That Day in Manchester

After a late night of pints reminiscent of Great Big Sea’s “Home for a Rest,” the crisp autumn air of that morning in Manchester stirred the senses to meet the occasion; it was going to be a big day. A quick shower and bowl of packaged oatmeal later, I left the hostel towards the tram platform in a city that still seemed to be in a quiet slumber.

Once on the tram, a kind of light rail that runs through and around the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, it was a short ride towards my stop at Old Trafford Station. I had been there before, back in 2003, but everything seemed a new sight. The cricket grounds on the left with its red brick and iron gates, the condos, the fields, the pubs and shops that lined Sir Matt Busby Way, each landmark heralding what was to come with growing anticipation.

Passing a souvenir shop on my left, my destination towered in the distance in a way that kings and emperors would have wanted their monuments to mirror. I was at Old Trafford. It might seem of little consequence, but this was hallowed ground in the world of football. The home of Manchester United, I had been there twice before to watch the Red Devils in Premier League matches. I was at the game in which Cristiano Ronaldo netted his first goal for United, a weak free kick that found the net with pure good fortune, and actually have a picture of that moment as he is about to strike the ball.

But my pilgrimage was not of the club nature this time; instead I was going to watch the European Championships qualifier between England and Macedonia. Yet the tiny obstacle of not possessing a ticket had to be dealt with first, which was why I was there just before 8am when the game wasn’t until the afternoon. Knowing that the ticket office would likely have extra tickets available for the match, I went to wait for it to open.

Being first in line, when the doors finally opened I asked the teller for the best ticket available, and found myself inside Old Trafford with seats that were the best I’d ever had at Old Trafford. Watching players like Rooney, Lampard and Gerrard go through the paces of their warm-up, hearing the crowd sing and cheer, it was easy to believe that I was watching something more than “just” a football game.

It had been generations since the British Empire freely fought campaigns in Europe, though World Wars I and II were fought with zeal and swagger (scoreboard, they won both, and thanks US for coming to the party late).  Thus this and every England match is something of a quest towards the glory that characterized a nation and Empire who thrived on the Lions’ Pride for centuries of European history.  

While it must be said the performance was lacklustre from an England squad that seem to epitomize what it is to struggle, nothing can diminish the experience that, for a lover of football and an England supporter, was absolute bliss. Though the score line finished nil-nil, and with an England game today against Montenegro, the demands for attractive and ruthless play from the Three Lions continue to grow. Only then can the country that has defined and institutionalized modern football begin to grasp the heights of expectation as endowed by the masses.         

That game in Manchester was 5 years ago today, and so I will watch this afternoon’s fixture with the shine of those memories which continue to be one of the greatest experiences I’ve had in football. Though my followig of English football began in the 90's, it lacked the full appreciation that can only manifest itself by taking in the sights, sounds and emotions of a live game. Club level footy is something to be cherished week after week, but international is where pride takes shape in the form of nations pitting themselves against one another. It is the ultimate example of what football was always intended to be: an expression of love for something grander than self.    

Happy 5 years England. Jog on mate!

Carlito's Way

the Mariah of Manchester

Yesterday gave birth to what was seemingly a new chapter in the storied farce that has become Carlos Tevez, with the Argentine refusing to enter the match against Bayern Munich in their Champions League tie. Being a both a zealot of football and having a near-romance with the game, the Footy Fox is left befuddled over the recent events. In all likelihood, this simply comes down karma having her way with Man Citeh for trying to do a job on Manchester United by signing their once-a-star.   

Down 2-nil in the second half, manager Roberto Mancini asked Tevez to warm-up from the bench to enter the game. After a shake of the head and a pout of the face, Tevez had done the unthinkable and refused to enter the competition for which every pence of the £300 million plus purchased squad was assembled. Coaches tried to reason with him, teammates tried to encourage him, and yet little Carlos held his ground. In refusing to play in European club football’s crown jewel competition, he has truly become a pariah to the club at Man City and a toddler not worth the money or the time.

Strikingly more perplexing is the statement he (read: his agent/handlers looking out for their pockets rather than the player) issued, saying:

“I would like to apologise to all Manchester City fans, with whom I have always had a strong relationship, for any misunderstanding that occurred in Munich. They understand that when I am on the pitch I have always given my best for the club. In Munich on Tuesday I had warmed up and was ready to play. This is not the right time to get into specific details as to why this did not happen. But I wish to state that I never refused to play. There was some confusion on the bench and I believe my position may have been misunderstood. Going forward I am ready to play when required and to fulfil my obligations.”

Surely there is some validity to saying “my position may have been misunderstood,” since the Footy Fox will admit to having little knowledge of whether a shake-of-the-head roughly translates to “no” or “hell no” in Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and South America might actually mean “yes” or even “let’s have a tea” in Argentina.

Yet the issue is really one of wishful thinking and naïveté on the part of Man City, as Tevez has twice since January asked to leave the club, citing his need to be closer to his children in Argentina. With speculative targets for him being in Spain or Italy, the Footy Fox is wondering if someone might be have a little fun with Carlos by telling him that those two countries are in South America.

But this summer provided City the much needed cover of a big money transfer for their once-talisman, with Corinthians of Argentina offering £35 million for the striker. The deal was to be financed over several years, with small fraction of the transfer fee being paid up front which caused City to balk at the deal. Apparently possession of what amounts to a war chest of oil money, while at the same time being offered good value for a player who wants out doesn’t resonate with the blue side of Manchester.

With the player refusing to play, and the manager Mancini understandably fuming while stating Tevez will never play for Man City again, surely his value will only drop. Nevermind that he's being paid £286 000 per week to play for City, his actions shouldn't be tolerated even if he was being paid bus fare and a new pair of cleats.  There aren’t too many clubs, especially in the South American sub-continent of Spain-Italy, who would be keen on spending tens of millions of Euros on a player with a history as coloured as the diva that wouldn’t; City have made their own bed in this matter.      

There's Winning, and Then There's Winning...

Y'alright mate?

Another treble for Wazza

Winning is a thing of poetry, but doing so in a way that is so emphatic as to humiliate one’s opponents goes beyond the realms of even the greatest wordsmith. Yet many pundits will lavish Manchester United’s performances thus far with compliments and credit; and perhaps rightly so as well. This is especially fair considering their last three matches (3-0 over Tottenham, 8-2 over Arsenal and 5-0 over Bolton) have demonstrated their ability to hand opponents some painful lessons.

The Footy Fox will tow a more practical line. Simply put, any team can win with the proper expression of fundamentals married to a sound tactical plan, and United did just that. Have they managed to bring together some exceptional talent? Absolutely. But it’s also a matter of the tactical elements implemented through Sir Alex.

In United’s style of play, they’ve adapted defenders to move into attacking positions as much as possible. This leads to a pincer like movement of attack, one that surrounds the opposing goal area and then applies pressure to create high-percentage chances on goal.

We saw this on the weekend in heavy servings as Phil Jones (a center back) managed to dribble inside the 18 (yard box) on a number of occasions. Add to this the forward movement of Smalling and Evra, United was effectively attacking with 7 or 8 men constantly. All that was needed with such overwhelming numbers and pressure is precise one-touch passing and quality shooting, and the score line really began to run away, as it did against Arsenal and Tottenham.

The best way of countering it is either through aggressive man-marking and defending, as Bolton tried, or by cutting out the passing lanes to minimize the space for attackers to run into. Either way takes a highly disciplined and committed approach from a team, and since most teams don’t want to accept the need to simply defend and absorb pressure, it is often difficult to implement.  

A stiffer challenge lies ahead this coming weekend against Chelsea, plus there is the Champions League fixture versus Benfica midweek. Chelsea consider themselves title contenders, and offer considerably more experience in all positions that United’s previous opponents. So while Man United look to play with a confident swagger and sound tactics, the true measure of their abilities and limitations might be better known this time next week. But with Rooney netting another treble (hat trick), Chicharito finding the net for a brace (two goals), and strong performances from the midfield and defence, it’s easy to fashion an expectation for more of the same from the poets of the pitch. Jog on!

Oh...sigh...Canada

Y’alright mate?

This week Canada managed a 3-nil win over Puerto Rico in a World Cup qualifying match. On a personal level, Canadian football has always held a certain strangeness bordering on contempt. Before you jump to conclusions, keep in mind what the lover of football has to deal with in Canada: Gerry Dobson and Craig Forrest, the Canadian Soccer Association, the MLS, Toronto FC, a consistent failure to qualify for the World Cup, as well as underachieving in the Gold Cup, and the prevalence of puck jockeys who bash the game.

Anyone who did watch the game should have noted the complete lack of intelligent football on behalf of each team. Sloppy passing and low-percentage balls were the norm, and unimaginative play seemed to be the game plan. Add to that the lack of pressure on the ball and it was hardly the quality one expects to see in Brazil in 2014, let alone a side that might have potential to even reach the finals.

It’s also worth noting that each of the Canadian goals, while coming in open play, were scrappy at best. Rather than being the result of creative play or incisive passing, they seemed to rely on a combination of purely wishful balls being sent into the area and sloppy defending. Is there something to be said for scoring scrappy goals? Absolutely. Any good team needs to be able to capitalize on mistakes, and at the very least force their opponent into conceding them. Yet relying on mistakes as a matter of an attacking platform seems somewhat adolescent, and at best reminds me of the hockey mentality of getting the puck towards the net and hoping.

The solution lies in a more fluid concept of attack, one in which ball possession combined high-percentage passing/shooting and a work-rate that inspires constant pressure. If they can’t sort out a better way to score goals, it’s going to take a lot of charity on the pitch to even gain a glimmer of hope in making it to Brazil.

As for my Gerry Dobson reference, here are two gems from the Canada broadcast that he felt fitting to share with the viewing audience:

“Canada is playing a 4-2-2,” and “That was a foul so it will be a goal kick.”

Well on Mr. Dobson, apparently broadcasting takes little more than a marginal understanding of football...well on.

Cheers,

The Footy Fox

The Flaw in Arsene's Logic



Nasri has called Man Citeh supporters more 'passionate' than Arsenal's.

 

Some years ago, when the Footy Fox was but a mere pup in the world of football, Russian oil tycoon and billionaire Roman Abramovich had a spasm whilst reflecting on the billions in his fortune. The result: he purchased a moderately competent club in Chelsea FC and injected enough cash into the transfer kitty that they were able to win the Premier League title, twice on the trot. It was that very moment that truly made the Premier League, long touted as an advent of modern football since its inception in 1992, the beast it is today.

Essentially what Manchester City have done is copy the Chelsea Project; buying a plethora of expensive and excessively overpaid stars, ensuring depth by having more players than truly necessary (Milner will be the first causality), and ultimately resting the pressure on the shoulders of a well-acquainted foreign manager (well several in the case of Chelsea, who have failed to learn from Man United’s stability until possibly this season).

With the purchase of Samir Nasri from Arsenal, Man City now possesses the individuals who collectively appear to hold the key to that elusive title. It isn’t clear exactly what the tactical plans are to accommodate Nasri, though a player of his calibre will always positively impact a club’s performance and, perhaps cause nothing but infighting amongst marginalzed divas.

The real shame though is that Arsenal has now boosted the attacking options for a club that was already set to surpass them. Why Arsene Wenger refused to sell to Manchester United is forgivable, given the rivalry that exists between the Gunners and the Red Devils, as well as the explosion of discontent that would emerge from the Arsenal fan-base.

Yet the sale of Nasri to City has been a massive tactical error by Wenger, or Le Professeur as he is known for his intelligent and philosophical approach to the game. Think for a moment of the ‘Big Four’ in English football and historically the names Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool come to mind. Liverpool is experiencing a resurgence in form under Dalglish and new ownership, while United and Chelsea continue to play strong football, and Arsenal remain a threat despite their current turbulence.

As for City, they’re the new boys that have tried desperately to squeeze their way into the ‘Big’ category, mainly through Chelseafication via an injection of cash into their transfer chest. But they are still relatively unproven, with a manager that is often hesitant to rely on an offensive approach and players that look more disjointed than they should considering the astronomical wages they’re earning.

Had Arsenal sold to Man United instead, they would simply have sustained an already credible club amongst another of the Big Four. That they refused to sell to an emotional rival, or even shop him off to another club in France, Germany or Spain, only to sell to perhaps an even more immediate threat, shows the error of Arsene Wenger’s logic. Don’t forget it was City that nicked Arsenal’s 3^rd place and automatic Champions League group stage spot.  

Prior to the signing of Nasri, Man City still was a club simply on the verge of realizing the possibilities before them. Now that Arsenal has sold him to the blue side of Manchester, they’ve directly assisted in expanding the number of clubs able to challenge for the title, as well as Champions League spots. In winning his signature, City have yet another piece of the puzzle, and Arsenal will suffer more than others for it.  

Putting Results into Context



Welbeck celebrating a smashing header v Spurs

 ‘Ello ‘ello ‘ello!

Yesterday, Manchester United handed Tottenham Hotspur a convincing 3-0 win at Old Trafford, with the reflections being punted around on that game centering mainly on the talent and poise displayed by the young talent of United. The United starting XI had an average of 23 years and one month, the second youngest squad in Premier League history.

To be sure, they displayed a remarkable sense of the game, passing well , moving into space with ease and commanding the play in either end of the pitch. Their attacking nature was never in question as they relentlessly sought the opening goal and, once had, they continued to attack in a manner befitting the title ‘Champions.’

A slight bias on my behalf you say? Sure I’ll grant you that. Having been raised a United supporter since the early 90’s, you might get away with that as a fair statement. But think for a moment of what last night’s match boiled down to: Manchester United fielding a squad largely comprised of young players who were relatively unproven, against a team that last season reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League by winning some highly impressive matches.

Tottenham lacked a midfield maestro, with Luka Modric being at odds with Spurs over his wish to move on from the North London club, and this did have a negative impact on the style of play with which the Lilywhites played. But they also lacked in the striker position, as none could effectively challenge the 20-somethings of Jones and Smalling, while De Gea was tested from 30+ yards on occasion, which only showed the unimaginative and hopeful from a squad that should know better (tsk tsk).

What’s even more remarkable is how little the youngsters have been with Man United, and this shows the true nature of what the Club has been fashioned into under Sir Alex. Jones and De Gea are recent summer transfers from Blackburn and Atletico Madrid respectively, while Cleverly and Welbeck were on loan to Wigan and Sunderland (not to mention their previous loan spells), and Smalling has only had one year at Old Trafford following a move from Fulham.

That these players have settled into new(ish) surroundings, with training staff, methods and tactical approaches different from their prior experiences and have won with intelligent and robust performances speaks volumes. Sir Alex and his staff have ensured this group have completely fallen-in-line with the Manchester United ethos and expectations, and it’s already paying dividends.

Would the any of those players have started for Chelsea, Liverpool or Man Citeh on the weekend? Most likely not, and the risk of dropping points at any stage in the season is enough to terrify the most hardened of managers. That they were able to do so with United in a massive game is a fantastic indication of the ideology that Sir Alex has held for more than two decades as manager at United. It has served them well in the past and, based on last night’s showing it will certainly do so again in the future. The only real question that remains is what to do with the impending personnel crisis at United. We’ll save that for another time though. Jog on mate!

A Tale of Two Styles

Y’alright mate?

No, this isn’t an opportunity for you to reminisce about the days with Jose strutted up and down the pitch at Stamford Bridge looking like he was on the cat walk. Nor is it a conversation on the tres dashing and refined man who now manages that same club, who’s oft cited initials AVB sound like those of a hedge fund or multinational corporation. Sadly and yet sprinkled with a great deal of good fortune, those are not the styles we’re talking about, because we’d then have to talk about Tony Pulis – who I have nothing but respect for as a manager – and his godforsaken ball caps and golf shirts that he deems professional attire for the Premier League. No.    

Instead the conversation – and yes this is a conversation because were you here it would still be as politely one-sided as this – will focus on some fantastic fixtures this weekend in the Premier League, along with results giving an indication of the direction the league is headed for the remainder of the season. Two results that I would like to really focus on are the Queen’s Park Rangers 1, Everton 0 and Man City 3, Bolton 2. With regards to the former, it was important that QPR got off the mark with a win following their drubbing to Bolton a fortnight ago. Their goal was well worked and well earned, and while they were on the fortunate side of a Leighton Baines set-piece off that shook the woodwork, for the most part they showed a real defensive cohesion.

 For the remainder of the season there will be matches that are pure defensive struggles, where teams are either down a goal and turn the screw tighter and tighter with every through ball and corner kick. Sure QPR did attack when they had the opportunity to do so, but the weight of the game was well upon them, especially since they’ve only just returned to the Premier League against a side well versed in pressure football. This weekend’s draw between Norwich and Stoke is another great example of one side – clearly the underdogs – nicking a goal and suffering a tremendous amount of pressure for it.

Now the flipside of that is being a team who is maybe a bit stronger and more confident, they just have to go for the goals they need. Everton for all of their chances just couldn’t find the back of the net, and Stoke only did so in stoppage time, the same is true of the Chelsea game and dozens of other matches across Europe. But defensive discipline, combined with seizing that one glimmer of an opportunity when it presents itself, not only grit and determination, but intelligence in the game. It’s not the same quality as say watching Barcelona, Man United or Inter, but the idea is to be practical, not impatient.

As for the Man City v Bolton game, it was the opposite spectrum of play. Both sides went at each other in a way that signifies their intentions: Mancini and Citeh want the title (ha) and Bolton want to get into Europe with a touch of attractive football along the way. City is a side that wants to score more and concede less, while Bolton has a moderate approach to their talent-spread and loves to play positive football in the same manner. In the end both teams really went for it and the game was exciting, full of quality football and goals in bunches. So this game was a little more free-flowing than the matches already mentioned, with the two clubs trying to express themselves to their maximum potential.  

For the most part, that’s the nature of football and the Premier League, with teams sizing one another up and at the end of the day styles need to adapt to meet the opponent. Those that are a little weaker at times need to play with more discipline to grind out a result, while clubs that are stronger often try to impose themselves on the game, have their way with her, and express their true ability as a unit. Sure Mancini wouldn’t have been please with Bolton being allowed to make a game of it by netting twice, but at the very least he was able to field a team that netted a treble. A bit of time on the practice pitch and those little missteps from the backline will be smoothed out – at least one would think judging on the talent pool flooding the envious end of Manchester.

Having said that, it was a great weekend of football and though there is some real disparity between some clubs, it was lovely to watch tight results and close games. Today the real gem of Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United takes place, and if the season’s early results are anything to go by, then it should be a great game. Keep in mind as you follow the game – or the Footy Fox on twitter @thefootyfox – that within this game a third style is likely to emerge, one of absorb and attack that has long proven to be a key tool in the United arsenal. Jog on mate!