Football Crazy

A false dawn again for the red devils apparantely...

2014-08-17T09:29:00.000-07:00

Oh so much hope! so much excitement! and alas the same old abject failure, at least for now that is...

Start to life in the english premier league could not have been any anti climatic for new Manchester united boss Louis Van Gaal, who now faces an uphill battle to re-establish Manchester United in the upper echelons of english football. Defeat to swansea in their first game of the 2014 campaign has truly rattled the rank and file of the club and more importantly the players morales which were sky high after a very impressive pre-season where they pipped the likes of Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Liverpool, LA Galaxy,and Manchester City to lift the Cheverolet Cup and The Guiness International Champions Cup.No losses against such opposition and comprehensive victories in many of those matches had the former champions of england ready to have a go at the league after a dismal showing the previous season.

However, all is not doom and gloom as advertised by the various news outlets around the world, Never mind three certain defensive starters in antonio valencia, luke shaw, and johnny evans being absent. United were also without one of their talismanic strikers in Robin Van Persie and impressive starlet james wilson who might have had a say in the outcome of the game had they been fit enough to start. Also, the absence of midfield lynchpin michael carrick had been an understated occurence owing to the excitement around new signing ander herrera in the midfield, and the phoenix like rejuvenation of club loyalist Darren Fletcher.

So much was the hype surrounding LVG,s first game in charge at old trafford in a premier league game that many of these factors and preconditions were clearly ignore in the analysis of defeat. Another factor that has been seemingly overlooked in the aftermath of this loss is that, an early loss like this might force the united board to move forward with certain targets that might have been looked at in a snails pace. Certain signings year marked for further down the road might arrive soon with some reinforcements, an arbitary world class defender, winger and midfielder might now get a renewed push. A Angel Di Maria, and/or a Arturo Vidal, and/or a Mats Hummels might of come of this loss so there are always positives to look at.

But one thing is certain things will not be allowed to stagnate to appoint that rot may form in player and supporter mentalities, LVG is too mentally tough for that to happen, So my analysis is that let us consider this a one off incident or a shocking result, whatever that be expect these sorts of result to become the exceptions rather than the norm in manchester united.

My Quote for The week

2013-10-25T13:21:00.001-07:00

His Afro's gotten me bald..

Football Jokes

2013-05-24T09:18:00.000-07:00

What did the football say to the man... Kick Me If You Can??

The only thing funkier than marouanne fellani's afro is his silver hair.

New Manchester United signing Shinji Kagawa has arrived at Old Trafford with his girlfriend, who is an Asian Pornstar.
“It can be difficult moving to a new country, but I will do all I can to welcome them and I will treat Shinji like a brother”, said Ryan Giggs.

If John Terry, who earns £150k a week, is found guilty, he’ll get fined £2,500.
Feels a bit like putting Hitler on the naughty step.

I just saw an advert on facebook to win the new Liverpool strip.

Luckily, the Liverpool squad will just be given theirs.

Suppose John Terry is consistent, he’s started off this trial like he started last season.

With a shit defence.

In other news, Hammersmith Council gave QPR the money to buy Park Ji-Sung.

Apparently, there’s a growing problem with stray dogs in the area.

Wazza... Rooney will now be called seeeyaaa...

2013-05-24T09:03:00.004-07:00

Rooney the subject of so many posts.

Several years ago when playing well he used the threat of leaving to get the pay rise he wanted and that he felt he deserved. He wasn't the first to do that Keane, Rio, and in 96 even SAF was in a similar position. I feel that many fans are still angry, as they like me would play for merely enough to pay the mortgage or less. It is almost as if he has broken the code and image that all united players must be desperate to play for the club. I don't have a big problem with what he did several years ago as I know the club can be difficult to deal with over money but I am more concerned about what he has done since. It is almost as if now he doesn't care about his fitness as much as he did and symptoms right now smack of someone fed up and lacking motivation, almost depressed.

A while ago Rooney picked up an injury, one which seemed to restrict and slow him, then he turned up pretty obviously not in peak condition. SAF tried him in different positions, ones that didn't call on so much pace off the mark, the lean quick Rooney was nowhere to be seen. At the same time we failed to strengthen the midfield and where before Rooney could operate with powerful players behind, that was not there anymore.

This is where I differ a little from many. SAF, by pushing Rooney into different positions to cover his lack of sharpness and because we just couldn't hold the ball long enough in a poor midfield bereft of quality, may have completely knocked his confidence. Rooney may have felt SAF no longer trusted him. Rooney has played since young as a natural spirit doing things by instinct yet for the first time it wasn't working and the more he was moved around the more his confidence waned and I feel his drive and determination to fitness started to go, his touch worsened and more and more errors entered his game. My guess is that he discussed how he felt with SAF a few weeks ago and questioned whether he was wanted as a player particularly as a striker and whether he should stay. Whether it was a full unequivocal transfer request is to be seen.
What is certain is that we have not seen the real Rooney for some time but has SAF by almost hiding Rooney actually made him worse? I get the impression that SAFs parting present was to bring everything to a head and it certainly needed doing.

There is a big decision, contract or no contract, could he ever discover the Rooney of old? My feeling is that he has lost that edge and will not hit that high level again but it is a big call and we better be very sure before selling him. I wouldn't sell him to Chelsea as someone like Mourinho could give him a fresh impetus so if he goes we should sell him abroad. One thing is clear though and that is the driver for this should not be reducing costs by jettisoning Rooney's wages hence pleasing financiers.

Why Menez Joined Malaga.

2011-08-02T03:34:00.001-07:00

On Monday Jeremy Menez departed Roma after three years with the club and signed for Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth €9 million. The Frenchman will in all likelihood be remembered as an enigma, a player capable of flashes of almost unparalleled genius but also one plagued by an inability to translate those flashes into an extended run of form.

While his exit is far from surprising, it would be remiss to forget that as little as six months ago Menez seemed to have finally found his feet in Serie A. He struggled to come through a difficult settling in period that dragged on for almost two seasons and came to a head towards the end of 2009 when he came in for criticism from fans, as well as Coach Claudio Ranieri and a number of his teammates following an awful substitute appearance against Cagliari. His talent it seemed, was matched only by his ability to disappear in matches and his exceptional lack of work rate.

A public apology and some solid displays later, Menez was back in Ranieri’s good books and had set about staking his claim for a place in the starting eleven. Despite still blowing hot and cold, his performances improved drastically and a move into a more central role in the team at the start of the 2010-11 season benefited him greatly as he appeared to relish being involved in play more regularly.

His talent was there for all to see during a substitute appearance in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk. Picking up the ball in the final third, Menez waltzed by three defenders before curling the ball perfectly into the top corner to bring his side back within touching distance at 3-2 down.

However, this improvement was brought to a swift halt when Ranieri resigned and was replaced by Vincenzo Montella. The new Coach made it clear that he had little time for inconsistency and valued the work rate and consistency of players such as Rodrigo Taddei and Simone Perrotta over the occasional brilliance offered by Menez. His poor reaction to being left on the bench by Montella suggested that his time in Rome was coming to an end, as he was unwilling to stay and fight for a place in the team.

This has proved to be the case and Menez has left Roma as an undeniably talented player who failed for the most part to live up to his immense potential. Roma fans have been left wondering what could have been and hoping that his replacement, Erik Lamela, will enjoy a more successful time in Rome. Menez will likely also look back on his time at Roma with disappointment but will also be enthusiastic about his future at PSG, a club that seem to be moving in the right direction.

Aged just 24, Menez still has plenty of time to turn his career into an unqualified success and certainly has all the raw material required to press ahead and do so.

Swoyambhu Cluib President is Disguted with his Players Atittude but admits late pay.

2011-07-30T06:27:00.000-07:00

Swoyambhu Club president, Shyam Lama accepted the late payment to the players but said that he was saddened by the players' attittude.

President Lama admitted that the financial condition of the club was in sorry state so they couldn't pay on time to the players.

"We didn't get monetary support from local people because we were relegated from the first division", Lama added, "That's why it was difficult to pay to them on time". The Club, which was relegated from the top flight football this season, is based in Swoyambhu area.

"We never told them that we weren't going to pay them", President Lama said, "We told them we would provide them money in coming months. We had a copy of proof signed by them. But, I don't know why they went to media and exposed the case. We had assured them their money. I am very sad with the players' attitude".

Nepali Football Has Been Burnt To And Risen From The Ashes; Just in a weeks time.

2011-07-28T07:06:00.000-07:00

Whatever coach Graham Roberts Said Following A 9-0 thrashing by Jordan in Jordan in The Asian Legs of Fifa World Cup Qualifiers.The Nepalese National Football seemed to get the message as evidenced by the 1-1 scoreline in the resulting second leg fixture in Nepal.No Longer looking as a team that was humiliated in the previous leg, Nepal played brilliantly in order to draw with a team 80 places higher than it in the fifa ratings.No Longer, were the Nepalese so poor in footballing standards and style of play, rather they were quite exciting to watch; particularly in the dying seconds of the match.

They may have lost the war, but they won the battle, and they surely went out with dignity and honor, exactly what the coach had ordered following a humbling by the Jordanians A week ago. So Nepalese Football Died and was reborn from the ashes in two weeks, and hopefully can challenge for a birth in Moscow 2018.

Kun Aguero To Mancheter City. A Match Made For Disaster.

2011-07-27T09:42:00.000-07:00

The Love Affair Between Top Argentinian Striker and Manchester City is always a subject of scrutiny. And with one Argentinian on the way out of the club, it seems another Argentinian wants to venture forward into the money filled football-slum that is Manchester City Football Club. Carlos Tevez might be on his way out of Eastlands but another Argentinian no 7 is coming to dawn the blue of Manchester. Sergio Aguero is supposedly moving to Manchester City for a fee in the region of £35 million.And I for one believe this parnership won't work.And for the following reasons:

1) Manchester is Too Cold For Latins(As found by Carlos Tevez)

2) Machester City Are a really Shi**y club(With no history or presnt whatsoever till date.)

3) His wages will be only 180 k per week(Low for the top dog at the club where Yaya Toure(A defensive Midfielder) earns in excess of 200 k)

4) Mancini Doen't Know Football(Only he can make a team with so much attacking talent look entirely defence minded)

5) he will leave if Barca or Madrid come calling.

Move Over Brazil And Argentina, Uruguay are the real Heavyweights of South America.

2011-07-26T07:27:00.000-07:00

With a Comprehensive 3-0 thrashing of Paraguay in the final of the Copa America,Uruguay has consolidated its place as the top team in South America, Brazil And Argentina May have the best Players in the world in their positions but Uruguay has the best team in South America; And so it was proved when Luis Suarez's solo strike along with a brace from Diego Forlan ensured that Uruguay recorded its 15th Copa America title,A record in itself.

Long gone are the days when fans wearing either sky blue and white or just yellow cheered for their teams in the finals of the Copa, Brazil And Argentina are no longer the powerhouses they used to be.Although, knocked out on penalties, both brazil and argentina failed to display the type of soccer that is so synonymous to their leagacy.And seeing the standard of football exhibited from the perpetual heavyweights, it might be safe to assume that Uruguay might hold hold on to the Mantle Of South American Champions for a long Time.And seeing the rapid progress they have made; from a semi-final finish in the world cup, it might be even wise to bet on them to win the World Cup going to be held in their own continent.

Uruguay The Champions of South America and quite rightly so.

2011-07-25T02:40:00.000-07:00

Going into the final of the Copa America Tournament many were astonished in the manner in which Paraguay went to the final.The side won non of their group matches or their knockout matches before penalties.Yet, they stood in the brink of their first Copa America title since a long way back. On the other hand there were the Uruguayans, who had won most of their matches in style. With striker Luis Suarez in top form and the re-emergence of a certain Diego forlan who had won the FIFA World Cup golden boot a year earlier, the Uruguayans looked the better side going into the title decider.

And so they were, running out eventual winners with a comprehensive 3-0 victory the Uruguayans laid claim to the throne of CONEMBOL champions. Despite some setbacks in the group stages Uruguay came firing on
all cylinders in the knockout round of the competition. A 1-1 draw with argentina followed by a win form the spot led to their semifinal encounter with Peru whom the dispensed of in a classic manner. Then it was the final where the heroics of a certain Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan which led to the Nation being crowned continental champions on the 15th occasion which in itself is a record worth cherishing. But moreover they played like team and it was the team which won the competition not the individuals.

Uruguay Vs Paraguay. A classic in the making.

2011-07-24T09:38:00.000-07:00

With Uruguay and Paraguay having found their way through to the final of the Copa America by virtue of some mesmerizing performances and some not so mesmerizing ones, the champions of South America will be crowned today. Despite possessing some good strike forces both team have excelled more in the defensive department. This fixture has always been a high scoring one with 19 goals having being scored in the previous 5 attempts. With an average of 3.8 goals per game this looks like a high scoring encounter. Yet, with Justor Villa the Paraguayan captain set to continue along side his counterpart Fernando muslera of Uruguay, don't expect to see too many fireworks in the river plate stadium.

The Game seems the contrast to a high profile showdown between heavyweights Brazil and Argentina in the final which the crowd are habituated to seeing. Yet, it might be one of the game that defines South American Soccer as two of the most amazingly underestimated teams in South America fight for the crown of continental champions.

Will De Rossi Quit Roma.

2011-07-23T10:18:00.000-07:00

AS Roma midfielder Danielle De Rossi has threatened to let his contract run out and leave for free to Manchester City amid speculations that Talks between his people and the club for an improved contract has been stalled. The midfielder made these comments after the rome club refused to offer him a bumper contract which he believes he deserves. And with Manchester city believed to be willing to offer the roman gladiator the deal he wants, speculations are emerging so as to assess the probability of the world cup winner leaving the italian capital for the citizens.

Although Roma are not willing to sell, the probability of him leaving on a free when his contract expires can prompt a deal between the two clubs, and with city's willingness to pay the price demanded by any club for the player they want. The deal looks to be on the cards unless Derossi has a change of heart or the club and the player can reach a fair deal.

Uruguay Vs Paraguay Head To Head(Preview to the Copa Americal Final)

2011-07-22T10:18:00.000-07:00

analysis and breakdown of the team performance based on results in the past few seasons.
Soccer Leagues and Competitions	Full Time Score	Home	Draw	Away	Kick-off Date & Time
World-Cup-2010-South-America-Qualifiers
Uruguay vs Paraguay	2:0	2.10	3.20	3.30	29.03.2009 - 04:00
Paraguay vs Uruguay	1:0				18.10.2007 - 06:10
World-Cup-2006-South-America-Qualifiers
Uruguay vs Paraguay	1:0				18.11.2004 - 05:45
Copa-America-2004
Paraguay vs Uruguay	1:3				19.07.2004 - 04:00
World-Cup-2006-South-America-Qualifiers
Paraguay vs Uruguay	4:1				11.09.2003 - 05:55
World-Cup-2002-South-America-Qualifiers
Uruguay vs Paraguay	0:1				28.03.2001 - 00:00
Paraguay vs Uruguay	1:0				26.04.2000 - 00:00
World-Cup-1998-South-America-Qualifiers
Paraguay vs Uruguay	3:1				30.04.1997 - 00:00
Uruguay vs Paraguay	0:2				02.06.1996 - 00:00

Summary of Head to Head Results

Our soccer statistics will help you predict the outcome of Uruguay vs Paraguay. If you would like to receive soccer betting tips for Fixed Odds 1X2, Total Goals (Over/Under) and Asian Handicap, we will recommend you to subscribe to Institution Tips because the winning rate is 80% to 90%.

Soccer Teams

Matches

Win

Draw

Lose

Score

Goals Scored Per Match

Goals Allowed Per Match

Paraguay

13:8

1.44

0.89

Uruguay

8:13

0.89

1.44

Head To Head Total Goals (Over/Under)
Thinking of betting this match on total goals? Check the total goals stats below.

Matches Over 2.25 Goals

Matches Under 2.25 Goals

Current League Table Positions Is this a top table clash? Or a top versus bottom club? Or even a relegation battle?
Soccer Teams	Table Ranking
Uruguay	1 th
Paraguay	2 th

Copa America 2011 League Table This table list all the teams and their rankings in this soccer competition.
Team	Matches	Win	Draw	Loss	GS	GA	Points
Uruguay	5	3	2	0	7	3	11
Paraguay	5	2	3	0	7	5	9
Colombia	4	2	2	0	3	0	8
Venezuela	5	2	2	1	6	5	8
Chile	4	2	1	1	5	4	7
Peru	5	1	2	2	2	4	5
Argentina	4	1	2	1	5	3	5
Brazil	4	1	2	1	6	5	5
Costa Rica	3	1	0	2	2	4	3
Ecuador	3	0	1	2	2	5	1
Bolivia	3	0	1	2	1	5	1
Mexico	3	0	0	3	1	4	0

Top Goal Scorers All time goal scorers for all the meetings of Uruguay vs Paraguay. If you want to bet on the first goal scorer or player to score anytime during the match, you must not miss this section! Note that some of the players may already have left the team.
Goal Scorer	Soccer Team	Goals
Diego Forlan	Uruguay	1 Goals
Diego Alfredo Lugano	Uruguay	1 Goals

What I've Learned so far from The Copa America.

2011-07-21T01:51:00.001-07:00

Long gone are the days of Maradona single-handedly carrying Argentina to glory, or Brazil pinning all their hopes on Ronaldo. If the Copa, Barcelona and Spain have taught us anything, individual superstars need an equally superb, well-drilled team around them to succeed.

The 2011 Copa America hasn't been the most eye-catching spectacle in terms of the standard of football on display. The key to winning matches, it seems, is to defend in numbers, hold out for a draw, and either hit your opponents on the counter or rely on the lottery of the penalty shoot-out.

The quarter-finals were a prime example of this. Peru stunned Colombia with their extraordinary defensive work; Uruguay did likewise versus Argentina by stifling their illustrious rivals in midfield despite playing with one man less for a large portion of the match. Paraguay had more shots on target against Brazil in the shoot-out than they did in 120 minutes of football.

Net Spend Of Each Premier League Club Since 1992.(The Winners and The Losers))

2011-07-20T09:43:00.003-07:00

Nepal Vs Jordan : Head To Head

2011-07-19T09:02:00.000-07:00





Nepal and Jordan are meeting for the first time and hoping to get through next round of World Cup when they meet in home and away matches later this month. Jordan might be a tough call for Nepal but one thing common in both teams is they have lost only one match played in last seven matches. Here are head-to-head of Jordanians vs Gorkhalis Fifa ranking Nepal 148 vs Jordan 83 Highest Ranking Nepal 124 (Dec 1993) vs Jordan 37 (July 2004) Lowest ranking Nepal 188 (Feb 2008) vs Jordan 152 (July 1998) Football governing body All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) Jordan Football Association (JFA) World Cup Appearances Nepal: never qualified Jordan: never qualified Asia Cup Appearances Nepal: never qualified Jordan: 2004 and 2011. Quarter finalist both times. Nepal: Last seven matches W W D L W W W Oppnents East Timor (twice), Sri Lanka, Korea DPR, Afghanitan, Bhutan (twice) Jordan Last seven matches D D L W W D D Opponents Korea DPR, Kuwait, Uzbekistan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Uzbekistan Coach Nepal: Graham Roberts, Former England International Jordan: Adnan Hamad, Former Iraq International Biggest Win Nepal 7-0 Bhutan (1999) Jordan Macau 13-0 (2006) Biggest defeat Nepal 0-16 South Korea Nepal (2003) Jordan 0-6 China (1984) National Stadium Dasharath Rangashala Stadium 15,000 Amman International Stadium 25,000 Kit Provider Nepal: Adidas Jordan: Adidas Jersey Home Nepal: Red Jordan: White Away Nepal: Blue Jordan: Red

Football Jokes

2011-07-18T07:39:00.001-07:00

Did you hear that the British Post Office has just recalled their latest stamps?
Well, they had photos of Liverpool players on them - folk couldn't figure out which side to spit on.
**
What has Anfield on a Saturday afternoon at 4.45pm got in common with Wormwood Scrubs Prison?
They are both full of cockneys trying to get out.
***
How many Liverpool fans does it take to pave up a driveway?
Depends how thin you slice them.
****
What would you call a pregnant Liverpool fan?
A dope carrier.
*****
What do you call a Liverpool fan with half a brain?
Gifted.

Columbia And Argentina Out. Brazil Should Have A Cakewalk. Or will they???

2011-07-17T08:24:00.000-07:00

With tournament dark horse Columbia and overwhelming favorites Argentina out in the round of 8. The Copa America seems destined to fall in the grasps of Brazil. yet the journey to be crowned continental champions looks far from evitable for the men in yellow. Despite their comprehensive thrashing of Ecuador in their final group match to reach the round of 8 of the tournament the holder have been far from convincing in their other two matches. And with their defense quite shaky one cannot be too surprised if the Samba Boys bow out in the early phases of the knockout round of the tournament.

The same goes about the midfield, ganso might be a show stopper but his support cast includes two very defense minded midfielders who don't allow his creativity to flourish, so there are problems in midfield to sort our.Also,Pato and Neymar might be the most sought after young attackers in the world but they are not on form as of late despite both of them grabbing a brace against an Ecuador side which played the match as a team which had nothing to lose.So, unless Mano Menzes comes up with a team selection that focuses on the strength of the current crop of players he has. don't expect the samba boys to walk to the trophy any time soon

FIFA World Football Rankings As Of June 2011

2011-07-16T07:52:00.000-07:00

Rank	Team	Pts Jun 11	+/-Rank May 11	+/-Pts May 11
1	Spain	1857	0	0
2	Netherlands	1702	0	0
3	Brazil	1425	0	0
4	Germany	1413	0	27
5	Argentina	1267	0	-9
6	England	1163	0	0
7	Uruguay	1094	0	0
8	Portugal	1052	0	0
9	Italy	1019	0	0
10	Croatia	991	0	0
11	Norway	987	0	0
12	Greece	985	0	0
13	Chile	967	1	15
14	Japan	961	-1	0
15	Ghana	918	0	0
16	Serbia	907	0	0
17	Slovenia	903	0	0
18	Russia	896	0	0
19	France	883	0	0
20	Australia	876	0	0
21	Côte d'Ivoire	867	0	0
22	USA	855	0	0
23	Paraguay	847	0	4
24	Montenegro	820	0	0
25	Switzerland	819	0	0
26	Slovakia	809	1	0
27	Denmark	808	1	0
28	Mexico	802	-2	-16
28	Sweden	802	1	0
30	Turkey	795	0	0
31	Korea Republic	754	0	4
32	Czech Republic	722	0	0
33	Israel	709	0	0
34	Republic of Ireland	681	0	0
35	Ukraine	678	0	0
36	Egypt	676	0	0
37	Belgium	654	0	0
38	South Africa	653	1	37
39	Nigeria	637	-1	0
40	Senegal	613	11	52
41	Algeria	609	-1	0
42	Romania	607	-1	0
43	Honduras	603	0	6
44	Burkina Faso	600	-2	0
45	Bosnia-Herzegovina	594	-1	0
46	Bulgaria	592	-1	0
47	Lithuania	577	-1	0
48	Iran	575	-1	0
49	Cameroon	572	-1	0
50	Colombia	564	-1	-4
50	Albania	564	0	0

Aguero, Neymar and Tevez, Yet Real Madrid are close to landing Adebayor.

2011-07-15T05:59:00.000-07:00

First Neymar, Then Sergio Aguero and Then Carlos Tevez and yet it seems that the first striker to be bought during the Jose Mourinho era to Real Madrid might be Emmanuel Adebayor. Although the togolese striker is far from the expectations the Bernebau faithfuls have shown he might be the perfect catalyst for a season where Real Madrid wish to win all the titles within their grasp. Although he is not one of the most prolific strikers in the world he can deliver 30 odd goals per season as he did for arsenal in his first year there.

And the thing is he can perform when required to as demonstrated by his two goal haul against high flying Spurs in the quarter finals of the champions league in the Bernebeau. And he is already afan favourite there following his 6 month loan from Manchester City. so if all goes well then we might expect to see Adebayor in the whites of Real Madrid Very soon.

Maicon Is Back; Brazil Might as well regain the Copa America Title.

2011-07-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

When Mano Menzes elected to field Douglas Maicon instead of Daniel Alves in the match against Ecuador many breathed a sigh of relief. And quite rightly so as the Inter Milan full back showed exactly why he is touted as the best attacking fullback in the world. The Selecao defender was not only a source of inspiration and confidence for the team. His surging runs and excellent runs was enough to guarantee Brazil a spot in the final 16 of the Copa America.Although, only with an assist to show for his hard work in the match due to some poor finishing up top by the attackers the player who was touted as the best in the world in the previous season is ready to fulfill his potential.

When Dani Alves secured the Brazil Fullback role following an impressive season with FC Barcelona; everyone thought Maicon's time in the yellow of the Selecao was over. But two extremely poor performances by Dani Alves in the Copa America later, the inter man was recalled into the team. and with Maicon having effectively rubber stamped his position as Brazil full back following a man of the match display against the Ecuadorians, it seems the former Monaco man has still got a lot left in the tank. And if he continues to perform in his best, Brazil has a great chance of regaining its position of continental champions.

Why Brazil Might Bow Out of The Copa America Early.

2011-07-13T04:57:00.000-07:00

Mano Menzes might be a man with a plan but his is plan surely is not working till now at least. With two draws to show for their efforts the South American Gaints now head into a must win match against Ecuador to secure a berth in the last 8 of the Copa America. And seeing that they have struggled massively in their previous two matches it seems evitable that the defending champions might be heading for an early exit.

The Fabled Quartet of Robinho, Pato, neymar and Pato have all failed to deliver until now and if it were not for Fred and Jadson's Heroics the champions might have already been knocked out. Despite the fact that Ecuador donot have many notable players except Antonio Valencia of Manchester United, they do play as a unit and seeing that the Brazillian team has not be showcasing their usual Flamboyant style of football as of late it would not be a complete surprise to see an upset early in the tournament.

First Rule Book Of Football is being Auctioned.

2011-07-12T07:35:00.001-07:00

The first ever rule book of football - set in 1858 - is to be auctioned and is expected to fetch a handsome 1.2 million pounds.

The laws were laid down by the world's oldest club, Sheffield FC, which is now selling the rule book listing them to raise cash, The Sun reported.

The 11 rules in the book were called the Sheffield Rules. They, however, bear very little similarity to the modern game.

Football matches lasted for two hours and there were 20 players in a team.

Handballs were allowed and it was also okay to catch the ball if it had not touched the ground.

The old rules formed the basis for the Football Association's Laws of the Game in 1863, which are considered the blueprint for modern football.

Is Gervinho the building block to A New Set of Invinsibles or just another false Dawn at The Emirates.

2011-07-11T09:08:00.000-07:00

With Arsenal Having Secured the services of the Ivory Coast Hitman, it seems that Arsene Wenger is on the verge of establishing another team of promising youngsters who embody the pass and play style that is so relative to the Gunners faithful. With Gael Clichy already heading out of the door and Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas set to follow him ; this might be the same story of another season when Arsene Wenger has to rebuild from scratch as his most Senior Players seem to exit the Emirates once more.

As he has done from time to time; arsene wenger is once again trying to rebuild and challenge, and the former Lille man might just be the key to arsenal's title chase. But it seems all to familiar that arsene wenger with his board pleasing tactics gives way to young unproven talent than experienced players for the development of the team. So this might as well turn out to be one of those false dawns which which have been so customary to Arsenal in the Last Decade.

Luka Modric wants to move to chelsea; Let Him.

2011-07-10T09:51:00.000-07:00

The truth about professional football is; if a player is adamant he wants to leave his current team for pastures new, the club can't stop him. So, it comes as a surprise when club try to keep hold of players that are so hell bent on leaving. I donot mean the club should accept a very small bid for the player but to make comments such that player is not for sale at any cost when player wants to leave. This is the case with Tottenham Hotspurs Chairman Daniel Levy who does not allow Luka Modric to leave. By doing so he does not only jeopardise the players position but keeps hold of a player who does not what to play. Such has been the case regarding a certain player by the name of Carlos Tevez. the player reiterates his desire to leave every other week yet the club doesnot listen. City can afford to not listen. But with Tottenham and Levy they should let modric go for a substantial bid if the player wants to leave. Because nothing destroys a team and dressing room more than an unhappy player. Just ask David Moyes.