Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has said the critics who have turned on his England team-mate Wayne Rooney in the last few weeks have been making "lazy" assumptions.
The Manchester United striker, who is currently training in the United States in a bid to regain his fitness following injury, has been slammed for saying he wanted to leave the club because of their lack of ambition.
He then did an amazing U-turn and signed a lucrative new deal after one of the most discussed top episoides in recent football history.
Lampard told BBC Radio Five Live:"People who call him thick, but it's just a lazy thing to say by looking at him and saying 'he's a footballer, he looks quite tough because he comes from that background' and all that kind of stuff and the way he plays, but he is sharp.
"I think the people who are calling him thick have got a certain element of thickness about them, because they haven't even invested the time to speak to him.
"He doesn't speak to the press that much for them to make that judgement of him.
"He's a confident boy and he has a sensitive side to him. During the World Cup we'd sit in a room together and watch some of the other games and stuff like that.
"If you read the headlines of the last few weeks you can get an impression of someone but he's a very sensitive lad, you can have a good conversation with him about anything you want.
"He's a very cute, worldly lad for how young he is. He has no problem relating to older players, he treats everyone the same.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
"Some people like to align themselves to the bigger names in the squad, to speak to certain players or stick to their own little group. Wayne talks to David Beckham the same as he would to a new player who's just come into the squad from Stoke or Bolton, and that's the beauty of him I think as a person.
"He's got a great sense of humour. I love being around people who will make me laugh, and he makes you laugh constantly. When you're sat at a dinner table with 20 people he can dominate the conversation just through wit and the confidence in the way he speaks.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
The ‘will he, won’t he’ Luka Modric saga of last summer looks to be one which will once again be rearing its ugly head during the next transfer window, as Tottenham look to step up their bid to keep the Croatian in North London. Spurs hardline approach through the pre-season calendar allowed them to keep hold of one of their prize assets, however it’s widely expected that he will become the subject of intense interest once again, and the White Hart lane club may have a tough job in keeping him this time around.
Chairman Daniel Levy is believed to be attempting to re-open negotiations with the 26-year-old hoping to secure a five-year deal between player and club. Modric however is rumoured to be waiting until the summer to decide where his future lies, with Champions League football not yet guaranteed and Harry Redknapp’s future at the club in some doubt.
Due to a stringent wage structure at the club, Spurs are believed to be offering a maximum £100,000-per-week to the midfielder, with a £3.5 million loyalty bonus. Despite this, Modric knows he is likely to be offered a much more lucrative deal from clubs such as Chelsea or either of the Manchester duo this summer, who are keen to add a player of such quality to their ranks. However, with Spurs hoping to make a continued and sustainable push to the summit of the Premier League, losing Modric would be damaging to their plans.
Players of such quality don’t come around all too often, and his abilities have been key in the Tottenham engine room, as ‘Arry has turned the club into a genuine force. So to lose him would smack as a negative statement from the North Londoners, who must do all within their power to keep Modric alongside Scott Parker in one of the finest midfield set-ups in the country. Although it may be an unpopular decision at board level to increase the basic wage offer, it could prove decisive in their ability to tie the player to the club, and even a slight increase would show Modric that Spurs’ ambitions meet his own.
If Tottenham were to lose their man, it could serve as the beginning of a slump for the club, who may subsequently find it difficult to keep the likes of Gareth Bale, should he decide to call time on his spell at the club due to a lack of ambition. As well as playing staff leaving, Redknapp himself may see any sale of Modric as an incentive to move on. Although the manager is enjoying his time in charge of the club, the vacant England role is one that interests him greatly, and if Spurs look in any way to be moving backwards, ‘Arry could be pushed over the edge.
It may go against the responsible ethos of one of the finest sides in the country, but to keep their playmaker, Spurs must spend big. It’s stick or twist time at White Hart Lane, with the future of Luka Modric likely to indicate just where Tottenham are heading.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Corinthians had to come from behind in their 2-1 win at Gremio in Brazilian Serie A on Sunday.Tite’s side scored twice in the last 25 minutes to record the victory that will lift spirits at the club after their 2-1 aggregate final defeat to Santos in the Campeonato Paulista exactly one week ago.
But it could have been so different for the club, who were on the verge of making a poor start to the season when they trailed 1-0 on the hour mark.
That goal game from Douglas who netted from the penalty spot after Chicao had given away the spot kick but the Corinthians defender turned from villain to hero when he returned fire from 12 yards seven minutes later.
Portuguese striker Liedson then grabbed the winner with 17 minutes remaining as his new side continued to reap the benefit of his January transfer window move from Sporting Lisbon.
Liedson has now scored 12 goals in 17 appearances for the club he played for in 2003.
In other matches, Dagoberto and Lucas both found the back of the net in Sao Paulo’s 2-0 away victory at Fluminense while Alessandro’s 86th minute winner handed America Mineiro a 2-1 home win over Bahia in a battle between two promoted teams.
Atletico Goianiense won on the road with a 1-0 triumph against Cortiba, thanks to Marcao’s 73rd minute goal and Palmeiras won by the same scoreline with Kleber’s second-half goal deciding their match against Botafogo.
Continuing the theme of 1-0 scorelines were Figueirense, who surprised Cruzeiro with their victory, which came courtesy of a Marquinhos Parana own goal.
Sports’ betting has really taken off in recent years and this is largely down to the services offered by online bookmakers. It has never been easier or more convenient to have a flutter on a sporting occasion, as with just a couple of clicks of your mouse you can have made a bet of your choice. Incentives in the form of free bets have also helped to make online betting increasingly popular, as new members can get money for nothing and have a bet without risking their own cash. There is even an opportunity for you to play the system, taking advantage of all the free bets on offer and making yourself a tidy sum of money.
You can make online betting extremely profitable for yourself by doing a spot of matched betting, which involves you making a bet with an online bookie, and then laying against your bet on a betting exchange. This is very simple to do and will result in you not having to risk any of your own money. Usually when signing up to a new online bookie you have to make a bet yourself to qualify for the free bet, thus you could lose both bets and be out of pocket. However, if you were to lay against your original bet you could ensure you wouldn’t lose out and that your free bet really would be free.
All the information you need to make your matched bets can be found on the freebets4all website. There you’ll find advice on how to make matched bets in addition to the free bets that online bookies are offering that you can take advantage of. By using the ‘Automatcher’ software you can find ideal matched betting opportunities within the next ten days on upcoming football matches. You can see exactly how to make a bet with an online bookie and then a follow up bet on a betting exchange so that you can convert the free bet into guaranteed cash.
All you have to do is select the online bookie that you’ve registered with and that you need to stake some money to qualify for your free bet. Then the pioneering software will bring up a list of games on which you can match your bet on a betting exchange. You’ll be presented with the back odds and the lay odds of the football match in question and the profit that you stand to win. Then it’s just a question of making your bets and then sitting back and enjoying the match, knowing that you’ll be in profit whatever the result.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Everything you need to match your bets effectively can be found on the freebets4all website, and you may even be entitled to betting cashback with certain bookmakers if you sign up via the links on freebets4all.com. Once you’ve used your free bets with one online bookie and matched your bet on a betting exchange, there’s nothing to stop you from signing up with all the other bookmakers and make betting on sporting events online a lucrative process.
Chelsea manager Andre Villas Boas has admitted that he has been given objectives for the remainder of the season by club owner Roman Abramovich, after the pair met over the weekend.
The Russian oil tycoon is known for his ruthless nature in dismissing coaches, with the Portuguese trainer under pressure to deliver success at Stamford Bridge.
The duo met ahead of Chelsea’s 3-3 draw with Manchester United on Sunday, and Villas Boas knows that there is a minimum that he has to achieve this term to satisfy Abramovich.
“We know the objectives that we have to achieve, the minimum objectives, and we will try to pursue them in these last 14 games,” Villas-Boas commented to Sky Sports.
“We spoke about the preparation, of course, for the game. Roman is always very interested in the running of events and it was good for the team to feel his presence.
“We touched a little bit, of course, on next year’s project but mainly on that game. Roman is a very educated person to the cause of Chelsea Football Club and his aura is always present,” he stated.
Chelsea are currently in fourth place in the standings, but a title charge looks unlikely due to the points deficit they find themselves having to deal with.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Gamba Osaka finished atop their AFC Champions League group following a 2-0 win over Tianjin Teda on Wednesday.Yasuhito Endo broke the deadlock at Expo 70 Commemorative Stadium in the 73rd minute, before a Takashi Usami spot kick sealed victory for Gamba deep into injury time.
The result ensured the Japanese outfit finished top of Group E, with Teda also qualifying for the knockout stages in second place in the group.
Melbourne Victory finished their Champions League campaign on a positive note, earning a come-from-behind 1-1 draw at Jeju United.
Kim Eun-Jung put the South Koreans ahead after 25 minutes, but Diogo Ferreira’s stunning volley earned parity for the visitors at the Jeju World Cup Stadium.
The match also brought to a close the career of veteran defender Kevin Muscat, as the two-time A-League Championship winner made his last appearance in Melbourne colours.
Neither Melbourne nor Jeju qualified for the next stage.
FC Seoul were already guaranteed of their place in the knockout stages, but were held to a 1-1 draw by Group F cellar-dwellers Hangzhou Lucheng.
Nagoya Grampus had also qualified for the last 16, but finished their group stage in poor fashion, losing 3-1 to Al Ain, who still ended up three points behind the Japanese side in the standings.
Iranian club Esteghal earned a 2-1 win over Al Nasr, of Saudi Arabia, but it was not enough to earn them a top two spot in Group B.
Al Nasr progressed thanks to a superior head-to-head record against the Iranians.
Al Sadd finished on top of the group, unbeaten in six matches, following the Qataris 1-1 draw away to Pakhtakor.
Sepahan, another Iranian outfit, smashed United Arab Emirates club Al Jazira 4-1 away to finish on top of Group A, while Al Hilal secured second after a 2-0 win over Al Gharafa.
There have been calls in various quarters for a winter break in the Premier League in recent years, but perhaps the most prominent of them has waited until now to voice his opinion on the subject. Speaking to the Sunday Express, Wayne Rooney stated that the head honchos of the Premiership should introduce a winter break, he said,
“A winter break would not only help the England team but the Premier League as well. Towards the end of the season the intensity in some of the games which is normally there is missing. It’s a long season with the intensity the games are played at. It is only fair on the players that there is a break.”
It would be interesting to canvass other players on the subject, but Rooney clearly believes it would be beneficial to England and the Premiership, so is he right about the winter break?
The other top leagues around Europe already have a winter break in place, it is the case in Spain, Italy, Germany and France, so why should England be any different? Premier League chief Richard Scudamore has stated that he doesn’t know where the time would come from in what is a crowded fixture list. Some have argued that the size of the league should be reduced in order to cope with this, from 20 teams to 18, but Scudamore has also dismissed this prospect, he stated,
“I can’t see where the momentum is going to come to reduce our league from 20 to 18 clubs. It would be daft to do that when you have a global property of our strength.”
However, Spain, Italy and France all have 20 teams in their top league, and they still manage to fit in their winter breaks. Like in England they also have cup competitions such as the FA Cup and the League Cup as well as European ties to cope with, and I think reducing the Premier League down to 18 teams would be a bad move.
Arguments for the winter break have mainly stemmed from the performances of the England national team. After a series of failures and a particularly disappointing showing at this summers World Cup, calls for the break reached their highest level, as fans, pundits, journalists and managers attempted to fathom the reasons behind England’s awful showing. England seemed jaded, tired and uninsipired, but is the reason for this a lack of a winter break? It is not conclusive. Players from other countries who had had a full season of Premier League action did not necessarily suffer from tiredness, and there are certainly other reasons as to why England performed so badly.
As an observer of the Premier League and England, I would be hesitant to say definitively whether a winter break would help the players and make a difference to the national team, until it was put into action I’m not sure anyone could. What I can say for definite is that I’m not particularly opposed to a winter break, and I think it might be worth trying at some point to see the effect it has on the league and on England. It is the players who are going to be affected most, and if a majority of them expressed an interest in one being introduced, I think it is something the Premier League chiefs would be well advised to look at.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
If you liked this article please follow me on Twitter. Subscribe to my RSS feed
Losing to a Cheltenham side heading to the top of the table, with a performance that was (in my humble opinion) far from the worst we have seen at the Moss Rose, is not by itself a disaster. Yet in the context of a run of form that has seen just one league win since the end of October, the result has triggered a burst of discontent amongst some of the more critical fans on the messageboards.
Six points from a possible thirty-nine looks bad. Mainly because it is bad. Extremely bad. But while managers can often be accused of making or exaggerating excuses for their failings, the number of injuries inflicted upon the Silkmen over the past months has been simply incredible. Only four first team players have escaped injury or suspension at some point during this recent run – enough to test even the deepest squads in the division, let alone Macclesfield’s resources.
Fans are looking for something else to blame, to an extent understandable. Screaming and shouting at a twisted ankle or torn ligament (probably) won’t change its condition. It is easy to become bored/depressed by the never-ending weekly casualty lists, no matter how accurate. And when looking for a target, it’s usually the manager who bears the brunt of criticism.
The main criticism being levelled is at Gary Simpson’s perceived negative tactics – playing with a lone front-man in a 4-5-1 formation put forward as exhibit A. This formation does not necessarily have to be negative if the striker is properly supplied and supported by the midfield, but too often in recent weeks he has appeared far too isolated and long balls have left Macclesfield starved of possession for lengthy periods of games.
Ben Mills worked hard up front on Saturday, won the ball in the air and came close to opening his account, but there was certainly a case that he needs someone alongside him. Tomlinson or Donnelly would have been useful if they weren’t suffering thigh and calf-knack. Perhaps better supply from midfield – Chalmers could have helped out here except for his pesky hernia. Or at least an energetic midfielder behind to support him -Draper would be ideally suited if his foot wasn’t in plaster. Even some of those making it onto the pitch were far from 100%. Injuries might be boring but they are also impossible to ignore.
I am not saying that the injuries excuse every defeat or that Simmo has got everything right. I understand and share in the frustration that having once again been just outside the playoffs we have slumped so dramatically – the promise shown evaporating into another season of lower table mediocrity. We all are aware of the limitations of running on one of the league’s smallest budgets but having seen the start made to the season, the slide down the table is doubly hard to swallow.
We have to have faith that things can be turned around and it does not have to be blind faith – the evidence of the good quality football and results this squad can achieve was there to see before this miserable run began. I would add things can only improve on the injury front but I wouldn’t want to tempt fate.
The team have jetted off for a short training break in Tenerife this week, part reward for their cup exploits and part avoiding the disruption of the British elements. The entire squad, including the walking/limping wounded, have travelled and we can but hope the warmer climes aid their recovery ahead of potentially season-defining matches against the league’s bottom two. On recent form however, don’t be surprised if someone snaps an ankle in a sun-lounger.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
In many areas, football has changed beyond recognition over the years; in some areas it has remained very similar. The fundamental essence of the game has remained, interpretations have differed. The game has been modernised with nets, and assistants, substitutions, offsides, fourth officials, scoreboards, chicken balti pies and so on.
Ken Aston, himself a referee in the 1960s, was the man responsible for inventing red and yellow cards. They were first used by FIFA during the 1970 World Cup. On the trip, punctuated by many traffic lights, Aston realised that a colour coding scheme on the same amber (steady) – red (stop) principle as used on traffic lights would traverse language barriers and clarify to players and spectators that they had been cautioned or sent off (thank you wikipedia). Thus was devised the system whereby referees show a yellow card for a caution and a red card for an expulsion. Players had been cautioned previously, but there was no visual confirmation of the punishment, the player was just told by the referee.
It was a great jump forward, a great idea by Aston. Astonishing that no one had thought of it before, but great nevertheless.
But isn’t it now time we moved with the times and introduced a new system of cards?
Yellow and red cards are no longer good enough in my opinion. It is a system that is not fit for purpose. A cynical tackle from behind merits the same punishment as putting your shirt over your head when scoring a goal. Leaving the pitch without permission is treated the same as some borderline red card offences, which is treated the same as taking too long to take a goal kick. Meanwhile, two missed tackles can mean the same as deliberately elbowing an opponent in the head.
Cards were introduced in simpler times. No edicts about celebrating goals, leaving the perimeter of the pitch, dissent, feigning injuries or questioning the parentage of the match officials. Players were allowed to get away with much more; many tackles that brought a tear to your eye didn’t even merit a free kick. Dismissals were really earned! It might make matters more confusing, but thankfully Graham Poll has retired so there’s a good chance that mistakes will be avoided.
The laws of football are simple when compared to other sports, a 50 page document where other sports have rulebooks covering thousands of pages. This is good, and I would never advocate wholesale changes to the game. But laws need to move with the times, and I’m surprised at the lack of discussion on whether the current system is good enough.
Afterall, when the laws were first drawn up in December 1863, they contained some of the following rules:
The maximum length of the ground shall be 200 yards (180 m), the maximum breadth shall be 100 yards (91 m), the length and breadth shall be marked off with flags; and the goal shall be defined by two upright posts, eight yards (7 m) apart, without any tape or bar across them. After a goal is won, the losing side shall be entitled to kick off, and the two sides shall change goals after each goal is won. A goal shall be won when the ball passes between the goal-posts or over the space between the goal-posts (at whatever height), not being thrown, knocked on, or carried. If a player makes a fair catch, he shall be entitled to a free kick, providing he claims it by making a mark with his heel at once; and in order to take such kick he may go back as far as he pleases, and no player on the opposite side shall advance beyond his mark until he has kicked. No player shall run with the ball.
The Laws of the Game are now written by the International Football Association Board who meet at least once a year to debate and decide any changes to the text as it exists at that time. So there are always things being changed, even if the fundamental principles remain.
To me, it also seems too harsh when handing out suspensions for picking up bookings over time. Five innocuous yellow cards can lead to a domestic suspension in English football (and a longer one at ten), and it only takes a couple in international tournaments to result in missing the subsequent game, which for an unfortunate few has been the final.
There are systems in place in other sports that give us an idea of what could be done. In field hockey a yellow card indicates a temporary suspension. The length of the suspension is determined by the umpire, but is a minimum of 5 minutes playing time. It is possible for a player to receive two yellow cards for different offences during the same match, however the period of suspension must be significantly longer with each yellow card.
In rugby league yellow cards are not usually used in the southern hemisphere with referees indicating a 10 minute suspension by raising both arms straight out with fingers spread (to indicate 10 minutes). This is the well-known ‘sin-bin’.
In the union code, during international matches, a yellow card also results in a trip to the sin bin. A player receiving a second yellow card in a game will also be shown a red card.
So here’s an idea – shout abuse at the referee and you get to spend ten minutes or longer in a sin bin. I like the ideas of sin bins for certain offences, those that aren’t malicious or violent or involve blatant cheating. Of course you never know if something would work, and only trialling it would tell if it is feasible or not.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
In field hockey, they have a triangular-shaped green card, which indicates an official warning, covering those who have committed a minor offence that does not warrant a more serious sanction. A second green card for the same player will result in a yellow card (5 minute suspension). A green card can be given to a specific player or to the captain as a warning to the entire team.
Many would naturally be concerned at altering the fundamental structures of the game, but I don’t see changing the caution system as that ground-breaking, and no more than changing to 3 points for a victory for example.
I’ve no solution myself that would make everything totally fair, but would love to see a trial of a three card system (green-yellow-red, with the option of jumping straight to a yellow card for bad-but-not-quite-red-card offences), or trial the use of sin bins for certain offences. Too many games are decided now not by the skill of footballers, but the number of players on the pitch. And that can’t be right.
Arsene Wenger is well known for developing young players, and it appears that the Arsenal manager himself is more than aware of the quality with which he does it. In a recent interview, Wenger was quoted in the Telegraph as stating,
“The most difficult thing is to play them (young players) and to stand up for it, and nobody in the world does this as much as me. One day I’ll give you the list of those at the top-level who have made careers with me and you will see. You will be absolutely astonished.”
Asked if he did this more than any other manager, Wenger responded,
“Of course. How do I know? Take the list of players who started here. If you go back it’s unbelievable.”
Not many would dispute that Wenger has a penchant for nurturing young players and turning them into top class talent, but can he legimately lay claim to be the world’s best?
The list of players who have made it at Arsenal from youth since Wenger has been at the club is an impressive one. Ashley Cole, Alex Song, Abou Diaby, Gael Clichy, Cesc Fabregas and now Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere have all had much of their football education at Arsenal, and have all made it to the top level of the game. It is what Wenger prides himself on, and it is major plus of his management at a club, at his previous club Monaco, the Frenchman also saw the development of stars such as Emmanuel Petit, Lilian Thuram and Thierry Henry.
Some have countered however, that Arsene Wenger’s reputation as a great developer of talent is undeserved. They argue that the majority of the young players that have made it under him were brought in from other clubs, and that Wenger’s role in their process of maturing is not what he claims it to be. Certainly Fabregas, Alex Song, Diaby and Clichy for instance were not part of the Arsenal youth system, but there is also no doubt that Wenger played a major role in the crucial years in their nascent careers which made them who they are today. It is a point that has some weight, but it ignores the the good work Wenger has done with these players, which in my view would be a mistake.
Over the question of whether Wenger the best developer of talent, some other managers might believe themselves to be right near the top. Chief among them would be Sir Alex Ferguson, the Scot saw the emergence of David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane and Gary Neville who all became club legends, during his watch at Old Trafford. In other countries it has been more systems than individual managers that have developed excellent young players, if one thinks of the Ajax and Barcelona academies for instance. Managers in the top jobs on the continent do not tend to keep their jobs for any great length of time, so for a decade or so at least, Wenger could make a valid claim in this regard.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Although Sir Alex Ferguson would have something to say about Arsene Wenger’s rather bold claims, the Frenchman is not completely off the mark in his claim that he is the number one developer of talent in the game. The roll-call of youngsters he has seen grow up and turn into quality players is highly impressive, and whilst it would be short-sighted of me to definitively say he is the best, he is certainly not far away from the top.
If you liked this article please follow me on Twitter. Subscribe to my RSS feed.