ARCHIVE - AUGUST 2011
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ANFIELD FOOD FOR THOUGHT Andrew, 30/08/11
So, we’re a couple of games into the 38-game sprint that is a Premier League season. It’s the time of the year when as a Liverpool fan I should try to be optimistic, even more so after a Transfer Window of indulgence and a win at the Emirates.
As a Liverpool disciple, it seems that the new owners are trying to feed the 45 000 Anfield capacity, and us less fortunate yet highly passionate pub followers, with ample amounts of overpriced prospects such as Henderson and Carroll alongside the experienced, yet again seemingly inflated reputations of Downing and Adam. The owners are, in fast food terms, spending their cash on Nandos-like players. In the hangover that has been Liverpool’s last couple of seasons, Dalglish has spent money on tasty yet overpriced goods which at the end of the day leave you bloated with regret. Such players are the best that we could probably get, being out of the Champions League and competing with the crude wallets of Man City, Chelsea and Man Utd, but I think my disgruntled views can be justified.
I was going to say that we needed a quick fix to cure the pain that has seemingly been embedded in all Liverpool fans since the drunken euphoria of Istanbul and hopeful season of the 'Meesta' Ferguson rant. Nevertheless, spending on rare cuts such as Henderson and Carroll is more of a slow cooking procedure, demanding nurture and time. I have no idea why I’m revelling in a banquet of food metaphors but there we go.
I am finally excited about fighting for fourth place with Arsenal and Spurs. When/if Gerrard returns from injury we might prove a more a piercing force, but the only players that fill me with real enthusiasm are Kelly and Suarez. The rest need to blend together very quickly or all we’ll have is a melange of flavours that will once again leave the bittersweet taste of false hope.
As a Liverpool disciple, it seems that the new owners are trying to feed the 45 000 Anfield capacity, and us less fortunate yet highly passionate pub followers, with ample amounts of overpriced prospects such as Henderson and Carroll alongside the experienced, yet again seemingly inflated reputations of Downing and Adam. The owners are, in fast food terms, spending their cash on Nandos-like players. In the hangover that has been Liverpool’s last couple of seasons, Dalglish has spent money on tasty yet overpriced goods which at the end of the day leave you bloated with regret. Such players are the best that we could probably get, being out of the Champions League and competing with the crude wallets of Man City, Chelsea and Man Utd, but I think my disgruntled views can be justified.
I was going to say that we needed a quick fix to cure the pain that has seemingly been embedded in all Liverpool fans since the drunken euphoria of Istanbul and hopeful season of the 'Meesta' Ferguson rant. Nevertheless, spending on rare cuts such as Henderson and Carroll is more of a slow cooking procedure, demanding nurture and time. I have no idea why I’m revelling in a banquet of food metaphors but there we go.
I am finally excited about fighting for fourth place with Arsenal and Spurs. When/if Gerrard returns from injury we might prove a more a piercing force, but the only players that fill me with real enthusiasm are Kelly and Suarez. The rest need to blend together very quickly or all we’ll have is a melange of flavours that will once again leave the bittersweet taste of false hope.
REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE - A GUIDE TO A GREENER TRANSFER WINDOW Nick, 10/08/11
Around the country there are perfectly good footballers lying disused. Many of the superpowers in world football are choosing not to reinstate those who were once prolific; instead opting for a shiny new Aguero or chasing the top of the range Sneijder. The fact is the world cannot continue like this. Quality footballers are not a wholly renewable source. They cannot remain clogging up the benches and corporate boxes of football stadiums around the country. Something must be done. Fresh Air Football investigates the barons behind the destruction of many of world football's greatest resources and highlights those who are able to make a change.
There are many examples of where recycling could be implemented effectively for a greener transfer window. First we travel to Manchester to investigate the case of Shaun Wright-Phillips and his neglect at the hands of Roberto Mancini, a criminal of the green footballing world. Wright-Phillips is a footballer who once tore apart defences. He was a sharp blade. However, following his move to Chelsea he soon blunted. Though his club Manchester City tried to recycle him once under St. Mark Hughes, he quickly became disused once again under new leader, Don Mancini, widely acknowledged as one of the main villains amongst environmental activists. Once a fans' favourite, Wright-Phillips has been allowed to rust.
Some sources suggest the recent riots in Manchester represented an angry display of discontent from the people of Manchester due to the fact Wright-Phillips has been forgotten. Whilst investigating the property of Mancini we found Wright-Phillips not to be alone. We found evidence of a certain Santa Cruz, an Adebayor, a Bellamy, a Bridge and both a Michael and an Adam Johnson, curled up and rusting in a dark corner of the Etihad Stadium. All have a history of success at a high level yet Mancini has trafficked them into a life of disuse when their careers could be following an entirely different path. It is sad to see.
But Mancini is not the only criminal of such sorts we were to discover whilst up in Manchester. Fresh Air were shocked to find a similar neglect of footballers occurring on the west side of the city. Sir Alex Ferguson, it has become apparent, is also a violator of footballs ozone. The once great goalscorer, Michael Owen, sits rusting, omitting methane through social networking sites, during his time at Old Trafford. Mostly he is placed in the stands as they string medals around his neck. Searching through paperwork we also find that only recently the crippled Owen Hargreaves has been released after years of failing to recycle or reuse such an asset. Ferguson however may be allowed to escape without punishment due to recent recycling of Obertan, Bebe, O’Shea and the rusty Brown.
We move on to North London, a venue of much unrest in recent times. The people of Britain are not content with seeing such talent wasted sitting in stands or lunching with the club owner's distant cousins. Talented footballers have been frequently seduced into the honey pot that is White Hart Lane. Harry Redknapp's actions in the transfer window could well be called for crimes to the environment. Redknapp is a frequent user of the black wheelie bin; a sworn enemy of its green brother. Sitting disused in North London are the likes of David Bentley, Robbie Keane and Giovanni dos Santos. It is traumatic for all to see maltreatment of such talent.
But there is hope. Footballers can be recycled. There was a time where Scott Parker was struggling for hope at Chelsea and also at Newcastle. However, when he found his way to West Ham he rejuvenated himself. He has since found himself back in the England frame. It happened also to the likes of David James and Emile Heskey in the face of such adversity. Such a fortune could easily fall to many of the victims we visited earlier. Neil Warnock of QPR, Steve Kean of Blackburn and Paul Lambert of Norwich are potential saviours for such victims of environmental inactivity. If Norwich could afford it, recycling the career of Wright-Phillips, Bellamy or Bentley could be very beneficial to them. QPR and Blackburn are known to have a degree more financial weight behind them. They have the power to counteract the destructive impact of attempts to extinguish talent that fuels the entertaining industry of English football. The climate within football is set for change if nothing is done.
For just £2 a month you can help forgotten footballers find a new home. Cheques made payable to Fresh Air Football.
There are many examples of where recycling could be implemented effectively for a greener transfer window. First we travel to Manchester to investigate the case of Shaun Wright-Phillips and his neglect at the hands of Roberto Mancini, a criminal of the green footballing world. Wright-Phillips is a footballer who once tore apart defences. He was a sharp blade. However, following his move to Chelsea he soon blunted. Though his club Manchester City tried to recycle him once under St. Mark Hughes, he quickly became disused once again under new leader, Don Mancini, widely acknowledged as one of the main villains amongst environmental activists. Once a fans' favourite, Wright-Phillips has been allowed to rust.
Some sources suggest the recent riots in Manchester represented an angry display of discontent from the people of Manchester due to the fact Wright-Phillips has been forgotten. Whilst investigating the property of Mancini we found Wright-Phillips not to be alone. We found evidence of a certain Santa Cruz, an Adebayor, a Bellamy, a Bridge and both a Michael and an Adam Johnson, curled up and rusting in a dark corner of the Etihad Stadium. All have a history of success at a high level yet Mancini has trafficked them into a life of disuse when their careers could be following an entirely different path. It is sad to see.
But Mancini is not the only criminal of such sorts we were to discover whilst up in Manchester. Fresh Air were shocked to find a similar neglect of footballers occurring on the west side of the city. Sir Alex Ferguson, it has become apparent, is also a violator of footballs ozone. The once great goalscorer, Michael Owen, sits rusting, omitting methane through social networking sites, during his time at Old Trafford. Mostly he is placed in the stands as they string medals around his neck. Searching through paperwork we also find that only recently the crippled Owen Hargreaves has been released after years of failing to recycle or reuse such an asset. Ferguson however may be allowed to escape without punishment due to recent recycling of Obertan, Bebe, O’Shea and the rusty Brown.
We move on to North London, a venue of much unrest in recent times. The people of Britain are not content with seeing such talent wasted sitting in stands or lunching with the club owner's distant cousins. Talented footballers have been frequently seduced into the honey pot that is White Hart Lane. Harry Redknapp's actions in the transfer window could well be called for crimes to the environment. Redknapp is a frequent user of the black wheelie bin; a sworn enemy of its green brother. Sitting disused in North London are the likes of David Bentley, Robbie Keane and Giovanni dos Santos. It is traumatic for all to see maltreatment of such talent.
But there is hope. Footballers can be recycled. There was a time where Scott Parker was struggling for hope at Chelsea and also at Newcastle. However, when he found his way to West Ham he rejuvenated himself. He has since found himself back in the England frame. It happened also to the likes of David James and Emile Heskey in the face of such adversity. Such a fortune could easily fall to many of the victims we visited earlier. Neil Warnock of QPR, Steve Kean of Blackburn and Paul Lambert of Norwich are potential saviours for such victims of environmental inactivity. If Norwich could afford it, recycling the career of Wright-Phillips, Bellamy or Bentley could be very beneficial to them. QPR and Blackburn are known to have a degree more financial weight behind them. They have the power to counteract the destructive impact of attempts to extinguish talent that fuels the entertaining industry of English football. The climate within football is set for change if nothing is done.
For just £2 a month you can help forgotten footballers find a new home. Cheques made payable to Fresh Air Football.
TRANSFERS, TANTRUMS AND PLENTY OF MONEY Will C, 08/08/11
Oh the transfer window. The summer
saviour for football fans who have nothing better to do than discuss
the ins and outs of the beautiful game. From the moment the big hand
forces it open, rumours begin faster than Sepp Blatter can say "goal-line technology." In fact transfer speculation and rumours
are present all year round, but only in the illustrious window of
opportunity can teams splash the cash and act upon any potential
investments.
The summer window of 2011 has seen a few trends. The first is of course the multi-millions that have been spent in Europe's top leagues; from Barcelona snapping up Sanchez, to Manchester City's signing of Sergio Aguero, the recession has shown no signs of affecting football's elite.
The spending power of United's noisy neighbours means that there is nobody in world football that City's Arab owners cannot afford. This oil-soaked fortune has allowed the world media to link anyone and everyone with a move to the blue side of Manchester, and who can really blame them?
But the most prominent trend of the window has been the unhappy player. Increased player power leaves Chairmen and managers alike in a difficult situation; let their best players go, or put up with a sulking prima donna while he lets his contract run out and eventually leaves for nothing. Luka Modric was the first to announce his discontent following a mouth-watering offer from Chelsea. Big bucks and Champions League football - who can blame him? Carlos Tevez was next on the 'I want out' bandwagon, blaming homesickness and the need to be closer to his family in Argentina as the catalyst for it; although his most likely destination is Inter Milan. Work that one out.
So how does a manager deal with a situation like this? Harry Rednapp and Daniel Levy have held pretty firm over the Modric saga, insisting that Spurs are not going to sell their best players. But how much power does he really have? The force of players and their agents in the modern game is robust. It seems that manipulating your club is now as easy as bribing a FIFA official; if the toys come out of the pram, all the manager can do is pick them back up and ask them not to do it again. It's an ominous situation for clubs and in the case of Spurs, they may have to back down in time to get a replacement.
As far as transfer sagas go, Cesc Fabregas' potential move to Barcelona is beginning to get a little tedious. The sooner the Catalan club stump up Arsenal's asking price, the better. Cesc can go home to the Nou Camp and Wenger will have a larger kitty for him not to spend.
But it's not over yet; the remaining weeks of the window could be the most eventful. With names like Sneijder, Eto’o and Maicon being touted, there could be plenty of Saudi Arabian pocket money spent before September.
The summer window of 2011 has seen a few trends. The first is of course the multi-millions that have been spent in Europe's top leagues; from Barcelona snapping up Sanchez, to Manchester City's signing of Sergio Aguero, the recession has shown no signs of affecting football's elite.
The spending power of United's noisy neighbours means that there is nobody in world football that City's Arab owners cannot afford. This oil-soaked fortune has allowed the world media to link anyone and everyone with a move to the blue side of Manchester, and who can really blame them?
But the most prominent trend of the window has been the unhappy player. Increased player power leaves Chairmen and managers alike in a difficult situation; let their best players go, or put up with a sulking prima donna while he lets his contract run out and eventually leaves for nothing. Luka Modric was the first to announce his discontent following a mouth-watering offer from Chelsea. Big bucks and Champions League football - who can blame him? Carlos Tevez was next on the 'I want out' bandwagon, blaming homesickness and the need to be closer to his family in Argentina as the catalyst for it; although his most likely destination is Inter Milan. Work that one out.
So how does a manager deal with a situation like this? Harry Rednapp and Daniel Levy have held pretty firm over the Modric saga, insisting that Spurs are not going to sell their best players. But how much power does he really have? The force of players and their agents in the modern game is robust. It seems that manipulating your club is now as easy as bribing a FIFA official; if the toys come out of the pram, all the manager can do is pick them back up and ask them not to do it again. It's an ominous situation for clubs and in the case of Spurs, they may have to back down in time to get a replacement.
As far as transfer sagas go, Cesc Fabregas' potential move to Barcelona is beginning to get a little tedious. The sooner the Catalan club stump up Arsenal's asking price, the better. Cesc can go home to the Nou Camp and Wenger will have a larger kitty for him not to spend.
But it's not over yet; the remaining weeks of the window could be the most eventful. With names like Sneijder, Eto’o and Maicon being touted, there could be plenty of Saudi Arabian pocket money spent before September.