Mar
19
Manchester City’s attempt at defending their title has been nothing short of pathetic.
The players have played with apathy and haven’t been consistent enough. In fact, it seems as though winning the title last season was proof enough in their eyes that they’d arrived as one of the big boys in England, and Europe! The bottom line is something just hasn’t been right this season.
From the distractions of Mario Balotelli and Roberto Mancini’s tactical tinkering early on in the season, to missing out on signing Robin van Persie and stinking up the Champions League, the blue side of Manchester has stuttered and faltered with a lack of identity and a shortage of passion.
What is Manchester City’s identity? What is their club culture? It takes more than winning the F.A.Cup and Premier League to be considered a big club. Remember Blackburn Rovers? They too won the Premier League. Have a listen and let me have it whether you agree or disagree.
Lob me a header or volley @soccerdiva. Football, soccer, call it what you want. It’s just like being down the pub with your mates.
Soccerdiva | Footy Show | Manchester City Red Card
Mar
3
The One with El Clasico Special…
Filed Under Champions League, La Liga, Premier League | Leave a Comment
Two Clásico clashes in five days and both were won by Real Madrid. We haven’t seen that for a while. Sophie and Ben discuss the two latest installments of the famous fixture in an hour-long special not to be missed!
What is wrong with Barcelona? Qué pasa con Messi? We also talk Tito and Roura, Pique and Alves, the penalty incident and much more!
And then there’s Madrid, of course. Is Mourinho having the last laugh? Is Ronaldo the world’s best player right now? We look ahead to the Champions League clashes, talk Milan and Manchester United and even made some predictions for our respective teams in the North London Derby!
It’s an epic! So join us for our Happy Hour special!!
Jan
28
Verbal Memo | F.A. Cup & more…
Filed Under The Fairy Tale Cup | Leave a Comment
This weekend was a vintage one in the F.A. Cup. Giant killings. Upsets. Call them what you want. The small guns came out fighting and crushed the big guns hearts. The Fairy Tale Cup is alive and well.
Brentford, MK Dons, Luton Town, Leeds United and Oldham played a little throwback F.A. Cup football, much to the delight of fans across the football universe. This is exactly what the F.A. Cup needed. An exciting, thrilling weekend peppered with results as shocking as the ending of The Crying Game!
Our verbal memo congratulates the so-called small fry teams and their incredible achievements. We all dissect Brendan Rodgers decision to make Luis Suarez captain of Liverpool in the game against Oldham. And there’s even time for a few quick fire football thoughts at the end.
Kick back. Put your hard working feet up. Grab a brew and enjoy the listen. Feel free to laud or abuse me on Twitter with your thoughts. @soccerdiva.
Soccerdiva | Footy Show | Magic of Cup
Jan
7
Verbal Memo | Robin van Persie & more…
Filed Under La Liga, Podcast, Premier League | Leave a Comment
In my weekly memo to fellow football fans there’s a fair bit of passion. Some folks have irked me.
Firstly, Luis Suarez got the football universe all riled up because of his handball in the F.A. Cup against wee Mansfield Town. Suarez certainly had lots of darts thrown at him after his unsportsmanlike action, but are the referees just as guilty as Liverpool’s bad boy?
Robin van Persie is having another phenomenal season. He is a world class player who has elevated Manchester United to impressive heights. The delicious Dutchman has been prolific since joining the Red Devils in the summer. Can Robin van Persie play in any team in the world right now? And should someone at Arsenal pay with their blood for selling him?
Finally, Rio Ferdinand declared he would like to be the first black James Bond. Rio is definitely suave enough to be a special agent for the British government. What if footballer’s were movie genres? From comedy, to musicals, we cast the lot!
Grab a brew and enjoy this week’s verbal memo. Connect with me @soccerdiva if you want to rant about anything. I’m here for you.
Verbal Memo | Robin van Persie & more
Nov
8
The One Where We Catch Up…
Filed Under La Liga | Leave a Comment
It’s been way too long! We missed hanging out in La Liga Lounge talking Spanish football over delicious cocktails.
Barcelona lose to Celtic in the Champions League. Yes it was shocking, but wasn’t it inevitable this would happen at some point? And which team does this result mean more to? Ben and Sophie come to an insightful conclusion!
Real Madrid are still eight points behind Barcelona. They have two semi-tough games left in the Champions League. Cristiano Ronaldo might play a central role at the weekend. Ben and Sophie dissect!
The La Liga Lounge bar staff also talk Malaga and heap even more praise on Manuel Pellegrini’s men. And we chat Oviedo and their incredible battle for survival. Plus we make four hot picks for the weekend. Grab your favourite drink, have a listen and let us hear from you @laligalounge. Get stuck in there. Pepe does!
Sep
1
Arsenal have been busier than usual in the transfer market yet the business conducted still hasn’t satisfied the appetites of many fans.
There’s no doubt the Gooner nation is happy with the arrival of a class player like Santi Cazorla, together with German goal machine Lukas Podolski and rising French star Olivier Giroud. Despite the pedigree of these players, fans are upset Arsene Wenger didn’t do enough to replace Alex Song and they are also disgruntled the club sold Robin van Persie to rivals Manchester United. In A Conversation With Akil Vyas, we break down the Arsenal situation and discuss the hot topics engulfing the famous North London club.
What do Gunners fans really think about Theo Walcott? With all of Diaby’s injuries, can the club trust he’ll be available and fit throughout an entire season as the ready-made replacement for Alex Song? Should The Ox play or be a super sub? What is Arsenal’s best formation? Is there a need to worry about the injury prone back line? Can they have an impact in the Champions League?
Akil answers all of these questions and more in our conversation. You can follow him on Twitter @10akhil. Kick back, relax and enjoy!
Aug
14
A Conversation With…Bobby McMahon
Filed Under Premier League | Leave a Comment
The Premier League is only days away and boy do I have a treat for all of you.
In A Conversation With Bobby McMahon from Fox Soccer Report and Forbes.com we break the game down to its core and talk tactics. From Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle, Bobby shares his brilliant football brain with you.
We also chat about the managerial changes and who Bobby thinks will be in trouble. Plus don’t miss Bobby’s Top 4 predictions as you might be surprised who he has missing from his list. He also shares who he thinks will sink to the Championship at the end of the season.
Don’t miss Bobby McMahon broadcasting his las show on Fox Soccer Report on Thursday 16th August.
Aug
6
Soccerdiva Soundbite…Heather O’Reilly
Filed Under World Football | 2 Comments
During the Olympic qualifiers, I had the pleasure of spending time with the USWNT. These women work so hard and are absolutely determined to win gold in London.
After an epic semi-final game at Old Trafford against Canada on Monday night, the USWNT once again showed their belief in each other and their flair for late drama. A superb cross from the skillful Heather O’Reilly to future superstar Alex Morgan broke Canadian hearts everywhere. And let’s not forget Megan Rapinoe, who undoubtedly had the game of her life! During camp, I was fortunate to chat with one of the heroes from tonight’s game, Heather O’ Reilly. She talks about what it means to play for her country, her love for Tim McGraw and her admiration for Lionel Messi. You will love her energy. Enjoy the Soccerdiva Soundbite.
Aug
2
A Conversation With…Derek Rae
Filed Under Podcast, Premier League | 3 Comments
A Conversation With Derek Rae is pure football poetry. One of football’s finest voices, Derek always paints a beautiful picture through his commentary. Do you know anyone who can marry the famous poet Robert Burns with football?
From Team GB and the Olympics to all things Premier League including Luis Suarez, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Andre Villas Boas, Brendan Rodgers, Manchester City, mid-level clubs and beyond, Derek discusses it all with an honest perspective. There’s even time to talk a wee bit of Rangers!
Football, soccer, call it what you want, it’s just like being down the pub with your mates.
Aug
1
A Conversation With…Stretty News
Filed Under Podcast, Premier League | 1 Comment
After losing their title on goal difference to their fiercest rivals, Manchester United are looking to bounce back this coming season. Desperate to regain what they believe to be their rightful place at the mountain top of English football, United fans are hoping for more success after having nothing new and shiny to place in the already abundant trophy cabinet.
Stretty News is one of the fastest growing Manchester United blogs anywhere in the world. In a Conversation With Dale O’ Donnell we dissect all things Red Devils. From the Glazers to Sir Alex Ferguson, the rivalry with Manchester City, Wayne Rooney, Kagawa and beyond, we cover the latest news that is happening at Old Trafford.
Dale is a leading voice for a new generation of Manchester United fans and he holds no punches when giving his opinion. Check out Dale’s work at www.strettynews.com and follow him on Twitter @StrettyNews.
Football, soccer, call it what you want. It’s just like being down the pub with your mates.