http://blogs.soccernet.com en-us Copyright 2012 Tue, 22 May 2012 15:59:33 +0000 It has taken me a couple of days to try and get my head around our Champions League loss to Chelsea. I've been glum, bitter and utterly sad. I haven't had any words. And, for someone as verbose as I am? That's (not) saying a lot.... http://blogs.soccernet.com/bayern/archives/2012/05/the_difference.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/bayern/archives/2012/05/the_difference.php Champions League Tue, 22 May 2012 15:59:33 +0000 Whether you agree with the decision to part company with Kenny Dalglish or not, I'm pleased with how Liverpool owners FSG are going about the business of finding a replacement manager and new director of football. Ayre did the required (some not required) interviews after the decision was made and said that big managers still fancy us, which I believe to be true. After that it has gone all quiet from FSG, which is the way Liverpool should go about doing this. Ayre said "It's absolutely critical that we get... http://blogs.soccernet.com/liverpool/archives/2012/05/the_interview_process.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/liverpool/archives/2012/05/the_interview_process.php Reds talk Tue, 22 May 2012 00:10:17 +0000 Chelsea - Champions of Europe. Sounds good doesn't it? Yet although I saw it happen in Munich and then made it back to London for the parade on Sunday, it still seems so unreal. I've read countless articles and watched the match again and while I know it happened, there remains part of me that can't quite get my head round it.... http://blogs.soccernet.com/chelsea/archives/2012/05/chelsea_immortals_reduce_grown.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/chelsea/archives/2012/05/chelsea_immortals_reduce_grown.php Blog Mon, 21 May 2012 19:41:53 +0000 Pep Guardiola decided to leave his post as Barcelona manager in what was a highly anticipated and expected decision. The Catalan Master had been signing one-year contracts since he landed the Blaugrana job back in 2008, always arguing his time at the Camp Nou was limited and dependent on the 'feeling' he got from the players - which brings out the question: What really happened that made him leave?... http://blogs.soccernet.com/barcelona/archives/2012/05/why_pep_guardiola_left_barcelo.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/barcelona/archives/2012/05/why_pep_guardiola_left_barcelo.php Opinion Sat, 19 May 2012 10:59:08 +0000 This is, of course, the final that I wanted. When the last draw was set in the elimination rounds, I thought, "Is it possible that we get through Real Madrid AND Chelsea survive Barcelona?". Leave those two Spanish teams to their umpteen El Clasicos; I would have found a replay of that to be utterly boring.... http://blogs.soccernet.com/bayern/archives/2012/05/finale_dahoam.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/bayern/archives/2012/05/finale_dahoam.php Champions League Fri, 18 May 2012 16:17:21 +0000 No pre-season at the Bernabeu is complete without rumour, speculation and big-money arrivals and departures - and it'll be no different this summer. One of those players who's set to take up most column inches in Marca and the like is Gonzalo Higuain - will he stay or will he go? Should he stay or should he go? Indeed, talk over the Argentina striker's future is already in overdrive and the Liga season only finished barely a week ago. Juventus, Paris St Germain and Chelsea have all been linked... http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2012/05/el_pipita_will_he_stay_or_will.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2012/05/el_pipita_will_he_stay_or_will.php General Fri, 18 May 2012 13:18:34 +0000 When Kenny Dalglish got the call from FSG on his holiday he knew he was the only man who could save Liverpool. Of course, Kenny being Kenny he dropped whatever he was doing and jumped at the chance to manage the club that as meant everything to him since 1977. Liverpool's favorite adopted son walked out at Old Trafford a day later knowing that he had to galvanize a squad that had completely lost their way.... http://blogs.soccernet.com/liverpool/archives/2012/05/thank_you_sir_kenny.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/liverpool/archives/2012/05/thank_you_sir_kenny.php Reds talk Thu, 17 May 2012 18:08:36 +0000 ... http://blogs.soccernet.com/fulham/archives/2012/05/the_balance_sheet.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/fulham/archives/2012/05/the_balance_sheet.php Random Fulham Thoughts Wed, 16 May 2012 21:01:18 +0000 Manchester City may have won the Premier League title in the most dramatic manner since Michael Thomas stole the championship for Arsenal in the dying seconds at Anfield in 1989 and England manager Roy Hodgson might have selected an attacking player without a single league goal or assist this season in his Euro 2012 squad in the shape of Stewart Downing, but if you are a Chelsea fan there is only one thing that dominates your thoughts – the Champions League final.... http://blogs.soccernet.com/chelsea/archives/2012/05/belief_and_butterflies_ahead_o.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/chelsea/archives/2012/05/belief_and_butterflies_ahead_o.php Blog Wed, 16 May 2012 18:48:43 +0000 In a month that saw the news of our long time kit lady Winnie leaving, it was Ricardo Fuller who was hung out to dry as Pulis poked his finger in the eyes of the fans who dared to suggest he should be starting over the ever inept Walters.... http://blogs.soccernet.com/stokecity/archives/2012/05/hung_out_to_dry_1.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/stokecity/archives/2012/05/hung_out_to_dry_1.php Comment Wed, 16 May 2012 13:24:36 +0000 Inter lost 3-1 at Lazio and missed the chance to reach the Group stage of the Europa League 2012-13. Lazio will, whereas Nerazzurri will be involved in the Preliminary rounds. A fitting end to a very disappointing season.... http://blogs.soccernet.com/inter/archives/2012/05/time_to_go_for_many.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/inter/archives/2012/05/time_to_go_for_many.php The Boys Talk Wed, 16 May 2012 12:49:56 +0000 That's it! We are all done. In the Champions League race until the very last day of the season and an amazing 5th placed finish getting us back into European football, not to mention the gaffa collecting both the Barclays and LMA Manager of the Year awards. I for one can not wait to visit some random towns around the Continent with NUFC next season. Over the next few days I will be working on two new Blogs - one about the boss and the other being a full season... http://blogs.soccernet.com/newcastleunited/archives/2012/05/your_favourite_moments_needed_1.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/newcastleunited/archives/2012/05/your_favourite_moments_needed_1.php Toon Talk Tue, 15 May 2012 19:28:06 +0000 Arsenal added the motto ‘Forward’ to the bottom of the club’s crest for the 125th anniversary season, and for a large slice of the season, that was looking like an embarrassing move. It seemed like we were a club in decline, and one that was definitely moving backwards. No-one could have envisaged that we’d end the season with a higher points total than the previous campaign, and finish a place higher. It might only be a small step, but we have gone forward as a team and as a club... http://blogs.soccernet.com/arsenal/archives/2012/05/forward_amazingly_yes.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/arsenal/archives/2012/05/forward_amazingly_yes.php Post Match Mon, 14 May 2012 23:28:25 +0000 "This team is already part of this club's legend. Its numbers will be impossible to forget and it has honoured our history." - Real Madrid president Florentino Perez. Los Blancos' 4-1 thrashing of Mallorca at the Bernabeu brought Madrid's successful La Liga season to an end in historic fashion. Three points, making Mourinho's men total 100 for the season - a new Spanish top-flight record. A win percentage of 87.72 per cent, if my maths serves me correctly. Not just winning the league, doing it in record-breaking fashion. If... http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2012/05/madrids_historymaking_liga_sea.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2012/05/madrids_historymaking_liga_sea.php General Mon, 14 May 2012 20:50:51 +0000 Direct, decisive and damning. Less than 12 hours after watching the 'highlights' of Villa's final match of the 2011-12 season, scowling at yet more defensive irresponsibility, player indifference and managerial culpability, before skulking off to bed to lie awake and inwardly fume at the sheer incompetence that had rendered the previous nine and a half months the most shambolic and miserable I've ever endured as a fan, news.... http://blogs.soccernet.com/astonvilla/archives/2012/05/mcleish_out_villa_act_quickly.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/astonvilla/archives/2012/05/mcleish_out_villa_act_quickly.php Premier League Mon, 14 May 2012 20:33:35 +0000 So that's it then. The season ends with a good performance if not a disappointing 3-2 loss to Arsenal, who secured 3rd place with the victory. The atmosphere around the ground was fantastic, the fans showed their appreciation for the players and most of all for the departing Roy Hodgson, who of course has taken the England Job. I've already had my say on Roy, but I'd like to reiterate my thanks to him for a fantastic job and taking Albion to where we are at the moment. The upcoming... http://blogs.soccernet.com/westbromwichalbion/archives/2012/05/a_season_in_review.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/westbromwichalbion/archives/2012/05/a_season_in_review.php Opinion Mon, 14 May 2012 19:05:19 +0000 Some 24 hours later and I'm still numb. This is the one that matters. I couldn't give the proverbial rodent's rump about the Champions League. Never have. But the league; this is something a little special.... http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2012/05/champions.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2012/05/champions.php Match Reaction Mon, 14 May 2012 17:31:44 +0000 Thank god that is over. That was the worst league campaign in my lifetime (I'm 43) in terms of goals scored and our performance at home. All those supporters who wanted Rafa out, after one year of not making the champions league, should be ashamed of themselves. We were spoiled back then and didn't realize how good we had it. Well now that we have had an additional two years of inept performances we have our previous ownership, Christian Purlsow, the supporters and media who drove Rafa out to blame.... http://blogs.soccernet.com/liverpool/archives/2012/05/liverpool_limp_to_the_finish_l.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/liverpool/archives/2012/05/liverpool_limp_to_the_finish_l.php Match Reports Mon, 14 May 2012 16:31:07 +0000 Lionel Messi has won the La Liga Pichichi (top goalscorer) award after scoring a superhuman 50 goals in 37 matches. If we consider all competitions, La Pulga's tally adds up to a tremendous 72, which is more than any other player has ever achieved in any major European league. While Leo Messi's goalscoring record is obviously a legendary individual achievement, I would be much happier if those goals actually meant Barcelona had won at least one of the two major trophies this season.... http://blogs.soccernet.com/barcelona/archives/2012/05/lionel_messis_golden_boot_mean.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/barcelona/archives/2012/05/lionel_messis_golden_boot_mean.php Opinion Mon, 14 May 2012 16:18:13 +0000 Champions + Unbeaten = Juventus. A simple mathematical formula describing the incredible season experienced by all connected with the Bianconeri. Expectations were modest ahead of the campaign, in what was tipped to be a season of transition under Antonio Conte. However, nine months and 38 games later, the Old Lady has returned to the top of Italian football looking impeccable without defeat. The story of the 2011-12 Serie A season will live long in the memory.... http://blogs.soccernet.com/juventus/archives/2012/05/campioni_ditalia.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/juventus/archives/2012/05/campioni_ditalia.php News Mon, 14 May 2012 10:52:14 +0000 One of those poor souls who was held hostage in the Middle East for several years was asked upon his release, “How did you cope?” To which he replied: “After five years in a British public school, it really wasn’t all that bad.” This is the kind of stoic attitude I will need to adopt over the coming months. To be sure, there can be no crueller way to lose a championship than the manner fate cooked up for us on Sunday. Nonetheless, after a couple of decades of Liverpool... http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2012/05/united_are_the_team_for_me.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/archives/2012/05/united_are_the_team_for_me.php Mon, 14 May 2012 03:05:35 +0000 Tomorrow is a huge day for the Premiership in what has been a very exciting season. To have the title decided on the last day is always something special. It is all just about over in the Blues' favour. Let me first say that I much prefer Man. City to Man. Utd. City to me are just nicer, they have style, and when they lose, they lose with grace. Their rise to the top has been momentous. Their rivals have won too much, and Ferguson is of course talented but... http://blogs.soccernet.com/sunderland/archives/2012/05/tomorrow_is_a_huge_day.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/sunderland/archives/2012/05/tomorrow_is_a_huge_day.php Match previews Sun, 13 May 2012 03:19:45 +0000 "We're a good side. If we're bold in the summer, we can build a team again that can be right there again next year. The league is changing and a top-four position is very difficult to achieve."... http://blogs.soccernet.com/tottenhamhotspur/archives/2012/05/down_to_the_last_game.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/tottenhamhotspur/archives/2012/05/down_to_the_last_game.php Sat, 12 May 2012 23:24:24 +0000 The recent double-header against Liverpool may have resulted in a 5-3 aggregate loss but there cannot be any doubt as to which was the happier team after the completion of the two matches.... http://blogs.soccernet.com/chelsea/archives/2012/05/to_chelsea_the_spoils_to_liver.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/chelsea/archives/2012/05/to_chelsea_the_spoils_to_liver.php Blog Sat, 12 May 2012 19:29:21 +0000 ... http://blogs.soccernet.com/fulham/archives/2012/05/final_spur_for_fulham_season.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/fulham/archives/2012/05/final_spur_for_fulham_season.php Random Fulham Thoughts Sat, 12 May 2012 10:08:31 +0000 Not me. Stole Solbakken’s appointment came straight out of leftfield and nobody expected it. Top marks, Morgan and Moxey, for springing the unexpected. They even threw us all of the scent with all that talk of waiting until the playoffs were done and dusted before formally seeking a new manager. Most of us were expecting Chris Hughton or Ian Holloway to be approached but then bam! A 44-year-old Norweigan with a pacemaker arrives and the deal is sealed.... http://blogs.soccernet.com/wolves/archives/2012/05/who_saw_that_coming.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/wolves/archives/2012/05/who_saw_that_coming.php The final straight Fri, 11 May 2012 22:37:48 +0000 Dear Latics supporters and friends of the Amigos, The support given us by ESPN Soccernet this season has generously extended our readership. One of the fantastic benefits has been connecting with Wigan supporters from all corners of the world. As many of you know, one of the writers of this website lives in Boston, the other in Indonesia. While the internet and improved television coverage of the BPL has made it a lot easier to follow Wigan Athletic from abroad than it was 10 years ago, it takes special... http://blogs.soccernet.com/wiganathletic/archives/2012/05/calling_all_usabased_wigan_ath.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/wiganathletic/archives/2012/05/calling_all_usabased_wigan_ath.php Features Fri, 11 May 2012 20:41:37 +0000 Wigan Athletic will be in the Premier League for an eighth straight year, crowning a truly unbelievable run of results with an away win at Ewood Park last Monday. A draw may well have been enough from the Latics perspective, but Antolin Alcaraz’s late headed winner was fair reward for another display of cultured, confident passing in difficult playing conditions, in a venue that had not been kind to the Latics in years past. Anything but a win would have spelled the end for Blackburn, a club in free-fall, but... http://blogs.soccernet.com/wiganathletic/archives/2012/05/blackburn_rovers_0_wigan_athle.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/wiganathletic/archives/2012/05/blackburn_rovers_0_wigan_athle.php Match Reports Fri, 11 May 2012 20:26:22 +0000 I don't personally know any Wigan fans, so I can only guess at how they were feeling over the past weekend. Triumphant? Jubilant? Proud? I'd guess at all three, and I can understand why. Their team looked doomed just a few short weeks ago, but instead of staring down the abyss and panicking, they galvanised themselves as a unit and propelled their way up the table with a series of impressive results.... http://blogs.soccernet.com/astonvilla/archives/2012/05/safe_but_no_satisfaction.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/astonvilla/archives/2012/05/safe_but_no_satisfaction.php Fri, 11 May 2012 12:44:43 +0000 I must admit I was fairly surprised while reading your comments following my previous '10 Players Tito Vilanova May Sign For Barcelona 2012/13' article as most readers argued Barcelona must consider the signing of a new goalkeeper as an urgent, major priority. While I am delighted that you want to share your views with our fellow Barcelona fans and obviously understand everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I disagree.... http://blogs.soccernet.com/barcelona/archives/2012/05/why_victor_valdes_is_the_perfe.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/barcelona/archives/2012/05/why_victor_valdes_is_the_perfe.php Opinion Thu, 10 May 2012 21:24:42 +0000