Alyson Rudd and the Wimbledon Boys...

I've been abandoned by the usual crew. Bill Edgar continues to look for those pesky Iraqi WMDs with Lord Lucan, Shergar and the Colombian drug dealers who killed Nicole Brown Simpson (which means his stat of the week has been pre-recorded) and Guillem Balague is off doing Catalan stuff which is why, a few hours from 2008, I was sitting there like a loser all by myself.

Fortunately, Alyson Rudd, Robbie Earle and Efan Ekoku were willing and able to drop in for a football chat. And scout Tor-Kristian Karlsen, the man who helped bring Lucio and Dimitar Berbatov to the big time, is kind enough to join us on the phone.

I'm bigging up West Ham, given their win over Manchester United and the supposedly limitless funds available. But Robbie isn't buying it, arguing the Hammers are once again mid-table bound. Efan explains just why Martin O'Neill is doing so well (and he does it without using tired cliches) and we reflect upon Big Sam Allardyce and the Newcastle situation.

Efan comes down big time on the side of those who want a winter break, believing it would really help the England team. Robbie and Alyson, on the other hand, love the wacky Christmas season, with clubs seemingly playing four games in a week. I like the tradition of playing on Boxing Day and New Year's so maybe there is a compromise to be had: why not take a break in late January? Because Rafa continues to haunt us, the conversation inevitably slips back to Liverpool (no Guillem, of course, but Alyson and Efan are not-so-closeted Reds) and how their version of "scientific rotation" doesn't quite work.

Tor, a real live scout who gets paid to travel the world and watch footballers, joins us from Buenos Aires, where he has been on assignment on behalf of a number of clubs for the past few months. Tor explains what he actually does, what his track record is and the tricky job of predicting the future which is, basically, what scouting is all about.

And, of course, we have Quick Hits, Bill's stat (which bigs up Serie A - so there!) and our Post of the Week competition where one lucky poster gets to walk away with a brand spanking new copy of Championship Manager 2008. So join the debate below, because I'm in an "interacting" mood and we have more copies to give away.

Click here to listen to the Podcast.

Comments

[Robert Kemp]

Hi guys. I have listened to the podcast for a few weeks now, as I am based in Melbourne, Australia for the moment. It is a great way to find out what is going on back at home. I am happy to say the Man Utd love-in does seem to be getting less and less (thank-goodness). I am a Northampton Town supporter ( in the mighty league One)

In regards to the madness of Christmas football- what's wrong with finishing the games a week later in May? It's not as if the heat increases by 20 degrees or anything. I don't see why they don't do it (except perhaps Euro and World Cup timings). What about shortening the size of the leagues from Prem to the Conference North/South?
One of the best bits I have heard on the podcast series so far was when you did an update of news and events in leagues outside of the UK, such as Germany which was very, very informative. Are you planning on doing something similar again?
I'm not sure if the Australian league is on your radar but it's pretty funny to watch. I think 4 games resulted in 13 goals a few weeks ago!!!

Roy Hodgson seems an inspired choice when you look at his CV. He has the experience but can he have success?

I am watching the Newcastle debacle with interest. I just don't understand why they cannot succeed. Buying players really shouldn't be the answer and it is a shame they have nothing in their academy. I wonder if they are afraid of sucess? Remember the Keegan rant? I think that could be part of it. They worry about success for too long and don't get around to actually achieving it.

Keep the quality up guys, I am enjoying it! Sorry its a long post. I would love more news on leagues around Europe, below the Premiership and even the odd- laugh about the weird Australian league now and again (its only 3 years old)- though I understand time constraints and the fact listeners maybe bored may get in the way!

[Kate]

Does that mean I won't be getting poster of the week then?

[Simon Irwin]

Hello,
I enjoying listening to your podcast every week so i thought i'd write in to say so. Gabriele Marcotti really reminds me of one of the judges from 'Strictly come dancing' which makes him harder to take seriously but I think I agree with him more than I do with Guillem Balague although he has a lot of passion (which often turns into rage) but it's a good pairing nevertheless.
I am really glad Cappello is the new England manager and I don't care who he upsets to improve them as a team. They've not been good since euro 96 and it's a blessing they didn't make it to euro 08, it'll be more enjoyable watching the other nations play. I'd really like Cappello to put his faith in the youth so here is my England starting 11 as long as the b******* are fit.

GK-Hart RB-Richards LB-Cole CB-Terry CB-King RM-Bentley LM-Young CM-Gerrard CM-Hargreaves FW-Agbonlahor FW-Rooney

What do you think?

[Guillem Balague]

Craig (or should I call you Liverpool hater guy)... I guess when you talk about the "scouse-loving Spaniard" you refer to me. My name is Guillem Balague and I suppose you would prefer a world where everybody agreed with you. Let me tell you that if the team create chances and fail to convert them that is not Benitez's fault, is it? 2 defeats, an improved away record, more points than in most of last ten seasons at this stage. Would you still say Liverpool are not good enough? Is it down to a poor manager or to a club fighting in the transfer market with clubs with much more money (Man U get double the money than Liverpool in revenue gates and Chelsea have spent around three times more in the last five years in signings). Take your pick

Kate. What i said is what I meant and if you did not like that little insight you could make a joke about it. Ah, in fact, you did. I guess your exceptionally funny post makes you the Martin Samuel of posting.

[Leon]

Alyson - It's been said already, but I do feel it needs re-stating. You usually talk a fair bit of sense, but your comments on the Everton - Arsenal match were pretty much an embarrassment.
The first half of that match could quite comfortably have ended up 2 or even 3-0 to Everton, and their gameplan forced the "beautiful" Arsenal to play Wimbledon-esque hoofball in the second half.
Never have I seen a more ridiculously undeserved 4-1 win. On the balance of play, the match would have ended as a draw, or perhaps even a narrow Everton win - and were it not for a couple of uncharacteristic defensive lapses (and one missed handball), the scoreline would have been decidedly different.
"Deservedly embarrassed"? I hardly think so. And I'm sure you'll understand how much it pains me to say this, when I tell you that my colours are nailed firmly to your side of Stanley Park.

[Gabriele Marcotti]

1. Dan - Credit where credit is due. I wasn't the only one making that point, Efan Ekoku actually raised it first: that a new manager's priority should be proving that he can do a better job with the players at hand than his predecessor, not demanding X amount of money to spend in the transfer window.
Also, I wouldn't describe transfer reporting as mere "speculation". The reality is that, for every deal that comes off, there are maybe thirty that don't. But that doesn't mean that none of them are being talked about.
2. Matt - I think the difference is that if I any of my English colleagues says that "taken as a whole, current crop of English managers is not good", they're stating an opinion. If I say the same thing, I'm being anti-English.
3. Colsyd - Off the top of my head, it would seem to make sense that referees might be tempted to "level things out" if they've already sent a player off. There's one way to know: put Bill Edgar on the case. I'll ask him to look into it as soon as he returns.
4. Kate - I'll let Guillem handle that one. And no, I'm not going to post a list of things I don't like... suffice to say they're probably not that different from what most people don't like. I think the tabloid press can do good in the sense that it reaches a greater audience and often has more resources to devote to a story. Which is why many big stories (not just in sport) are broken by the tabloids.
5. Craig - I find Rafa's approach fascinating. It's an experiment in progress, so to speak. And you're being a bit unkind in your list of players (David Amoo is what, 17?). Results speak for themselves. At least now he has, IMHO, four or five very good players whereas two years ago he had two. But I'll leave the defence of Rafa to the usual suspects...
On the subject of United, standing and ticket prices you're not dreaming. I think there is a gold standard in stadiums and pricing and - guess what? - it's not the Premier League, it's Germany. Better crowds, better grounds, better fan experience and safe standing.
6. Faithy - You said it all...

[Faithy]

Thanks for the tips on spotting rubbish journalism Gab and keep them coming.

Let's demand better stuff than the drivel that these idiots on a Gillette Soccer Saturday or Football Focus spew out.

For example, in the event of a win:

"(insert ex-player of your choice here) had them players fired up for this one"

or in the event of a loss:

"the board need to give loads of cash to my old mate to spend on new players, else they will struggle"

[Craig]

Oh, also Gab where do you stand (no pun intended) on the safe-standing campaign? I was disgusted to hear Ferguson's complaints about the atmosphere at Old Trafford. He's alienating himself from United's more working class fans. You can't price out the most loyal fans, telling them to watch Chelsea or "that mob FC" if they dare to complain, put the "singing section" in the second tier, charge £6.50 per pint of shoddy American beer that you're not allowed to take into the stands, and decimate the Stretford End with corporate boxes, whilst expecting an atmosphere game-in, game-out.

United aren't going to compromise the revenue they earn on match days by lowering ticket prices at the moment but surely we could generate a better atmosphere, have the same revenue on match days and offer more, cheaper tickets by offering standing. Or am I dreaming?

[Craig]

Another game, another point dropped against inferior opposition by Liverpool. I must say it was nice not to hear that scouse-loving Spaniard defending Rafa this week. How long can Liverpool afford to wait before they sack him? They have been "turning the corner" for eighteen years now and still they look to be falling away before the league really hots up. I think Rafa might have to accept that having a big squad of players of similar ability just doesn't really work over here. If you look at who has won the Premiership over the last few years, it has been teams who:
A. Know their best eleven and play it wherever possible. (Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, Gallas, Makelele, Lampard, Essien, Robben, Duff, Drogba or similar; Manchester United: VDS, Neville, Rio, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Rooney, Saha).
B. Have a relatively good run with injuries - United did ok last season until the defence was decimated but the league was all-but won by then anyway; Chelsea had very few players injured in their two title winning seasons.
C. Have at least as good a first team as any other. The majority of Liverpool's players are not good enough. The defence is poor compared to United, Chelsea and Arsenal and the other three have more match winners in their ranks.
Rafa has signed a ridiculous number of players and the vast majority of these signings have been flops. Josemi, Garcia, Sissoko, Nunez,
Pellegrino, Gonzalez, Anderson, Paletta, Padelli, Roque, Peltier, Nabil El Zhar, Brouwer, Hansen, Flynn, Insua, Duran, Huth, Idrizaj, Antwi, Carsson, Kromkamp, Barragan, Ajdarevic, Zenden, Lucas, Voronin, Simon, Nemeth, Mihailov, San Jose, Kacaniklic, Pacheco, Purie, Alexandrov, Benayoun, Awang, Amoo, Bouzanis, Pouriez - does he really think these guys are the answer? How long can you keep giving him the money to buy them?! Liverpool seem to be in a perpetual state of change. Is this a Stalin-like tactic to keep everyone on their toes? Either way, it's not working. The same flaws remain. I think it's only a matter of time before Mourinho is drafted in.

[Kate]

"the tabloid press can do a lot of good"

Er, like what? Although to be fair, having read some lies and rubbish about Capello's appointment in the Italian press, our newspapers aren't uniquely bad. And as for the Spanish media...

Interesting list anyway. Now give us a list of all the things you DON'T like about England and really set the cat amongst the pigeons!

By the way, can you guess which journalist came out with this quote? "When I meet footballers and managers, it's like famous actors meeting for the first time, we look at each other like we've been friends forever, and we don't even bother with introductions, we just go straight into the gossip".

No wonder he doesn't post here much, if he's Spanish journalism's answer to Brad Pitt!

[ColSyd]

Thanks for the support on my earlier comment, Gab. I agree - Everton's ambition in the big games sometimes lags behind our quality. Having said that, I thought Moyes going with Johnson and Yakuba in a 4-4-2 v Man U was tactically pretty ambitious (and astute). Another comment prompted by the Everton v Arsenal game. I thought a straight red for Arteta was a bit harsh, given what constituted two yellows for Bentner. This got me thinking. Are refs systematically more likely to dish out straight reds after there's already been a sending off? What do the stats say, Bill? If it is the case, then why? Is it because refs subconsiously feel the need to even things up? Or is it because such games generally get nastier?

[matt]

I’ve never mailed before, yet I felt I should, against my better judgement, stick up for Gab and Everton.
Yeah we all know that Gab can talk some tosh but it is his job to voice an opinion and the "little englander" remarks do little for anyone. “biting the hand that feeds you“ - get a grip. I may not like everything that Gab says but I do not see him as having it in for English footy or England. I do see him providing some level of balance by reminding us that, God forbid, we may not have the best league, or even players, in the world.
Secondly, I am no Everton fan but true football fans must have some level of respect for the way in which Moyes carries out his business and the manner in which Everton approach the game (especially comparing their resources to those of Arsenal). As pointed out very well by COLSYD, Alyson Rudd's red-tinted analysis was truely well wide of the mark. It was obvious to anyone who wathced the game that Everton had a clear game plan and were far from "all things to all men". Boo and hiss Alyson. Boo and hiss to bad and lazy journalism.

[Dan Street]

Don't get me wrong, I love fantasy football. And by that I don't mean the 'game' conducted every week through newspapers and online, as friends bid to outwit each other in a battle of venamous one-upmanship. I mean Berbatov to United, I mean Banega to Chelsea, I mean Lulinha to, well...anyone.

The intense speculation surrounding alleged transfer targets, the infectious hype of an unknown latin American starlet dubbed the next, next, next, next, next Elano. And then there's the vicious in-fighting between West-London blues and North-Western reds over who will beat who to Dimitar's signiture. That's not to forget the festive snipes over transfer funds which adorn every self-respecting football forum across the web, of course.

It just wouldn't be new year without the back pages of every tabloid, broadsheet, compact, berliner, or gutter-rag decorated with ridiculous and largely unfounded transfer specualtion. Honestly, it's my guilty pleasure - I love it as much as the next 'Football Manager' addicted fan.

And so, having said that, I was surprised to find myself in agreement with Gab when listening the podcast this week. I don't want to sound as if I regularly disagree with Gabriele (notice the correct spelling), because that's not the case. It's just that I was hit by what can only by described as a fiscal revelation, an economic epiphany if you will, when Gab pointed out that the job of a newly appointed manager should be to extract better performances from an existing squad, rather than reducing the waistline of the chairman's wallet to bring in reinforcements.

I doubt Roy Hodgson, Alex McLeish, Steve Bruce or Paul Jewell would subscribe to this viewpoint, but the fact remains, their predecessors were sacked for failing to get the best from a group of professional atheletes. Surely the primary task of these newly installed must be to do better with the squad that they have inherited.

Having said that, as a Manchester United fan, you won't hear me complaining if we do manager to lure Dimitar Berbatov to Old Trafford by the end of January...

[Gabriele Marcotti]

1. Zulfy - There may be more points at stake in the winter break, but I think he feels there are bigger games in the spring (Champions' League, FA late rounds, run-in etc.)
2. Colsyd - I'm with you regarding Everton. I just wish he was a bit more adventurous against the bigger sides. There's enough quality there to nick points.
3. Andy - I guess the big question is whether we can't strike some kind of balance. Maybe a little break later on would be good. I like the holiday programme too, but not at the expense of hurting the English game.
4. Faithy - I wouldn't put too much stock in the question of English food. It's one of those stupid questions foreign journalists feel like they need to ask.
5. Ed - First of all, you misspelled your own name. But I won't hold it against you. Second, I challenge you to find something I said (or wrote) that was anti-English. Go on, give it a go. If you can find three things I said that were anti-English in a gratuitous way (i.e. if I say McClaren was not a particularly good England manager I would not classify it as an anti-English statement), I'll buy you and anyone of your choice lunch anywhere you choose (I won't go with you if you don't want me too... you can go with whoever you like). The gauntlet has been thrown down.
Regarding criticism of Italian football, I'm as critical as the next guy. But it annoys me when people stereotype and generalize (endemic corruption, etc.) just as it annoys me when they generalize about English football.
As for the tabloid press, it's not bad per se. It can do a lot of good as well as a lot of bad. And you can't simply not read it, because, like it or not, it often sets the agenda.
As for "biting the hand that feeds you", it's a free market, mate. My opinions are my opinions. If I were to hide them just because I didn't want to upset the apple-cart I wouldn't be doing my job.
But, just to set things straight, I could live anywhere in Europe but I choose to live here because I happen to love it. And here is a brief list of English things which, I think, are actually very, very good
1. The legal system
2. The literary tradition
3. The inclusiveness and multiculturalism (at least in London, can't speak for other parts of the country since I don't live there)
4. Most television
5. Most radio
6. Most newspapers
7. The police
8. Local government (at least where I live)
9. Parks and public facilities
10. The NHS (which, despite all its problems is better than many health services elsewhere) and most of the people who make it run
11. Music
12. The passion with which people follow their local sports clubs (not just in football, but in rugby and cricket as well)
13. The National Trust
14.The regional accents and cultural differences between, say, the Northeast and the West Country
15. The fact that, contrary to stereotype (and certainly the image of the English abroad) there is more independent-thinking here than in most other parts of Europe.
16. Oh, and I quite like the football too.

[Edmund Simpson]

Having listened and generally enjoyed all of this season‘s Game podcasts, it has struck my attention that throughout this time Gabriele Marcotti has not uttered one single positive statement about English football, English football players or the English media (I think we can easily surmise his views on the English people!). Now I am anything but a Little Englander, and am very aware that the English game is overhyped by both the tabloid print and electronic media and that English players – particular the members of the risibly dubbed Golden Era – are vastly overrated, but it is not ALL bad. Millions of (hey non-English!) viewers worldwide attest to this fact. And in terms of entertainment I think our game ranks on equal terms with Italy, just behind Spain. Interestingly, however, Mr Marcotti reacts allergically and oversensitively to the slightest criticism of anything to do with Italy (re: Alyson‘s attempts to redress the balance!) which considering the endemic corruption and violence in which the Italian game is mired does bring his “impartiality“ into question – an indispensable asset for a journalist I would suggest. Hence it is difficult to avoid the impression that Mr Marcotti harbours some deep personal grudge against all things English and merely uses the podcast as a vehicle to give vent to his antagonistic feelings.
Greetings, Ed Simson
P.S.: If you revile the tabloid press here so much, then do as I do: Don‘t read them!!!!
P.P.S.: Every heard of the phrase “biting the hand that feeds you“?

[Faithy]

With regards to Rolando Bianchi's comments on English food - I would be interested to know when does a foreign footballer come into contact with English food? I presume these players aren't cooking English food at home and I can't imagine these players are flocking to resturants specialising in English food. By process of elimination I am guessing that the only place left for players to eat English food is at the training ground. Are clubs really serving up toad in the hole or sheppard's pie to professional athletes?

[Andy]

Gab and others,

I think you missed something when talking about Rafa's scientific approach and then Gerrard and Torres in the city game. My feeling is that those 2 actual prove Rafas point because I am sure he is now playing them as "untouchables" who need to be in every game as their influence and contribution is so much more than the rest of the squad. To drop points with either of them on the bench or in the stands would mean he gets murdered in the press and with the fans (and probably the owners).

On the subject of Christmas footy then personally I love it. Its great to get an intense period of league action. The autumn is always full of international breaks and euro games that the league games come by very slowly.

This season then the profile of the games has been much like any other week in the autumn when teams are playing a pL game on the weekend and a euro game or league cup game midweek. Admittedly It gets a bit harder when the holidays are on different days and a team ends up playing 2 games in 3 days.

[ColSyd]

Happy New Year all. But Alyson Rudd's comments on the Everton v Arsenal game must be a late contender for worst bit of punditry of 2007. Apparently, Everton 'tried to be all things to all men' (whatever that means) and 'fully deserved to be embarrased, as they were'. Let's have a bit of balance, please. Even Wenger said that "an oustanding Everton team forced us to play the long ball." Nothing embarassing in that.

[Zulfy]

I forgot to ask in my previous post, what's happened to EuroGame are you guys still doing that podcast?

[Zulfy]

Gab, I agree with you about the madness of our Christmas football. What bothers me is that having four games in such a short period of time brings a massive element of luck into the competition. If a team has a couple of key players out for a couple of weeks around this time of year with a knock; they are likely to miss four league games, whereas the same injury in any other time of year and the player misses maybe only one league game and one cup game. Hence, when relegation or the Championship is decided by the odd point it can often be put down to which team was luckier (and not necessarily better) during the Christmas period.
Related to this; if Rafa was serious about winning the league and is so preoccupied with his players peaking at key times of the year, shouldn't he be focusing on getting his players reaching their physical peaks around this time of year when more points are up for grabs, rather than boring us come April in the latter rounds of the Champions League?