Play the Advantage Football

Euro 2012 Special: Matchday One- Portugal vs Germany

2012-06-10T06:54:00.002+10:00

MATCHDAY ONE

Portugal vs Germany

June 9 2012

Arena Lviv

Arguably the biggest match of the Euro 2012 thus far, spectators were treated to the talents of Real Madrid superstars Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil, but this time on opposing teams. Other very much notable names include Nani, Pepe, Khedira, Coentrao, Gomez, Podolski, Klose who has had a brilliant record in international competitions just to name a few. Portugal were dumped out of the Euros 4 years ago by Germany, with both of them being finalists in 2004 and 2008 respectively and thus, one can expect a clash of epic proportions; a clash of skill, finesse, defence, goals, pedigree and talent.

The Germans were marginal favourites in this one and showed just why by asserting their control over the ball and Gomez well nigh scored off a header in the first minute if not for Rui Patricio. Coentrao then embarked on a destructive run past the entire German defence to win a corner for Portugal. Germany stayed true to the attacking principles that rewarded them with an impressive international reputation over the past decade and ensured that Portugal played without the ball for most of the starting exchanges. Pepe's passes were found wanting as Portugal failed to make any sort of progress on the attack and Postiga was booked for a late challenge on Neuer, though there was an element of theatrics and drama.

Ozil looked sharp on the ball, as did Germany on a whole and Portugal had yet to find a way into the game, though Cristiano Ronaldo produced a decent low cross. Germany then pressed far up into Portugal's half and though the ball was rolled into the net by Gomez, the whistle had gone for a foul by Meireles on Khedira with a roar of disapproval from the crowd. The Portuguese defence held strong and Nani came across the German defence to give the ball to Ronaldo, whose shot was closed down by two defenders.

Ozil's pass to Podolski was met with a wild volley and Germany continued to attempt, unsuccessfully, to break the resolve of the Portuguese defence. Coentrao stood strong in defence in addition to providing an attacking option, as did Pepe whenever he was called into action. Bruno Alves knocked a cross to safety and later on, Muller missed by a considerable margin. Ozil displayed notable individual ability on the ball, such has been his meteoric growth at the Bernabeu.

Nani was fouled by Badstuber and the latter was penalised with a yellow card and the resultant free kick was sent straight down Neuer's throat. Pepe then curled a shot that went off the underside of the bar but barely ever crossed the line. The teams were stalemate at half-time, with Portugal taking comfort in having kept Germany at the gates and Germany visibly flustered by a staunch defensive showing by the Selaccao.

Germany kicked us off in the second half and immediately forced Portugal into flurry of blocks, but Portugal made an attack of their own with Nani's quick feet sending him past his marker but it eventually came to nothing. Coentrao then embarked on another mazy run which culminated in a long-range shot by Ronaldo, saved by Neuer. Germany were still clueless in attack and Ronaldo sprinted towards a long ball by Pepe, ignoring Boeteng and sent a cross in which found a rising German header to safety.

Ronaldo then sent a ball acrobatically out of his own box, while a dangerous Ozil cross evaded everybody. Germany yet again came knocking at the door, with Ozil yet again terrorising the Portuguese defence with his passing and ball control. Gomez skied his header and Portugal threatened to pull off a Denmark-esque strategy of containment. Coentrao was booked for a reckless foul as Germany consolidated their dominance with wave after wave of attacks.

Ronaldo was then sent through by a brilliant pass but was denied by the flailing leg of Jerome Boeteng. Badstuber was perhaps lucky not to have a corner awarded against Germany as he came across to put himself between Nani and the ball. Another testing cross from Muller was snuffed out by Rui Patricio and his long pass into play was well-controlled by Ronaldo, who was fouled by Boeteng.

But Germany relentless persistence would soon pay off as Mario Gomez, a Champions League finalist, scored off a header which sent Rui Patricio in the wrong direction to put Germany deservedly in front. All the pressure exerting over much of the 70 minute period soon got its just reward with the header and Germany began to play with an extra spring in their step.

Ronaldo then cut inside Boeteng and let rip with a shot which Neuer tipped clear. Portugal then went forward with a limited threat, with Nani eventually clipping the crossbar with a cross. Nani gradually started to pose more and more of a threat to the German backline in a Portuguese retaliation, twisting and turning to find space and fire a poor shot at Neuer's goal.

Klose then wriggled his way free of two defenders only for Pepe to come across and put in a typicall robust challenge, but Varela, when faced with a golden opportunity to equalise, could only fire tamely at Neuer.

A late Portuguese blitz was quite simply not enough as Bruno Alves' header glanced wide of the goal. Cristiano Ronaldo arguably made the most out of the service he got and couldn't have said to have played badly, as did Nani and company. Paulo Bento's negative tactics was perhaps baffling given the absolute abundance of attacking and defensive talent Portugal boasted, but it was Mario Gomez, possibly one of the best pure goalscorers of the game, whose goal won the day in a match where Portugal's attacking prowess came forth far too late in the game and Germany's youth, versatility and exuberant attacking philosophy shone through in their bid to usurp Spain as European Champions.

Euro 2012 Special: Matchday One- The Netherlands vs Denmark

2012-06-10T04:04:00.001+10:00

MATCHDAY ONE

Netherlands vs Denmark

June 9 2012

Metalist Stadium

The World Cup finalists started off the game the better with a star-studded squad including the likes of PFA Footballer of the Year Van Persie, Champions League finalist Robben and Barcelona winger Ibrahim Afellay. The latter looked bright and very much in the mood as he created space with two quickfire stepovers and curled a shot slightly above the bar. Van Persie then curled a testing ball into the box which Sneijder failed to control and direct an attempt on goal. The growing pressure soon told as Denmark's defence looked nervy and unsettled at times.

Robben was an constant threat, cutting in from the right flank and then combined well with van Persie to trouble the Danish defence. The pair then continued to prove to be a lethal combination time and time again. Sneijder too, despite a low-key performance, displayed intelligent positioning to hold the Dutch offensive together. Despite all the pressure from the Dutch it was Krohn-Delhi who netted to put the Danes one-up against the run of play with a piece of sublime skill both to deceive the defender and nutmeg the keeper, albeit with an undeniable pinch of fortune. Van Bommel failed to close him down well enough The Netherlands then proceeded to reclaim possession and ping the ball about in search of loopholes in the Danish backline.

The 30th minute then saw a good attacking spell from the Danes, but a disastrous pass from Anderson handed the ball right back to Arjen Robben, who jinked about and rattled the post with a shot. Afellay then took on Agger and left him for dead, firing a shot above the target. Denmark, however, continued to grow in stature.

Van Persie was then let down by a first touch which afforded Anderson the chance to recover and Sneijder's follow up was wide of the mark. While the Dutch enjoyed a lion's share of possession and shooting chances, they simply couldn't finish them off and Denmark capitalised with a single goal to head into the dressing room one goal to the good.

The Dutch upped their tempo at the restart and nearly found a way through, with Robben then yet again coming on on his left to aim a shot narrowly above the crossbar. Van Persie then yet again fluffed his lines, but later producing a decent effort on goal. A thunderous volley from van Bommel was palmed away and Sneijder proved on many occasions to be the scourge of the Danes. Afellay then dragged a shot inches wide while Robben opted to attack from the opposite wing in a Oranje onslaught, which ended in a Heitinga header which beat both keeper and goal.

The Danes proceeded to expose their defensive deficiencies, only to provoke a Sneijder-led storm on their goal. Afellay was then stymied by some resolute Danish defending, while they continued to press on on the other end with the goalscorer prompting a brilliant reaction save from Stekelenburg.

The ineffectual Christian Eriksen was replaced and Sneijder, imperious as he was tonight channelled a gorgeous through ball to put Klass Jan-Huntelaar on goal, only for Anderson to stand strong against him and later van Persie. A few more chances were fluffed by the Netherlands and while Sneijder continued to thread a variety of good, intelligent passes through the back four, they were unable to make full use of them.

Denmark then shored up their defence and convincingly kept the Dutch, for all their neat passing and gusto, at bay. An enraged shout for handball in the 89th minute was waved away by the referee as the Dutch tried to salvage a draw from the match. The frustration was beginning to show on the faces of Sneijder and Robben as they registered their 28th attempt on goal, all of which with no end-product.

The Danes then held on to their single goal to ensure one of the biggest upsets of the competition was to be, with the Dutch only left to rue profligate finishing which did their control over the flow of the game absolutely no justice at all.

Euro 2012 Special: Matchday One- Russia vs Czech Republic

2012-06-09T06:49:00.000+10:00

MATCHDAY ONE

Russia vs Czech Republic

June 8 2012

Municipal Stadium

This was a match that featured major characters in European football, with Arshavin and Rosicky notably both having once donned an Arsenal shirt and Cech proving to be Chelsea's saving grace in the Champions League. A quick foul little more than 2 seconds from kick-off added some drama to the match and the Czech Republic wasted little time in seizing the initiative, applying offensive pressure with 2 corners in quick succession. A competent delivery from a set piece saw Hubnik head just wide of the Russian goal and Jiracek produced a spark of brilliance to leave his markers trailing only to fail to produce a good final ball. The Czechs were obviously on the ascendency, with some nifty interplay and prolonged periods of possession pinning the Russians far back into their half. A galloping run from Kadlec followed by a cross was met with a powerful volley and Rosicky launched a shot which was always rising far above the target.

Russia's answer to the Czech salvo came in the form of Arshavin, who immediately posed as a thorn in the side of the defence and played an integral part in Russia's goal, taking full advantage of Kadlec's dismal position to produce a cross resulting in a headed deflection which in turn set up Dzagoev to drive the ball home past Petr Cech. The tide consequently swung in favour of the Russians, who then again engaged in a passing move that Dzagoev did no justice to by screwing well wide of the mark. The Czech Republic then pressed further up into Russian territory, with a corner snuffed out by the Russian goalkeeper.

On the other hand, however, Russia's attacking flair once again came to the forefront as Arshavin's threaded pass tore the Czech defence wide open for Shirokov to add to Russia's advantage perhaps yet again punishment for Kadlec's sluggish man-marking. Arshavin then had a strong shout for a penalty when he was bundled over by a defender and then left his marker for dead to produce a dangerous pass that none of his teammates were in range to reach.

The match then turned into a see-saw affair that swung more in Russia's favour than it did the Czechs, though Jiracek's bursting runs did much to help the Czech cause. Milan Baros nearly got to a header but Russia then again terrorised the back four with a rapidly advancing triumvirate, only for Kerzhakov to send the ball rocketing into the stands. Arshavin looked absolutely imperious tonight for his country, his jinking runs imbued with slick close control combining with his eye for a pass to catalyse fluid attacking combinations.

A tame Czech riposte was answered by long periods of Russian monopoly of the ball, with Tomas Rosicky in particular having his influence exponentially reduced by watertight marking from the Russian defence. Cech was placed under unnecessary pressure by his defenders with a risky backpass and Jiracek, at times leading the attack on his own, shot from long range with disappointing results.

The difference between the teams thus far would have been Russia being able to translate their superior spells of possession into a final product in the form of two goals and link up with one another well in attack, while the Czech Republic quite simply failing to do so being faced with a well-drilled Russian defence.

After the break, Arshavin sent yet another quality ball across the face of the goal which was too out of the range of the forward men. Russia showed no fear of working the ball in tight spaces and this served as the foundation of some fabulous undulating football. However, Pilar's goal, which was wrought with cool composure, was a bolt in the blue of the Russian sunshine as he rounded the keeper to slot the ball home. It sparked an immediate Russian response as Selassie registered a beauty of a volley and Kerzhakov sending at least 4 chances wide of the mark with Arshavin once again at the heart of Russia's attacking. Pavlyuchenko then came on in a sensational performance to supply Dzagoev and in turn turned scorer with an incredible piece of skill to turn the defender inside out and cannon the ball into the top of the net. The game was now officially over as a contest.

A brief retaliation from the Czechs ensued but it was too little, too late as Russia, playing some top-class stylish football with star man Dzagoev serving as an effective outlet for the mercurial creativity of Arshavin with a clinical double, all but confirmed their status as potential contenders and dark horses of Euro 2012.

Euro 2012 Special: Matchday One- Poland vs Greece

2012-06-09T04:09:00.000+10:00

MATCHDAY ONE

Poland vs Greece

June 8 2012

Stadion Narodowy

Poland versus Greece offered up a interesting clash in styles; Greece fell back on the pragmatic, defence-orientated play that won them the European Championship four years ago, while Poland were daring and adventurous in attack. Lewandowski enjoyed good service from the midfielders and some suicidal defending from Greece, coming inches away from putting Poland ahead after diving to meet a waist-level pass from Piszczek. The crowd was treated to some delightfully crisp passing from Poland and the Greek defence crumbled under pressure, the two of which eventually combining to culminate in a headed goal from Lewandowski in the 17th minute.

They immediately looked much more reassured after a slightly scrappy start to the curtain-raiser, with Polanski in particular heavily involved, doing well to keep the Greeks very much uninvolved in proceedings. Chalkias looked vulnerable on a number of occasions and his team's attempt to stifle the waves of Polish attacks was found wanting. A controversial decision by the referee to award Sokratis Papastathopoulos with a yellow card and consequently a red before half-time for two soft challenges added to the tension as Greece saw a rare spell in attack which bore no fruition.

The second half, however provided an interesting twist to the tale as the Greeks emerged from their defensive shell and a goalkeeping blunder, perhaps caused by obstruction from one of the defenders, resulted in a virtual open net chance being presented to Dimitris Salpingidis who made no mistake and scored the equaliser in the 51st minute. This immediately provided the impetus for a period of pressure from the Greeks and Celtic attacker Samaras pulled a shot well wide of the goal after a tantalising ball sent through by Katsouranis.

The game immediately heated up as Wojciech Szczesny stuck out a foot to impede Salpingiditis, which the referee treated as a straight red card offence. Off went the Arsenal goalkeeper and on stepped the gangly Przemyslaw Tyton in the place of Rybus, who pulled of an absolutely heroic save to deny Karagounis from the penalty spot. Szczesny's reaction in the tunnel was one of much relief while the dejected expression of Fernando Santos told the whole story as Greece continued to attempt to break out of their defensive shell in the face of growing Polish pressure.

Salpingditis was then caught offside after tapping home the ball from close range and Samaras sent a wild shot far into the stands. Greece were attacking but were mostly restricted to speculative shots from distance. On the Polish side of things, however, playmaker Obraniak grew more and more involved in dictating the tempo of his side's attacks and after yet another poor attempt from Greece to find the net, Lewandowski latched on to a through ball to volley into the side-netting. Poland's German-based players combined well to produce some flowing attacking moves that the Greek backline frantically threw bodies forth to snuff out. Jakub Blaszczykowski tore down the wing and whipped a good ball in but that was as far as things went.

Greece often lacked creativity and ideas in attack but largely held firm in the defensive department, endeavouring to contain Poland and eventually did as the match finished in a 1-1 draw. However, the match was a thoroughly entertaining one, set the tone for Euro 2012 and far exceeded expectations with an unprecedented penalty save from a substitute goalkeeper, some wonderfully exuberant attacking football from Poland which was matched by a display of Greek endeavour.

Not every title is won with money

2012-05-21T19:03:00.001+10:00

By Paul Frederickson
The last few weeks have been wonderful for English teams. Manchester City won this season's English Premier League and in the past weekend Chelsea won the coveted UEFA Champion's League. Both are remarkable achievements but in the midst of their celebrations some people are stating that the teams only won their titles due to previously unheard of sums of money. Is there a chance that small teams can still make an impact in the world of football? A team in Israel's Premier League is proving that there is still romance and hope for smaller teams.

On the 2 April 2012, IIroni Kiryat Shmona secured their maiden title win with a 0–0 draw against league giants Hapoel Tel Aviv. Remarkably, IIroni Kiryat Shmona, won the title with five games to go. It is an even bigger achievement when you consider the history of the club.

The club has been in existence for 12 years, been promoted, relegated and promoted again through the ranks of Israel's football ranks to ultimately win the country's highest football honor. They are not a small club who has wealthy benefactors, nor are they are hugely followed team whose supporters drive large income streams through the club. They come from a town of 21,000 people and play in a stadium with a maximum capacity of 5,500 fans. A bare minimum squad of 26 has reached the pinnacle of domestic football and will now play in the qualifying stages of the UEFA Champions League. In a city more accustomed to missile attacks as one of the most northern of Israel's cities, Ironi Kiryat Shmona are now making fireworks of their own. Now those fireworks will have the chance to enter Europe's biggest football scene.

The biggest of Israel's clubs, Maccabi Haifa FC, Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC, Hapoel Tel Aviv and Beitar Jerusalem FC have been confounded by IIroni Kiryat Shmona's success. With a dramatically smaller budget, playing group and staff IIroni Kiryat Shmona have become the little club who could. In the club's early days, and perhaps with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek, Hapoel Kiryat Shmona FC owner Izzy Sheratzky suggested, "When I founded the club I said that one day we would reach the Champions League," His light-hearted suggestion is now a dawning reality.

Their fans put their success down to one thing, a lack of ego in the squad. A simple but effective ethos that many small clubs would, it could be suggested, be looking to emulate.

You're up then you're down, you're in then you're out!

2012-05-14T20:07:00.000+10:00

By Paul Frederickson

One of the the most captivating and endearing traditions of the English Premier League is the final day. The one day of the season where dreams of winning the title or perhaps qualifying for European competitions is mixed with the dread of relegation for some supporters. Hearts beat faster, nails are chewed to the quick and the drama is enhanced with all teams kicking off at the same time meaning that radios are listened to and whispers of other scorelines become a roar.

The final day of the 2011/12 season was one for the ages, teams changed positions, titles were won and lost and fans from all over the world were glued to the on field action from their stadium seats, television and computer screens as well as radio broadcasts. Let's look back at four team's fortunes on of the most dramatic final days for many years.
At the top of the league it was the battle of Manchester with both teams on the same amount of points but Manchester City holding a decisive +8 goal difference over their rivals.
_____________________________________________________________________________

Manchester City 86 points (+63 goal difference) vs Queens Park Rangers at home.

Manchester United 86 points (+55 goal difference) vs Sunderland away.
_____________________________________________________________________________

At the bottom of the league there was one more relegation spot to avoid and two candidates desperate to avoid the drop.
_____________________________________________________________________________

Bolton Wanderers 35 points (-31 goal difference) vs Stoke City away.

Queens Park Rangers 37 points (-22 goal difference) vs Manchester City away.
_____________________________________________________________________________

Final day timeline

12' Jonathon Walters scores for Stoke against Bolton.

Stoke City 1 v Bolton Wanderers 0

Manchester City 0 v Queens Park Rangers 0

Sunderland 0 v Manchester United 0

Bolton Wanderers 35 points (-32 goal difference)     18th in the relegation spot.

Queens Park Rangers 37 points (-22 goal difference) 17th and safe.

Manchester City 86 points (+63 goal difference)   Nervously atop the league.

Manchester United 86 points (+55 goal difference) Pushing for the first goal.

20' Wayne Rooney scores for Manchester United.

Stoke City 1 v Bolton Wanderers 0

Manchester City 0 v Queens Park Rangers 0

Sunderland 0 v Manchester United 1

Bolton Wanderers 35 points (-32 goal difference) 18th in the relegation spot.

Queens Park Rangers 37 points (-22 goal difference) 17th and safe.

Manchester City 86 points (+63 goal difference)  Their crowds bays for a goal as word gets around that United are leading Sunderland.

Manchester United 89 points (+56 goal difference) The hope of a 20th title is 70m minutes away.

39' Mark Davies scores for Bolton and Pablo Zabaleta scores for Manchester City.

Stoke City 1 v Bolton Wanderers 1

Manchester City 1 v Queens Park Rangers 0

Sunderland 0 v Manchester United 1

Bolton Wanderers 36 points (-31 goal difference) 18th in the relegation spot but a chance to win and climb to safety.

Queens Park Rangers 37 points (-23 goal difference) 17th and still safe at this stage. Hoping for a Stoke win and/or equaliser against Manchester City.

Manchester City 89 points (+64 goal difference)   City regains the league lead.

Manchester United 89 points (+56 goal difference) United concentrate on their own slim lead knowing that they must at least win their own game first.

45' Kevin Davies fires Bolton into the lead against Stoke.

Stoke City 1 v Bolton Wanderers 2

Manchester City 1 v Queens Park Rangers 0

Sunderland 0 v Manchester United 1

Bolton Wanderers 38 points (-30 goal difference) 17th and the great escape music and chants resonate at half-time.

Queens Park Rangers 37 points (-23 goal difference) Half-time is a time of despair, away to Manchester City and still hoping for their own team or Stoke to revive their hopes.

Manchester City 89 points (+64 goal difference) City maintains the league lead.

Manchester United 89 points (+56 goal difference) United hold a slender half-time lead.

51' Cisse scores for Queens Park Rangers.

Stoke City 1 v Bolton Wanderers 2

Manchester City 1 v Queens Park Rangers 1

Sunderland 0 v Manchester United 1

Bolton Wanderers 38 points (-30 goal difference) 17th with a point lead over QPR.

Queens Park Rangers 37 points (-22 goal difference) 18th and a chance to keep their fate in their own hands.

Manchester City 87 points (+63 goal difference) City have a fight on their hands as the 44 year drought hangs over the heads of the City faithful.

Manchester United 89 points (+56 goal difference) United cannot believe they can still win the league.

55' Joey Barton's brain fade and straight red leaves QPR down to 10 men.

66' Jamie Mackie's header puts QPR into the lead against Manchester City!

Stoke City 1 v Bolton Wanderers 2

Manchester City 1 v Queens Park Rangers 2

Sunderland 0 v Manchester United 1

Bolton Wanderers 38 points (-30 goal difference) 17th with a point lead over QPR.

Queens Park Rangers 40 points (-21 goal difference) 17th and not needing to keep an eye or ear on the Bolton match.

Manchester City 86 points (+62 goal difference) City fans memories of past failures are now prominent.

Manchester United 89 points (+56 goal difference) United now have one hand on the trophy.

77' Jonathon Walters converts a penalty to equalise for Stoke.

Stoke City 2 v Bolton Wanderers 2

Manchester City 1 v Queens Park Rangers 2

Sunderland 0 v Manchester United 1

Bolton Wanderers 36 points (-31 goal difference) 18th and back where they started at the beginning of play.

Queens Park Rangers 40 points (-21 goal difference) 17th and not needing to keep an eye or ear on the Bolton match.

Manchester City 86 points (+62 goal difference) City fans memories of past failures are still prominent.

Manchester United 89 points (+56 goal difference) United now have one hand on the trophy and are listening to the result at the Etihad stadium.

91' FT at two of the games:
Stoke City 2 v Bolton Wanderers 2   Bolton are relegated, Queens Park Rangers are safe.
Sunderland 0 v Manchester United 1 United are champions unless City can conjure two late miracle goals deep into extra time.

92' Dzeko scores from a point blank header to give desperate City fans the cruelest slivers of hope.

Manchester City 87 points (+63 goal difference) City fans can barely watch, urging their team for one last effort as the title slips away with every second.

Manchester United 89 points (+56 goal difference) United fans world-wide are praying for a final whistle to blow at the Etihad stadium.

94' The son-in-law of one of the world's greatest ever players drifts into the right side of the penalty box and rifles a shot across Kenny's outstretched right hand and with less than a minute to go Manchester City are the Champions of the English Premier League!

Bolton Wanderers 36 points (-31 goal difference) 18th and relegated. They were safe and then relegated in a roller coaster and ultimately disappointing afternoon.

Queens Park Rangers 37 points (-23 goal difference) Relegated, and then beating the Champions in waiting, ending in a defeat but more importantly Stoke's equaliser kept them in the premiership.

Manchester City 89 points (+64 goal difference) City fans will celebrate for years to come in an afternoon that would have damaged many of their hearts, nails and bleeding lips.

Manchester United 89 points (+56 goal difference) United and Ferguson fought to the end but now have to wait at least one more season for the historic 20th title.

What a day! A day that could not have been scripted with much more drama in mind!
The kind of day that sums up every feeling that the wonderful game of football evokes.

Congratulations to the new English Premiership League winners, Manchester City!

Aston Villa's season of woe is not a one season travesty!

2012-05-08T21:05:00.000+10:00

By Paul Frederickson
Aston Villa look likely to stay in the EPL for next season after a barely deserved draw against a ten man Tottenham team with other results also going their way. Unless the unlikely happens, Aston Villa losing and Bolton winning next weekend's game whilst making up a 17 goal differential the Birmingham based club will retain their premiership status. What has gone wrong for one of England's bigger teams? Could financial security could be one of the major factors in the fall of Aston Villa?

McLeish looking up the ladder.

Aston Villa have not won a title since the dawn of the Premier League but they have come close on one occasion and flirted with the top five for more years than they have flirted with relegation. Their support is solid and they have seen a plethora of talented players, Gareth Barry and Ashley Young to name two, progress to bigger and more successful organisations. In therein lies the true standing of Aston Villa, this generations feeder club to the likes of the Manchester giants.

In early June 2011, Aston Villa appointed manager Alex McLeish from newly relegated and bitter rivals Birmingham City after unsuccessfully seeking the services of Wigan Athletic's Roberto Martinez. It would be easy to easy to lay the blame of Aston Villa's horror season solely on the manager instead of the owners, after all Martinez's Wigan are only two points above the struggling Villa team. Martinez's decision may have had a two fold benefit; he is seen as loyal for staying at Wigan whilst appearing to be pre-cognitive in his decision not to take the helm at Villa. The rationale of signing McLeish has not been espoused but would appear to be based on monetary factors; firstly that the club could afford him, secondly that he could afford to accept the restrictions that have been placed upon him by the owners of the club. Aston Villa is a selling club, its flirtation with the higher echelons of the Premiership have become jealous mutterings.

Yes, injuries have played a significant part in the demise of Villa's season but they paint over the significant cracks of a lack of funds, a squad that is far too short to survive the rigors of a torrid and physical English Premiership League season. This has been evident for several seasons with Aston Villa falling away significantly after the Christmas periods. This will not likely change as Aston Villa's American owner, Randy Lerner, owns clubs that lose a minimum of money whilst making little impact on the competitions that they inhabit. In his ten year ownership of the Cleveland Browns, since inheriting the team from his father, they have barely reached a 40% win rate in a competition that has both a salary cap and draft concessions for badly performing teams.

Perhaps it is the expectations of Aston Villa supporters that need to be lowered, survival in the English Premier League with it's multi-national and diverse owners is becoming harder every year. The disparity between the league's haves and have-nots is already creating a three tier competition. A competition composed of those seeking the title and at least European qualification, the middle tier satisfied with the benefits of playing in the Premier League and the third tier whose yo-yo'ing between competitions is a scary and more likely reality.

Perhaps mediocrity in the premiership is looking more acceptable every day as opposed to falling down the English leagues and the monetary issues that ensue. A good run in the FA Cup against the big boys of the premiership may one day appease a supporter group that has got use to being one of the bigger English clubs. The last few seasons have given even the most optimistic supporters to the way ahead for Aston Villa, and it is more than likely not to be found at the moment by looking up.

Good, Bad and the Downright Ugly

2012-04-30T17:23:00.002+10:00

By Paul Frederickson

THE GOOD

He has had a season of footballing hell, and I am sure that no one expected him to have the week that he has but dare we say it, Fernando Torres appears back on track. The former darling of Liverpool must surely be starting to win the hearts of Chelsea fans after scoring the sealing goal in the Champions League Semi-final against Barcelona mid-week. He maintained the fury over the weekend with a superb hatrick in the local derby versus strugglers Queens Park Rangers in Chelsea's 6-1 win. Worth every cent I hear some Chelsea fans say!

Honorable mention: Barcelona's resounding response to their Champion's League elimination, thrashing Rayo Vallecano 7-0 away at the Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas.

THE BAD

Tottenham Hotspurs were 11 points clear of fourth position, comfortably ensconced in the automatic Champion's League spot and then Harrygate took place. The manager of Tottenham, Harry Redknapp, faced court on charges of taxation fraud in which he was found innocent. If this was not enough of a distraction he was then linked, and continues to be, with the vacant England Manager role. Evidence of the distraction was Tottenham's one win out of their last nine since the speculation.
Now Mr Redknapp has received bad news with rising speculation that Roy Hodsgon may be edging him for the coveted England role. Luckily for Tottenham, even with the bad run, they won against Blackburn two nil over the weekend keeping their diminishing Champion's League hopes alive.
Bad news: Aston Villa are now well and truly in the relegation mud heap, casting doubts on Brett Holman's scheduled summer transfer.

THE DOWNRIGHT UGLY

They have been the perennial pin up boys of Asian football, but like every team at one point Japan's Gamba Osaka are rebuilding and the act of rebuilding has seen the team fall to unprecedented lows this season. The latest round of the J-League highlighted Gamba Osaka's plight as they were crushed five nil away to Kashima Antlers. One of the conceded goals is as funny as any of the zany Japanese game shows that are favored in Japan! Gamba Osaka are currently sitting in the relegation zone after eight matches, even this early in the season the alarm bells must be ringing.

What are your thoughts? What were your weekend's Good, the Bad and the Downright ugly?

Good, the bad and the downright ugly. A-League Grand Final special.

2012-04-23T10:11:00.001+10:00

By Paul Frederickson

It has been a tumultuous season off the field for the A-League but a brilliant season on the field, capped off by a dramatic grand final at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium. Trailing the Perth Glory in the final ten minutes of the game, due to a solitary own-goal by Ivan Francic, Brisbane's Besart Berisha scored a late brace to secure the historic back-to back Championship for the Brisbane Roar. This special edition of the Good, the Bad and the Downright ugly is dedicated to the finale of the A-League season.

THE GOOD

A sea of orange with an island of purple converged on Suncorp Stadium meaning for the second year in a row the A-League Grand Final saw the 'sold-out' signs above the box-offices. The crowd of 50,334 was treated to everything that a grand final should contain; skills, goals and a grandstand and somewhat controversial end as Besart Berisha was awarded a penalty that won Brisbane the game.

The atmosphere in Caxton Street was outstanding as Brisbane Roar and Perth Glory fans sang at each other for the hours leading up to the Grand Final. The atmosphere was replicated once the throngs of supporters entered the stadium.

Besart Berisha celebrates with Roar fans after the game.

Brisbane have won back-to-back Championships, and in turn created history as they became the first team in A-League history to do so.

THE BAD

To win or lose a game in controversial circumstances is never an easy circumstance, add a Grand Final to the mix and it makes for a volcanic situation. Personally, I have no issues with the awarding of the game-winning penalty but I do have issues with the reactions that it has evoked in some sections of the media.Firstly it is incorrect to state that the Brisbane Roar were handed the win. Perth were down to 10 men, had not had a shot on target and would have struggled through an added 30 minutes of extra time. Secondly, the reporting of the referee, Jarred Gillett dating someone who works for the Brisbane Roar reeks of conspiracy. This would not effect the actions of a professional. In awarding the penalty Gillett made an assessment on the play that was in front of him, not who his partner works for. Referees have a split second to make decisions and even after viewing multiple angles I can find arguments for and against the awarding of the penalty, and the referee does not have the benefit of replays with numerous angles.

THE DOWNRIGHT UGLY

The FFA had a chance to put a horror off-field season behind them with the potential for a thoroughly professional and polished managerial performance, alas, it was not to eventuate.

In fact, the FFA did everything it could to demonstrate its need to pick up their game.

There was little if any pre and half-time entertainment and as people pay a premium to watch Grand Finals as an event as well as the game. Entertainment should have been a part of the spectacle.

The Joe Marston medal, for best on ground in the A-League Grand Final, was incorrectly awarded to Thomas Broich as part of the post-game presentations. The correct winner Jacob Burns, as voted by a match day panel, was given the medal in the Suncorp change rooms well after the event.

In another embarrassing mistake Brisbane Roar player Nick Fitzgerald was initially not presented with his Championship medal.

We all make mistakes, the FFA need to ensure that theirs are reduced are on far smaller scales.

What do you think? What was you A-League Grand Final, Good, Bad and the Downright ugly?

The good, bad and the downright ugly!

2012-03-26T09:17:00.004+11:00

By Paul Frederickson

Is there such a thing is football fatigue? If there is I think I may have it! The emotions of each football season can catch up with the staunchest of football supporters. There is only one way to get over the insidious and debilitating affects of football fatigue, and that is to read, watch and play more football and what better way to start than with this week's good, bad and the downright ugly.

THE GOOD

Peter Crouch has played for Portsmouth, Aston Villa, Southampton, Liverpool, Tottenham and now Stoke and once famously said, "Had I not become a footballer, I think I would have been a virgin" but I doubt he would have scored any better goals than he did against Manchester City on the weekend. The beautifully taken goal must be a contender for goal of the season already, outshining a thunderbolt from Yaya Toure from the same game.
Honourable mentions: The Central Coast Mariner's clinched their second Premier's Plate on the final day of the season, Borussia Dortmund put six past FC Koln after trailing one nil.

THE BAD
Liverpool recently won the League Cup and has a chance to win the FA Cup but many people will still consider this season to be another wasted one for the historic Merseyside club. Recent league form points towards many issues within Liverpool. A week after giving up a two goal lead to Queen's Park Rangers Liverpool lost 2-1 at home to another relegation threatened club in Wigan. King Kenny's crown hasn't fallen but it is most definitely askew.
THE DOWNRIGHT UGLY
Derby games are always fiercely contested and there is no more fiercely contested match than when the Glasgow teams face each other. The passion on the field and in the terraces can turn nasty at times and this weekend's game saw three red cards issued which somewhat sullied the embattled Rangers 3-2 victory over league leaders Celtic. As an added measure, Celtic's manager Neil Lennon was sent to the stands.

What do you think? What were your weekend's, good, bad and the downright ugly?

Then there were two

2012-03-19T18:22:00.033+11:00

By Paul Frederickson

With the Perth Glory and Wellington Phoenix losing and the Central Coast Mariners and Brisbane Roar winning on the weekend the race for the Premier's Plate is now down to two contenders, Brisbane and the Central Coast. These two teams have defied the A-League's trend of teams faltering in the season after finding success. Either the Brisbane Roar or Central Coast Mariners will join Melbourne Victory with two Premier's Plates, with Brisbane having the chance to be the first A-League club to win back-to-back premierships.

The A-League salary cap restricts team's ability to buy success and attempts to make the playing field equitable for all clubs in the competition. The concept also restricts team's ability to hold onto all the members of successful teams as other A-League teams attempt to poach players and the player's success also attracts attention of overseas clubs with much more money to spend. This makes the success of the squads mentored by Graham Arnold and Ange Postecoglou even more meritorious.

Now these two clubs will seek to win the 2011/12 Premier's Plate on the very last day of the regular season. The teams will then face each other, as they did in the 2010/11 finals series, for the chance to host this year's Grand Final. With the final round culminating this Sunday here are the permutations for the top two teams;

Central Coast Mariners: Played 26 games, 48 points (+15 GD)
Final game v Wellington Phoenix (A)

The equation for the Central Coast Mariners is simple; a win against the Wellington Phoenix on Sunday and the Premier's Plate will be heading to Gosford. Due to their inferior goal difference compared to Brisbane's, a draw or a loss by the Central Coast will mean that the Premier's Plate will head north to Brisbane can if they beat Gold Coast United later that afternoon. Make no mistake; this will not be an easy task. The Wellington Phoenix are vying with the Perth Glory for the coveted third spot on the ladder and the chance for finals at home. A midweek ACL match, albeit at home, will make the task of winning that much harder.

Brisbane Roar: Played 26 Games, 46 points (+21 GD)
Final game v Gold Coast United (A)

By the time Brisbane Roar start their match against the Gold Coast United on Sunday they will know if they have any chance of capturing back-to-back Premier's Plates. A win by the Central Coast Mariners will render the Brisbane Roar's match as a dead-rubber as Brisbane will not be able to win the Premier's Plate and it would also be extremely unlikely that they can lose second spot on the ladder. If the Central Coast lose or draw their game then the equation for the Brisbane Roar becomes simple, beat the Gold Coast and they capture the Premier's Plate. Like the task facing the Mariner's outfit this will not be an easy task for Brisbane. The Roar face a gruelling trip to Beijing to play their ACL match on Tuesday night before facing a desperate Gold Coast team on Sunday afternoon, a team they have yet to beat at Skilled Park. It is a real shame that both games are not being played at the same time as this would be a thrilling culmination to what has been a magnificent season.

What are your thoughts? Who do you think will win the Premier's Plate?

The good, the bad and the downright ugly

2012-03-19T11:30:00.018+11:00

By Paul Frederickson

Football is a game defined by memorable moments, be they brilliant goals, controversial red cards, missed penalties, stunning comebacks and more. It has been quite rightly dubbed the soap opera of the masses, among other metaphors. As many competitions around the world get closer to their conclusions the memorable moments will be heightened.

THE GOOD

The very nature of the manufactured equality, by imposing a mandatory salary cap among the teams in the A-League, makes it harder for teams to have multiple years of success in the competition. Players are poached by opposition teams and offered higher amounts from overseas competitions, which restricts the necessary continuity that is highly visible among successful teams around the world. This makes the success over the past two seasons of the Brisbane Roar and the Central Coast Mariners, teams that are now guaranteed to finish the regular season in first and second spot, an even more remarkable story. This Sunday Central Coast, currently with a two point lead, will travel to Wellington where a win will guarantee them the Premier's Plate. A loss or draw will open up the chance for Brisbane Roar to be the first team to win back-to-back Premier's Plates. Brisbane play the Gold Coast United at Skilled Stadium after the Central Coast game in Wellington has concluded and will know their fate, or at least know if they have a chance, at kick-off. The final day of the regular season will be a dramatic affair.

THE BAD
When I get really upset about a football result I find it galling to hear someone say that it 'is just a game'. As former Liverpool manager Bill Shankly once famously said, “Football's not a matter of life and death... it's more important than that”. Sometimes other events put that into clear and sometimes abrupt perspective. Such was the case when Bolton Wanderers midfielder, Fabrice Muamba, suffered a cardiac arrest in the weekend's FA Cup clash against Tottenham Hotspur, which was abandoned after the event. The support around the world for Muamba, who is in critical condition in hospital, has shown that people should always come before the game.

THE DOWNRIGHT UGLY
Sacking your manager can provide a short-term bounce for a club where the team is galvanized into a unified force. This often translates into positive results. Unfortunately for Wolverhampton Wanderers their trampoline's mattress must have had a hole in it, as they are now anchored to the bottom of the English Premier League, after a 5-nil thrashing at the hands of title leaders Manchester United. Will Uncle Mick make a surprise return to Molineux and patch up the trampoline's mattress? This happens quite often in Italy!

What do you think? What were your weekend's, good, bad and the downright ugly?

Then there were four...

2012-03-12T20:15:00.018+11:00

By Paul Frederickson

The Premier's Plate was Central Coast Mariner's to lose and with two rounds to go in the regular season and leading by two points, it still is. Now though, there are three other teams with a
mathematical and realistic chance of capturing what many people believe is the A-League's biggest prize. Brisbane Roar, Perth Glory and the Wellington Phoenix are in great positions to put pressure on the team that has led the competition for most of the season. What are the permutations, who plays who and what are the top four team's chances in the final two rounds of the 2011/12 A-League season?

1. CENTRAL COAST 45 POINTS +14 GD
Play: Adelaide United (H), Wellington Phoenix (A)

The Central Coast Mariners have, for a large part of the season, dominated the competition. They have continued last year's strong development to promote youth who are ready to mix it up with players who are vastly more experienced. For example of this progress, look no further than Tom Rogic and the Central Coast Mariner's Championship winning, National Youth League team. They should account for Adelaide at Bluetongue Stadium, have a mid-week ACL game before travelling across the ditch to face the best home team of the competition and fellow contender, Wellington Phoenix. I expect that the travel will take its toll on the Central Coast team and for Wellington to upset them in the final round.

Projected final points tally: 48 Projected ladder position: 1st

2. BRISBANE ROAR 43 POINTS, +20 GD
Play: Newcastle Jets (A), Gold Coast United (A)

The defending A-League Premiers and Champions have had a roller coaster of a season setting an Australian professional sporting record of 36 games before falling hard, losing an A-League record 5 games in a row. The Brisbane Roar was trailing the Central Coast Mariners by 11 points just over 5 weeks ago and has had the chance to take the lead in their last two games. The Roar play their last two games of the regular season away. They face a vastly improved but still
inconsistent Newcastle Jets at Ausgrid Stadium, a game that I think will be a hard-fought draw. Like the Mariners, the Roar will then play an ACL game but as the away team before facing Gold Coast United in what could be United's last ever A-League game. As desperate as the young Gold Coast team will be I feel that the Roar will have too much class and with too much to play for will gain the vital 3 points.

Projected final points tally: 47 Predicted ladder position: 2nd

3. PERTH GLORY 40 POINTS, +6 GD
Play: Gold Coast United (A), Melbourne Victory (H)

Perth Glory have had one of the better looking squads, on paper, for the past few seasons but after positive starts have flattered to deliver results to their faithful fans. This season after another bright start it looked like being business as usual as Perth faltered in the middle part of the season. Coach Ferguson was reportedly under tremendous pressure to keep his job, but he is more seasoned, tougher, and like his team has a will to win. With Smeltz and Mehmet they have
match-winners and should account for two of the bottom three teams in their run home to the finals. They may come up just short in the race for the Premier's Plate but they will host a home final and be well placed to try and win a maiden A-League title.

Predicted final points tally: 46 Predicted ladder position 3rd.

4. WELLINGTON PHOENIX 40 POINTS, +6 GD

Play: Melbourne Victory (A), Central Coast Mariners (H)

Not many people would have given the Wellington outfit a chance of a top four spot at the start of the season, and with mounting injuries in the first few weeks of the season the thoughts seemed well founded. This Wellington team developed as the season progressed and added something extra to their already impressive home form, the ability to get results away from home.

With a full squad to choose from, an in-form Ifill and a chance to host a home final the Phoenix will finish the season strongly. They face a hard game away to the disappointing Melbourne
Victory, which I believe they will gain a point before beating this season's potential Premier's the Central Coast Mariners in the final game. This would be a remarkable achievement for the Wellington based team.

Projected final points tally: 44 Predicted ladder position 4th.

This has been a remarkable season for the A-League and I expect that the final two weeks of the season will be no different, we are in for a suspenseful and dramatic finale.

The good, the bad, and the downright ugly!

2012-03-12T19:24:00.008+11:00

By Paul Frederickson

America's Major League Soccer kicked off over the weekend, the top of the English Premier League turned red and Messi and Ronaldo continued to break all La Liga records, and that is just the tip of the weekend's footballing iceberg. Now to the weekend's good, the bad and the downright ugly.

THE GOOD
Bayern Munich fans expect the best and the past two seasons has seen the Munich giants fall below many people's lofty expectations. The past weekend may have put a smile on even the most jaded fan's face as they put seven goals past a shell-shocked Hoffenheim outfit.
Honorable mentions: Messi's scoring spree, Perth Glory's charge for a top two spot in the A-league, Manchester United's ascension to the top of the EPL.

THE BAD
Harry Redknapp has been exonerated from recent taxation allegations, has been touted as the next manager of the English national squad and has reached great heights with Tottenham in recent years, but has all these pressures taken their toll on the manager in recent weeks? Everton inflicted Tottenham's third EPL loss in a row over the weekend with a 1 nil victory at Goodison Park.
Dishonorable mentions: The reliable Matt Ryan's dropped howler versus Perth Glory, Manchester City's defeat to Swansea.

THE DOWNRIGHT UGLY
The MLS kicked off over the weekend and, arguably, the league's two biggest teams started off with losses. The New York Red Bulls lost 2-1 away to a very good Dallas team whilst LA Galaxy were thrashed 3-1 at the Home Depot Stadium by Real Salt Lake. Is it any coincidence that both teams allowed some of their star players, aged over 30, to play in the EPL on loan in the long off-season? It is too early to tell but the next few weeks will be very interesting for the giants of the American game!
Dastardly mentions: Clive Palmer is at it again, flying his 'Freedom of Speech' banners via helicopters over Newcastle's Ausgrid stadium, Melbourne Victory's season of woe continues against Sydney FC.
<

So what are your thoughts? What were your weekend's good, bad and the downright ugly?

The good, the bad, the downright ugly!

2012-03-05T18:29:00.011+11:00

By Paul Frederickson

Three weeks to go in the regular season of the A-League and it is shaping up to be the best finale in the competition's history. Both ends of the top 6 may not be decided until the final game is played on the afternoon of March 25. I hope your team has given you plenty of on-field value this season.

THE GOOD

The 2012 version of the AFC Champion's League begins tomorrow night and for the first time Australia has three competitors in the competition. This is a time for A-League fans to unify, forget their rivalry and hope that the A-League contenders do Australian football proud. Adelaide United, Brisbane Roar and the Central Coast Mariners will be competing with the best in Asia, with Brisbane and Central Coast in good shape to do well in the group stages, whilst Adelaide have the chance to resurrect a miserable domestic season.

THE BAD
When you are owned by one of the richest men in the world you are never going to be far from the spotlight. Chelsea, relatively, have struggled in the past two seasons and the one nil loss to West Bromwich Albion was the catalyst for Roman Abramovich to sack the one-time wunderkind, Andre Villas-Boas. Don't feel too bad for the Portuguese manager though, the rest of his contract is set to be paid up in full and he has the talent to take-over another big team in years to come.

THE DOWNRIGHT UGLY

The FFA and A-League have been through a tumultuous time in recent weeks and with the Gold Coast United licence being withdrawn it would be hard to believe that there could be a story that could match recent fiasco's. Then a new contender enters the arena with Sydney FC announcing the sacking of their CEO, Dirk Melton, for as yet mentioned unacceptable behaviour. The behaviour has yet to be disclosed other than to be referenced to staff complaints.
Did anyone within the A-League team management structures pass a 'fitness of character' test when they applied for their roles? Maybe the FFA could implement these changes for the 2012/13 season!

What are your thoughts? What were your weekend's good, bad and the downright ugly?

The A-league will move forward

2012-02-29T19:47:00.010+11:00

By Paul Frederickson

The nail is not yet in the Gold Coast United coffin but the casket has been ordered by the FFA. Whilst the past few months have seen the tensions between Clive Palmer and the FFA simmer the last week has seen them explode. This has culminated in the FFA revoking Mr Palmer's Gold Coast United's football licence. This does not bode well for the future of a national football team on the Gold Coast but this is not the death knell of the A-League.

There is a minority of people on social network forums stating that the latest debacle is the beginning of the end for the A-League. Below is a sample of this line of thought, "Unfortunately this is the start of the end for Football in Australia. And its clear that this was Palmers intentions all along."

Both the AFL and NRL have lost teams in the history of their competition, teams have merged and more teams will meet a similar fate in years to come. The nature of a ultra-competitive sporting market means that the survival of the fittest must be adhered to. If teams cannot garner support and are losing money it cannot always be the fault of the game's administrators, the franchise themselves must take most of the blame for the way they have run their club.

It is not the end of the A-League, but this is another major warning for the FFA as it is very unlikely that Mr Palmer will work away from this mess quietly, court cases must surely await. This could be a costly and negative lesson for the FFA to use both corporate governance and having the right people at the helm of our clubs. Money, and the ability to pay for a licence, should not be the only determining factor in the granting of an A-League licence.

Mr Palmer has stated that he has put $18 million dollars into the Gold Coast club. That is a significant figure regardless of his wealth reserves but he should have completed his research and found that it is very rare that football clubs anywhere in the world are profitable. Investing money does not guarantee success, but investing time in the local community is the most solid foundation that any club can make for a long-term future. Both the Gold Coast Titans and Suns made this a priority in the years preceding their first competitive games. Gold Coast United on the other hand invested in cliched rhetoric and bravado culminating in numerous first year declarations of unfettered success.

The FFA cannot afford to support teams financially but more importantly it cannot afford to be undermined by a key stakeholder, in particular a disgruntled and disrupted owner. Clive Palmer and Ben Buckley may have traded blows but it took the true football lover and veteran of boardroom tussles, Frank Lowy to land the knockout blow, he took back the Gold Coast's A-League licence.

The FFA are far from blameless in this fiasco, they have shown a distinct lack of corporate governance in the awarding of licences and maintenance of licensee obligations. Some of the comments that Clive Palmer made on SBS television's World Game program are extremely valid, no more valid point than owners should have more say about the way their businesses are run.

What may have been forgotten in this tangled mess is that many people will be hurting tonight. Fans face the real fear that their club is forever lost, players will scramble for contracts and dedicated staff may no longer have employment. No one wins from this mess, but the A-League will move on. Australian football cannot afford for it not to.

The good, the bad, and the downright ugly.

2012-02-27T18:48:00.013+11:00

By Paul Frederickson

Aston Villa drew but Bayern Munich and my beloved Brisbane Roar both had resounding victories over the weekend. Victories that keep both teams in contention for their respective titles, so overall a fairly happy footballing weekend for yours truly! I hope your weekend brought you some football joy.

THE GOOD

Kenny Dalglish has had a difficult time in his return to his beloved Liverpool. That return has got a whole lot better after Liverpool's thrilling penalty shoot-out win over a terrific Cardiff team earlier this morning. King Kenny is now one of only 7 managers in the top flight of English football to win the domestic treble of League title, FA Cup and League Cup. They may have spent too much on Mr Carroll, and had racism issues this season but now they have one more trophy for their impressive collection. Can it spur Liverpool onto a late run for the coveted UEFA Champion's League qualifying spot?

Honorable Mentions: Arsenal's amazing 5-2 win over Tottenham. Ryan Giggs' goal in his 900th Manchester United appearance. Ronaldo's wonder goal for Real Madrid.
THE BAD

No matter how much you may feel that you have been wronged on a football pitch you cannot touch an opponent's head. With his team 3-nil up, Brisbane Roar's Henrique took umbrage to an elbow from Perth Glory's Jacob Burns. A slap to Jacob's face by Henrique had Burns sprawled on the turf. A two match ban has ensued, maybe Henrique should have just pointed to the scoreboard, and Mr Burns it was too late to get a nomination for the Oscars!

THE DOWNRIGHT UGLY

The disunity between clubs, owners, the PFA, FFA, fans and the community was summed up by the ironic use of 'Freedom of speech' on the Gold Coast United shirts in their game versus Melbourne Victory over the weekend. Wasn't Miron sacked for using the very concept? Fans were allegedly banned from bringing in protest banners to last Wednesday's game against the Central Coast Mariners as a further blow to freedom of speech and expression. The FFA had banned the use of the non-sanctioned sponsor for the Gold Coast before the game. It appears that everyone is brewing for a fight that can only damage our wonderful game. Once again, won't someone think of the children!

What are your thoughts? What were your weekend's the good, the bad and the downright ugly?

Brisbane Roar club culture in one goal

2012-02-26T08:47:00.004+11:00

By Paul Frederickson

Many football clubs around the world have a unique identity through their history, culture or results. Some, such as Barcelona have a combination of all three. The A-League clubs are in their infancy but since Ange Postecoglou took over the reins at the Brisbane Roar that has been his mandate, create a 'Brisbane way'. Last night's second goal against Perth Glory encapsulated all things that have captured Australian football fan's imaginations.

For ten minutes after half-time, and leading one-nil away from home, the Brisbane Roar defense were under tremendous pressure from a desperate Perth Glory team. Even under pressure, and with a few close calls, the Roar continued to pass the ball across the back-line, trying to probe the pressing attack and find a safe passage out of their half. This is Ange's way and he has repeatedly stated that he places performances above results.

Goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos received a dangerous back-pass and under Postecoglou's training could not just kick the ball long up field. Under pressure he played a nice ball up the wing to Shane Stefanutto. The full-back, come winger transferred the ball across the goal to Mohamed Adnan. Adnan then quickly transferred the ball to the opposite wing. All the while Perth's players could just watch the ball movement like they were watch a tennis match.

Henrique sprinted down the right wing and provided a beautiful cross that was well controlled by Besart Berisha who quickly turned Bas Van den Brink and put the ball into the back of the Perth net. Not one Perth player touched the ball for the entire passage of play.

These are not just goals, these are moments that develop the identity of a club, its philosophy and why people will watch them even if they follow another team.

The Good, the Bad and the downright Ugly

2012-02-20T18:13:00.019+11:00

By Paul Frederickson

Following football is one of the greatest gifts that I have ever received. Sometimes that gift is like opening up a packet of socks on Christmas morning, the present promised so much but delivered little. On other times the gift brings you those games that have everything you could hope for. My heart is still recovering from the tension of a great A-League game between my team, the Brisbane Roar and the competition's most followed team, Melbourne Victory on Saturday night. When the final whistle blew I had a strange mix of elation and relief as we held on for a vital three points, winning 3-2. I hope that your team did not cause you too many heart issues this weekend! Now to this weekend's good, the bad and the downright ugly.
THE GOOD
Trailling by 10 points in La Liga to bitter rivals Real Madrid, Barcelona are by their lofty standards having a terrible season. Not so their talisman number 10, Lionel Messi. Twenty-seven goals in all competition games, forty-two thus far, is a tremendous effort and is only one dynamic in his incredible contribution to his football team. This has been no better illustrated than in Barcelona's 5-1 win over third placed Valencia earlier this morning. Four goals and an assist is an incredible return for the world player of the year. If you do not like the sublime fourth goal then you are a very hard task master indeed!

THE BAD
You dream of playing in an epic FA Cup match and you are given the chance playing against the historically mighty Liverpool FC. Your team scores 4 goals and somehow the dream is a nightmare as three of those goals are own goals. Even worse, you are credited with two of the own goals. Brighton's Liam Birdcutt will definitely not nominate red as his favorite color in my opinion after Brighton's 6-1 loss to Liverpool in the 5th round tie against Liverpool.

THE DOWNRIGHT UGLY
Owning a football club is often more a labour of love than a profitable venture. Many football clubs around the world have encountered financial and competitive problems throughout their history, so it would be vital that the owner loves the game. There is a whole plethora of dilemmas that this article could write about Gold Coast United but I will leave them up to their owner, Clive Palmer to best sum up his alleged feelings about his own club, the competition and the people who run the game (1).

I don't even like the game," he told The Sunday Mail.
"I think it's a hopeless game. Rugby league's a much better game."

"That's the reality of it. They can say what they like ... the A-League's a joke. I don't think I'll ever talk to Ben again in my life, to be honest."

What do you think? What were your weekend's the good, the bad, and the downright ugly?

(1) Monteverde, Marco, "Clive Palmer slams football, refuses to guarantee future of Gold Coast United", Brisbane Courier Mail, February 19, 2012.

The Good, the Bad and the downright Ugly

2012-02-13T19:21:00.008+11:00

By Paul Frederickson

THE GOOD

Nineteen years ago a plane crash killed 18 members of the Zambia football squad in Libreville. This weekend the Chipolopolo returned to the Gabon capital to capture the African Cup of Nations. In an enthralling match that saw the highly fancied Ivory Coast national team miss a penalty in normal time through start player Didier Drogba, the Chipolopolo won an emotional final 8-7 earlier this morning. The population of 13 million and their un-fancied heroes will celebrate this enormous achievement for many years to come.

Honorable mention: Tottenham Hotspur have all but sealed a spot in next year's Champion's League with a 5-nil demolition of the high-flying Newcastle United.

THE BAD
This could feature in the bad and ugly section and it seems to be a contender on a weekly basis but the racial allegations and findings in British football continue to capture headlines. Fabio Capello stood down as the manager of the English team after feeling he wasn't consulted by the English FA over the sacking of John Terry as England captain for the second time. To compound the racial tensions Luis Suarez didn't shake Patrice Evra's hand in the blockbuster between Manchester United and Liverpool on the weekend. People need to stop using ignorance and immaturity as an excuse and own up top their shortcomings and prejudice. It seems to have influenced junior ranks with an Aston Villa mascot not shaking the hand of a fellow Manchester City mascot. Won't somebody think of the children?

THE DOWNRIGHT UGLY
Gold Coast United have played far better this season than their last place position in the Australian professional football league, the A-League would suggest. The downside for the young squad is the non-attendance at home games of Gold Coast residents. Yesterday, against Adelaide United, the crowd was just over 1700 people. The writing is not on the walls, it is written in the vast expanses of empty seats for home matches. The club has tried very hard to engage the community in recent times but has alienated their strongest supporters such as 'The Beach' when they needed them the most. The 'Beach' supporters normally sit behind the goals in the tradition of famous supporter groups from around the world. This section of the ground had been closed for weeks to try and reduce costs and it greatly offended many of the club's staunchest supporters. Whilst it was open again yesterday the 'beach' looked it had been the victim of a shark attack. It is almost impossible to see how the club can survive, without benefactor Clive Palmer's money the club would stand no chance of continuing as a football entity. The Courier Mail reported tha Clive Palmer has set his sites on the club being more than a Gold Coast entity, "There have been suggestions that the poorly supported club will next season be renamed Queensland United and play home matches in Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton and the Gold Coast." (1)

The A-League needs to make another difficult decision sooner rather than later. If you want a bit of peace and quiet, fancy wide-open spaces and love football, Skilled Stadium may be the place for you.

What do you think? What were your weekend's good, bad and the downright ugly?
(1) http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/gold-coast-united-owner-clive-palmer-has-no-plans-to-take-the-team-on-the-road-amid-speculation/story-e6frf4gl-1226268846001

What the FFA can learn from the Superbowl

2012-02-06T11:11:00.014+11:00

By Paul Frederickson

As I watch a hilarious commercial for a new Sacha Cohen Baron movie in the first break of this year's Superbowl I can't help but think that the FFA have a free seminar on how to build our national league and the season ending grand final.

The NFL has two conference with internal divisions. The winners of each conference plays off in what we would consider the Grand Final, the Superbowl. With the distance and cost of travel for A-League teams the concept should be investigated by the FFA. Each team could play the teams in their own conference twice and then teams from outside of their conference once, thus saving the teams money as well as keeping the players fresh with less travel fatigue endured.

The NFL regular season coverage is split between different free-to-air stations and pay television providers depending on where the games are played. The Superbowl on the other hand is exclusive to free-to-air. This allows for the premier event on the NFL calendar to be seen by as many people as possible. Not only has the Superbowl grown the national game it has become an international game. This has brought unprecedented revenue to the NFL and their franchises. With the huge potential Asian audience for the A-League as well as a growing domestic audience free-to-air coverage of at least the grand final is a must.

The huge audience for the Superbowl, estimated at over 105 million people, is a massive incentive for advertisers. It is estimated that an Superbowl advertisement can cost $25,000 per second and approximately $3 million dollars per advertising segment. Whilst the A-League could never expect such numbers, a bigger Asian audience will broaden the potential advertisers and revenue streams beyond what is domestically available.

The Superbowl moniker was conceived in 1966 and in a relatively short period has become the mega-event that it is today. Initially conceived as the competition between the initial NFL and rival AFL the hyperbole from coaching luminaries including Vince Lombardi has built the event. Traditionalists may believe that the Premier's Plate decides the best team of the season but the Australian public lauds Grand Final winners. We should play the final game on a Saturday night with both contesting teams having a week off to allow for injuries to heal, players to freshen up and for the build up to encourage media participation and anticipation.

The A-League grand final may never meet the heights of the Superbowl but that is not to say that we shouldn't aim for the same high standards.

What are your thoughts on what the FFA can learn from the NFL?

The Good, the Bad and the downright Ugly!

2012-02-05T09:10:00.017+11:00

By Paul Frederickson

My local team, Brisbane Roar, returned to form with a 2-nil away win against the ladder topping Central Coast Mariners. Aston Villa meanwhile lose to Newcastle as is their want in recent seasons. Fully fired up from watching today's fantastic Superbowl here is this weekend's good, the bad and the downright ugly.
THE GOOD
Arsenal were lambasted at the start of the season when they were obliterated by Manchester United 8-2, since that time Arsenal have recovered to be on the verge of making the UEFA Champions League play-offs. The recovery has been highlighted by the weekend's sensational 7-1 against Blackburn, a team that only weeks ago beat Manchester 2-1 at Old Trafford. In Wenger we trust may all Arsenal fans say.

THE BAD
Rangers were arguably one of biggest clubs in terms of attendances, results and finances in the 1980's and early 90's. In a relatively short period of term one half of the Glasgow duopoly faces football obscurity. The size of their current debts have been speculated to be between $70-100 million dollars, this could expand even further when the results of an investigation by Scotland's taxation department, HM Revenue and Customs, concludes. The Scottish giants could receive a fine, immediately payable, of $30 to $40 million dollars. Whilst the debt would seem relatively small compared to what other European clubs have accrued, the debt is very large in the Scottish game where revenue streams are decreasing rapidly. The debt coupled with the meek surrendering of an 11 point early season league lead has the blue half of Glasgow very worried.

THE DOWNRIGHT UGLY
People should never go to a football match and not return home safely. Whilst the tragedy in Egypt did not occur over the weekend it had to be mentioned in this article. Approximately 74 people were killed and thousands injured after a game between the home team Al-Masri who beat the visiting Cairo team Al-Ahly 3-1. Security were amongst those killed, with many cameras as well as State television capturing the hours of madness in and outside the stadium. This was not football violence but the culmination of vast political disruptions, violence and dissent.The Muslim Brotherhood, which is one of Egypt’s biggest political parties, have since accused Mubarak supporters of instigating the violence. The football did not cause the violence, the violence was political in nature and the game was the powder keg used as the excuse to let it destroy people's lives irrevocably. As mentioned earlier, no one should go to a game of football and not come home.
**Please be aware that the following video does contain disturbing scenes of violence. Please consider before viewing the content**

What are your thoughts? What was your weekend's the good, the bad and the downright ugly?

The wins, the draws and losses for the 2011/12 season to date

2012-02-04T09:56:00.048+11:00

By Paul Frederickson

With a third of the A-League season to go, how has your team fared to date? I've broken down each team's season as their wins, draws and losses.

ADELAIDE UNITED
WIN
The late inclusion of Adelaide United into this year's edition of the Asian Champions League has to be an exciting adventure for a team whose A-League season has almost sputtered to a stop. This is also an exciting time for the A-League gaining the hard fought-for third ACL spot.
DRAW
The signing of Dario Vidosic should have been a win but due to the poor form of the team and a suspected fracture to the lower back his marquee signing is yet to have met expectations.
LOSS
The season promised so much, with many people expecting Adelaide to end in the top three at season's end. Currently second last, and with the 'back to the future' re-signing of John Kosmina, the club is on the verge of slipping down the A-League ladder on a more permanent basis.

BRISBANE ROAR
WIN
An Australian footballing record of any of the professional football codes, thirty-six games unbeaten, had the Brisbane Roar and the A-League leading football stories across the country and internationally. Whilst the Brisbane Roar have struggled since that point the unbeaten streak is a momentous achievement in Australian sport.
DRAW
After the achievements of last season the Brisbane Roar lost a plethora of pivotal players headed by their club captain Matthew McKay after the Grand Final win. The replacements, in particular Besart Berisha, have highlighted Ange Postecoglou's astute recruiting eye. The ledger, at the moment, is slightly behind.
LOSS
The system that Brisbane wreaked upon the competition last season has also been its anchor this season. The Roar have seemed inflexible in their approach when circumstances in certain games may have required a change to the game plan. This has been illustrated in their six losses to date.

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS
WIN
The continued success of the Central Coast Mariners has culminated in an almost unstoppable self-belief. They sit atop the A-league ladder in an seemingly unassailable position. The Premier's Plate is theirs for the losing. Another ACL campaign would ensue and they also have this year's campaign to look forward to. Nothing but positives for the Mariners this season. They have been the most successful team, excluding finals, in the last two seasons of the A-League. If only they could have the last four minutes of the 2010/11 Grand Final back!
DRAW
The Central Coast Mariners are acknowledged as one of the hardest working teams in terms of community engagement. They are part of the fabric of Gosford but are finding it hard to increase their supporter base. This is vital for the long term stability and success of the club.
LOSS
Club striker and stalwart Matthew Simon has departed the Mariners for South Korean K-League club Chunnam Dragons. Loved by his own club, disliked by others he will be a big loss as the season closes and the finals begin. It is always hard to replace a big, solid and reliable front man part way through a season.

GOLD COAST UNITED
WIN
The development of young, local players, such as Ben Halloran and James Brown have been exciting for the Gold Coast team and supporters. It is arguably what the club should have done since its inception.
DRAW
The fact that the club is in its third season would be considered a win for their fans, but the continued speculation over their future tempers any excitement about the direction of the club.
LOSS
The abysmal crowds are handicapping the club, the league and Foxsports. The atmosphere is more akin to a funeral than a celebration of football at times. It is hard to see the crowds increasing for the foreseeable future.

MELBOURNE HEART
WIN
At this moment the Melbourne Heart are above their same town rivals Melbourne Victory, for many supporters this means that the season has already been a success. The Melbourne Heart have played a similar brand that was demonstrated by the Brisbane Roar in the previous season and the style of play should also a see the Heart play in their inaugural finals campaign.
DRAW
When there is an existing team in the same city it can be very hard to attract supporters to your new franchise. The Melbourne Heart have been able to build a supporter base but it has stalled in season two. The Heart will need to continue to engage their supporter base as well as trying to attract new supporters. This will be best achieved by providing a positive and consistent vision for what Heart encompasses as a club.
LOSS
Melbourne Heart’s manager John van’t Schip will be leaving the expansion franchise at the end of this season. This will leave a giant hole in the fabric of the club. It must be acknowledged that he has successfully built the club from the ground up and will be a hard man to replace.

MELBOURNE VICTORY
WIN
In the long post-season of 2010/11 Melbourne Victory went on an aggressive recruiting campaign which culminated in the protracted signing of Socceroos legend, Harry Kewell. The ability for the Melbourne Victory to sign big-name players to a custom built stadium with very good crowds will continue to be a win for the club.
DRAW
After such an exciting post/pre-season period the Melbourne Victory faithful would have been entitled to think that the club would be pushing for a top two finish. As we all know the club is struggling to make the finals, a task made very hard with only four wins in 19 games. Throughout the season the crowds, although lower by Victory's standards, have been the best of the competition.
LOSS
Besides the obviously disappointing season to date the loss has been the instability in Australia's biggest A-League club. Three managers in just over 14 months is too many for a club craving and expecting success. Pick your manager, believe in their vision, and stick with them.

NEWCASTLE JETS
WIN
The Newcastle Jets, through initiatives by owner Nathan Tinkler, have the best value memberships in the A-League. This is forward thinking and has seen Newcastle post respectable crowds in a difficult playing period for the club.
DRAW
With an unstable club roster the Newcastle Jets have performed above many pundit's expectations. The Newcastle Jets have the real possibility to play finals football this year if they can be more consistent. Gary Van Egmond knows the club and should go along way to providing the stability required.
LOSS
A club's reputation is not down to results alone. The sacking of Branko Cullina on the eve of the season, after attending the season launch was one of the lowest acts in Australian football. The subsequent legal action pending over insurance issues of Branko Cullina's son, Jason Cullina remains a sour note for the club.

PERTH GLORY
WIN
Perth Glory have had rosters that have underperformed over recent seasons. After starting well again this season the Glory went through another lean spell with one win from eleven games. There were numerous calls to sack the incumbent manager Ian Ferguson. Since that time, and with the faith of the Glory board, Perth Glory are challenging for 2nd. Stability in the line-up and with Ferguson finally settling on his tactics have brought renewed optimism to the Glory supporters. This is a great period for Perth glory in their 15th year as a football entity.
DRAW
Ferguson looked to be on shaky ground this season and must have been close to losing his job when the results mirrored those of previous seasons. Many questioned Ferguson's tactics. It is still questionable whether he has a clear direction for the playing style of the club, but no one can question their current form.
LOSS
The loss must be the continuing ownership saga at the club. Perth Glory owner Tony Sage has flipped and back flipped over whether he wants to remain at the helm of the club. No one can doubt the time, money and effort that he has put into the club but the uncertainty that still surrounds the clubs ownership structure must be resolved.

SYDNEY FC
WIN
Sydney for whatever reason have been known as A-League front-runners. When they are going well, they are going really well but when confronted by adversity during a match they have had the reputation of shirking from the challenge. This season they have had late wins and recently recovered from a 2 nil half-time deficit to draw 2-all with Melbourne Victory on Australia day. The former 'bling' team are starting to demonstrate some street-smarts and grit.
DRAW
Whilst Sydney's team and their marquee signing, Brett Emerton, are another team that hasn't lived up to their pre-season hype they are still in finals contention. There is still the chance that Sydney can obtain a coveted ACL spot.
LOSS
The end of season departure by mutual consent of current coach Vitezslav Lavicka highlights the lack of continuity at Sydney FC. Whilst the club has announced that their search for a new coach will be worldwide the high turnover of coaches at Sydney FC in their seven year existence would raise some concerns for anyone considering taking the job.

WELLINGTON PHOENIX
WIN
The current away form and highest ladder position, 2nd, at this time of the year must have been unimaginable for many Phoenix fans at the start of the season. In round one and two the Phoenix barely had enough players to fill the field, let alone the bench. Three away wins in a row demonstrate Wellington's new found strength and resilience.
DRAW
The current squad is playing arguably Wellington's best in their short history. This is in no doubt one of the team's great strengths but it could become their weakness in coming years. The loss of young players such as Rojas and Barbarouses in recent seasons may come back to haunt the club.
LOSS
Wellington Phoenix are in the unique position of playing in Australian federated competition but governed by New Zealand football. They are an Ocenia sanctioned team playing in an Asian Federation competition.They could conceivably finish in an ACL position that they cannot participate in. This would definitely put a dampener on their successful season to date.

What are your thoughts on your team's wins, draws and losses so far this season?

Why Brisbane Roar have come back to the pack

2012-01-30T19:49:00.021+11:00

By Paul Frederickson

Early 2011 and Brisbane Roar win one of the most dramatic grand finals in Australian sporting history. Less than 12 months later and the Roar break the Australian football record going an amazing 36 games undefeated. One week later a 2-0 loss to Sydney FC at Kogarah Oval resulted in a run of games that has seen the Roar fall dramatically down the A-League ladder. Currently in 3rd spot trailing last year's runners up, Central Coast Mariners by a seemingly insurmountable 11 points, the Roar have a lot of work for the remaining third of the season. Have the Brisbane Roar truly fallen from grace and if so why?

It may seem simple to say, but the competition has improved to the point where even cellar dwellers Gold Coast United have played an attractive and at times unlucky brand of football. There are no matches that any team can take for granted as complacency in the A-League is a recipe for a loss. That is not to say that the Roar are complacent, quite the opposite, they are part of an extremely even 2011-12 playing field. A playing field that has improved in quality by the display that Brisbane demonstrated in throughout the previous season. The Roar have shown the competition a blueprint that has been eagerly taken up by most teams in the last few months.

Although the Roar have signed quality players this season, in particular Besart Berisha and Mohamed Adnan, the end of last season saw inspirational captain Matthew McKay and leading goalscorers Kosta Barbarouses and Jean Carlos Solorzano leave the club. The hole vacated by the captain, at least, has yet to be filled. His through balls, runs on and off the ball and leadership have been evident in their absence. As valiant a leader as Matt Smith is for the Roar, he is not the pivotal play maker that Matty McKay became for the Roar. A late January loan deal from Scottish giants Rangers, whilst unlikely, would be just the tonic and impetus that the Roar could use for the final third of the season.

Coinciding with the first loss and recent loss of form has been the injury to influential play maker Thomas Broich, quickly followed by a mid season injury to Henrique and then long term injury to super-substitute from last season, James Meyer. Their absence stifled the Roar's creativity and also the team's ability to provide overlapping options coming out of defence and midfield. These three players have now returned but struggled to combine as seen in the January 28, 1 nil loss at home to Newcastle Jets. A massive amount of usual possession with little penetration further illustrated the current loss of confidence and fluidity amongst the team at present. On the positive side these players are coming back at the right end of the season. Momentum is vital in a very competitive footballing competition.

The system that Ange Postecoglou has introduced to the club is a rigid series of triangles with timed interchange between the points of each triangle. It is more planned and systematic than it appears upon casual observation. The system relies entirely upon commitment to quick movement on and off the ball as well as honouring long and hard runs forward. The movement has definitely slowed down and at times the players at times are barely moving. This puts added pressure on the passing game of the Roar as the lack of movement means that players are often on the back foot in receiving the ball. Passing accuracy suffers because the angles and lack of movement are more easily intercepted. Quite simply, the ball movement and lack of desire to meet the ball makes the Roar easier to read. Furthmore, transfer of play from one wing to the other must be quick and non-transparent, the ball movement by the Brisbane Roar has lost it's pace in this endeavour. The opposition can slide across the park and react to the transfer of the ball in a much more predictable and economical factor, as such, the Roar's fitness plays less of a factor as the game progresses compared to the previous season.

The very system, and rigidity in adhering to the system that brought the team unprecedented success in the previous season has also handicapped the Brisbane Roar this season. They have become predictable and seem unwilling to try variation to this system. It could be argued that systems build a club's identity, and whilst this is true it is always combined with success built over many years. Nobody would talk about the Barca way if Barcelona weren't the successful entity that they are. People have talked about the lack of a plan B for the Brisbane Roar, and they wouldn't be entirely wrong. The plan to play the same way each week, when integral players to the system are missing is a very risky venture, evident in the Roar's six losses to date.

This is not to say that the season cannot be rectified, players are returning to the team, they still sit in third and have an exciting Asian Champion's League campaign ahead of them. Hard work, subtle variation in their game plan and a commitment to faster ball movement may yet see the Brisbane Roar lift the coveted toilet seat as reigning champions. This would be a remarkable achievement, the first by an A-League team in the competition's short and colorful history.

What are your thoughts on why the Brisbane Roar have come back to the A-League pack?

The Good, the Bad and the downright Ugly!

2012-01-30T18:59:00.009+11:00

By Paul Frederickson

Football gives the greatest of highs and the lowest of lows but there is always another game to look forward to. Thank goodness there is always another game to look forward to as many of the teams I support and love lost over the weekend! Ces't la vie! Now to this weekend's good, bad and the downright ugly.

THE GOOD

Many people believe that the Bundesliga as opposed to the English Premier League is the best competition in the footballing world. Many of the Bundesliga's tickets are cheaper than their English equivalents, crowds are up and the competition is extremely competitive. After 19 rounds there is 1 point between 4 teams! In addition, this season will definitely go down to the wire. Two teams left in the final 16 of the UEFA Champions League is further testament to the quality of the competition.

THE BAD

Sitting 2nd in their league, reigning La Liga and UEFA Champion's League team Barcelona fired blanks in their game against Villareal at El Madrigal on the weekend. Whilst most teams would be grateful for their success, to trail bitter rivals Real Madrid by 7 points after 20 games is unacceptable for the Catalan giants. To put Real Madrid's lead into perspective, Real Madrid have only dropped 8 points for the entire season to date. Messi or not, Barcelona are in trouble this season.

THE DOWNRIGHT UGLY

Every junior is taught to shake hands with their opponents before and after a game. On the weekend Queen's Park Rangers and Chelsea broke the trend to avoid a potentially ugly confrontation between Chelsea's John Terry and QPR's Anton Ferdinand. An awkward situation has become even more awkward by the FA and both team's inability to take on the spectre of racism head on. An opportunity for reconciliation has gone missing without even getting a chance.

So what do you think? What were your weekend's the Good, the Bad and the downright Ugly?