FoxSoccer.tv – And the Fans Say…

Posted on July 5, 2011 by phil

The comments of EPLTalk.com‘s story about FoxSoccer.tv’s price increase are quite illustrative.  There are around 90 comments, and I could find two people happy to pay their $20 per month.

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Ricky Alvarez a “bullet dodged” for Arsenal

Posted on July 5, 2011 by phil

Jonathan Wilson, the mild-mannered author of Inverting the Pyramid and An Anatomy of England, isn’t pulling his punches with his tweets about Ricky Alvarez:

Aussie Dan (@ArgentinaFW)’s Inter source (TM) says Ricky Alvarez close to joining them. Bullet dodged for Arsenal, frankly.

And

Ricky Alvarez apparently on his way to Inter for E12-14m. He was being touted around for 2.5m in March-April. The hype around him is absurd

Tell us what you really think!

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FoxSoccer.tv – You’re Killing Me!

Posted on July 5, 2011 by phil

I can’t believe Fox Soccer TV want twenty bucks a month for the pleasure of streaming certain games over the web.

Certain games?

FOXSoccer.tv’s policy of showing Premier League matches that air live on FOX Soccer Channel later after midnight on demand will not change.

But don’t worry, you’ll be able to watch the other games, the ones know as “not worth showing on tv”, in live mode.

 

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Liverpool are Building a Formidable Back-room

Posted on July 4, 2011 by phil

When Kevin Keen was announced as Liverpool first-team coach, I was wondering: What does that make the recently-arrived Steve Clarke?  Rory Smith of The Telegraph clears things up:

Though Clarke, who worked with Keen during Gianfranco Zola’s disappointing spell at West Ham United, holds the same title, [Clarke] can expect to be the more senior of the two.

Smart move by Dalglish.  Squads are so big these days that having a single first-team coach doesn’t cut it anymore.

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Arsène Wenger’s Bubble May Be About To Burst

Posted on July 4, 2011 by phil

It will be sorry times for Arsenal fans if Mark Ogden’s doomsday scenario comes to pass:

Yet the likely exit of Samir Nasri to Manchester United, who are expected to confirm their interest in the Frenchman this week, combined with speculation that Andrei Arshavin and Robin van Persie are also growing disillusioned…

This, of course, is in addition to the likely exits of Gael Clichy and Cesc Fabregas.

Wenger would be left with a huge pot of cash to spend, but it’s impossible to lose-and-replace five first-teamers and stay competitive.  Remember there is a significant amount of boardroom disruption going on as well, which can trickle down to destabilize the team.

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Villas-Boas: Another Way to Pronounce It

Posted on July 4, 2011 by phil

I’m reliably informed that in Chelsea fan circles, André Villas-Boas is simply referred to as “AVB”.

Me? I’m going with “Bish-Bosh“.

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Tevez Staying With Man City

Posted on July 3, 2011 by phil

Good news for all fans of the Premier League. The Guardian says they tried a swap deal with Inter for Samuel Eto’o, which is curious.

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Villas-Boas: So *That’s* How You Say It

Posted on July 2, 2011 by phil

Barney Ronay in The Guardian:

I learned … the correct pronunciation of Villas-Boas, which is “Bee-yash-Bow-yash”. This is quite difficult if you’re a native Anglophone and it is perhaps best to imagine the phrase “bish-bosh” pronounced in the lingering accents of a villainous James Bond-era Russian spy turned slapdash painter and decorator.

An all round good piece, which lingers on his middle-class-ness.

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What Will Villas-Boas do with Drogba?

Posted on July 2, 2011 by phil

I’ve started weighing up the things that Villas-Boas has to worry about in his new role at Chelsea. The first thing that jumps to mind is that the spine of his team is getting quite old:

  • Frank Lampard is 33
  • Didier Drogba is 33
  • John Terry is 30

I think he needs a solid Plan B to Torres up front. It’s not hyperbole to say his lack of goals cost Chelsea the title last year. Will it be Drogba, as it was last season?

I would guess not. Too risky, and it didn’t work out for Ancelotti. Will Drogba stand to be the third striker? Again, I’d say not.

EPLTalk.com has a good run down of the likely destination of The Drog.

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Gervinho is Heading to Arsenal

Posted on July 1, 2011 by phil

Huzzah!  On this first day in July in the year of our Lord 2011, let it be known that Arsene Wenger has moved to address one of the weaknesses in his side!

Gervinho currently plays for Lille and the Ivory Coast, but appears to be heading to Arsenal.  Quotes from The Guardian:

I’m going there to play, not to be on the bench. Arsenal love the game and I love teams that love the game.

RVP, you have been warned!

Also see The Gooner for more quotes and the obligatory make-them-look-brilliant video highlights.

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