Champions League Review

Arsenal succumbed to their worst defeat in Europe as they went down 4-0 at the San Siro.

Arsene Wenger today admitted his side is probably out of Europe following their 4-0 thrashing against Ac Milan. Ac Milan taking the lead through former Tottenham midfielder, Kevin Prince Boateng whose half volley came of the bar and in to give the Italian club a 1-0 advantage after just 15 minutes. Ac Milan extended their lead on 36 minutes when Zlatan Ibrahimovic's cross was headed in by Robinho. Arsenal's night got from bad worse soon after half time, Robinho given time and space to fire a low shot under Szczesny for 3-0. Arsenal’s backline were a mess with Johan Djourou bringing down Ibrahimovic in the area for a penalty. Ibrahimovic stepped to slot past Sczesny to complete rout and give Milan a real chance of advancing to the round of 16.


Zenit defeated Portugese side, Benfica in the first of leg of their tie 3-2. But Benfica took the lead when Zhevnov spilled a Cardozo free kick right into the path of Pereira for 1-0. It took just 7 minutes for the hosts to draw level Hubocan delivery met wonderfully by Shirikov whose strike beat Artur to make it 1-1. Zenit then played some tricky football to build up to the lead after 71 minutes. Kerzahkov back heeling to Bystrov whose ball towards Semak was turned in with back heel for 2-1. If Zenit head out in the next game they will have Zhevnov to blame with him failing to deal with a simple shot by Gaitan parrying it straight into the path of Cardozo who fired the equalizer for Benfica. Benfica might have thought they had stolen a draw from Russia until Shirkov exploited Artur by capitalizing on his poor goalkeeping, tucking the ball into an empty net. The Russian are far from sealing the deal and Benfica are not bad off going to the second leg with some pivotal away goals.

Respect! The FA don't know the meaning of the word.

In the last few years the F.A has encouraged football fans to respect the referee but I would beg to differ. 
  

There have been many ad campaigns from the F.A advocating that fans should respect referees because their job is 'hard'. With the most famous ad being the one featuring Ray Winstone shouting at the ref in a Sunday league game. But after the standard of refereeing I have seen this season is amazes me how the F.A still continue to expect respect from the fans. With, referee's failing to spot obvious fouls or being bias towards a particular side. with incidents such as the Pedro Mendes no goal after his shot passed the line by miles, referee Mark Clattenburg said 'no goal'.  But that was Manchester United and every decision goes their way. Another notable incident was in the world cup 2006 when Graham Poll dished out 3 yellow cards to Croatian defender, Josip Simunic until sending him off in the Croatia v Australia game. The incident was huge embarrassment to Graham as well as to English refereeing.

It still also baffles me how the most popular sport in world still has failed to obtain technology however with the ancient Sepp Blatter in charge of Fifa I don't see it coming fast. Football needs to catch up with likes of rugby and the NFL in America that both use video refereeing and microphone's as our age old system in football is not enough for the modern game. The current system favors cheats and prevents honest sides points something that needs to stop. It still leaves us saying what if, If Lampard's goal had been given to make 2-2 would England have done better in the World Cup, things we will never know because of poor refereeing judgment.

So come on football get your act together and get technology, honest teams are getting cost points and it's becoming a joke. Sepp Blatter needs to realize this is the beautiful game and his Fifa board is ruining it by failing to use technology within the game.

Who will be Leeds' next manager?

After Ken Bates sacked Simon Grayson following the 4-1 defeat to Birmingham City at Elland Road questions are being questions are being asked about who will take the vacant sit in the Leeds dugout.

Leeds are again looking for a new manager as Ken Bates got rid of his fourth manager in Simon Grayson. The sacking was a result of Leeds' poor run of form that see's them sit well outside of the playoff places however Ken Bates expected success without spending money making it seems as the little old ken needs to realize you have to dip your hand in your pocket once in awhile for a chance of gaining success. A few managers have been in the running, Neil Warnock has been the main contender and if he was to take the club into hands it would seem promising for all Leeds fans although it would questionable whether if Leeds were to gain promotion to the Premier League would they stay there as Neil Warnock's inability to manage in the top flight has cost him dearly as manage being the reason in why he lost the job at Qpr. Former Cardiff boss Dave Jones is also in the running and it would seem a breath fresh air for Dave Jones following his frustration managing Cardiff failing to gain promotion to the Premier League on several attempts. Leeds fan would be keen for Dave to take the role as his vast experience of the Championship could be vital if Leeds were to mount a promotion challenge. Despite Sven Goran Erikson best efforts he will not manage Leeds after his application was rejected by Ken Bates, Bates said that Neil Redfearn the current caretaker manager will get three games to prove his worth. Anyhow Leeds fans won't be too concerned about Sven not getting job, they may be relived after he still couldn't mount a real title challenge with the talented squad he conjured up with Leicester resulting in him losing his job earlier this year. Current caretaker manager, Neil Redfearn could also be in the running for the job however following Leeds 2-1 defeat to Brighton at home it seems unlikely and it he will not be the Leeds fans first choice as they will want a manager with vast experience to lead them to the days of the Premier League. Whoever takes the Leeds job will have a difficult job trying to please the fans who have suffered only misery in the last 10 years and they will have long way to match the greatest Leeds manager, Don Revie.

Capello resigns, what now?

Capello’s resignation from the England managerial post was announced yesterday and dominating today's sporting headlines, so what now for England.

The resignation of Fabio Capello was thought to be over his comments on Italian television of the captaincy being taken away from John Terry, a decision Capello disagreed. The resignation came as a shock to a fair few English football fans, it was clear he was going to leave after the upcoming European Championships in Poland/Ukraine however this early leave was unexpected and it has left us wonder who will take the post.

The immediate candidate that comes to mind is Harry Redknapp, who the Fa have chased numerous times for the job in the past and he won't come easy as he will be keen on retaining his job at Tottenham trying to consolidate a Champions League place. However we shall not rule out on him possibly taking up both roles and the FA could persuade him to take the post for Euro 2012.

Two managers have already ruled themselves out, Alan Pardew, Newcastle gaffer told the press he is happy at Newcastle after being 3rd favorite to take the job. However, most fans wouldn't have expected him to take the post as he hadn't had the best track record before taking his post at Newcastle. Another manager that ruled himself out was new Sunderland manager, Martin O'Neill. Who has an impressive managerial record however most England fans would realize he has only took the Sunderland job a couple of months ago and he will not be keen on leaving.

Another manager in the running is the Real Madrid manager, Jose Mourinho aka the 'special one'. The manager who had an impressive time in his days in the Premier League helping Chelsea win two titles in his 3 year stay on England. And he would be good choice for the job however like a lot England fans it would be nice to see a fellow countryman lead us on the European stage. It is also doubtful Mourinho will be willing to leave Real Madrid. So I think the 'special one' we can rule out.

The current temporary manager, Stuart Pearce is also in the running, a manager who is only really used to managing the u21 set up so is rarely managing. He also managed, Manchester City however his record wasn't particularly impressive and although many England fans want an English manager it is felt Stuart will probably not be the answer.

We all know who we want (apart from Tottenham fans), we want wise old Harry Redknapp to lead our country and give us the crazy hype that comes with every England manager that we will one day rule like in 66' and win the Euro's in the summer.

Gabon V Mali

Gabon play their first African Cup of Nations quarter final against a side that hasn't reached the knockout stages since 2004. 
  
Hosts, Gabon comfortabley won all their group games to clinch a quarter final place against group d runners up, Mali. It will be expected to be a difficult tie for the hosts and the on form Pierre-Emrick Aubameyang will be hoped to perform miracles for the Gabonese. The Malians nearly crashed out of the tournament going down 1-0 to Botswana in their final group game however Sediyou Keita managed to complete a turn around curling an effort into the far corner from the edge of the box to send the Malians through to face the hosts. And Mali will be much reliant on the star man who plys his trade in Spain for top club, FC Barcelona. I fancy Gabon to take this as they have shown more class in the tournament so far and the Malians only narrowly beat a poor Botswana team.

No more Parmo's for Tarmo!

Middlesbrough annouced today that Tarmo Kink's contract has been terminated.

The Estonian Striker will be searching for a new club in Europe as his contract was terminated by the Teessiders after an agreement with Tarmo. Tarmo will be hopeful he can retain first team football, after never being favoured whilst Tony Mowbray has been in charge. The Estonian striker will be missed on Teesside with some fans feeling he didn't get a chance playing only 22 times and scoring 4, most notably a freekick against Burnley, in his 1 and half year stay on Teesside. However Tarmo will be remembered on Teesside mostly for his name rhyming with the local delicousy 'The Parmo' and his willingness to shoot from just about anywhere he could.