The Best League in the World?

‘The Premier league is the best league in the world.’ Over and over again I hear this muttered between single minded people (probably Sun readers), who sit down every Saturday and Sunday to let Sky feed us 90 minutes of the richer team beating the poorer one. Sky has created this aura that the Premier League is the place to be. This has led to an arrogance in English league. The likes of Harry Redknapp, Alex Ferguson and other Premier League managers go into the transfer market, using the money Sky have given them, and assume that every player will sell their own mother just to ply their trade in the best league in the world. I’m sure that Harry’s right, it probably has nothing to do with 1.3 billion Sky alone pump into the league.

Evil?

It infuriates me that English fans dismiss teams like Shaktar Donetsk in the week against Barcelona simply because of their country of origin. My friend turned to me on Thursday and said that Real Madrid had a tougher tie than Barca. Apparently ten man Tottenham are a more formidable foe than Shaktar. I then tried to explain that Shaktar are a more established European side than many think and that Barca’s 5-1 victory was a stunning feat. As I expected his argument was that he had ‘never heard of any of them’. Like Sky my friend just dismissed any team that didn’t affect him and a combination of blind rage and a sudden feeling of can’t be arsed stopped me from taking the argument further.  

Two fingers to Sky? Probably not.

During the Fulham, Blackpool game on Sunday Chris Coleman said something along the lines of ‘the bottom teams can beat the top teams, that’s what makes this league the best in the world.’ One second please Chris? Wigan have an aggregate score against Manchester United this season of 0-6. The Premier League is no different to La Liga or Serie A. I know people will argue that only Barcelona and Real Madrid can win La Liga. And that realistically only either of the Milan clubs will win Serie A, but let’s face it, only the current top four are likely to win the Premiership. Harry Redknapp may talk up his Spurs side but Tottenham winning the league would be as amazing as Ledley King having an injury free season.

Worse than Gray?

This season has been one of the most unpredictable for years. Some would argue that the other 16 teams in the league are catching the top four and making it much more competitive. I don’t. In my opinion the league is getting worse. The PFA Player of the Year award nominees were announced today and looking at them I couldn’t name one outstanding player. Certain players have had spells of good form, much like Wayne Rooney and tourettes but no one player has been consistently great. Look at Manchester United. They are more than likely going to be crowned champions this term but have at times been dreadful. If you were to rank teams in order of how they’ve played in games, United would be mid-table or lower and relegation fighting Blackpool would be top.

Nominated for what?

The Premier League is definitely beginning to lose it’s glamour. No longer drawing in the best payers soon La Liga, thanks to Spain’s low taxes will probably be the next dominant force, as long as the teams can sort out their finances. Don’t despair though English fans, as long as there’s Sky Sports we can sit in our chairs oblivious to the great football being played all other the world.                

Fantasy XI

Fantasy XI

In the 20 years I’ve been alive hundreds of footballers have drawn my attention to beautiful game. Some for dazzling the world on the biggest stage others for sheer eccentricity. There are a few unfortunates, Titus Bramble for example. Whether for good reasons, bad or for simply the sublime these eleven men have enlightened every 90 minutes of football I’ve ever seen. Except for most World Cup Finals.

Goalkeeper - Oliver Kahn, Germany 

Don't Mess.

What is there to say? The massive Aryan goalkeeper was unstoppable in his time. King Kahn wasn’t only a truly great player he was an exceptional leader who led his country in 50 games. He reached the World Cup final, won Euro 96, one Champions League. He holds the record for most Bundersliga clean sheets as well numerous individual awards.

Right –Back – Lilian Thuram, France

Incredible

Lilian Thuram, the most capped French international of all time. The defensive maestro was as equally comfortable at centre-back as he was at right-back. He was integral part of one of the greatest international sides of all time. The France team that won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 were the fist team I saw that truly dominated world football. Thuram was a true colossus at the back and an inspirational to all technically challenged footballers.

Centre - back – Jaap Stam, Netherlands

He Will Stunner You

For three years Stone Cold Steve Austin look-a-like Jaap Stam stomped all over the Premier League. At 6 ft 3 in Jaap stam was truly a giant who ruthless attitude entertained me week in and week out. Unfortunately for Stam most of his career may be remembered for the wrong reasons. That penalty miss at Euro 2000 still hasn’t landed and the fall out with Fergie at the end of his United may overshadow a career that any player would be proud of.

Centre-Back- Carles Puyol, Spain

Capatain Caveman

Captain caveman has been an icon of Catalonia for over a decade now. ‘The Wall’ as he is know by his fans, Puyols’s fantastic pace and unmatched reading of the game has seen him reach amazing heights as a player. As well as being the back bone of arguably the greatest team of all time, he’s won two Champions League’s as well and Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup. He’s an inspiration on and off the pitch and his Giggs like lifestyle could see him playing well into his late thirties. Also he owns a sheep.

Left-Back- Paolo Maldini, Italy

Il Capitano

Older than Methuselah when he finally hung up his boots Paolo Maldini is a true legend. He’s the most successful Champions League player in my team. He made his first team debut 6 years before I was born. He was a natural defender who could chip in with a goal or two. What impresses me most about Maldini is his loyalty to his club. Two and half decades his career spanned and in an era where players like Craig Bellamy can walk from club to club, and not think once about the fans who cheer for him Maldini spent every year with The Rossoneri.

Right- Midfield- Luis Figo, Portugal

'Ole'

Probably the second coolest player in my team Figo showed the same arrogance and self-belief as another Portuguese winger, but because he isn’t that certain other winger, we like him for it. He dared to break the Barca, Madrid divide when he joined the ‘Galticos’ in 2000. Figo will always be remembered for his skills on the pitch and for giving the world the most annoying football catchphrase ever. I bet that anyone reading this post who has been megged during a game and been ‘oled’. Thanks Luis.

Centre- Midfield- Zinedine Zidane, France

Genius

First there was Pele, then Maradona and then there was Zidane. Literally winning everything there is to win as a player, Zidane was a footballing genius. Everyone remembers ‘that’ volley for Madrid. But Zidane offered so much more to his team. He was a great provider of goals and many a goal scoring team was built around him. Unfortunately like others in the list Zidane’s career ended in controversy. The 2006 World Cup final was supposed the be Zidane’s last hoorah, but after scoring the opening goal and with the scores lever Zidane head butted Marco Materazzi in the 110 minute. Zidane’s career was over and his team lost on penalties.

Centre-Midfield-Ray Parlour, England

Not Me

‘The Romford Pele.’ He sure was. Heavily underrated compared to his fellow Arsenal players, Parlour was instrumental in the ‘successful’ Wenger years. I’ll never forget the opening goal Parlour Scored against Chelsea in 2002 F.A cup final. For months after that game I attempted to recreate the goal and the identical goal by teammate Freddie Ljungberg. His amazing engine and work ethic has seen Parlour voted the 19^th greatest ‘gooner’ of all time.

Left-midfield- Rivaldo, Brazil

Great Actor

Legend. The bicycle kick against Valencia is enough to qualify him for the title, add the other 350, give or take a few and you have a seriously good player on your hands. His cultured left foot and skill made him an instant hit with Deportivo and Barcelona. Unfortunately in 2002 Rivaldo was shot when Hakan Unsal hit Rivaldo with the ball in the thigh. This prompted a sniper to shoot Rivaldo grazing his cheek and led to him writhing in agony on the floor. Miraculously Rivaldo recovered to finish the game. 

Striker-Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina

Batigol

‘Three Lions’ 1998, I’m playing as Argentina on the official England team game and ‘Batigol’ flashes across the screen. This was my first encounter with Gabriel Batistuta. I was hooked, the Argentine ace had a scoring record of almost a goal a game and will be remembered for one of the greatest Champions League goals of all time. A thirty-yard rocket against Manchester United in 2000 had me mesmerised. A truly great player and professional Batistuta was one of the greatest players of the nineties and an inspiration to me growing up.

Striker-Eric Cantona, France

Insane Excellence

Cool, charismatic, genius, brilliant ... insane. All of these could be used to describe Eric Cantona. Best described as a bi-polar footballer at his incredible best he could produce madness. At his insane worst he caused incredible controversy, you know what I’m talking about. Eric was my first favourite footballer and still is my favourite. Even at 44 Eric is still all over football despite never moving into coaching. He tried acting and is now Director of Soccer and the reformed New York Cosmos.

There’s my starting eleven. It took me a week to write, changed 7 or 8 times and still would change again tomorrow if I didn’t publish it now. Hope you enjoy reading what eleven players inspired me the most though my youth and feel free to leave yours in our comment or e-mail us and we’ll post it.

-Paul

My Three Picks for the Drop

Approximately £30 million. That’s how much the three teams who lose their Premier League status stand to lose this season. All fans like to play the predicting game, and without doubt the three names you pick will change on more than one occasion throughout the season. At The Terrace Talk we’ve been playing the same game and because we couldn’t agree we all decided to post our picks.

First of all it seems Wigan Athletic look destined for the drop and I won't miss them. It’s a shame because Roberto Martinez has done a great job and I think he’s one of the most talented young managers in the English game. Unfortunately Martinez and chairmen Dave Whelan are at a team whose fans care more about tries than goals. At times their team can play fantastic football, for instance against Manchester City recently. Wigan outplayed City for the majority of the game but lacked that killer touch in the final third and as for the back, don’t get me started. This is the tried and tested formula for relegation. Look at Tony Mowbray’s West Brom team. They played fantastic football but couldn't finish teams off. It eventually led to their demise and I can’t help but feel the same towards a Wigan team, who in all honesty have flirted with the drop for the past couple of seasons now.

The second team I think will be plying their trade in the second tier of English football are Blackpool. First of all I need to say how much I’ve enjoyed their debut season in the Premier League and hope my prediction is wrong. Ian Holloway and his men have been a breath of fresh air and their c'est la vie attitude has been a joy to watch, but recent form suggests that the team is on a downward spiral. Charlie Adam, DJ Campbell and others have played exceptionally but the team have really punched above their weight. Despite the odd result, Tottenham for example, teams seem to have developed ways to handle their all out attack.

Finally and probably most controversially my third choice is Birmingham City. First I want it noted that my allegiance to Aston Villa has completely nothing to do with this... really. Birmingham have had a massive season. The Carling Cup victory will live long in the memory for all Birmingham fans but since then their league form has not been brilliant. All season their results have been built on keeping clean sheets and pinching goals at the other end. Recent performances have shown a defence that in all honesty looks tired and is leaking goals. It’s understandable considering the season they’ve had, but unfortunately at the end of the season tiredness isn’t an excuse. McLeish must find a way to combat this quick or his team will be staring relegation direct in the face. 

The power and financial incentives the Premier League offers has now led to a ‘make or break’ attitude adopted by most sides. It’s a dangerous game to play, just ask Leeds fans. For teams like Wigan and Blackpool this might be the last time they reach the holy grail that is the Premier League, such is the gulf in talent. Finally I'd like to wish the three teams joining the express train that is the Premier League good luck, you'll need it.

-Paul

Arsenal Lacking Steel and Grit

 

A lot’s been said of Arsenal’s struggles since the break-up of the legendary "Invincible’s" team seven years ago. So much has been said about their apparent lack of strength that it is almost regarded as fact. Arsene Wenger will argue that the likes of Abou Diaby and Alex Song make up for the absence of Patrick Viera in the middle of the park. Diaby and Song are both similar in size to the great midfield dictator, however as Viera showed against Aston Villa in the F.A Cup he still knows how to use his great physique. Watching Song and Diaby at times is like watching a Brazilian goalkeeper. They’re envious of the roles given to their more advanced team-mates and this leads to them being caught out defensively.



Where are the Keowns and Adams in this Arsenal team? Laurent Koscielny has shown promise in recent weeks and looks to be a technically good defender and Thomas Vermaelen is a good centre back. But people seem to forget that Arsenal play in the English Premier League. The likes of Chelsea and Manchester United, without doubt the most successful teams of the past ten years, have defenders full of heart. Defenders who would give anything for the cause. Let’s travel back to South Africa 2010. John Terry throws his body towards a shot by Slovenia’s Zlatko Dedic. Although his attempted heroism was eventually futile in the bigger picture of England's wretched campaign, I can’t imagine Johan Djourou or Koscielny making the same attempt.

Since Jens Lehmann left Arsenal the team have struggled to find a true number one goalkeeper. You ask anyone from professional footballers to Sunday league; if you’ve got a good goalkeeper then your defence can concentrate on their own game rather than worrying where the next mistake will come from.

Finally, how does Arsene Wenger tackle his team’s defensive issues? Until Mr. Wenger changes his transfer philosophy on signing talented young players from less competitive leagues I’m afraid nothing is likely to change at the Emirates. It’s a shame because there are talented young British defenders that would fit the bill for Arsenal. The likes of Ryan Shawcross or Ciaran Clark would be excellent for Arsenal and perhaps even give Arsenal the spine they need to win that elusive Trophy.   



Just what Wenger needs?



-Paul