Hi all,
So it's going to be Liverpool v Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup tomorrow morning (S'pore time).
1. What do you think will be the significance of this game in respect to their form in the EPL, and what will you be looking out for from the game?
Also, Mourinho has now lambasted Andy Johnson for "diving" to try and earn a penalty over the weekend against his team. Everton's David Moyes says Mourinho is being unfair, referring to Chelsea's "Ivorian Elephant" who scores brilliant goals but goes down when a flea lands on his back.
2. Is the EPL - the world's toughest league - becoming a league of "softies"?
At your service,
Ernest Luis
The Postman
The New Paper
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Significance - Liverpool and Arsenal should have given up on winning the Premiership now. They are quality teams and since they only need four matches to win the Carling Cup (is the semi-final still two legged?), they will try to get the Cup that may be a consolation prize for them.
What will I be looking out - Provided I can wake up, I will be looking out for Adebayor making a monkey out of Sami Hyypia.
League of 'softies' - You mean cheaters? Why not just be a straightshooter and say this category belong to the likes of Didier Drogba, Arjen Robben, John Terry, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Garcia, Robbie Keane, Juan Pablo Angel, the whole of the Italian national team, Diego Maradonna...Premiership players who do stimulations are pulling out all stops to win a game. It is becoming a league of 'softies'. They just want to win even if it means throwing integrity out of the window.
I'll be watching the CC match because...
1) It's a Liverpool match
2) I've got nothing better to do
3) I want to see just how good Arsenal's young players are.
For Liverpool, they’ll probably play some of the more experienced fringe players like Hyypia, Dudek, Fowler, Aurelio coupled with some youngsters in Hobbs, Guthrie, Peltier and Paletta.
I've to admit I'm more interested in the Arsenal side because I keep hearing about how promising the Arsenal youngsters are, so I want to see for myself exactly how good that is! Except for the few like Aliadiere and Walcott, I haven’t seen the rest before.
I don't really care if we lose to Arsenal in the CC, as long as we don't get totally outplayed and thrashed by a group of youngsters.
Personally, I don't really think AJ is a diver, though he might be one of those who tend to go down a little easily. Especially for someone of his built (similar to Drogba)...
I do get a little irritated by this. I had expected those who succeed in this league being the ones who have the physical advantage, and won't get pushed off the ball so easily, and not those who keep falling over like a girl… like me.
The Carling Cup is one trophy that is realistically within the reach of both clubs. Both teams will want to do their best to secure their passage to their semi-finals. In a one-off games like this, Liverpool's red hot form plus home ground advantage places the Reds in a more favorable position to progress. It will be a much closer affair this time round at Anfield. The tie could possibly be decided by the odd goal or a penalty shoot-out. Liverpool will want to continue their winning streak as they approached what could be considered as the defining period of their football season. Expect the Gunners to be gunned early in the first half.
On display, will be the undoubtedly talented Arsenal youths, Liverpool's unheralded youngsters and experience fringe players who are hoping to impress and stake a claim for a more regular starting spot. One player I'm looking forward to is the highly rated wonderkid Walcott. Hopefully he can inspire the erratic Gunners, the underdog to an unlikely victory.
This has to be one of the toughest league to be competing in, literally physically. Teams at the top has raised the bar so high that any loopholes that can be exploited will be exploited to achieve the desired result or to gain an 'unfair' advantage over the oppositions. Labeling the 'genuinely innocent 'Andy Johnson a diver immediately after the game was a bid by Mourinho to strategically deflect attentions and criticisms away from, who is starting to become a liability to the Chelsea defense. For AJ, it was a case of bad reputation (he did dived before to earn a penalty) preceding the foul. He is being made the scapegoat for Boulahrouz's mistake.
Diving exists in all leagues. The only reason why dives in EPL are highlighted more exaggeratedly is because of the extensive television coverage and media attention. When Mourinho looks back at the video replays, he will know that it was wrong of him to lambast AJ but I'm sure he's too proud to apologize to David Moyes. League of "softies"? I don't think. This is still the league famed for its physical approaches, where players toughened up to survive in the league or will end being shipped to other leagues if they cannot cope with the brutal tackles. Welcome to the league of the 'toughies'!
I do not think Arsenal or Liverpool have surrendered themselves in the title race. There are still a lot of matches left to be played. That’s the beauty of football, nothing is impossible.
Both teams have been on good form lately and wish to keep that momentum going. A win could kick-start their challenge in the League and what better way to do it than against one of your biggest rivals.
The CC is a perfect platform to blood young players, especially foreigners, into the English game. Both managers have used the CC previously to do that and it would be interesting to see the kind of talents that they have.
We certainly would want to see the latest gems Arsene has been polishing and whether any of Rafa’s foreign buys, such as Palletta and Guthrie, could cut it out in the English league given his poor transfer record so far.
Let’s not forget there is still a cup to be won and it would be foolhardy to think both teams do not want to win it. Maybe the league could be beyond them so winning the CC is a welcome respite from another trophy-less season, especially for Arsenal.
I would certainly hope the EPL does not turn out as such. Mourinho commented he enjoyed the honesty of the English game but if managers keep turning a blind eye to their own “intelligent players”, sadly the EPL could turn out to be a “softies” league.
The farcical display between Lehmann and Drogba summed up the state of the game in England right now. When you see strong men falling over from the slightest of touches, it beggars believe.
It’s all about getting the points and results. Football is a results-based industry. The game has become so pragmatic that players will try anything to get the slightest advantage over their opponents. If it means getting a player booked or sent off, players would not hesitate to do that.
Of course, players would go down if there was contact, especially in the box. That is part of the game which is acceptable. What we do not want to see is play-acting and diving to con referees and get opponents into trouble.
Managers should discourage simulation of any form and follow Stuart Pearce’s lead in condemning Corradi who dived against United. We won’t see him diving any time soon.
Umm... nor hadi, Danny Guthrie came right through the Academy, and he's not foreign.
Anyway, both sides will undoubtedly be playing to win. But the Carling Cup does provide a good excuses. If we win, then great, we won another trophy! But if we lose, then it's "just only the Mickey Mouse cup after all". I'm not going to deny that!
--
AJ did dive before, but he was totally not at fault for this one I felt. He didn't even make any penalty appeal and got up right away. I actually believe his version of "wanting to avoid the goalkeeper" more than Mourinho's version. And Mourinho's statement smacks right of hypocrisy. Of course I still condemn any form of diving and cheating, but Mourinho does need to look into his own backyard and sort the Drogbas and Robbens out first.
Sorry Lala, i wanted to write foreign buys and youths.. :j Thanks for the note !
I too genuinely felt AJ didn't dive. He was trying to avoid the keeper and there was a hint of a shove by "The Cannibal". He didn't even asked for the penalty when he got up. It's just a case of his reputation going against him as how LBH put it.
Of course managers have been "blind" to their players' indiscretions in the past, rather choosing to highlight opponent's so shouldn't be a surprise. How many times have Wenger "not see" an incident involving his players or Jol's infamous "he slipped" of Zokora's dive?
Until managers take a firm stance and not condone simulation of any kind, I'm afraid we will see more "softies" in the EPL.
Consider the players brought by Arsene Wenger to Anfield: Almunia, Poom, Hoyte, Lauren, Senderos, Djourou, Flamini, Walcott, Song, Denilson, Randall, Traore, Aliadiere, Connolly, Garry and Perez. Clearly with the packed Christmas scheduled matches approaching, Wenger can ill-afford to lose any of his regulars to long term injuries, and as such, will use this quarter-final tie to allow his starters to recuperate and also to give the youths and fringe players match time to accumulate valuable experience and match fitness. Arsenal's top priority now is to cement a Champion League spot, anything more is an added bonus. He won't fret too much even if his reserve team does not make it to the semi-finals.
On the other hand, Liverpool's frightening home record of 11 wins in 13 matches in all competitions makes the result a forgone conclusion. Added to that, Liverpool has kept 7 consecutive clean sheets in the EPL. Unless the Reds performed badly, it's hard to imagine the Reds not making it to the semi-finals.
Liverpool and Arsenal may be out of the Title Race. The chances of them winning are very very slim. They are both a very well known and strong club. I think they will try very hard to win the Carling Cup to boost their morale. I think Liverpool will try even harder than Arsenal as they also want revenge.
I will be looking out for Kuyt and Bellamy or Crouch to make Arsenal defence to look like a fool. I will also be looking foward to see Liverpool trashing Arsenal. It all depends on whether I will be able to wake up and watch the match.
EPL is the toughest league. Diving is a very good tactic if you are awarded a free kick. Because you will be able to get a free kick or penalty. Players who dives are smart as they prevent themselves from getting injured. Players who allow defenders to tackle them hard are stupid. As the chances of getting injured is very high.
There is a thin fine line between diving and genuinely being fouled. It depends on how you interpret the subjective situation. There is no total right or wrong. The physical approach characterized by EPL inevitably presents numerous opportunities for players to go down legally at the slightest contact. The most recent one before the AJ debate was the one involving Schwarzer and Ronaldo. In both instances, a penalty was being awarded without the the fallen player appealing for it.
Lax refereeing in England meant that some players are able to get away with horrific challenges with little or no punishment. As a result, players are encouraged to go in hard for the ball. Sometimes, the intention to tackle can also draw out a simulated 'legal' response. For example, some players do dive to avoid tackles or to 'cushion' the impact of the tackles that are being dished out constantly throughout the game.
Drogba a softie? He does show us his macho side with the way he goes about scoring some of his stunning goals, by brushing aside the defenders.
It is not a case of EPL becoming a league of "softies" but a case of players becoming more 'streetwise' in the football culture and taking full advantage of the football rules. This is still the toughest league to play in.
I don't think this game will bring any conclusion of their league form because we won't get to see many of those first teamers in action tonight.
Its well known to everyone whos well versed in English football that the League Cup has always been the last on the "Most Wanted" list of managers.Add on to that with the upcoming energy-sapping matches over the festives period,we are guarentee to see most of the reserves of both side playing tonight.If thats the case I see Pool winning this one as their bench is stronger compared to the Gunners and playing at home just gives them a further advantage.
On the softies issue,I will not say that EPL is becoming a nest for softies but its just the players' gamesmanship that made the players themselves look soft.The pace and aggresiveness of English football is still no.1 comepared to others in my opinion.
AJ and Drogba who were dragged into the arguement between JM and Moyes are in fact very strong players.However their tendency to fall over as though hit by a 5-tonner made them looked just a bit weak isn't it.But its a fact that play-acting and time wasting is part of the gamesmanship of the game and in such a tough league they are bound to be some existance of softies.If alls too hard,it could be too much to take for fans' eyes.
Cheers
Honestly I think Everton are making too much of a fuss about Mourinho's comments. Surely this isn't the first time a manager talked about a player diving, and Johnson being a diver?
Warnock's comments on Johnson was even harsher than Mourinho. Mourinho just hinted.
Also should Chelsea file a report on Moyes's comment about Gallas- Beattie issue? And why wasn't Warnock filed a report too? Was it because he is Jose Mourinho? I find this a bit petty and unnecessary.
true in a sense that for this league cup match up, you will see the "second-stringers of liverpool" vs the "united nations youth of Arsenal" no real conclusion can be made for their league challenge.
Interestingly, with liverpool facing barca, the league cup or possibly the FA are the only two trophies within their reach... therefore in order to safe Rafa's job.. maybe his team selection would be "hungrier" to win the league cup rather than arsenal.
Arsenal would use the league cup to weave in the youngsters and prime them for next seasons. Therefore there would not be much concern in regards to their league form....
Hmmmm.. league of softies... sigh sad to say slowly we can see the diving culture slowly creeping in.. what happen to no guts no glory.
Look at the sheffield united defencer.. david unsworth i think?, he got a bad bruise from an elbow from trying to protect their league and he just brush himself off and get on with the game. Would Drogba, brush himself and get on with the game.. most likely he will complain and complain... Anyway, what i am trying to say that unfortunately there will definately be divers (like in life, there are always cheaters)but we need to probe on and slowly discourage these divers. Either with a yellow card or a fine based on a video replays after the match... no point talking about the cows gone home but yet no real action is being done... (or is it like life, there are cheaters but they do get away with it...)
The match between Arsenal and liverpool would not have significance on the form that they currently have,i bet the carling cup is just a cup to give clubs a chance to showcase their young,inexperienced reserve players.The fact that some people label the carling cup as the mickey mouse cup proves my point. As a liverpool fan,i would be looking out to see if liverpool take this as a grudge match after their 3-0 loss at arsenal or would give his youngsters a run out,and if he does,is there a new stevie g in the team? League of softies eh?yes,mourinho always having spats with whoever he could find.Fergie retaliated instead of hearing the rubbish coming from mourinho.Moyes,why call drogba a diver,nowadays,every team has one or two ""heroes""the league of softies belongs to the whole football world,from the world cup to the s-league.football should be called the shameful game instead of the beautiful game.players are diving for their fat paycheck.ernest,pls email me if u are gonna publish this.it is ptwei95@yahoo.com.sg cheers!
Sorry.. wanted to add on this point...
I think that in the english league, there is a need for teams to be tough... once a team goes "soft" whether they are diving or worried or going in for challenges, they will not be able to cope..
.. for example.. look at West Ham.. after the transfer window, with the introduction of the two argentines, the whole team became disjointed and start losing their edge. Against man U, they fought for every ball, every tackle, made life difficult for Man U.. that is how they managed to get the win...
To me, this shows that if the players cannot live up to the physical challenge of the english league, no matter how much diving or whatever can help them succeed. Therefore, a certain steel or enforcers are needed in the english league which is why made english league such a wonderful experience to watch.. the never say die attitude is what makes me glued for more.....
The EPL remains one of the toughest leagues in Europe. The speed, passion and assertiveness in which the game is played epitomize the English game fans love. But simulation is ruining English football and football in general.
With the influx of foreign players and coaches, simulation has inevitably crept into the English game. Diving was unheard of 10 seasons ago but not in the continent where it’s deemed as part of gamesmanship. What ever it is called, it’s still cheating, plain and simple.
Tackles are similar anywhere in football. That’s the whole point of tackling, to go in hard, taking both ball and player. I agree in the EPL, referees do let a lot of tackles go. It’s a man’s game and if players cannot take the physical side of the game, they shouldn’t be playing. Football is a contact sport after all.
What we don’t want to see is players collapsing as though they have been hit by a truck when there is no contact at all. That’s the irony of it all. It drives us nuts! Don’t make football a laughing stock of the sports world. Gives them rugby boys more reason to shoot us down mates! :P
Any piece of silverware is better than no silverware. This might only be the Carling Cup, but both teams will be all out to win this, and attack rather than defend, as they are already out of the EPL title race. After all, this is their best chance to win a trophy.
Liverpool may field their strongest team, while Arsenal’s youngsters may start.
I’m expecting a game full of goals and chances. I’m also interested in how Arsenal’s nurturing talent can cope with Liverpool’s internationals.
With more and more players now cheating and collapsing with the lightest of touches, the face of the EPL is changing. It’s not only the “renown divers” (i.e. Drogba, Robben, Ronaldo) who collapse, but almost everyone else is perfecting this art. So, yes, the EPL definitely seems to be turning into a “league of softies.”
By rewarding such divers with free kicks and penalties, they will be conditioned to dive at every opportunity and gain a potential goal for the team. Of course, there’s also the “forbidden fruit” theory whereby players will dive simply because it’s “forbidden”.
Video replays will STOP these divers once and for all, and punish them instead.
While Arsenal played an exciting draw, Liverpool won comfortably. However, I feel this CC match will have been of much significance to their current form. Wenger will as usual be fielding his youngsters while Rafa will no doubt be tinkering again. I rather sleep in this cool weather if you ask me. But the entertaining football that Walcott and the other youngsters play is worth catching while watching how Rafa’s tinkered team gets their act together is the other plus point.
It should be soccer becoming a game of ‘softies’. Diving is not only plentiful in EPL but in other parts of the world and even on the international stage. But it has come to our attention because of its immense popularity and the large television coverage of the matches. However, in this incident, Mourinho is either over-reacting or up to one of his media tactics again. It was apparent that Johnson was fouled (I may be a Chelsea fan but I am as objective as can be). Before diving was introduced into the game, EPL is a much physical league. Now, it just gets tougher as the playing stakes are even higher.
Carling Cup: Liverpool vs. Arsenal
Liverpool has regained some form lately, whereas Arsenal has been going downhill. Tonight's match will be an opportunity for both teams' youngsters to prove themselves. The Carling Cup is a chance for either team to earn a trophy this season.
Liverpool needs to continue its winning streak, and prove that the past few games are not mere flashes in the pan. A win against Arsenal will boost Liverpool's confidence even more. On the other hand, Arsenal needs to regain some ground and rejuvenate the fans. They have been disappointing in the EPL recently, with the exception of their draw against Chelsea.
I hope to see an all-out attacking mindset from both teams, which will make for an exciting game.
Diving into a League of 'Softies'
Diving has become so commonplace of late, it is hard to pinpoint who dives. Mourinho vs. Johnson is a case of the pot calling the kettle black. In every match, players dive in the hope of getting a free kick or a penalty. I would go so far as to say that there is at least one black sheep in every team.
Mourinho has no right to point the finger at another team's player. Johnson was obviously manhandled by Bouhlarouz. If Mourinho's pride stops him from admitting the truth, he is the real 'softie'.
Yet I do hope referees clamp down on diving. Otherwise, in the near future, matches would have players falling down left, right and centre, affecting the beauty of the game. The EPL has an extremely physical nature, and it would be sad to see this degenerate into a league of divers. The referees and managers have a responsibility to prevent this league of 'softies' from forming.
Given that both Liverpool and Arsenal are trailing Manchester United and Chelsea by alot of points, this game will not have and big significance. But it will surely be a good boost to the winning team's confidence against their bitter rivals. As they will meet again in the FA Cup in January, this match is also a preview of what to come. Since Arsneal is playing their youngsters, Liverpool should win this easily.
Diving has become so important these days that almost all players know how to dive. But it is frustrating to see divers dive despite minimum contact. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United No.7) dives almost every match. It is a direct insult to George Best (Manchester United late legend No.7) who also wears the No. 7 jersey in Manchester United but stays on his feet despite foul tackles and even gone on to score wonderful goals.
However, we must also note that when players dive, some are definite fouls while others are just to con the referee. Diving is also so common because if you stay on your feet despite a foul tackle, the referee may not even blow for foul and it may cause your team (if your team is trailing and you are fouled in the penalty area). Advantage play doesn't help if you cannot go on to score.
Therefore, the best option for the EPL is to train the referees till they are the very best. I just cannot see why Graham Poll is still officiating the game.
Didier Drogba being a diver? What about the goal he scored against Blackburn this season?
What a waste that the match was postponed... But I thought this comment by Rafa was a little funny:
"We have a problem now because if we draw against Arsenal in the FA Cup then when are we going to play this game? Maybe we can play for both Cups in one game!"
(Seriously though, I don't know how anyone can play in that sort of climate - it's not just the fog, the temperature is also scary.)
As for Everton and Mourinho, I don't know what's up with either of them. The entire thing is turning into a joke.
Firstly, I don't know what was Mourinho trying to do by labelling AJ a diver. It's not as if they lost that game, so there was definitely no need to deflect attention this time? And honestly, I'm waiting for someone to bring up the fact that his players too have a diving reputation, and see what he has to say about that. This time AJ really didn't seemed as though he was really diving to gain a penalty. Take a look at the replays, he instantly got up and got on with the game! And secondly, Everton saying they're going to sue? I don't know the law well enough, but certainly this seemed to be a pretty trivial crime if there was any. I certainly don't think Mourinho is the first to have labelled AJ a diver.
Mourinho is just as the same as evey manager in the league.
They see the good in their team and the bad in their team. It so happened that chelsea is winning that most of teh things that come out of his mouth is taken out of proportion.
Thid AF, AW, RB and other managers highlight that their players dive? No. They turned a blind eye on their players fault but not to the opposing teams.
"the good in their team and the bad on the other team" --
sorry,hearing change to ignoring.line19,tks.line 13""he""stands for rafa
Yesterday was worse than Bret Hart Montreal Screwjob. Not a single Chelsea fan had his/her/its post published. The question should instead be 'Can Manchester United extend their lead and go on to win the Premiership?'
It's like a girl asking a guy to ask his friend what he thinks of her. The guy does not tell because.......
Hey Ernest, how's your drive home two nights ago?
My focus of this match would be Liverpool. A win for Rafa would really impress the sheikh. So what will a loss do? With the Premiership gone and a Champions League encounter with Barcelona, Rafa is in desperate need of trophies. I don't think the sheikh would like it if Liverpool are only competing for the FA Cup. But, Liverpool are Cup specialists and I expect them to emerge victorious.
The Premiership is now very ridiculous. Defenders blocking keepers during set-play, diving to get penalties and tackling recklessly. The FA must do something about it. Either impose a ban on divers or use video replays!!!!
I was reading about all these "hard men" in English football, but are there any left now? English football has always been proud of the spirit shown by players like Terry Butcher, who played through this game with a head bandage soaked with blood. Seeing that picture kinda scared me, because he had his whole white shirt soaked in red at the end... And then you also had nicknames like "Anfield Iron" given to legends like Tommy Smith, and “Psycho” to Stuart Pearce, because of their tough playing style.
True, those "hard men" were predominantly English, but surely the softies we're seeing now aren't just the "foreigners"? AJ certainly isn't foreign. Neither is Terry, Gerrard, or J. Cole, etc. They often say about how the foreigners were the ones who brought the art of diving and cheating into English football, but to me, it’s just a case of “pot calling kettle black”, as with Mourinho here.
The most incredulous thing is that many supposed "softies" actually do look tough on the outside. Except for a few like Ronaldo and Robben who do look suited for ballet, surely you can't tell me players like Drogba are prone to being blown away by the wind...
To q-s, you are obviously seething with jealousy like a green-eye monster to say that the whole Italian team cheats. Cheaters exists everywhere. Not just football.
The Italians won the world cup fail and square. Was Henry not a cheater when he dived over Carvalho? Is that penalty not similarly to Grosso's? They fell over the offending player which is not a wrong decision to give a penalty because technically they were obstructed.
Back to the topic of diving. It is a form of cheating I agree, but do not stereo-type. It was suggested by an Englishman on football365 afew months ago that the English should learn to dive more as they have only a World Cup in contrast to the 'dark forces' of Italy having four stars on their chest.
They are envious but secretly admire their European counterparts for their smart play resulting in bulging silverware cabinet.
Florent Malouda dived in the final too. Zambrotta hardly touched him. Denmark and Sweden drew 2-2 in Euro2004 in a great 'show', was it not cheating? Austria and Germany played out a boring draw in the World Cup 30 years ago was it not cheating?
The difference is that Englishmen wanted to cheat but are not smart enough to. Like Beckham and Rooney, trying to hurt opponents in full view of referees which bordered on comedy, anyone remember the back-kick at Diego Simeone?
Brazil with 5 stars on their shirt also cheated. Remember Rivaldo was 'shot' by a Turkish sniper in 2002 World Cup, the poor Turk kicked the ball softly at his legs, yes his legs and he felled, clutching his face as if he got a De Rossi elbow.
Have you yourself never cheated in any situation?
Chico, I'm not jealous of the Italian national team. I don't care who wins the World Cup. I'm more interested in Singapore defending their Asean Cup.
Look here chump, I referred to my favourite team's players as cheaters too. Like Drogba and Robben.
I'm trying to think the last time I cheat, ok...umm...let me think...still thinking...I just can't.....oh, I crossed the road without waiting for the green man. Now, when was the last time YOU cheat?
It’s true, irregardless of nationality, players have made diving as trendy as wearing white boots in football. While we have seen English players simulating, diving was never associated with the English game because the English played the game in the right spirit.
Of course, the English players aren’t “intelligent” enough to get away with it because it’s not in their culture to do so while Continental players have actually been coached to dive. How incredulous is that?
The European leagues, especially the EPL, are broadcasted globally to a wide audience. When kids see these big and athletic stars diving and simulating and getting away with it, what message does it send to them?
Now we are starting to see kids emulating those acts in the youth levels. It becomes a vicious cycle and it has got to stop.
We admire and love the EPL because it’s competitive and exciting with the game always being played in the right spirit. We certainly don’t want a league of “softies”.
Something has got to be done to eradicate simulation from the game. I agree with Priscilla video evidence is one good solution but managers and especially players should stand up and be counted.
It's easy for us to blame referees for being incompetent and not stringent enough to ensure diving is not commonplace. However, isn't that deflecting responsibility from the players and managers?
The referee’s job is already as hard as it is, it shouldn’t be made tougher by players trying to con referees and acting innocent, arguing and pressuring the referee when decisions do not go their way.
The game is so highly paced now that it’s difficult for the men in black to spot every indiscretion. We have the luxury of constant replays but referees only have a split second to make decisions.
Of course, people are advocating the use of video replays to help referees make important decisions but technology shouldn’t interfere with the fluidity of the game and only be used for certain game-changing events.
Referees shouldn’t be made to constantly look at replays every time a player simulates. Hence, players and managers must assume responsibility in cleaning up the game.
It’s easy to make referees the scapegoat but if players don’t make a meal of challenges and managers stop turning a blind eye to their player’s indiscretion, simulation will definitely not rear its ugly head in football.
The whole debate about diving is getting out of hand. Simulation exist across the globe. As mentioned earlier, the extensive media coverage is blowing the whole matter out of proportion. During some of the training sessions, players are conditioned to 'fall' when contacted. Of course, there will be at least one or two black sheep in every team that will go down as if being shot when in 'contact' with the wind, which tends to exaggerate matters.
Television replays? It's way too subjective. Like the penalty involving Schwarzer and Ronaldo. Did Ronaldo cheat? The views were divided over the whole issue. This is how fast the game is being played, even with the luxury of television replays, we still cannot tell whether Ronaldo dived or not. Was it a case of his reputation preceding the foul?
Eradicating simulation? I think it's difficult. Diving is deeply ingrained in the modern football culture. There is only so much television replays or referees can do. At the end of the day, it is the players' choice whether they want to take the easy way out or they want to clean up their game and promote fairway.
Degenerating in a league of 'softies'? Perhaps. Many top players are afraid to stand up and admit that they did dive and choose to deflect their mistakes to others. Managers should also lead by example and not look at the speck in others, without first removing the plank from their own eyes. As what Jus_mi aptly phrase it, "if Mourinho's pride stops him from admitting the truth regarding the AJ issue, he is the real 'softie'."
Why is Drogba labelled a diver? Drogba feigns injury, but he has never dived to earn a penalty for Chelsea. If there is, can you all tell me? I would like to know.
One of the most pathetic thing Everton could have done about the incident was complaining to their mummy (the FA) on the comments by JM. Their reason: We are complaining because we are accused of getting players to dive although we do not endorse it.
It was just an overreaction by Jose, in fact not as much as Warnock's reaction to Johnson in after the Watford-Everton match. Why wasn't this reported and complained by newspaper reports all over? Why didn't Everton file a 'formal complaint' then? Is there one rule for Chelsea and Jose and anotehr for everyone else? Or do they just want Roman's money..
It is such a surprise Everton comes to the defense of Johnson? Did you expect anything otherwise? Ernest, Drogba has taken the falling down easily from his game, did you see the Blackburn match?
Also, the "dive" when Lehmann pushed him wasn't done to earn anything. Did Drogba try to claim anything with the ref? Did he cried for help? He just went down, I believe with surprise from the push by Lehmann and got up to retaliate? Why is it such an issue? Why is this called prove as Drogba a diver? I've known better divers and I've seen better. Ronaldo and Gerrard comes to mind.
Everton did not file a complain then because:
1) Everton won that match
If Everton had emerge victorious last weekend, I don't think Moyes would have kicked up such a big fuss. It's a good move by Moyes to diguise the fact that his team has thrown the game away to 2 special individual goals in the last 10 minutes despite taking the lead twice.
2) After the game, Warnock 'praised' Andrew Johnson for resorting to 'gamesmanship' to win the penalty award that led to Claude Davis' dismissal and the Toffees' killer second goal at Goodison Park.
Neil Warnock is not the Special One. It would make Moyes a big bully in the eyes of the media. With the Special One, it's the reversal and it makes more financial sense. Anyway, Mourinho must have been reading this blog. As mentioned earlier, "If Mourinho's pride stops him from admitting the truth regarding the AJ issue, he is the real 'softie'." He has apologized for his Johnson outburst today. He may be proud and arrogant but he is not afraid to apologize if he has made a mistake.
cfcfan, we admire the loyalty you have to your club but we certainly cannot understand the logic you have just painted for us.
"Also, the "dive" when Lehmann pushed him wasn't done to earn anything. Did Drogba try to claim anything with the ref? "
A big, strong Chelsea hero going down after the slightest of pushes? Surely, he intended to get Lehmann booked or better yet, sent off. Maybe London had strong winds that day, hence, blew Drogba down? *shrugs
"He just went down, I believe with surprise from the push by Lehmann and got up to retaliate?"
Well now, if he retaliated, surely Drogba deserves to be sent off or booked for taking the law into his own hands? Maybe, he was surprised at how easily he fell..due to the wind of course.
"Why is it such an issue? Why is this called prove as Drogba a diver?"
I guess when you fall too easily and intend to get a fellow professional into trouble; you are called a "diver". But we can call him a "simulator" or "actor" if it makes you feel any better or as q-s has put it aptly, a cheat? It is an issue because when you try to con the referee by collapsing as though a tank has hit you; it brings the game into disrepute.
For all his talents, skills and physical prowess, Drogba is a world class player who does not need to do that. But we admire your loyalty cfcfan. It was certainly entertaining.
I admit that I was quite amused by the theatrics of two 'tough' adults, Lehmann and Drogba. Such 'tussle' occasionally do happen. At the end of the day, EPL is still considered by many to be one of the physically toughest league to compete in. Foreign players will definitely be shocked when introduce to physical nature of the game. Every game is physically demanding and anything less than 100% effort is simply not enough. It is also this baptism of fire that continues to attract talented players from all corners of the world.
Ironically it is also the physical game play that provides numerous opportunities for players to exploit, but it would be too exaggerating to label EPL as a league of 'softies'. On the whole, under the 'watchful' eyes of referees, every game is generally played in good spirt.
>A big, strong Chelsea hero going down after the slightest of pushes? Surely, he intended to get Lehmann booked or better yet, sent off.
You're basing this on? Or did you assume as all of you usually do?
>I guess when you fall too easily and intend to get a fellow professional into trouble; you are called a "diver". But we can call him a "simulator" or "actor" if it makes you feel any better or as q-s has put it aptly, a cheat? It is an issue because when you try to con the referee by collapsing as though a tank has hit you; it brings the game into disrepute.
I wasn't talking about diving being an issue dumbass. I was talking about the Lehmann and Drogba incident. Both players were in the fight of their own and there was no claim from either to 'con the ref' as you put it. Incidentally, can you tell me the last time Drogba dived that gave an advantage to Chelsea? I know Ronaldo did it already, Robben hasn't, Drogba hasn't. Looks like some people have learned their lessons while others haven't.
>But we admire your loyalty cfcfan. It was certainly entertaining.
Thanks for speaking for everyone. I'm sure that you are their represensative. You were amusing too none to say the least.
>if Mourinho's pride stops him from admitting the truth regarding the AJ issue, he is the real 'softie'."
Well we know the answer now, don't we?
>Anyway, Mourinho must have been reading this blog.
Shame. And I thought people would be happy to see Jose apologise.
>Well now, if he retaliated, surely Drogba deserves to be sent off or booked for taking the law into his own hands?
And Lehmann wouldn't have been sent off because he instigated an argument because?
This is laughable indeed.
Who is the biggest 'softie' of them all? It's Cristiano Ronaldo, right? And he makes up for it by entertaining with tricks never seen before by the English fans? Attracting the female Manchester United fans too. Over in England, they think he's way hotter than Frank Lampard.
I can't believe some influential people in the media actually think Cristiano Ronaldo is a good player. Good in the sense that his dribbles, crosses and passes are effective and entertaining. Trying to fake a penalty? That's not good.
I am envious of Cristiano Ronaldo. If I look like him, I would make Aaron Aziz look like an average actor. Now, if Cristiano Ronaldo plays his football cleanly, it's a healthy kind of jealousy. One that I won't lie to everyone that he's gay to cancel off his chances with any girls.
But when I see Cristiano makes a theatrical dive when being challenged by a tough defender, it makes me sick to the stomach. What message is he sending the naive girls who worship him? 'I'm doing this because I can,' ?
Isn't Cristiano being irresponsible by trying to win free kicks and penalties through simulations? If the media continues to potray Cristiano as the 'in' thing, imagine what irresponsibility can do to the society.
Haha, cfcfan, to be honest, I think you deserve some applause for being able to defend Jose or Drogba. I'm not being sarcastic, but I definitely think you're one of the very very few who have been able to actually find anything to defend them with.
Certainly I don't think Drogba is the worst of the lot, neither is AJ, and Mourinho's not the only hypocrite around. It's just that it doesn't change the fact that Mourinho IS STILL a hypocrite, Drogba is still a diver (or actor or simulator or over-reactor, whichever term you like). Maybe you feel we're just targetting Chelsea in this case, and maybe we are, but well, it all started from Jose's big mouth didn't it?
Get him to shut his mouth if he wants us to shut ours.
But honestly, I think Jose loves all the attention he's getting, he loves getting us all wind up with his big mouth, so don't bother!
Anyway I'm surprised Mourinho actually apologised. I thought he'd never see the light. Don't know if I actually feel disappointed or not, 'cause I can't complain about him in this case anymore...
I read in the paper that JM apologised.
I found new respect to the man despite all the hatred. :)
Another Drogba killer-goal in the carling cup.
I agree with Nor Hadi that I don't think Liverpool and Arsenal have give up the title race yet. There are still 18 matches to go and Man U and Chelsea look beatable this season. Their form of late is far from excellent. Even Mourinho admit that. If Liverpool and Arsenal can take advantage of their slip-ups, the title race is still quite open.
Interestingly, now that Arsenal will have to plays Liverpool twice in 3 days at Anfield for the FA Cup then League Cup in January, the focus will definitely be on the FA Cup. It will definitely affect their league given the tight schedule and the many games they have to play in the next 2 months. While Liverpool has the luxury of a big squad of experience players for rotation (anybody questioning rotation policy now?); Arsenal will have to rely on their youth to bring them through. The League Cup is the least significant in the fixture list and you can expect Arsenal to blood out the youngster for that match. Liverpool will also definitely rest the senior players but you can see the experience players in the likes of Dudek, Warnock, Aurelio, Agger, Sissoko, Gonzalez, Zenden, Kewell, Crouch and Fowler leading the line – not forgetting they have their own youngster like Paletta, Guthrie, Anderson, El Zhar to call upon. You can expect the rotation policy to pay dividends as the schedule gets tighter.
For the “softies” issue, I think it is very hard to swallow to hear from Mourinho lambasting opponent players for diving when more often or not, his own Drogba and Robben are guilty of it. It is as simple as that was previously mentioned; the managers should just remove the plank from their own eye first. Of course, this does not apply only to the Chelsea manager but to the rest of the managers as well. Whether the players dive or not will always be a debatable issue and will never cease. It is really up to the intent of the both attacker and defender too. It is sometime very hard to judge a striker that goes down at the slightest touch because it could also be the case that the slightest touch disrupts the whole body momentum. In conclusion, I think the introduction of TV replay technology and retrospective punishment (suspension) to be introduced will go a long way to ease some issues.
Anybody remain of the Rivaldo at World Cup? (He covers his face and rolls on the floor and feigns injuries when the ball only accurately hit his knee) – Classic.
Just a side note, I remember in my secondary school days, my school team coach casually taught me the ‘right’ technique to diving and how to foul opponent with being ‘caught’ (When they start playing ‘dirty’ first); although I never really put those tricks into practice.
Lyrad
Purplefootball.blogspot.com
daryL's last paragraph caught my interest. I may know quite a lot about football but when it comes to playing it, let's just forget it.
Years ago when I was 10 times more fit, I was representing my class. I was put on the left. Since I was never a David Ginola, I lured the right back to tackle me in a way straight from Kung-Fu Hustle. I GENUINELY fell. The referee blew the whistle. I thought we are going to get a free kick so I adjusted the ball. Then, the referee blew the whistle signalling I dived and the other team gets the free kick.
The referee was a FIFA approved regional referee. If he can be fooled by your average 'pai-kia', what more referees like Graham Poll?
The significance of this match is clear and simple. The Carling Cup is one of the 2 trophies available that is up for grabs for the both of them. The Gunners and Reds are virtually out of the EPL Title chase. The gap is simply too far.
Watch out for the Gunners' young team. Although young, but they are extremely talented. I am a Spurs fan. I hate to admit it but i would love to lure some of the excellent youngsters that Arsenal has at its disposal. Look at how Gunners can replace players with young guns without much of a hassle. Although sometimes, it does takes a while la. I am also an avid player of FM 2007. If anyone plays FM here, they would know that Arsenal's Reserves and U18s are virtually a team of wonderkids! And from my experience, the FM is quite parellel to the real world. If that young player is good in the game, most probably he is also damn good in the read world like Theo Walcott!!
As for the softies question, my view is that as EPL is now very dollar-oriented. Every win is so damn important for survival and money. Coaches and players would do anything for a win. With influx of foreign owners and their bling blings to bring in world class players with world class wages, surviving EPL is a whole lot tougher. So it is not surprising that some teams would resort to a bit of cheating to gain advantage over one another. So i guess i would agree that EPL is becoming a league of "softies".
Theres an ugly side of everyone no matter how angelic we can be.
Lets give credit to Drog for his vast improvement since last season but he really need to clean up the ugly side of his game before he can really be deemed a great player.
Before him,there was Wise,Cantona,Roy Keane and many other precocious talents who have shown their good side as well as the bad ones to fans.The bad side here is their hot temperament which adds agressiveness to their game that contributes to the EPL tag of being tough.Still there are seen as some of the best players around.But this new gen of players brought a new ingredient into the bad category and thats their softies antics which is definately a no-no in England.
One thing for sure no one will ever really regconise Drog or C.Ronaldo as best in the world til they can shake off their softies image.Even Ronaldo knows that too.
I can understand the defending of Drog by cfcfan and I guess he won't like players of his team to dive too just like I don't like to see any Devils diving around.Who doesn't want his team to win without any controversies right?haha
Cheers.
When I was watching that Chelsea Vs Arsenal match, one part of that match was much funnier than the Ronaldinho Gaucho comic strip on the Sports page. Didier Drogba Vs Jens Lehmann. From my point of view, Didier Drogba was frustrated because he felt he was fouled earlier on but no penalty was awarded. So, Lehmann pushed Drogba a little to get him to carry on with the game. Drogba overreacted by falling to the ground (I would like to a agree with a person who likes to use people's words against them but not for this one). Drogba, still angry that penalty was not given earlier, got up to Lehmann and bodychecked him. Lehmann then applied 'anything you can do I can do better' by falling like a ton of bricks too. Something that Lehmann said to Drogba that may instigate this comic relief.
I agree with Eric that Drogba and Ronaldo have improved tremendously this season. Certainly, both have become important players to their teams.
We do not deny both are world-class players in their own right. However, they have enough talent and skill to not resort to unfair means to influence games.
Benni McCarthy commented how physically tough and demanding the EPL where every game is a constant battle. Maybe, due to English referees’ tendency to allow certain tackles to go by, players are resorting to over-exaggeration to get protection.
That’s what Ronaldo highlighted recently about not being protected by referees for obvious fouls.
Its understandable players get frustrated when that happens but we certainly want players to stay on their feet when they are not touched.
Players can be “intelligent” without resorting to simulation. By being quick thinking and having great awareness on the field, it will give players an advantage over their opponents. A good example is Paul Scholes who is not the biggest of players but is able to hold his own consistently for many seasons. He sees the early pass and moves quickly before defenders get near.
I think simulation is a problem that would not go away easily. Solutions are aplenty but whether they work or not remains to be seen. But we should take heart that the problem is not as bad in the EPL as in other leagues. Hence, let’s enjoy the many exciting holiday period matches to come!
The fog has complicated the quarter final tie between the two titans. The postponing meant that both clubs would now have to compete in 7 matches in 22 days. Another thing to take note is that the league cup clash will happen 3 days after their FA Cup encounter and as such, the element of surprise will be low. Expect both teams to neutralize each other at the second meeting. It will be a close affair. Yet however, with a semi-final berth at stake, I would expect the loser of the FA cup match to want to win this more. It's anyone's game in the semi-finals. Realistically, either of them has a higher chance of winning the League Cup as compared to the EPL title.
Mathematically, the League title is still within their grasp. But you and I know that Chelsea and Man U are not going to drop points cheaply. It will take a brave man to predict that the title will end up somewhere else other than at Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford. Huge slices of luck, 18 consecutive wins, 5 losses each at least from the front two might make that scenario possible. Clubs which wishes to win the League title has to emulate Chelsea's consistency and the ability to grind out results when the chips are down. Sadly, only Man U is able to replicating that form.
No one's perfect. Drogba isn't an angel, but he has matured and really blossomed into a lethal striker this season. He has cleaned up his act considerably, though sometimes we are being treated to his occasional theatrics. HIs portfolio of stunning goals is accumulating fast this season. He is the best and most in-form and feared striker in Europe at the moment and definitely the best player in EPL so far this season. He is not a 'softie' as demonstrated by some of the goals scored where he could have easily chosen the easier way out by dropping to earn penalties, but no he did not. He in fact, brush aside the physical challenges and went on to score some fantastic goals along the way. He is the man!
Once you dived, you will be crucified by the media and your name will be entered into the blacklist handbook of the referees. Many times, we've also seen defenders getting away with some x-rated tackles because the players that they tackled e.g Robben, Ronaldo, Drogba, Diouf have a reputation for diving. It's sickening to watch players dive, but it's even worse to see players trying to ruin the football life of others.
Simulation is part and parcel of modern football. Players can choose to ignore or to participate. At the end of day, it's up to the referees' call. Once the decision is made, the decision is final. There is not right or wrong but subjective to the referee's interpretation during the game. For example, a player who is reputed for diving is genuinely fouled in the box might receive a yellow card for 'diving' whereas a 'clean' player who simulated a dive in the box might helped to earn a penalty and a dismissal of an opposing team player. This is the realism of modern football. Therefore, eradicating simulation out of football is almost impossible. Teams must innovate and learn to cope with simulation and ensure that they do not caught surprise by such antics.
Yes and sometimes the media never forgives.
Robben has not dived a single time in this season and when challenges on him get really physical he gets ignored. It is not the first time Robben get hit in the face while running and the ref ignores him. Unfair but I know many of you will call it justice served.
P.S. If you noticed, when English players dive, it tends to get ignored. If foreign players dive..
ladylala, you're welcome. Surely what I say here is needed to make this site with a more balanced view. There's always two ways (or more) to look at things, thats the whole point of this forum (this isn't really a forum but its close).
Alright,this post has nothing to do with the topics here.
Just wanna say its nice to meet some of you bloggers like the boys,chatty hadi,cute ladylala and my comrade Kelvin and many others tonight.Had fun.
Cheers
hahhaa... eric... well.. i guess most of us have fun...
interesting to see the real persons behind the nick... hopefully the opinions will come thick and fast...
never realise that ladylala looks so demure in person... and how tall you are...
hahaha.. i guess this shows that you can never judge a person from its looks unless it start talking about passion when we talk about football....
let the views continue....
With regards to the topic,I do really wonder whether the EPL is the world's toughest league as how Ernest puts it?
I think some of us have seen the South American Leagues and they can be really feisty. For example, the Boca Juniors-River Plate matches are really freaky and the some of the Brazilian games can degenerate into fist matches.
What do you guys think?
p.s. Enjoyed the outing guys and gals. Happy to meet people who are passionate about football as I am. Excuse me while I go check where Swindon is before I truly want to support them..HaHa.. No offence Peter! :j
There was an outing and I wasn't invited? I won a Letter Of The Week in September. Maybe most people still believe in what others say about a particular person without consulting the person themselves. Well, I've been on the receiving end of much worse conspiracy theories. You can take your little outing and shove it. My comments here will never end, Ernest. And that's all I have to say about that.
Wa... I've fan mail here. Hahaha! I'm cute and demure and tall?! Hello, are you serious! Ok, maybe cute. But this is the first time I've heard the demure and tall bit. I'm a dwarf compared to Eric Crouch and I'm far from being demure! Yah, anyway, it was fun. Didn't realise how Eric and Kelvin are so close, BH has a relationship with someone here, and hadi is as handsome as Hady! Haha. And I never lasted so long in a room full of Man U fans (ah, I don't care about the Chelsea ones!).
Ok, I'll admit I don't know what division Swindon is. (I just know they're "somewhere down there..") let me check.. hmm, League 2.. Um, ok, they're maybe gonna get promoted to League 1 soon. Stupid website they've got though, it wanted me to register with the site when I wanted to see their squad. Boo.
Aww... q-s!! Don't be... um, never mind. We love you all the same! Just like how we do love cfcfan (just not Chelsea) a lot. Spread the love people, it's Christmas time! :D
Yeah!good to c some of the familiar faces such as Eric, Boon Hock and a few new ones too.
I think the EPL can be considered the toughest league because they do not have a winter break to rejuvenate. While teams like Barca etc get rest, the likes of Man U, Chelsea go through a gruelling X'mas with many matches played over a short time.
In terms of standard of soccer, the La Liga or even the South American League can be compared to the EPL. Its just that perhaps the teams in South American League lose out in terms of finances and organisation.
Okay, i am not going to ruffle any feathers here but to say that Drogba and Robben do not dive at any point in time is an understatement. Just how many times have we seen the BIG man cry out in pain for a seemingly innocous challenge. I know i will be shot but well, let's be objective and i am sure many will agree with that fact about Drog being swatted as if he were a fly.
Cheers,
kel
(oh btw, later I realised sam fishy was referring to Eric as being tall, and not me. Though I guess my blunder's not as terrible as someone not knowing Guthrie is English.. :P)
Anyway, when will Ernest change this topic!?! It's not that I'm impatient, but this page is getting so long (okok, and I'm still making it longer)! He really should have let me know his password, 'cause I'm such a genius, I could have sorted this out quickly! Haha, just kidding. :D
South America's leagues can be as tough as the English ones but sometimes its more violent than tough.Even though South American players have the techniques and skills in them,they still tend to play hardcore football.Hm...Maybe its because of their better techniques too that the defenders have to resort to x-rated tackles to stop those Robinhos and Kakas from playing.
I do wonder whether they are out to play football or just to get someone injured out there.Thats not being tough but spoiling the game as well.
Well ladylala,doesn't Crouch makes quite a good partnership with the relatively short livewire Bellamy?haha.
Cheers
Hi, i was one of the guys who turned up last nite at SPH. I'm the one in light-yellow polo tee. The photo-shoot with the working adults group was fun.
It's nice to meet up with some of the bloggers. I always read along but post once in a while because of the questions Ernest ask are so challenging.
Also, it is nice to know that there is one more true loyal Spurs fan in Ernest.
Spurs Rocks!!!!
Great to meet you guys yesterday! Sorry have to accompany Laura to a singing audition yesterday. Thank goodness she made it in time to be the last person there! Perhaps we can organize an outing to go out the next time round!
BTW an early Merry Christmas to everyone here!! Maybe we can spam the comments to hit 99 comments before the next question comes along!!
I do think in terms of aggression,players in the South American leagues do require a bit of steel to accompany their natural technical ability. The "Hard Men" are really the toughest players you can possibly imagine. They make Roy Keane look like an angel! :P
I guess to survive, these players need abit more finesse and intelligence. Hence, maybe that's why you see them resorting to simulation?
p.s Congrats LaLa on being this month's winner. You are too kind your comment, its just good lighting in SPH, makes everyone look good :j
Someone should tell blogger they ought to make a few pages for the comments section. My scrollbar is getting so tiny!
Unbelievable, you guys actually watch the South American leagues?! All I know is how they keep getting crowd trouble because of their stadiums and flare-throwing fans...
Hmm..too bad there aren't any Arsenal fans around, or we could have tried to wind up the Spurs fans more.. Oh, and Huey Chin, I don't think Ernest is that true and loyal to Spurs! I bet he still rues the day he turned on the TV to a Spurs match... Haha, oops.
Thanks Hadi, but anyway the lighting doesn't do miracles, because I think I'll still look horrid in the photos as always. Anyway, just wanted to say you are all a great bunch of talented and great people! Only flaw you guys have is supporting the wrong team! Aw. :)
supporting a team with logical comments are alright (that means if the team is in the wrong, they are in the wrong) i salute Stuart Peace on that.... but supporting with blind faith.. then it is questionable.... (ring any bells....)
So who is the say that supporters are supporting the wrong teams when everyone is subjective to the team they support.... (remember Asene narrow vision on diving..)
Hahah.. anyway.. i dont support any particular teams.. therefore.. maybe i am in the wrong....
Hello everyone!! its nice meeting you guys at the SPH. i'm wai kit, the tall, slim guy.
I believe fans support their club for some specific reason.
It could be either the club is their hometown club such as Swindon for Peter or it could be for some individuals such as Beckham,following him from wet Manchester to the bling bling Madrid.Actually mine is similar to Ernest's scenario,when I on the TV I saw this guy with the collar up executing a perfect bicycle and scored.Thats Cantona.The rest is history.
In fact the 1st team I supported was Singapore when they are still in Msia League.Those were the days.I still support Spore ofcos but Devils become the priority now somehow.Don't ask why.haha
After seeing Devils won the Trebles, my wish now is to see the Devils beat the Reds on the overall English Championship records which stands at 18 currently.Just a few to go and thats achievable.
Cheers
For me, I starting supporting Chelsea when I was in sec 3. I got a friend who was the only Chelsea supporter in class in the midst pf Reds, Devils and Gunners clan taunting. I decided to join him and the rest is history. From Huges to Zola to Sutton (another multi million flop) to Flo to Hasselbank to Drogba and now Sheva. I've seen the ups and downs over the past 10 years - from the prospect of administration till one Russian guy came along to deposit his spare change. How about you guys? Why do you support the club that you are supporting now?
Hi all,
Yes, I'm a Spurs fan, and will remain that way. No question of divorce there. But I can be hard on them, just like I have been, or may be, on the Lions soon in the AFF Cup next month.
All I know is that Sylvester - Singapore Idol finalist - turned from Spurs to Real Madrid. He needs a microphone on his head, that's for sure.
In the meantime, I cannot seem to get back into my Blogger account despite all my known permutations.
So I've to start creating a new one in the meantime, for the New Year, the New Year's question. I will add the link and announce it in the paper when it's ready. (Will I have a new colour Ladylala? Stay tuned...)
For now, I need to settle the Boxing Day edition photos first.
Cheers
The "Blogged-out" Postman
:|
Aww... the Postman is blog-less! But since you are creating a new blog, you might as well give me your old blog password! Hmmm... :P
Want to hear my long old story about Liverpool again? Well... it's kinda lame lah. And you'll realise how little I know about football until like 2, 3 years ago. In the past, I didn't even know football had clubs involved. I thought they were all countries. Haha.
Then when I met my boyfriend in Sec 3 he was talking about a stupid game called Championship Manager. I thought I knew enough about football since I watched the World Cup and even knew hotties like Santa Cruz, Jon Dahl Tomasson etc, but I've never heard of this Lee Bowyer or Nick Barmby he mentioned. So I just decided to select a random team to support, chose Liverpool because of Owen and because I don't like worshipping Devils, and started playing Fantasy football. The first week was pretty horrid, naturally I got those I heard before, including Sorensen because I remembered him as a hottie from Denmark, not knowing that you should never get Sunderland goalkeepers!
But after a while, I started learning... from Internet, CM (now FM), New Paper, forums etc. And the more I learnt about Liverpool, I realised there's so much more to love about Liverpool than just Owen. History, reputation, fans, team, club motto... everything about them is just great. :)
I do admire and applaud you guys for being so passionate about the clubs you support, with some interesting stories too on how it happened.
Personally, I guess I just cannot relate to any of them as how Peter does with his local team, Swindon. The closest association to a club that I passionately supported were the Lions during the Malaysia Cup era but that's about it.
I'm just a keen admirer of football in general, irregardless of clubs or countries. I love to see football being played the way it should and it still gives me goosebumps whenever I see a beautiful passes, incredible skills or stupendous goals. Nothing beats football man!!
Its like a drug I never want to get rid of. I think all of us will attest to that :j
Happy holidays to everybody. Do enjoy yourselves guys! :j
wellwell, now that Ernest is being blogged-out, we are here setting our own questions.. (ps: maybe we can set a question of the week and let The New Paper team comment and then we vote the best letter :p)
ya.. an outing. Perhaps watching a ‘LIVE’ match together..
The first soccer match I saw was probably when I was 7-8? (too young to remember) haha that was like ten years ago. Initially, I was just like Hady, watching soccer just for the passion of soccer. But when you truly support a club, it brings the game up to a new level.
Now, for the *shocker* I was a Man U fan (at least I thought I was). Anyway, (to spare you all my soap opera), I struggled with the fact that I actually supported Man U partly because of that free-kick specialist & at one point, thought to give watching soccer up. But I realized I really liked soccer itself. (heh I was even in my school’s girls team) I know I didn't mention this but it seems that people think Chelsea fans are just jumping on the luxury-rich bandwagon. Well, I am not one of them. I could have supported the Galaticos (rich and they got my favourite player) though I didn’t. In fact, I was turned off by the way they spend money to get any players they want. Ironically, that’s what Chelsea doing now. Yet, it feels different. I can’t really say how it all started, just definitely I supported Chelsea for the club itself and not for any one player.
Ps: (for the speculators out there), it was during pre-Mourinho era when Chelsea was not yet al-mighty.
change skin please.
Congrats, Miss Chong. You deserve your prize. Too bad you were denied of meeting someone who can sing every word of 'What's Left Of Me'.
63327967. Own up. Whoever you are. It will be funny when you are telling nonsense about me, you look at your phone beep and see the initials 'q-s'. You turn around...
I'm representing Singapore in a competition against an Englishman. I like my chances.
Er... thanks q-s.
But I don't see the "What's Left Of Me" relevance? I can sing it to myself if I want...
Oh, and vette, regarding Becks, I was in love with him for a month back in '98. It was all TNP's fault. I just happened to see this copy with this handsome guy on the cover so I bought it. It was my first time buying TNP. Everyone seemed to be hating him 'cause he got sent off against the Argies, so I pitied him and was in love with him for about a month. But I made a complete turnaround when I suddenly "woke up" one day and realised he's a vainpot with half of the female population around the world fancying themselves in love with him too. Not exactly a lonely and pitiful guy after all.
I am back from Australia and glad to catch up with the blogs. I was suffering from lack of good football news. The papers there have at most one page to EPL. There is nothing like The New Paper there which is the best newspaper on soccer in the world!. Cheers.
Liverpool's recent form is slightly better than Arsenal with higher goals average. I am still not too late to comment as their Carling Cup match was postponed to Jan 9. The brutal boxing day fixtures will throw all predictions out of the window.
Jose Mourn(again)ho is again up to his news catching comments. But I admire him for apologising so quickly. Ian Macintosh in Saturday's comments really put so nicely. The best article I have read in the soccer pages.
EPL is in the news here in Singapore. So, all the complaints get good airing. The Aussies do not care. Every game has it cheats with soccer, more! But I like this so I can understand what is the different views.
Australia is great!! I just feel that they only care about their own people, that's all! I remember whenever I'm there, their news is always all about local stuff and local sportsmen. Football ("soccer") does get coverage (though lesser than cricket, rugby, Aussie Rules etc, except during WC), but even then they tend to just focus on the A-league, the Socceroos or the Aussies playing in the EPL!
But yup, TNP is way better when it comes to EPL news. I remember how the Liverpool v Olympiakos result only had one little article in their papers while when I got my boyfriend to give me the TNP coverage, the match coverage was in PAGES.
Yes! i agree that TNP is the best paper that supplies lots of info on sports. Everyday, u could easily get more then 10 pages of sports news on TNP and a large majority of them are on EPL! OLE! The Iain Macintosh column is also especially engaging! everybody, pls continue to support TNP!!
hahaha...
like i said earlier, i do not support any particular team.... i guess i have the same thinking as hadi... football should be about the game.. the passes, the movement.. the goals... and the controversies....
some supporters i know just protect their clubs not matter what... but guess what... they don;t even know that we exists... they are just a business oriented organisation..... :P.... like in today news... Gaizer puts aside $30 million for an iconic player while another $30 million for new players.... that sounds like a business plan....
Anyway.. kudos to TNP.. i love the inforgraphics and the indepth views and thoughts... that is why due to the stories that they have.. i tend to prefer reading the monday editions rather than sunday editions... as it has more indepth thoughts and stories rather than just match report.... (which we can read it from other sources anyway....)
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