Referees and The Confirmation Bias
Referees. Eh? Who’d be one? Not me anyway. I watch football, play football, love football but would never want to put myself in the position that thousands of well wishing men & women do. They are vital to the function of the sport and a good referee can make a game better. A bad referee,...
The Untouchable Frank Arnesen
The sporting director role, it just doesn’t work in English football does it? Except it does, well did; very recently in fact. Chelsea’s double winning side of 2009/10 had a sporting director and his name is Frank Arnesen, the only other man besides Roman Abramovic a Chelsea employee dare not cross. Arnesen has been at Chelsea since a...
Play Up Bolton, Bolton Play Up
In late October this website asked, Why no praise for West Brom? West Brom then promptly went on to win one more point in the following games. It is with that lesson that I must apologise to any Bolton fans if their team suddenly goes on a slide but it cannot go without saying any longer....
The ‘Last Man Back’ Fallacy
Over the Weekend and over the season there have been numerous fouls that, taken purely on fact, have been the same but have resulted in differing punishments. I refer to the ‘last man’ foul, or denial of a ‘goal-scoring opportunity’ to quote FIFA’s rules. The punishments meted out in these circumstances have been the same...
Winning, the Liverpool Way
After the draw at St. Andrews I contended that Liverpool needed to change the way they played to get results. They were too narrow, with no pace and their full-backs went nowhere. It led to a dour game of football and a nil all draw that kept Liverpool in the lower regions of the table....
Football Manager 2011 Review
Football Manager 2011 (FM) is released this Friday in Europe and tentatively dated the 16 of November in the US. A Football Management ‘simulator’ you are put in charge of basically any club of your choice in a ridiculously realistic setting. Playing Football Manager can often be like taking a degree in football, you learn...
The Top 5 Transfers of The Season, so far
Following on from the post yesterday detailing the 5 worst transfers of this quarter old season, now it is time to look at those who have excelled at their new club. However, I must also explain how I’ve come to my decisions so that a few obvious omissions may be a bit more palatable for...
Top 5 Transfer Flops of the Season, So Far
With a quarter of the season now passed, it is as good a time as any to reflect on the players and teams who have excelled and disappointed. First up are the transfers that have not met with expectations or values this season. In evaluating a players performance after 10 games it is important to...
The Curious Case of Football Contracts
I’ve had it with your negative comments, I can’t take it. I quit! Still here? Why? I quit didn’t I? Oh, that’s right I’m on one of those football contracts, the most bizarre of conventions in modern sports. Of course fixed term contracts are not unique to football but in what other profession except as...
Replacing Rooney: 6 Options
Ever since the news broke there was a palpable sense of disbelief amongst fans, the media and Blogs. We awaited hearing from the men at the centre of the story and we got that hearing today. It appears that Sir Alex Ferguson is as shaken by this news as we are even though he has...
Blackpool V Manchester City – LiveBlog
After the emphatic win for Everton, we continue our discussion over to the match of the Haves and the Have Nots. Blackpool V Man City EPLtalk Live Blog Related posts:Will Chelsea Pass Their First Real Test Against Manchester City This Season? Blackpool v Cardiff City, Championship Playoff Final: Open Thread Manchester United 1-0 Manchester City...
How Will The Glazers Leave United?
Today Liverpool FC went through a complicated court procedure to resolve their ownership. Their biggest rivals, Manchester United, have not had the problems that have engulfed the beleaguered Anfield club but nevertheless have issues with their ownership. The Glazer takeover of Manchester United has created friction between the club’s support who deride the Glazers and...
