Posts

Showing posts from April, 2013

A team to be feared? Chelsea

Image
Disappointment. One word that sums up Chelsea's season. Even though Chelsea brought in the highly coveted Eden Hazard for £35 million, the young and highly talented Oscar for £25 million, assured right back in Azplucieta for £5 million and a proven goal scorer in Demba Ba for £7 million, (in January) Chelsea were still unable to perform according to how much money was thrown at players. Di Matteo was unjustly sacked after having a commendable managerial career at Chelsea after winning the double last year (Champions League + FA Cup) and the fans outrage seeing him replaced by former arch nemesis, Rafa Benitez, has been plain to see. My Starting XI for 2013-2014 (with current squad) Subs: Turnbull, Bertrand, Azplucieta, Ramires, Moses, Mikel, Torres Fear Factor: 7/10 However, when looking on their team on paper, they have a very good side. Petr Cech is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and a solid defence of consisting of Ashley Cole, (who is the best left ...

A team to be feared? Bayern Munich

Image
BEFORE YOU READ: http://thefootballaddick.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/a-team-to-be-feared.html  - overview of the series content! feedback appreciated. Thank you for reading. R ibery. Schweinsteiger. Kroos. Muller. And now Gotze. Just a handful of a highly talented group of players that will be managed next season by who has been touted as one of the best managers in the world, Pep Guardiola. What's scary is that there is more. Mandzukic, Robben, Shaqiri and Gomez amongst others mean that Bayern possess one of the most talented attacks in the world, and whilst also boasting a mean defence: Bayern Munich may well be the team to beat in the Champions League next season. Considering Bayern crushed Barcelona 4-0 whilst also playing attractive football of their own, highlights just how good they are. No disrespect to Heynckes , he is a great manager and he has shown this by blitzing all in their path on all fronts this season, but the possibilities are endless with Guardiola. Imag...

NEW SERIES: A team to be feared?

This is a new article series I’m currently working on, and consists of analysing the best squads in the world and assessing whether they'll be a threat in Europe next year. I then go on to name my starting XI for that specific team next season, based on the team they currently have, and evaluate their 'fear factor' out of 10. But here's the twist. Based on rumours (supplied by http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/?from=top_navi  - check them out) I then pick out any problematic positions in a specific squad, and replace them with realistic transfers that could potentially fill their problems and ultimately make them a better team (squad builders are made via http://footballformation.co.uk/team/create-4231.php  - would recommend using it for anyone interested). With this done, I then give another rating for their 'fear factor' out of 10. So there we have it. My first 2 editions are going to be on Bayern Munich and Chelsea, followed by a selection of Europe 's be...

The best of the best

Image
The PFA player award has been narrowed down to a 6 man short list. 6 players who have lit the Premier League up with dazzling performances, and have earned them a spot on the prestigious list containing the ‘best of the best’ for the 2012/2013 season. The list consists of: Robin Van Persie ( Manchester United) Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur) Michael Carrick ( Manchester United) Luis Suarez ( Liverpool ) Juan Mata ( Chelsea ) Eden Hazard ( Chelsea ) There is no doubt that the 6 players on the list possess unique qualities that sets them apart from the rest, and have time and time again come up trumps when their team has needed them the most. But only one will win the prestigious title of PFA Player of the year. Who will it be?  Eden Hazard has endured a very good first season in the Premier League  6) Eden Hazard  Although Hazard has enjoyed a successful first season in the Premier League following his highly publicised £35 million move from Lille to Ch...

Curley Park Rangers 3-5 Chobham Burymead (AET)

The Fortress has fallen. The dream of a league and cup double has faded into nothingness, and in the process CPR's unbeaten home record has diminished. It just wasn't meant to be for CPR on the day. Leading for so long, with the win in their grasp, they couldn't finish the job and despite fighting tooth and nail for 120 minutes, ran out second best in the end. Curley Park Rangers welcomed Chobham Burymead to the fortress on a day that started with high hopes, but ended in despair. The team lined up as follows: GK: Kevany LB: Finlay CB: Hastings CB: Nott RB: Ross CM: Lloyd-Bisley Adolphous CM: LM: Parslow RM: Honeywood CF: Stroud ST : Rice Subs: Goggin, Rolt, McMillan, Barby, Dunnage The game started off lively with both teams showing some neat touches, without any clear cut chance being created. This pattern followed on for some 20 minutes, until CPR were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position. Stroud stepped up but fired just over, with the ball shaving ...

CPR All Stars 4-4 Camberley Town

Derby day. Everyone wants to get an upper hand on their rivals, and this was the epitome of a typical derby match; with passion and commitment rife. Curley Park Rangers hosted local rivals Camberley Town to the fortress, where the home team were looking to extend their lead at the top of the table over Wokingham and Hartley Whitney; who clashed in a double header today. Camberley were coming off the back off an impressive 4-1 mauling of Wokingham, whereas CPR were grinding out results in recent weeks, making this game have all the ingredients of a classic, despite the contrast in league position. The team lined up as follows: GK: Kevany LB: Barby CB: Hastings CB: Honeywood RB: Ross CM: Adolphous CM: Rolt LM: Parslow RM: Stroud CF: Dunnage ST : Lloyd-Bisley Subs: Goggin, Finlay, Rice, Nott, McMillan The only notable changes on the team sheet was Barby filling in for Goggin at left back and Lloyd-Bisley given a starting berth at the expense of Rice up front. CPR also welco...

CPR All Stars 2-1 Bourne Blades

CPR welcomed Bourne to the fortress, who in the reverse fixture had caused a lot of problems for the leagues leading side; with the 6-2 score line not a true reflection of the games proceedings. It was no different this time and CPR stuttered in the second half, but they held on to clinch a vital 3 points against a decent Bourne side. The team lined up as follows: GK: Kevany LB: Goggin CB: Hastings CB: Honeywood RB: Ross CM: Adolphous CM: Rolt LM: Parslow RM: Stroud CF: Dunnage ST : Rice Subs: Morris, Barby, Finlay, Lloyd-Bisley, Nott McMillan was still missing through injury, and Marsh was also absent due to player restrictions. Earlier on in the season CPR were known for being fast out the blocks, and were given the task of scoring within the first 10 minutes. And CPR started off brightly, playing some great football that brought back memories of their early season form. CPR were also showing some great commitment and the effort put in was typical of this dogged side....