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Name: Ian John
Member since: 2009-02-12 08:22:56
Website URL: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1578466181
About me: Half arsed, mildly geriatric, vaguely continent person with an unhealthy obsession with fish, football and other things beginning with the letter "f" that we cannot publish for reasons of decency and interest.

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World Cup Preview : Groups C & D
June 4th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Heskey seems to be a Capello favourite because he seems to bring out the best in Rooney moreso than Crouch, Defoe or Bent. I think Bent is unlucky, I can understand why people wonder why Heskey got in ahead of him, but Heskey is a different kind of player and I can only assume that is it. Personally, I’d rather have taken Bent, Cole, Zamora or even Agbonlahor instead of Heskey but Capello sees something he likes. Other gripes are the inclusion of the apallingly ineffective Michael Carrick and SWP ahead of Theo Walcott. Heskey’s biggest contribution thus far has been to put Rio Ferdinand out of the World Cup completely, so he’s already got off to a dismal start…
Liverpool and Everton groundsharing back on the table?
November 27th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Ooh, you’d be slaughtered around here for suggesting that!

That’s like saying the Dolphins and Bucs should merge to form the Florida Dolphucs! On second thoughts, that’s not a good idea…
Premier League Team of the Season so far...
September 30th, 2009 at 11:30 am
I don’t ever look at stats. I just went on how I’ve seen players performing myself over the first few weeks, I can’t argue with the stats you produce Al-Nashir, but that’s the beauty of football, opinions.

To be fair, I hadn’t even considered Cohen, it’ll be interesting to see if he can continue that form over the season.

I’m sure 10 different people would come up with 10 different teams, but I don’t base all my opinions on stats alone. Just how I see the players from how they’ve played in games. Stat’s don’t show everything, otherwise how would Giggs have got Player of the Year last season?
Ruling by Fear?
September 25th, 2009 at 4:25 am
Hi Al-Nashir,

What I don’t understand and still don’t, is the discrepancy. If the official adds 1 minute on for Man City’s goal, why did he not add 1 minute on after the United goal? This surely is unfair?

Also, I’m not at all convinced that there should have been 4 minutes of injury time in the first place. I cannot remember many stoppages to be honest, that game was so good it seemed to race by in an instant.

This isn’t a Man City/Arsenal/Liverpool/Chelsea v Man Utd thing. I just don’t understand if the referee added a minute on to the time extra be played for the 4 goals scored up to Owen’s goal, why when Owen scored, did he only add on a few seconds?

That would stand if it had been City who scored the winner, or Arsenal, or Leyton Orient really. It isn’t a criticism of United, just how the officials worked out what time was left. However as this is discretionary, then they have the perfect answer of course. However that doesn’t make it right.

I can see why City are aggrieved and have questions. However don’t let that detract from what United did. Their determination for the win was admirable and is what makes them champions. That doesn’t come from any amount of added time, but a fierce will to win and quality at key times.

All I was questioning is why there are so many key decisions in recent times (Mendes goal that wasn’t, the penalty award against Tottenham last season, extra time against Aston Villa last season that again led to a winner, Neville’s antics against Liverpool and now City, Ronaldo’s blatant diving going largely unpunished, Mascherano’s sending off to name but a few) always seem to go United’s way? And yes, you can do the same for all the other big clubs in the Premier League at home. Which is why I asked if referees rule by fear at these grounds, I used United as an example mainly because of the City game being recent news. I could have done the same for all of the top sides I think. It isn’t a United issue, it’s an officiating one.
Ruling by Fear?
September 24th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
But hang on a moment…

Bellamy scores and so the referee adds on one full minute.

Michael Owen scores and celebrates (lets not forget Gary Neville and Fergie and co all joined in too) and the referee adds on a total of 16 extra seconds?

Where is the fairness and equality in that?

So if Man City equalise, United get an extra minute, but when United went in front, City only get a maximum of 16 extra seconds and at the same time as this Sir Alex is having a cosy up to Alan Wilkie on the sideline, just seconds after he’s dismissed Mark Hughes?

That United get an extra minute added after City score, and city just get seconds after United score doesn’t seem fair to me at all.
United set to spend in January?
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:47 am
I think this is where Sir Alex Ferguson is so good. He seldom makes a bad purchase. Ok, you can argue Hargreaves has been too injury prone and Berbatov has hardly set Old Trafford alight, but he always seems to bring in the right player. I think Neuer is a great keeper and although Akinfeev has his fans, I think the German is a better all round prospect. I think Silva would fit into any team well, as for Hamsik, I’m not so sure, especially with the number of talented youngsters at Old Trafford.
Ruling by Fear?
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:25 am
I agree, human mistakes are inevitable with refereeing, but when it comes to timekeeping, that is an area which is black or white really.

It also doesn’t sit well with me to see the fourth official dismiss Mark Hughes complaints with a wave of his hand in one moment, then seconds later be seen sharing a joke with Sir Alex at the side of the pitch.
The examination for City begins now...
September 20th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Not exciting eh? lol! Still, good to see the referee’s upholding the unwritten law that if United are not winning at Old Trafford they must play invented added on time until they do score a winner… City’s defence wasn’t strong enough in the second half though and they missed their injured players a great deal. Without Given it would have been 7-3. Ferdinand’s lack of form is a real worry for England and United though. He’s back to his bad habits from many years ago.
Champions League 2009-2010 Preview
September 19th, 2009 at 5:35 am
I must admit, I’m looking forward to Wolfsburg taking on Manchester United. It should be an interesting game. I’m pleased they managed to fight off Milan’s interest in Dzeko during the pre-season. My dark horses to do well in the tournament are Standard Liege, they pushed Arsenal hard and I think in Axel Witsel, have an outstanding young talent.
The Season Ahead Part Fifteen : Stoke City
September 18th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Yep, they may not be friends of the football purists, but there’s no law against the physical game and being adept at set pieces. It’s up to the so called ‘better’ teams to exploit their weaknesses rather than moan about them being a physical side.
The Season Ahead Part Thirteen : Manchester United
September 17th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
They’re not as strong this season as they were last but they will be thereabouts come the end of the season. I just think the loss of Ronaldo may be too much to cover for this year and let’s face it as good as Scholes and Giggs have been, they are not getting any younger.
The Season Ahead Part Seven : Chelsea
September 5th, 2009 at 4:02 am
Chelsea do have a large squad but if you want a team who should win something based on the size of their squad, then surely Spurs come into that category? Have you seen how big theirs is? Chelsea look very strong at the moment, I am just not quite convinced the stamina will be there for the entire season and with the transfer ban looming, I think that will really hurt them, especially given the average age of their squad.
Champions League Final Preview
May 31st, 2009 at 8:15 am
United didn’t turn up for the game. Barcelona were deserving winners. One complaint I have, Messi man of the match? He had a decent game but Andres Iniesta was head and shoulders above everybody on that pitch by a long, long way.
Champions League Semi Final 2nd Leg Preview : Arsenal V Manchester United
May 6th, 2009 at 3:30 am
Arsenal threw it away inside 11 minutes. Gibbs slip was unfortunate but after Old Trafford last week, when he did the same, you’d think he’d have put longer studs in. Almunia’s effort for Ronaldo’s free kick was appalling to be honest. A bit disappointing in the end that after 10 minutes, the game became a training ground exercise.
Team of the Week: It couldnt be anyone else - Liverpool
March 17th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Yep, it’s the form against the lesser sides that is holding Liverpool back. They’ve taken 12 points off Chelsea and United this season, but given them all back with 6 home draws against some of the poorer sides in the league.
Beckham lives the dream
March 10th, 2009 at 4:58 am
This whole agreement with Milan is simply a way to keep himself playing at the required level for as long as possible. He moved to L.A Galaxy for two reasons, money and publicity and while they have been successful on both counts, I think professionally he knows he made the move from Madrid at the wrong time. The Milan move is simply a means to address that.
Goals from La Liga this weekend: Real makes up ground on Barca
March 3rd, 2009 at 4:14 am
The Barcelona – Atletico game was the best game I’ve seen for a long time. I’d just sat through the Carling Cup final and been thoroughly depressed when this came on and it had everything. A magnificent game.
A masterpiece by Juninho
February 25th, 2009 at 3:24 am
Hmmm… A good goal, but I’d put that 50% on the goalkeeper who was completely bemused by the curl on the ball… He’s not having a good week is poor old Valdez after the Espanyol debacle and now this…
Keep it real - Espanyol silence the Camp Nou
February 24th, 2009 at 10:56 am
De La Pena is a cautionary tale of what could have been. His ill-timed move to Lazio was the beginning of the end. Still, he showed glimpses of what he is capable of and no doubt the two goals tasted very sweet for him. However the sending off of Keita in the first half evened out the teams somewhat.
Fantasy Football - We Want Goals
February 22nd, 2009 at 7:01 am
I agree with the Bendtner comment, he seems to think an awful lot of himself the player, but he needs to back that up with goals. At the moment he just looks like a poor man’s Peter Crouch.
Who'se going to win the EPL ?
February 19th, 2009 at 10:15 am
I hope Liverpool, but I think Man Utd.
Team of the Week - Swansea FC
February 19th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Yes, they were excellent against Fulham at the weekend. Roberto Martinez and his staff have them playing some lovely football. With Cardiff going well too, it looks like Welsh football is finally being given a good shot in the arm.
What Chelsea can expect from Quaresma
February 13th, 2009 at 5:34 am
Potentially he could be a class act for them, but he’s always struck me as a player who needs to be the focus of the team. He’s rarely shone for Portugal and after being the big fish in a small pond at Porto, he went to Inter and failed to impress there. He has the talent to make it at Chelsea, but I wonder if his mindset is right for the club.
So long Big Phil...
February 12th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Roman’s very much the oligarch isn’t he? I did have a wry smile at some Chelsea fans comments about Scolari being “too attacking and relying on flair”. Considering he has made his whole career on producing teams that are functional and tough to beat. Scolari’s paid the price for one thing, four defeats this season in games with Liverpool, Man Utd and Arsenal. If they win all those games, he is a genius, Chelsea are top and he’s still in a job.