For those who like me who spend a lot of time in the US and follow many Premiership games on Fox Soccer channel, it is frustrating to hear the colonial commentators, who just do not cannot hack the proper football terminology. Calling a draw a “tie”, a penalty kick a “PK” and describing a shot onto the bar as “hitting the frame” does just not do it for me or any other Expat Brits watching “soccer”. Fox is a Sky Sports feed so why don’t they just listen to the English commentators and learn about the game we invented and gave to the world?! End of rant – for now...
The same commentators will be following US striker Clint Dempsey’s form carefully, after his midweek brace in that surprising 3-0 win over Bolton. It has been Fulham’s home form that has given them a current top 10 status, with 8 wins so far at the Cottage. Their away form has been less than spectacular, with just one win in 17 and a meagre 14 goals.
Sunderland have the injury crisis from hell with none of their senior strikers fit, which means Stephane Sessegnon could take on a role up front, possibly partnered by Kieran Richardson, if he proves fit to start the game. Ryan Noble could also potentially be promoted from the Youths attack, but at least Phil Bardsley has recovered from concussion but John Mensah and Anton Ferdinand are doubtful. Definitely out are Bramble, Campbell, Gordon, Meyler & Noble (all knee), Gyan & Welbeck (both hamstring).
For Fulham defender Philippe Senderos could make his debut after recovering from a serious Achilles injury. Bobby Zamora and Andrew Johnson will be looking to start, but Damien Duff is doubtful. But from Mark Hughes' point of view, "if it ain't broke don't fix it", to use another American colloquialism.
Let’s see who can “step up to the plate” tomorrow, although this game has 0-0 written all over it, Sunderland’s young team can either cruise or stand up and be counted tomorrow. And without wishing to sound all “New Age”, this game is about healing for Sunderland. With just four games left the team can take the opportunity to move up the table, putting their recent painful run behind them with another much-needed win. It will be tough without any strikers, though, but if the team can muster the same togetherness we saw in the second half against Wigan last week, we have a good chance of sending the supporters home happy, and metaphorically, even those Expat fans…
©Lars J.S. Knutsen
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Posted by Mike on 04/30/2011
Likewise, I like hearing brits try to pronounce hispanic sounding names in the prem, ha ha
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Posted by Jon on 04/30/2011
Lars,
Good post! I have the same issues with FSC and I'm an American. Doesn't help when most of the commentary have no actual insight either: I'm looking at Keith Costigan and Nick Webster who on a regular basis demonstrate 0 football knowledge!
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who is disappointed with FSCs pre/post/middle of the match coverage. To be fair though, it's better than listening to Steve Mcmannaman be just truly disgustingly biased every week over on ESPN, who, Ian Darke aside, are even worse than FSC.
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Posted by JoeUSA on 04/30/2011
I am an American, but I know the correct terminology because I am an actual football fan, who follows actual world football (i.e., the EPL, European leagues etc.). And I agree that it is extremely frustrating to listen to American commentators.
They have been bringing in more and more Brits to call matches in the past few years, but when it comes to things like the World Cup I hate having no choice but to listen to John Harkes. He played in England for years; he should know better. Plus, living here you have no choice but to call it soccer if you want to be understood.
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Lars Knutsen was born in Sunderland of Norwegian parents across the Wear from the SSOL back when shipbuilding not car manufacture was the city’s main industry. His first game was in 1968 and he has followed the Black Cats since then, with great memories of the 1973 FA Cup. He hopes the “yo-yo” days are over and defines supporting a team by whether the result affects your mood (but maybe not in the way portrayed in the book “Fever Pitch”!) so has been cheerful recently. He endured school in Newc**tle, has a Ph.D. in Chemistry, a Professorship at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, and works in the Pharma industry as a consultant Medicinal Chemist.
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