Tuesday Backpasses: Mmmmm, Bourbon

Maradona fires back. And yes, he went there [Soccernet]
Kun Aguero flies home to be with sick and preggers baby mama. Her father does not [Soccerway]
Soviet legend gets no love from Zenit St Petersburg fans [Russia Today]

Real Madrid’s medical staff are amateurs according to someone who has no medical training [Soccernet]
SPL under pressure to erase U-21 rule [The Herald]

And, finally:
Jermaine Pennant loves him some Jack Daniels. Word is, he wants to take it behind the school and get it pregnant [Daily Mail]

Written by Darkvader on November 18th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Backpasses and ü75.

U/21 FRIENDLY 2008: PORTUGAL 4 - SPAIN 1

It was an U/21 International Friendly but SPAIN got whipped
4-1 to PORTUGAL thanks to the man below, ORLANDO who scored
a HAT TRICK along with teammate RUI PONTE who scored the
other goal.

The only goal for Spain came from PAREJO from the penalty spot.

Here is the summary details:

Goals:1-0. Min.20: Rui Fonte; 1-1. Min.23: Parejo (penalti); 2-1. Min.37:
Orlando Sá; 3-1. Min. 43: Orlando Sá; 4-1. Min. 55: Orlando Sá.

Written by STRIKER on November 18th, 2008 with no comments.
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Drogban Update

Chelsea forward and coin throwing expert Didier Drogba has been handed a 3 match suspension by the FA for his coin tossing exploits last week, during the Carling cup defeat to Burnley. Droga’s ban will start immediately and he will be absent for two games at Stamford bridge against Newcastle United and Arsenal and at the Reebok when Chelsea take on Bolton. Drogba also shared a single finger salute with the Burnley fans but the FA confirmed that the yellow card he received at the time is sufficient punishment for that!

-Bigus

Written by Darkvader on November 18th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Bigus Dickus and Chelsea and Didier Drogba and The FA and banned.

I’m the first, second and third best player in the world, says smug Man United star Ronaldo

Who are the three best players in the world? For Cristiano Ronaldo, there is only one candidate.

I’m No 1 (and 2, and 3): Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring on Saturday

‘I am the first, second and third,’ the Manchester United star said with a smile after arriving in Brazil for international duty with Portugal.

The 23-year-old conceded AC Milan’s Kaka, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Liverpool’s Fernando Torres were ‘good candidates’, but he believes he has surpassed all of his rivals for the FIFA World Footballer of the Year and Ballon d’Or awards.

Asked if he had done enough to be named the best player in the world this year, he told Brazilian newspaper O Estado de Sao Paulo: ‘ I think I did all that was needed and I want to keep doing more. My goal is to win everything that comes before me.’

In a typically confident interview, the former Sporting Lisbon ace said he was ready for plenty of attention from Brazilian women ahead of Wednesday night’s friendly in Brasilia.

‘Oh, I’m ready for harassment (from women), I’m used to that in Europe, and here it is the same,’ he said. ‘It is a friendly game here and a good opportunity to relax.

‘I have been [to Brazil] a few times, but never to play. I love holidays here, there are beautiful beaches and the people are nice.’

Despite consistently setting himself targets to score more goals, the Old Trafford idol claims personal glory is not his main aim.

Birthday boy: Ronaldo congratulates Nani - his Manchester United and Portugal team-mate - who turned 22 today

‘My goal, frankly, has never been to score goals,’ he said. ‘I like to play for the team and what is most important is that we win games.

‘But if the goals appear, even better. I’m having the good fortune to score many goals and hope that things continue like this.’

Portugal arrive in Brazil after a poor start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, which has seen them win one, draw two and lose one since Carlos Queiroz replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari as the national team’s coach.

A home draw against Albania last time out was particularly badly received but Ronaldo has asked for patience.

‘Big Phil (Scolari) is a great friend. I’m sorry he has left the Portugal job, but it was an excellent move (to Chelsea). I loved working with him.

‘Queiroz has not had much time to develop his work. Two years ago, England also had problems and then they recovered. All the big national teams go through this. Let us recover.’

Recovery is also something that Ronaldo hopes for in the global economy, even if you would think his multi-million pound contract leaves him immune from the credit crunch.

‘The situation has to worry everyone, yes,’ he said. ‘We are worried and feel a certain uncertainty (about the future). We talk about it - it is part of our reality - but we believe that things will improve.’

Written by Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fan on November 18th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Football-Player.

Shearer now ready to take over at Newcastle?

Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer could be ready to accept the job as the club’s manager.

Shearer’s trademark celebration

The Premier League’s all-time record goalscorer, touted as a future boss long before he hung up his boots at the end of the 2005/06 season, has concentrated on media work.

Glenn Roeder, Sam Allardyce and Kevin Keegan have all vacated the manager’s job at St James’ Park since Shearer stopped playing but on each occasion he has rebuffed the chance to take over.

It was thought unlikely Shearer would take the job while there was such uncertainty over the future of the club with owner Mike Ashley desperate to sell. Interim manager Joe Kinnear has steadied the ship but there is still the belief that Magpies remain in limbo.

Former Newcastle player and close friend of Shearer, Rob Lee now says Shearer will walk away from his contract with the BBC to manage his hometown club. And Lee himself would be more than happy to take a post in Shearer’s coaching team.

“I can honestly say, yes, Alan Shearer will manage Newcastle,” Lee told The Mag, Newcastle’s leading fanzine. “Until now I would have just said that he would one day but I finally believe that he would tomorrow if the job is how he wants it, without all the silly games going on that have killed it.”

Lee, however, believes Ashley, who put the club up for sale following the furore surrounding Keegan’s resignation in September, could win over the fans by appointing Shearer as boss.

“Mike Ashley would solve a lot of his problems by appointing Alan and accepting that mistakes have been made,” Lee added. “Alan could be a priceless get out of jail card. Now is the time to make the club what we all want.”

Lee, who spent 10 seasons playing for Newcastle, admitted he would consider returning alongside Shearer.

“Yes I would love to be part of it,” he added.

Mancini hoping to land Real Madrid rescue mission

Former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini has revealed he would jump at the chance to coach Real Madrid if they decide to part ways with Bernd Schuster.

Mancini, sacked by Inter at the end of last season despite having just guided the Nerazzurri to a third successive Scudetto, is reported target of the Spanish champions.

“I wish that was true,” Mancini said of the speculation. “But I know nothing. I can only hope that these rumours turn out to be true.”

Madrid were knocked out of the Copa del Rey in the fourth round third division Real Union before slipping to a 1-0 league defeat at Real Valladolid at the weekend.

Schuster, who led Madrid to the Primera Liga title last season, received a vote of confidence from the club’s board yesterday although he remains under immense pressure heading into this weekend’s game with Recreativo Huelva.

Charlton tips Ronaldo for another ‘fantastic’ season

Sir Bobby Charlton is pleased Cristiano Ronaldo has re-discovered his dead-ball technique - and believes the Manchester United winger is ready to rack up the goals again.

Ronaldo took his tally to 101 for the club with two in last weekend’s 5-0 Premier League victory against Stoke.

For the first time this season, both came from free-kicks - leaving goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen baffled.

Ronaldo is now on nine for the campaign - he scored a remarkable 43 last season - but he did not get going until mid-September following an ankle operation.

Charlton, who scored 249 goals in 758 appearances for United, is delighted to see that integral facet of the Portugal winger’s game return.

He said: “Cristiano’s free-kicks have not been going in - but thankfully they did last weekend. His rate of scoring is fantastic. He had a great season last time around and is heading for another one.”

Real Madrid have made no secret of the fact they would like to have Ronaldo on board, but he has decided to stay put.

Charlton claims Ronaldo is at the best club to hone his talents and is working with the best manager to do that.

“I think Cristiano thought about it and realised this is the best place,” he added. “With the best manager? Absolutely.”

United are playing catch-up in a bid to retain their title and lie eight points behind leaders Chelsea but with a game in hand.

Next up is a difficult trip on Saturday to an Aston Villa side who beat Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in their last match.

Charlton, however, is optimistic about United’s chances in the long term.

He conceded: “We have some catching up to do in the league, and Villa will be a hard match.

“But we are playing well - and if we are lucky with injuries and suspensions, we should be okay. We have some exciting players, and things are just beginning to happen.”

Vidic predicts strong second half from United

Nemanja Vidic is convinced Manchester United will show their true Premier League title credentials in the second half of the season.

Despite recording their biggest win of the season against Stoke on Saturday, United remain eight points adrift of pace-setters Chelsea and Liverpool - knowing they will probably slip even further behind before Christmas because their scheduled clash with Wigan on December 21 has been postponed due to the World Club Cup.

But Vidic remains unconcerned.

In each of his three years at Old Trafford, the Red Devils’ form has improved markedly after the festive period.

The Serbian defender sees no reason why this season should be any different.

“I can only speak from experience - but after three years here, I know we are always better in the second half of the season,” he said. “We pick up the flow, and our performances tend to improve. I hope it will be like that again.”

While Chelsea’s credentials - if not Luiz Felipe Scolari’s - at the end of an exhausting domestic campaign are already established, Liverpool remain an unknown quantity.

Many felt Rafael Benitez’s side would challenge for the championship last term, only for the Anfield outfit to fall away badly after they were beaten by United in December.

Having avenged that loss and ended Chelsea’s formidable home record already this term, Liverpool seem intent on lasting the pace.

But as Vidic knows only too well, performing at your highest level in April and May - when the pressure is at its most intense - is another matter entirely.

“It is always about the second half of the season,” he said. “That is when the games are decisive. That is when it is really tough. It is hard to say how Liverpool will handle it. All we can do is keep as close as we can and then push forward.

“I am certainly not worried about the way we are playing - because we have done well in the last few games, even against Arsenal when we lost the match but our performance was good.”

Vidic certainly feels at home with United, contrary to speculation that erupted around his critique of the English weather.

While Manchester’s climate is nothing to write home about, it is at least warmer than his previous home in Moscow - and Vidic is happy to confirm the north-west suits him just fine.

“I definitely feel settled here,” he said. “It is unnerving for everyone when they move clubs. When I joined Red Star Belgrade as a young player it was two hours away by car. It felt like the end of the world and at first it was very hard.

“It was the same when I came to Manchester United. But you get used to it. I have more friends and I am used to the language. I really feel at home now.”

Mourinho bemoans image of Serie A abroad

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho believes Italian football needs to do a much better job of selling itself abroad.

Mourinho, who took the helm of the three-time defending champions Inter in the summer, said: “The fact is that Italian football as a product is not liked abroad.

“My family back in Portugal have to wait until midnight to watch a Serie A game while at seven in the evening they have to watch an ugly Getafe v Valladolid (Spanish Primera Liga). I also look at the Asian market where Serie A is not sold much.”

Mourinho once matched wits with the likes of Manchester United’s Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger while guiding Chelsea, and he believes coaching in the Italian game is every bit as challenging.

“It’s true that Italian football is difficult,” said Mourinho. “It demands great preparation by a coach.

“Against Genoa, for example, I had to change three or four times my tactical approach and Genoa always adapted to my formula. For me as a coach, this is a fantastic show.”

Written by Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fan on November 18th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Football-Player.

Sir Alex fined and given two-match touchline ban, Drogba handed three-match ban

Sir Alex fined and given two-match touchline ban

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been given a two-match touchline ban and a £10,000 fine by the Football Association, following his row with referee Mike Dean this month.

Sir Alex Ferguson: In hot water against Hull

The 66-year-old was fuming that Dean did not send off Hull defender Andy Turner for a foul on Michael Carrick during United’s 4-3 Premier League win at Old Trafford.

That Dean then awarded Hull a penalty for an innocuous Rio Ferdinand challenge on Bernard Mendy only infuriated the Scot even more.

The Scot’s suspension starts on December 2 and means he will not be pitchside for the Carling Cup match against Blackburn the following day.

He will also miss out on a touchline reunion with former United captain Roy Keane, who brings his Sunderland side to Old Trafford for a Premier League match on December 6.

Ferguson had claimed the FA were “dying” to hit him with his latest improper conduct charge.

At a meeting at the City of Manchester Stadium, the FA’s Regulatory Commission took into account Ferguson’s admission of the charge and his previous disciplinary record.

Ferguson served a two-match ban last term for a finger-jabbing rant at referee Mark Clattenburg following a defeat at Bolton.

Drogba handed three-match ban for coin throwing

Didier Drogba has been given a three-match ban by the Football Association after the Chelsea striker admitted a charge of violent conduct following the Carling Cup match against Burnley last week.

Drogba gives it back to the Burnley fans

The Ivory Coast international threw an object, believed to be a coin, back into the visiting fans after celebrating Chelsea’s opener at Stamford Bridge.

It means the striker will miss the forthcoming games against Newcastle United, Arsenal and Bolton though he will be eligible to face Bordeaux in the Champions League on November 26 as the ban only covers domestic football.

Drogba has been given the same treatment as Liverpool defender Jamie Carrager who was handed the mandatory three-game ban for throwing a coin in an FA Cup tie at Arsenal in 2002.

The form of French striker Nicolas Anelka coupled with Drogba’s current lack of fitness and form - his only goal this season came in the game against Burnley - means Chelsea are unlikely to be hit hard by the ruling

The 30-year-old admitted the charge earlier this week and apologised to the Burnley fans after the incident.

The Ivory Coast striker could now be fined two weeks’ wages by the club, believed to be around £180,000, after Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck confirmed Drogba knew the club were “not happy”.

“Didier did something he should not have done,” said Buck. “However, you have to look at the fans. I believe the FA will take a look and find the culprits.

“To his credit, Didier apologised publicly almost immediately after the game.”

An FA statement read: “At a regulatory commission today, Chelsea forward Didier Drogba was given a three match suspension.

“Drogba admitted a charge of violent conduct. The charge related to Drogba throwing a missile into the away section of the crowd after scoring during the League Cup match against Burnley at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday 12 November.

“Drogba will serve the suspension with immediate effect.”

Hammersmith and Fulham Police continue to liaise with the FA and Chelsea in a bid to track down the fan who initially threw the coin at the striker.

Police are studying CCTV footage from inside Stamford Bridge as well as reviewing Sky TV’s coverage of the game. They are also in contact with Lancashire Police but so far no arrests have been made.

Burnley fans were handed leaflets before Saturday’s game at Queens Park Rangers asking for any witnesses to come forward.

Moyes fined for dismissal at Stoke

Everton manager David Moyes has been fined £5,000 by the Football Association after being found guilty of improper conduct.

Referee Alan Wiley sent Moyes to the stands during Everton’s 3-2 Barclays Premier League win at Stoke City in September, after the Toffees manager criticised Wiley for not awarding his side a penalty.

An FA statement read: “At a regulatory commission hearing today, Everton manager David Moyes was fined £5,000 and warned as to his future conduct.

“Moyes admitted a charge of improper conduct relating to his touchline behaviour during Everton’s match against Stoke City on 14 September.

“In reaching its decision, the commission said that it was taking into account Moyes’ good disciplinary record, his admission of the charge and his apology.”

Rovers and United solve Carling Cup conundrum

A rare night of football will take place in Manchester next month - with both City and United at home on the same night.

United’s Carling Cup quarter-final tie against Blackburn has been put back 24 hours to Wednesday, December 3 - with City taking on Paris St Germain in the UEFA Cup on the same night.

United and Blackburn were due to play the previous night - but both teams were keen to postpone for 24 hours, even though local police prefer both their major clubs not to play at the same time.

United tackle City at Eastlands on November 30, with Blackburn facing the more geographically challenging trip to Portsmouth on the same day.

However, with United due to play a Champions League tie against Aalborg the following week before flying to Japan for the World Club Cup, there was little opportunity for the Carling Cup tie to be played at a later date as the semi-finals should take place at the beginning on January.

However, following discussions with Greater Manchester Police, the Football League have confirmed the Carling Cup clash at Old Trafford will now take place on December 3.

Written by Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fan on November 18th, 2008 with no comments.
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Not so friendly.

As we head into a midweek international friendly fest, one game is getting more attention than it should. The Scottish (and the BBC) are embracing their hero and king of the cheats, Diego Maradona, ahead of tomorrow night’s game with Argentina at Hampden Park. But there is still plenty of animosity towards the new Argentina coach. A former England captain doesn’t forgive and neither do I.

First off this post is a bit of a rant and I have had enough coffee this morning to send an elephant to the 100 meter title. Still with me? Then read on.

There is no such thing as a friendly, especially this week with England taking on the auld enemy at the Olympic stadium in Germany. But as Capello’s young team get a chance to impress against their biggest rival, another of England’s rivals is being celebrated north of the border in what could be hailed as the friendliest of friendlies ever to be arranged.

Diego Maradona, known to me and most of my countrymen in such affectionate terms as ‘that cheating bastard’ is in Scotland for his first match in charge of Argentina. It’s a real lovefest up there, But while a fat junkie cheat enjoys his welcome, Scotland number two (and traitor) Terry Butcher is still pissed at Maradona for ‘that’ goal 22 years ago. Aren’t we all Terry!

“I will never forgive him. It was not nice to lose under those circumstances. I was selected for the drugs test with Gary Stevens and Kenny Sansom and ended up in the room with Maradona and two of his pals. Our World Cup was over and they were celebrating. It’s very hard to forgive and forget in the circumstances. But it was 22years ago. I think I’m 4-1 to get a red card in the tunnel - it would be the fist of Terry Butcher rather than the hand. I remember coming back in 1986 and moving from Ipswich to Glasgow and I think I saw more Argentina strips in Scotland than I did in Mexico.” - Terry Butcher.

Butcher is not alone with his sentiments and quite frankly all the attention that the cheating Argentinean is getting on his inaugural trip as manager is getting on my tits. Let’s all celebrate a cheat, a liar and man who claims that ‘cheating’ is a fair way to win a game. It’s not surprising that the Scottish are treating Maradona like a God; there is nothing more pleasing to a Scottish man than to see the English lose.

Personally I am not against them having their fun as they will never be a concern to England or its fans. It’s also likely they will never have the chance to be cheated out of a place in the semi-final of the World Cup. Celebrate your defrauding arse clown Scotland… enjoy!

Scotland’s pleasure is not my concern; however, the attention it is receiving IS. Maradona’s Scotland trip has featured heavily on the BBC website every day since he arrived. Take today for instance. Have a quick look of the BBC football home page and you will find a headline article, another on the time Alan Hansen played Maradona, SIX video features and a picture slide show! In fact it’s looks like a Maradona tribute blog right now. I have never known such a slanted week of reporting. All for a drug addict and a cheat. Maybe we should celebrate Marion Jones, Floyd Landis, Jose Canseco, Jeffrey Skilling and NBA referees.

Oh Bigus, it was 1986, get over it!

It’s not just the Hand of God that makes Maradona a cheat. He was banned for 15 months for taking drugs while at Napoli and again in 1994 when he was sent home from the World Cup after failing a drugs test. In fact if you Wikipedia ‘cheating’ Maradona is featured near the top of the page.

Yeah I’m bitter and I hate Maradona with a passion, but what kind of message do you send when you can be revered for taking cocaine and bringing the game into disrepute? Nice message to the next generation of footballers and the millions of kids reading and watching all this nonsense.

While the BBC spends its time glorifying a cheat there is a friendly of note taking place tomorrow in Berlin. England take on Germany in a far more important game, important for being a game between two of Europe’s biggest teams with immense history, bragging rights on the line. Does anyone really care about the hiding Argentina will bestow upon the minnows of Scotland? Seriously… the game isn’t even sold out.

Rant over, weight lifted, and now I will review your incoming abuse in the comments below.

-Bigus.

Written by Darkvader on November 18th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Bigus Dickus and Diego Maradona and bbc rhetoric and cheats and drug addicts.

“SAF” Stands For “Sit A Few (Out)”

It’s hard to type when your gut-busting laugh ruptures your own spleen, so I’ll just quote the folks at the Guardian’s Fiver:

“Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been given a two-match touchline ban and a £10,000 fine by the Football Association following his row with referee Mike Dean after United’s 4-3 Premier League win over Hull on November 1.”

Okay, before I drag myself off to the ER, let me direct you toward the botton of the same page (link good for today only as it’s a daily update). Under the “Rumor Mill” is this little bit of tid: “Arsène Wenger is hoping to sign Spain Under-17 captain Koko Resurreccion in time for next year’s Euro Vase campaign.”

Forgive my lack of knowledge with the Spanish youth team, but that name sounds totally made up, like worse than Chest Rockwell made up. But if that is an actual player, holy shit, that might be the greatest name in the history of everything.

Anyway, suck it Sir Alex. This is long overdue, your charges are on the beneficial side of the vast majority of dodgy refereeing decisions but you still whinge more than any other manager in the PL. Well, now you’ve got some time to take out T-C-P.

Written by Darkvader on November 18th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Die Ronaldo Die and Die Sir Alex Die and Sir Alex Ferguson.

FERNANDO TORRES : VOTED BEST PLAYER OF THE “PREMIER LEAGUE” 2008

Great news to read that LIVERPOOL & Spanish International
forward FERNANDO TORRES was voted last night the Best
Player of the “Premier League” 2008. Another prize & recognition
for the exceptional first season in English Football with his 33 goals
in the Premier.

The Spaniard came in ahead of fancied Manchseter United & “Golden
Ball” favourite Cristiano Ronaldo to take the prize. Behind both came
Joeleen Lescott (Everton) & Richard Dunn (Man City).

Fernando Torres is currently in Spain with the National side as it
prepares itself for tomorrow´s friendly International against Chile.

Written by STRIKER on November 18th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Fernando Torres and Spanish Players Overseas.

Michael Ballack V West Bromwich Away [EPL]

Michael Ballack V West Bromwich Away [EPL]

Season 08-09

Every Single Touch Of The Ball

2:27 Mins – 45 MB - 2.5 Mbps – 624×336

Music: Ricky Martin – Nobody Wants To Be Lonely

Download Link:

By Jano7

Written by Darkvader on November 18th, 2008 with no comments.
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