Archive for the ‘Championship playoffs’ Category

Where next for Pep?

Posted: April 27, 2012 by onefootinthegame in Champions Leuage, Championship playoffs, England, Premier League
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Entrenos antes de la épica de Roma.

Entrenos antes de la épica de Roma. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The end of an era has arrived at Barcelona with Pep Guardiola announcing that he will step down as manager at the end of the season.

There are many things that we’ll miss about him, his willingness to play possession based passing football that can look like a sophisticated dance routine, the way he rocks a shirt and v-neck jumper combo, the way he stands as a model for what balding men could look like given the right complexion and cheekbone structure, his almost faultless record against Mourinho’s Madrid which has caused Jose no end of comedic frustration, his drive to improve the way that Barcelona play and not sit back on his laurels. Not least the ability to recognise when his work is done and it is time to move on.

But what next for the Pep?

Guardiola has always said that when he leaves Barcelona he would rest and take time out of the game, recharge his batteries and think about how to step it up a level again. In all honesty that would be the most sensible option for him. But speculation in the Premier League around Pep’s destination is going to be huge and is certainly going to be a distraction for everyone throughout the summer. What makes it worse is the distinct possibility that Jose Mourinho will also leave Real Madrid. We’re going to have months of pure speculation, interrupted only by the Euros and the Olympics.

Manchester United could see Guardiola as the long-term successor to Alex Ferguson. Would his availability prompt Sir Alex to stand down earlier than expected, knowing there was someone of sufficient calibre there to take over. Mancini at Manchester City looks to be in trouble, even if they manage to overcome Manchester United and win the league. Guardiola is the kind of manager that City’s Dubai backers would love to have at the helm. As with Manchester United, would Arsenal and Arsene Wenger consider Guardiola’s availability an opportunity that couldn’t be passed up, with Wenger moving upstairs. Chelsea are also on the lookout for a permanent manager, though Roberto di Matteo is making good work of his extended job interview there. Spurs may yet lose Redknapp to the English FA, in fact given the team’s current level of performance, some have said that they’d quite like to lose him especially if Guardiola could be tempted to White Hart Lane. Even Liverpool may consider putting King Kenny out to pasture if Guardiola could be brought on board (though given Guardiola’s record with tall strikers such as Ibrahimovic I can’t see him taking to Andy Carroll).

We shouldn’t be forgetting the numerous Italian clubs who will be clamouring for his signature, maybe even Bayern Munich. Pep will have all the top European clubs (except Real Madrid) either asking flat out for him to join them or at the least asking surreptitiously if, y’know, maybe he’d like to ‘have a chat’ about his future with them. Guardiola’s next job could be whatever he wanted, and we shouldn’t forget he said he loved his time at Brescia…

Or perhaps Pep will lie on the beach for a bit, read Jonathan Wilson’s ‘Inverting the Pyramid’, have a bit of a think and come back to Barcelona once Tito Vilanova gets tired of the job.

Top football celebrations ever

Posted: October 28, 2011 by onefootinthegame in Awards, Champions Leuage, Championship, Championship playoffs, England, FA Cup, International football, La Liga, League One
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After Super Mario’s ‘Why always me?’ T-shirt last week we then saw those crazy Scandinavia chaps trying to teach some pub team the fishing celebration and it got us thinking about celebrations. So many to choose from, impossible to order them. But here are some of our favourites:

Marco Tardelli, 1982 the passion of being the best in the world

The passion, the tears, the beating of the arms like king kong, the relief of months of stress.

Italy had taken a huge beating from the media pre tournament and had gone into media blackout. Rossi was back and misfiring in the early group stages where Italy drew their 3 games (sound familiar?). After beating Argentina and arguably the best Brazil side ever, Italy beat West Germany in the final. Tardelli eyes bulging lets off months of stress in what, in my opinion is the great celebration ever. Still makes the hairs stand up on end.

Honourable mention for Grosso Semi final 2006 too. Oh and the phenomenal pass from Pirlo.

Robbie Fowler lines it up…

Robbie Fowler in his pomp. Cheeky, bending over infront of Le Saux and banging them in for fun.

This celebration would probably lead to 4 weeks suspension and a sending off nowadays. Back then it was just great fun (this blog doesn’t promote drugs in any way).

Best bit about this celebration was that manager Gerard Houllier, suggested it might be a Cameroonian grass-eating celebration, picked up off team-mate Rigobert Song. Yeah…right.

1994 World Cup…Stand up (or knee down) Mr Finidi George.

The 1994 World Cup was full of great celebrations. Maradona (see below) and Bebeto’s now legendary baby swinging celebration (the baby that celebration played for the Brazil U17’s last month).

But our favourite was Finidi George, scores a goal for his country and then goes to the corner flag to urinate like a dog. Unbelievable stuff.

Henry’s arrogance

I didn’t like the vast majority of Henry’s celebrations, actually I hated them all. But something about this celebration was great.

About 35 yards out the referee is telling Henry to put the ball further back, after swinging in a fantastic goal he stands still, Ballotelli like and just asks (shouts) at the ref – is that enough? Is that enough.

Diego smacks it up

As mentioned above 1994 had so many great celebrations, this was probably one of the defining moments in Maradona’s footballing career.

After shedding weight and getting back into the team, Maradona picked up where he left off in 1990. Little did we know he was high on a cocktail of drugs.

The celebration was a hint though…

Sticking a flag in hell

Before he was a mild manners pundit Souness was not only a great player but also a less good manager. This celebration wasn’t after a goal he scored but after the Turkish Cup Final against the bitterest of bitter rivals Fenerbache.

Most people would want to get in, get the result and get out. Not Graeme. Souness decides that putting the Galatasary flag in the middle of Fenerbache’s pitch was the best way to play down the tension…Fantastic to watch though.

Gazza

So many Gazza celebrations, so little time that it could be a blog on their own (tweet us if you want to write it).

Here are our favourites:

Euro 1996

FA cup Semi Final

Lazio madness

But the most contraverisal…against Celtic because someone told him…Gazza celebrates with a loyalist gesture. Oh Gazza.

We’ve missed loads so get over it, but link your favourites below.

No relegation from the Premier League? On one condition…

Posted: October 17, 2011 by onefootinthegame in Championship, Championship playoffs, England, FIFA, League One, Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur
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EPLSo the end to relegation from the Premiership is back on the agenda again.

According to the head of the League Managers Association the idea has sprung from the owners of foreign owned clubs. They don’t want to see their investment threatened by the small matter of actually having to win football games. 


As the supporter of a club outside the Elysian fields of the Premiership my immediate reaction was to start frothing at the mouth and ranting about how football is disappearing up its own, Sky tattooed, arse, but then a thought occurred to me. Would this really be such a bad idea?

Obviously, if you left this up to the Premiership clubs it’d be a right stitch up. Fortunately the FA have to ratify the plan. So if I were the sitting in their headquarters in Soho Square I’d tell the Premiership they can have their permanent top division, only here’s how we’re going to determine the membership. 

First, the clubs who are promoted this season from the Championship via the automatic spots and playoffs will be members. It’s only fair. That’s the basis on which everyone started this season. 

Second, and here’s the radical bit, the rest of the Premiership would be determined by a lucky dip of the other 89 football league clubs. Except MK Dons that is, because they’re not a real football club anyway. 

I’m sure the Premiership clubs won’t like this plan. Mostly because there’s a bloody great chance they wont be in the division anymore. But that’s no argument as to why the historical quirks of fate which have resulted in the Premiership’s current incumbents should be set in stone. 

Because if we’re going to have to swallow a stale diet of top level football, we might as well freshen the whole thing up before we do it. 
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All change for the Cardiff City

Posted: August 5, 2011 by onefootinthegame in Cardiff, Cardiff City, Championship, Championship playoffs, England
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Club badge used for the 2007–08 season

Image via Wikipedia

Following last season’s stunningly inept end to the season which culminated in a dismal capitulation in the playoffs, it was clear there was going to be some soul searching at Cardiff City during the post-season break. Intense anger amongst a vocal group of fans and general disappointment amongst the majority, coupled with an obvious malaise amongst players and staff meant that Dave Jones’ time at the club was over. Jones brought stability over his tenure and took Cardiff to an FA cup final and a playoff final, achievements that should not be underestimated or forgotten. However, the side had become stale, inflexible and full of talented individuals that could not act as a team, so Jones had to go.

In searching for the right man to take the job the board rightly took their time. Names such as Chris Hughton and Roberto di Matteo were in the frame, and for a slightly terrifying 12 hours it seemed that Alan Shearer could be offered the job, but the board eventually settled upon the Watford manager Malky Mackay. Malky seems just the manager the club needs: young, hungry for success, decent track record so far, willing to play flexible styles of football and push youth development.

Unsurprisingly the line-up on the pitch this season has changed a lot as well. The high number of loan players meant there was always going to be a certain amount of churn, but with people at the end of contracts and the need for a bit of a clearout players such as Jay Bothroyd, Chris Burke, Craig Bellamy, Jason Koumas and Michael Chopra left over the season break. However the club has held onto the nucleus of a squad from which to build. The imports are either experienced pros who seem without too much ego or hungry young players eager for a chance to improve.

Surprisingly, given performances at the back end of last season, little has changed in defence over the summer yet it all looks stable and reliable. City have two quality goalkeepers in Marshall and Heaton, keepers who would command a starting berth in most Championship sides. Centre back options of Keinan, Hudson and Gerrard are no-nonsense physical types while utility men McNaughton (last year’s fans’ player of the season and website The Seventy Two’s readers’ player of the) and Blake offer pacier options. Full-backs include the aforementioned McNaughton and Blake, as well as Paul Quinn and new boy Andrew Taylor. There have been unconfirmed rumours that Lee Naylor is still hanging about somewhere and doing a passable impersonation of a professional footballer.

City seem to have plenty of options in midfield this year. The incredibly talented Peter Whittingham has stayed at the club and will doubtless be a fulcrum for the side, while stalwart Steve McPhail is still able to control the centre of the park. New arrivals such as Don Cowie offer dynamism in the middle, while Icelandic international Aron Gunnarsson looks to be a tough tackling no nonsense defensive midfielder who will be a fans favourite. Burly Scotsman Craig Conway is a direct upgrade on the departed Chris Burke, offering width for both flanks. Young players such as Aaron Wildig and Ibby Farrar could play a role as the season progresses, though their true quality is yet to be seen. Most intriguing is the signing of Slovakian Under 21 skipper Filip Kiss, apparently a tidy, technically gifted player and signed on a season-long loan from Slovan Bratislava. He could be one to watch.

Considering that for a week in the summer the only striker at the club was Jon Parkin, Cardiff’s attacking options have been strengthened a lot. The highlight of this is the return of the Zambian Prince, Robert Earnshaw. To say that Earnie is a legend at Cardiff is something of an understatement, his celebrations, his exuberance, his goals, the fact that he’s a Welsh international and a local lad means he’ll be cheered on every time he gets the ball. But it’s not simply nostalgia that makes him a great addition, he’s a proven scorer in the Championship and someone with a clinical finishing record when given a chance. The signing of Kenny Miller gives extra quality to the forward line, another proven goalscorer with a great record in the SPL, he’ll be expected to contribute 15 to 20 goals. Signings such as Rudy Gestede and Joe Mason look like something of a gamble, clearly talented (very much so in the case of Mason) but unproven. The attack looks like an area that still needs strengthening and a combo of Earnshaw and Miller does not match last year’s Bothroyd and Chopra. However if rumours of Craig Bellamy’s return to the club prove to be true then that problem is completely sorted.

All this adds up to a solid Championship side with some potential high level talent thrown in. Fans seem to have lowered their expectations for the season, which is only a good thing after last year where the feeling was that Cardiff should be winning every game. Realism has set in, fans know that a tilt at promotion is out of the question, the side has greatly changed in terms of personnel and playing style and it’ll take a while to gel together. A slow start to the season would not be unexpected and as long as they aren’t struggling too much come November then Malky should be given time and patience by the board, fans and media.

The hope will be that come the New Year the side will have settled itself and can then launch a push up the table. Malky has put together a decent Championship side, and a realistic aim should be a top 8 finish, while a top 10 would not be a flop of a season. However, an easy-ish run in at the end of the season coupled with a desire to avoid the kind of late slump that has characterised Cardiff over the past four years means I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Bluebirds just edge into the playoffs come the final day. And then, who knows…

All hope abandon, ye who enter in?

Posted: May 12, 2011 by onefootinthegame in Cardiff, Cardiff City, Championship, Championship playoffs, League One, Players
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In the first part of his masterpiece, the Divine Comedy, Dante is accompanied by the Roman poet Virgil as he travels through the circles of hell where punishments fit the crimes of those cast below into Satan’s lair. I have no idea what fans of clubs who consistently have to compete in the playoffs have done in previous lives, but it must have been pretty bad to justify the psychological torture that they are forced to endure at this point of the season.

The playoff system is at once exciting, hopeful and cruel. For some it’s an exciting novelty, for others it’s the inevitable end to a season that promised much but failed to live up to expectations.

Though exciting for all concerned, the playoffs offer differing types of excitement. For neutral observers it’s the thrill of seeing teams put everything on the line with massive prizes up for grabs, not least in the Championship playoffs where a place in the promised land of the Premiership beckons. For fans of the clubs involved its like a mini cup run for teams that often don’t get to play in the latter stages of the cups, and a chance to potentially have a day in the sun at Wembley.

For the hopeful the playoffs can be a joy. Teams that have been on the outskirts of the playoffs for most of the season and have managed to sneak in with a late charge can embrace the role of underdogs with nothing to lose and everything to gain. This can be a great boost, contributing to a ‘what the hell, lets have a go’ attitude that higher placed sides may not be able to muster.

For those fans that sit in optimism corner, with positive outlooks and hope in their hearts, it can offer an extra chance to redeem a season that hasn’t gone quite as well as it could have, but could end up with the outcome that was sought from the start.

But the playoffs can be cruel. For teams that have been chasing automatic promotion and missed out by a whisker it can be an ignominy to have to face teams that may have been 10 or more points behind them all season. The pressure of being favourites while having to recover from the psychological blow of missing out on the automatic spot can often be hard to bear. For those perennial playoff contenders the hope that’s raised only to be dashed once again can be exceedingly cruel, as yet again a season that promised so much ends in disappointment

At this time of the season, everything is heightened. Injustices are more unjust, bad refereeing decisions sting further, goals are sweeter, the game is studied and analysed and mulled over in more depth. It can be all-consuming. But the fact is that three of the four teams involved in each division will be disappointed. And it’s the mill of hope, despair and crushing, crushing failure that get to you. Though failure in the playoffs cannot match Judas’ punishment in the centre of hell, where he is perpetually chewed and skinned in Satan’s bloodred maw, in the immediate aftermath it can often feel that way. I’ll just be happy if I manage to get through this whole thing without too many tears or too much vomit.