Logan Holmes's Blog

Posted by Logan Holmes

Champions, Manchester United, will come under severe pressure from last season's runners-up, Chelsea, in the battle for the Premier League title. As the new season opens these two clubs will again be the teams to knock off the top spot. The only other likely contenders are Liverpool and Arsenal but they may again find it difficult to put in a sustained campaign against the strongest clubs in England. No other club seems capable of breaking into the 'top 4'.

A Spent Force?

Arsenal have lost a number of important players and may struggle to meet their own high standards. However, at the start of last season the London club was also written off but started well and it was only after Christmas that their season fell away. Having failed to add to their squad, manager Arsene Wenger, will be relying heavily on younger players.

Unimpressive

Liverpool have strengthened their team with the acquisition of Robbie Keane to form an exciting partnership with Fernando Torres. However, Liverpool were unimpressive in their opening Champions League game last night.

Up to the Challenge

Chelsea have strengthened their team and retained their best players so with new manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari in charge, they will be expecting to put in a sustained challenge for United's title.

Injury Problems

Manchester United have injury problems as Cristiano Ronaldo is recovering from an operation and Wayne Rooney is doubtful with a virus. Sir Alex Ferguson has, so far, been unable to strengthen his team by signing Dimitar Berbatov to give him his dream strike force of Ronaldo, Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Berbatov. If United get off to a poor start without Ronaldo it might give Chelsea the opportunity to steal a march on their closest rivals.

Manchester United have vast experience but Chelsea might just pip them to the title by next May.

Posted by Logan Holmes

England's failure to qualify for Euro2008 caused much soul searching and brought about the downfall of their coach, Steve McLaren. Questions were continually asked as to why England's best squad of players had failed to reach the finals of the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland.

Players who performed at the highest level with their clubs, reaching the latter stages of the Champions League, but failed to perform for their country. The coach took his share of the blame and was sacked, to be replaced by Fabio Capello.

However, while their was much disappointment in England, the rest of Europe got on with the football and had a very successful tournament.

Euro2008 Without England:

• Without England, there wasn't the constant threat of hooliganism and the need for city centres to become like 'war-zones' with police on high alert to control the fans.
• Without England, there wasn't the WAGS (Wives and Girlfriends) craving media attention as they tried to outspend each other on their numerous and lavish shopping trips. There was no distraction from the football.
• Without England, on the field, their wasn't the usual overstating of their prospects, only to disappoint at the crucial moment.

Victorious Spain:

In Euro2008, the best team, Spain, won, not always something you can say at the end of a major tournament. However, the other teams which qualified for the latter stages of the tournament were able to put up a good performance, not overawed by the weight of expectation as so often happens to England. When faced with a top team in the later stages of the tournament, England rarely display of their best. This year teams who finished second in their group showed no fear and raised their game to meet the challenge, enabling Russia, Turkey and Germany to defeat Croatia, the Netherlands and Portugal with some inspiring football.

Posted by Logan Holmes

Germany have again reached the final of a major international competition. Not the best team in Euro2008, but they have overcome all odds to reach their sixth European Championship Final. Defeated by Croatia at the group stage and unimpressive against a poor Austrian team, they defeated undefeated Portugal in the first knock-out game before scoring a late goal to secure semi-final viictory over Turkey who were under-strength through injury and suspensions.

Spain Impress in Euro2008

Spain have been much more impressive in their route to the final. They opened the competition in style with a comprehensive win over Russia and then defeated Sweden and Greece. With three victories in the group stage, they were the only group winners to progress to the semi-finals. In the first knock-out game they held their nerve in a scoreless game against Italy to win on penalties and then recorded another impressive victory over Russia in the semi-final.

Spain's Route to the Final

Spain have an unfortunate record of starting World Cup and European Championship competitions impressively, winning through to the knock-out stage, only to disappoint and fail to reach expectations. This Spanish team looks to be different and have the confidence and the skill to go on to win Euro2008 and claim their second success in the competition, after a forty four year wait, having defeated the holders, USSR, in the second tournament which they hosted in 1964.

Spain to Win?

In the final in Vienna, Germany will try to stifle the Spanish skill to claim their fourth title but on the overall performance in the competition, Spain would be worthy winners.

Posted by Logan Holmes

Football is a game loved and supported around the world but it does itself no favours with some of the activities associated with it and all in the name of winning.

My Top 4 Hates:

1. Bad Losers

Successful teams have a winning mentality instilled into them by the manager and coaches but they need to learn to become gracious losers on the rare occasion that a result goes against them. So often when the team loses, it's the fault of the referee, they were unlucky and didn't deserve to lose - there must be someone to blame, unable to accept defeat. Arsene Wenger, Sir Alex Ferguson and Rafa Benitez are all past masters at this art of self promotion and deception.

2. Time Wasting

When teams set out to waste time from the very start of a match, slowing it down at every set-piece and stoppage, they are depriving spectators of the game for which they paid. Taking the ball to the corner flag in the final moments of a game only enrages their opponents and is liable to lead to serious injury or an incident as tempers boil over.

3. Diving and Conning the Referee

Players who cheat should be exposed for their claims for penalties and and free-kicks that were not merited. Retrospective decisions should be taken by the authorities where referees have not been aware of the cheating.

4. Weakened Teams

Managers should be required to select their strongsest available team regardless of any future fixture. Manchester United and liverpool regularly field under-strength sides ahead of Champions League games. This demeans the competition, their opponents and the paying public. Manchester United lost at Chelsea in a crucial Premier League game as Christiano Ronaldo started as a substitute.

Football must improve.

Posted by Logan Holmes

One week on from England's unimpressive international display against France in Paris, the Premier League's four representatives in the Champions League continue to impress with probably two and possibly three clubs in the semi-finals.

Champions League Success:

Following their two goal victory over Roma in Rome, Manchester United are all but assured of a semi-final place and either Liverpool or Arsenal will join them while Chelsea must overcome Fenerbahce of Turkey.

England's International Failure

However, the England team which failed to qualify for this summer's European Championships under manager Steve McLaren has failed to show any significant improvement in their performances under new manager Fabio Capello.

England's Talented Squad:

The England team with one of their most talented squads in years, fail to bring their exciting and talented performances to international football. Steven Gerrard, the mainstay of Liverpool, Frank Lampard who scores prolifically from midfield for Chelsea and Wayne Rooney an integral part of the Manchester United success story both domestically and in European competitions are found wanting in the international arena.

While motivated at club level, the players appear to lack passion and commitment for the England cause.

Where does the problem lie?

• too many foreign players in the Premier League - the Arsenal team regularly has no English players.
• club managers have greater influence over their players and how they play.
• there is little competition for the top players as few young players are coming through allowing David Beckham the opportunity to make his 100th appearance against France even though he is playing his football in America with LA Galaxy.

While the top Premier League teams go from strength to strength because of the financial rewards from participation in the Champions League, the England team are struggling to make an impression presenting Fabio Capello with a major task ahead of the World Cup qualifcation matches.