman, Nihat, is expected to return from injury, but we won’t be seeing Argentinean playmaker Riquelme pulling the yellow jersey. He is still out of contention of a place in the starting line up, and all because of a bust up between him and coach Pellegrini. This sad state of affairs has gone on way too long but Villarreal hope to off load the rebellious star in December. I’m going for a home win here, mainly because Barcelona just don’t play well against Villarreal. The internationals (and there are a lot of them) haven’t had time to rest or prepare for the match and the laws of averages says it is time for a defeat. Villarreal have some great players, but what stands out is the team as a whole plays extremely well together. Prediction: Home win (3-1)


After reading this I must see this game tomorrow ...can anyone say how I can do this ....any links to the game ?
Ronaldinho has been dropped for coming home late after the game against Ecuador ...but say what Riquelme isn't playing for Villareal either .... manos manos !

74

Football / Argentina vs Venezuela

« on: October 15, 2007, 04:43:34 PM »

Anyone knows which sports bar in T&T is showing this game tomorrow ?

75

Football / Argentina vs Chile

« on: October 13, 2007, 02:21:11 PM »

Can anyone provide a link for this game ?

76

Football / Football progress

« on: October 11, 2007, 02:33:36 PM »

I must be as tired as the rest of forumites here who keep saying that you cant expect different results if you continue to do the same things ! How many times have we picked up a side mere weeks before a tournament and strolled in with supreme confidence only to be severely let down ?
If anyone can actually give the number I will appreciate it ..because I have lost count !
I guess it is what we have come to expect these days because the cries are not as loud as in previous years.
Well with this approach we must have learned a lot from our last miracle qualification......we dont have to worry because Wim took us up with a single point and got us to 4th place in a group of six so all we have to do is call him up again !
I guess we could use the West indiers team for warm up if needed as well.
This from a country that declared its intention to build on its sole WC experience so that when we get there again we would be more competitive right ?
Well we are on the road to somewhere ..... the thing is when you dont know where you are headed any road will take you there.

77

Football / RIQUELME AGAIN !

« on: September 30, 2007, 03:35:54 PM »

So by now all de Argentina haters have logged on .... dat Jai John doh give up nah ! Well neither does ex Boca and Argentina coach " Coco " Basile. Yes he was the one who gave Maradona his last big stage before the cocktail mix to lose the pounds was discovered. That game against Greece was a made to order comeback opportunity and Diego took it ...you see class is class !
Now Basile is turning back to his " Eje " even though he is not even playing football ! Whayyyy
Dat is confidence boy...de man might even rival me in that regard, but back to the facts...
Argentina open against Chile..... Argentina presenty coach vs Argentina former coach... Basile vs Bielsa ...
is mR cool vs the headless chicken ..both striving to prove themselves  Argentina's best ever.
What is important for us as we follow this is that the fifth place team in these qualifiers will meet the fourth place team in Concacaf. We were that team last time around and Chile is expected to be that team in the group....so the experts say.
So the Albicelestes begin again ..I hope playing the free flowing football that was once associated with the brazilians.....
I might even try to get a look in in Vernezuela next month ...any takers ?

78

Football / Anybody knows why Jack want to get rid of Camps now ?

« on: September 12, 2007, 11:23:43 AM »

I was wondering why jack seems to want to see the back of one of his main stooges ..... Does anyone know why he was asking camps to leave ? did Camps ask a question or speak during a meeting or something ? i notice Jack letting him stew in the latest Jones matter ...

79

Football / Riquelme to spurs ??

« on: August 24, 2007, 12:12:44 PM »

News out of Spain suggests that Tottenham have made a bid for out-of-favor Riquelme and that Villarreal are currently considering the ’serious offer’. It comes from Riquelme’s agent, so you can either expect that he’s telling the truth or that it’s a last-ditch attempt to get a Spanish club to bid for Riquelme.

In any case, the bigger question here is if Tottenham need Riquelme or not. He’s a top-quality player, will link up beautifully with Keane and Berbatov (not to mention Lennon and Malbranque) and will bring a lot of experience to Tottenham’s midfield, something that’s been lacking for a while.

But I have two concerns - one, Riquelme is not the fastest of players. However, having seen Paul Scholes wreak havoc over at Old Trafford, I’m sure that you can agree that Riquelme has a shot at coming to terms with the Premiership’s tempo (even though the comparison doesn’t work as Scholes has been at United for all his career). The second concern is more relevant, and it’s that Riquelme is not the player Tottenham’s midfield needs.

Right now Tottenham’s main problem in midfield is a lack of discipline, experience, grit and defensive nous. Riquelme is a creative, attacking midfielder and as a result he doesn’t solve the defensive midfielder problem for Spurs.

Having said that, it would be terrific to see Riquelme in the Premiership and I’ve no doubt that he could improve Tottenham - just not sure that he’s exactly what Tottenham need at the moment.

News out of Spain suggests that Tottenham have made a bid for out-of-favor Riquelme and that Villarreal are currently considering the ’serious offer’. It comes from Riquelme’s agent, so you can either expect that he’s telling the truth or that it’s a last-ditch attempt to get a Spanish club to bid for Riquelme.

In any case, the bigger question here is if Tottenham need Riquelme or not. He’s a top-quality player, will link up beautifully with Keane and Berbatov (not to mention Lennon and Malbranque) and will bring a lot of experience to Tottenham’s midfield, something that’s been lacking for a while.

But I have two concerns - one, Riquelme is not the fastest of players. However, having seen Paul Scholes wreak havoc over at Old Trafford, I’m sure that you can agree that Riquelme has a shot at coming to terms with the Premiership’s tempo (even though the comparison doesn’t work as Scholes has been at United for all his career). The second concern is more relevant, and it’s that Riquelme is not the player Tottenham’s midfield needs.

Right now Tottenham’s main problem in midfield is a lack of discipline, experience, grit and defensive nous. Riquelme is a creative, attacking midfielder and as a result he doesn’t solve the defensive midfielder problem for Spurs.

Having said that, it would be terrific to see Riquelme in the Premiership and I’ve no doubt that he could improve Tottenham - just not sure that he’s exactly what Tottenham need at the moment.


My only concern is whether the boy could play in long sleeves 
Oh yes ..he too slow 
All The premiership needs now is for Messi, Ronaldinho and Kaka to jump ship and dais it ! numero 1 en el mundo !!!

80

Football / best old time football experiences

« on: June 24, 2007, 09:08:09 PM »

I always am amazed at football stories ..I even got a book from England with stories galore on top footballers ...I wonder if we cant at least relate some stories during our playing or watching careers  ?

81

Football / Boca Juniors with one foot inside !

« on: June 14, 2007, 12:50:59 PM »

I dont know how many forumites have been following the South American Champions Cup( Copa libertadores ) but Boca Juniors took a giant step last night when they whipped Gremio of brazil 3-0 at home. Few would have thought the scoreline possible after the first 15 minutes but Boca at home can and have done the impossible. La Bombonera can be the death of any team on this planet when Boca is the opponent. I am still hoping that Boca wins the return in Brazil to set up a match against AC Milan next season in the intercontinental Cup. Riquelme was at his impish best last night and the fans were loud in voice after the game ....saying Riquelme is not leaving. That however is not what the President of Boca is saying ..but I await the result of that debate.
Gremio started quickly and unsettled Boca with their speed but Boca responded with very good defensive displays that kept the scoreline clean. Ibarra and morel are worth their weight in gold in this Boca team and even palermo at striker is one of th teams hardest workers off th ball.
I wont bore you with the details when you can see for yourself at the link below...
Next thing Filhho go say i bigging up Riquelme again ...well thousands were chanting his name and he was involved in all the goals scored, scoring his 6th goal in the competition last night. I am sorry I cant send the passes link..that for me is the hallmark of a master.....it is not that you won but how you controlled the game that matters for me...and juan roman riquelme has done that everywhere he has played. In Villareal, barcelona and in boca they have all chanted his name......EVEN WHEN HE WAS ON THE BENCH IN BARCELONA.
I cant end without linking my two favourite teams ...when boca won scoring 3 goals against Cucuta in the semi finals return leg all the goalscorers were ex Villarrel players Riquelme, palermo and battaglia....Villareal has now produced 7 straight victories in La Liga beating the likes of Barcelona, Valencia and earlier Real madrid in the second round...no other team tops that ! Sevilla awaits !
The ex Villareal players  are together again and one step away from being champions of south America.....lets see Riquelme led villareal to the last 4 in the Champions league in europe now he is leading Boca in the final of the south american version the next ...yes I like good footballers ..

.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkg7_4CnL2Y&mode=related&search=

82

Football / South American players leaving home too soon ?

« on: June 06, 2007, 11:41:12 AM »

I have been toying with this idea for quite some time I wonder what some others think ? I see that Alexandre Pato is being sought by a host of European clubs and he just follows Matias fernandes, Higuain, Gago, Kun, Diego etc. Are these players leaving home before they have developed in the south american style ?
 I remember Ardiles and Villa, big successes in Tottenham years ago ...when they went back to the Argentinian national team the players criticism was that they were playing english football ! Too many square and back passes, when their teammates were expecting them to play it through the spaces....
Yes Europe has the money but a quick comparison of the attractiveness of the two major tournaments in South america and Europe would show that while the grounds, and facilities favour europe the enterprise and attractiveness of the football is still with the South americans...and that is even after Europe has creamed off  the best talent !
So what do you all think ?

83

Football / Boca and the Libertadores cup

« on: May 24, 2007, 04:30:15 AM »

Now that the euro cup is over i guess attention will shift to the south american version of the most important regional tournament in club football. I dont know how many are following this tournament but judging from the posts ...I guess not many...although the winners of this tournament have been getting past their European conterparts in head to head competion in the recent past.
Boca juniors have a tough assignment in Asuncion but hey Boca is Boca ..big hill ...big climb !
of course everyone knows that Riquelme will get his mention here ...I am so predictable .... big player + big occassion  ---- big performance.
I hope he recovers from this back trouble that has been and plays well today.
Boca is getting into stride now with some emerging players like Banegas....will go to Europe soon, Palacio already on the way there, Jesus Dactolo ..one of my favourites to watch and of course the veteran Palermo, who can kill your joy in one moment yet have you screemng the next.
Boca´s strength is in their teamwork and speed of moving the ball and everyone fights for each other on this team....even Riquelme is putting in his recoveries which is amazing many people. their conterattacks are lethal and if they score on you within the first 5 minutes take your calculators out !
The blue and gold will leave it all on the field today as a 1-1 draw in aAgentina does them no favours. The Libertad team of paraguay has had an amazing run being undefeated away from home so far ... can Boca do it ....can birds fly ? do bears poo in the woods ?
Boca !  Boca !  Boca !

84

Football / Has Dwight yorke done enough in football for any claim to knighthood ?

« on: May 21, 2007, 11:22:02 AM »

I was wondering whether there was any support for at least a nomination for knighthood for our Dwight. Often the honour takes into account the exploits off the game as well as on the game and yorke has certainly distinguished himself in both areas. Voted among the best dressed men in London, the trademark smile while promoted football in England when other hugely paid players only bared muugs, the first ffrom the caribbean to achieve such heights...others can only follow, Under 20 WC, led seniors to historic smallest country to qualify for the WC, Champions league most goals that season, league most goals, FA , treble,
led Sunderlands return to the premiership, led Sydney to title as the marquee player in australia, rated with andy Cole as among the finest striking partnership seen in the premiership, led aston Villa to the coca cola Cup( I think that was the title when the entire crowd sang New York ...New yorke ) and a host of other firrsts..
I think if Britain wants to reward someone who hhas contributed to the popularity of football in several continents ..they wont have to look very far beyond our own    DWIGHT YORKE !

85

Football / The O2 of arsenal

« on: April 16, 2007, 08:05:44 PM »

So much has been written about Ronaldo that i thought i would see if others have been looking at the man who puts the oxygen in Arsenal...
Hope the lin helps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMJAY8Ox5ko

I think this is the most underrated footballer in England..of course if he was english he would be the best player in the world ... like Rooney, Ferdinand etc.
He is nominated for player of the year though ..

86

Football / Was this the greatest football game ever ?

« on: March 27, 2007, 05:51:06 PM »

Anytime this topic comes up there are as many answers as there are people but thanks to u Tube we can see again what for many of us was the greatest game of football ever....

The world champions were meeting the former world champions ...

The best player in the world, for many the best player ever, against the best defender in the world...

The best winger, probably in history, against the world's best goalkeeper, then and now ....

The best dribbler against one of the finest midfielders in the history of football....

The best after the game expression of a contest well fought ...the embrace of two of the world's greatest players ...

The greatest save in football ....

I guess you just have to watch this ..... and wonder what has happened to the beautiful game ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPIzi_KfOmI


 

87

Football / Boca ! Boca ! Boca !

« on: March 19, 2007, 06:39:21 PM »

http://www.bocajuniors.com.ar/english/2007/03/17/538.php

With a performance like that Jai kyah keep quiet..especially when is ah set ah Villareal rejects who running de show. martin Palermo was the scorer , Riquelme was the boss. I hope all the Riquelme detractors could see the first 15 mins of that game ... After the blitz the boss just strolled around the midfield spraying pinpoint passes all over the field...if anyone say he is slow den he must have shares in the ball to see so much of it ..
Boca describes his position as "libre " we say "he have permission to mash up de place ...as de chinese say sem ting !
Wayyyy OOOO ball from a side ..
Boca used to be the feeder team for Villareal but now with Riquelme, palermo and battaglia on the squad you wonder if the pendulum has not swung.
villarel drew over the weekend but the football has changed ..plenty boom kick and bad passing from a team rated as one of the best passing teams in europe last year ...something has gone wrong and it cant just be because Riquelme has left ....
noticed something after the game ...palermo called riquelme up to him to give him an embrace before heading off to the cameras..
reminds me of a similar combination which destroyed the all conquering Real madrid at the turn of the century ....oh yes it was the same duo wasn't it ?

88

Football / what if the pendulum swings again ?

« on: February 28, 2007, 07:36:45 PM »

just thought i would put out a topic that might take a lot of effort and money to realise and may actually never happen but ......
what if the pendulum of money swings such that players from latin America and the African continent stay home to play in their respective leagues, would the European leagues be such a draw ?
Imagine no Ronaldinho, Eto, Messi, Drogba, Fatboy etc just to name a few
Would the Copa America then rival the european Championship ?

89

Football / Yellow Submarines rule !

« on: January 27, 2007, 05:20:08 PM »

Real Madrid missed the chance to go top of La Liga after losing 1-0 to Villarreal at El Madrigal.

Marcos scored the only goal of the game midway through the second half to earn a deserved win for Villarreal and leave Real a point off leaders, and arch-rivals, Barcelona.

Villarreal forced a succession of early corners, but their first real shot in anger arrived on 13 minutes when Iker Casillas spilled a volley from Marcos.

Real's response was generally limp, although Robinho should have shown more composure when blazing over the bar after a cross found its way to the far post.

The home side should have taken the lead on 31 minutes when Matias Fernandez lashed the loose ball off target after Casillas had made a fine double stop from Diego Forlan and Ruben Cani.

In the second half, Villarreal continued to apply the pressure and Ivan Helguera threw himself in the way of Marcos Senna's thumping shot from the edge of the area.

The breakthrough finally arrived on 68 minutes when Fernandez's pass sprung the offside trap and Marcos coolly finished past the onrushing Casillas.

In the closing moments, Sergio Ramos put a diving header wide of the target when unmarked from a free-kick, but Real rarely looked like scoring.

Atletico Madrid came from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw at home to Racing Santander.

The capital-based club are looking to launch a title assault, but endured a frustrating evening against mid-table Santander.

The visitors took the lead on 74 minutes when Nikola Zigic lashed home after latching on to Pedro Munitis.

But Atletico were level within two minutes when Jurado's free-kick was headed in by Pablo Ibanez.


Well ah jumpin up to de ceiling......
What a wonderful feeling ....
got you off my back ...

To all the doubters ..... Villareal rules at home to add to the first round away draw against Real madrid. Not bad for a side that plays in yellow 

90

Football / South american under 20 Championships

« on: January 15, 2007, 11:08:22 AM »

Well after a week the tournament is really heating up. cant watch all the games so will confine this short exerpt to group B...
standings so far are colombia and uruguay 6 pts, argentina and ecuador 4, Venezuela 3.
After being described as the worst Argentina team junior or senior for many years, the world champions turned up the afterburners and hit Venezuela for 6 last night in paraguay.
It was not that venezuela played badly, except for the end where they had 3 players sent off, it was just that the speed of the albicelestes was too much. I read where some forumites are saying T&T teams are too slow, well i must admit that at this level if yuh slow yuh dead.
Venezuelan players got no time on the ball and a good team was made to look bad. Obviously the tech. staff of argentina did their homework after watching Venezuela beat Uruaguay in their opening game.
There is one round left and since 3 teams go into the next round all 5 can qualify at this point.
Saw a Saviola look alike in the little foward/ midfieldder Morales. I am sure trinis would love him. Nothing to look at, small but very skillful and quick. He got one of the goals and was involved in the action for many others. A youth scored a hattrick with a cultured left foot that feared no one. Sometimes more excitement can be had watching this level especially when teanms go for broke.
Earlier Colombia beat ecuador 1-0 in a close encounter.
I cant say whether argentina will even qualiffy from the group but they seemed a different team to the one that fell 3-2 in their last game.
Brazil looks safe in group 1 and I will start following the tournament in earnest when the next round comes up ...too much football these days ...