Author: Soccer Diva

Happy New Year…

Let’s face it. 2010 was a pretty rough year and I believe there are many of us who would love to see the back of it. Work was tough. The economy continued to suck and it seems the world was pounded by floods, fires and all sorts of natural disasters.

I had my own natural disaster. For some reason, I found myself feeling apathetic towards football which is surprising because it’s actually an exciting year in the Premier League as there are a number of fresh-faced teams who could win the title. Perhaps it’s been a case of too much of a good thing. Who knows? I believe I will re-discover my love for the beautiful game in the new year.

I’m going to try and keep it simple in 2011. I’ve heard simplifying life is always a good thing. Less is more. We’ve all been overpowered and overrun by gadgets, technology, social media and the Internet in general. We’ve lost the personal touch. I’m going to get mine back!

Now although this post says nothing about nothing much, I would like to say something. Here’s wishing you all a very happy new year. Let’s hope Arsenal win the Premier League. Nudge-nudge, wink-wink!

Sleeping with the enemy…not…

What can I say? I’ve been missing in action. I’ve been bad. I’ve had no desire. Just like my beloved team. It’s their fault. They did this to me. This season, they’ve already had me floating towards heaven and then they abruptly drag me into the depth’s of hell. It’s senseless. It’s hurtful. And shameful.

I haven’t even been able to face the blog. I mean it’s not like I write ground-breaking articles. They are merely my football thoughts that hopefully turn into conversations between fellow football fans. It’s just like being down the pub with your mates. But let’s face it. There are times when you don’t fancy going down the pub. Especially when your team recently lost its balls to the enemy.

So what do you do? When your team is painful to watch, you often look elsewhere for some football inspiration and pleasure. You are not deserting or cheating on your team, you are just choosing to watch more games that don’t exactly involve them. And I knew that if I could just get out of my bubble-of-hell, I would see that I’m missing one of the most exciting Premier League season’s ever.

Chelsea are not running away with it. Manchester United are undefeated but yet look beatable. Manchester City could really make a run for it. Bolton are shockingly only 6 points back. Liverpool are hanging on by a thread. Arsenal are being traditionally Arsenal and Tottenham…well as painful as it might be Arsenal fans, Tottenham are the most exciting team to watch this season. They play beautiful football and they score lots of goals. Am I losing my mind? I don’t think so…

Whether they are playing in the Premier or Champions League, Tottenham are capturing the imagination of the football world. Van der Vaart is the buy of the season so far. He looks like he belongs at White Hart Lane. He already carries himself like a Spurs legend. He performs for the fans. They love him. And he loves them. And ‘Arry loves him a little bit too. I don’t love them. But can I compliment the enemy?

Welsh sensation Gareth Bale is setting the pitch on fire wherever he plays. @ Inter Milan, no problem! @ Arsenal, no problem! As posted in a previous article, Bale reminds me of Ryan Giggs. He flies down the wing in a fearless fashion that is truly inspiring to watch. He overcame adversity at Spurs and has solidified his reputation as one of Britain’s best. He is the most thrilling player to watch in the world right now. If he were Portuguese or Argentine, we’d be talking about him in the same breath as Messi and Ronaldo. Yes. I said it out loud. And that’s what I truly believe. If Tottenham can go on and win a major trophy and Bale can stay injury free, he will be in the running for World Player of the Year! I need a bath.

Even though the last two paragraphs felt like I cheated on the Gunners, I’m not sleeping with the enemy and I believe the truth will eventually set me free. I’ve had these thoughts about Tottenham bottled-up for weeks. I was down and out. I was washed-up for the season. But I got my head out of my own arse and started smelling the football roses again. And I usually can’t help think that Tottenham always stink. But for the first time in many many years, the enemy is a real threat. And I have raised my hat to their recent victory. But the war continues and we will rise again for another day of brutal battle. And sometimes, just sometimes, the enemy wakes the sleeping giant. Could it be Arsenal? Could it really be?

Remind you of someone?

Gareth Bale saved Tottenham’s blushes in Europe last night with a stunning hat-trick against Inter Milan. Let’s face it. After Tottenham’s first-half display, nobody saw Bale’s second-half performance coming. If Lionel Messi had scored three goals in that fashion, everyone would be lording him today.

Bale was the only Spurs player who didn’t look like a deer in headlights at the San Siro. He turned the travelling fans experience from a nightmare into an almost amazing dream. Still. Well done son. You are without doubt, a future divo in the making. In fact, last night, you officially arrived.

The Welsh star has long been considered one of the most exciting British prospects in years. He went through a miserable time when he first joined Spurs from Southampton. Every time he’d play, they’d lose. But Bale didn’t let it bother him. He fought back and was given a position in the side that is almost the nucleus of the current Spurs team. Impressed? I am.

Does Bale remind you of another flying winger from Wales? He’s almost identical to Ryan Giggs in every way. Let’s hope Spurs can hang onto him for a good few years. He can become a legend at the Lane if he wants. But the lure of money could lead him to pasture new. For now, soak him up Spurs fans.

Revenge is sweet…

Is it me or do Arsenal look like they have an edge to their play this season? Nasri looks on fire, Wilshere is a star in the making, Koscielny proved he can play, and so far, the Gunners are fighting back like a team when things go a bit south!

After Spurs hammered them in the Carling Cup in 2008, the red side of London was ready to turn the tables on their arch rivals. And boy did they put the boot in. Arsenal managed to empty Tottenham’s stadium before the second half of extra time had even begun. It was sweet revenge for Gooners everywhere.

Granted Tottenham didn’t field their best, but neither did Arsenal. Sure there were some familiar faces like Keane and Lennon for Spurs and Rosicky and Nasri for Arsenal, but it was the brilliance of Jack Wilshere that stole the show. He looked like Liam Brady out there and if he continues on this path and stays injury free, he could be an Arsenal legend in the making. He was precise with his passing and his speed was impressive. His technical ability is sublime and Wilshere’s overall feel for the game is instinctive. Do Arsenal have a replacement for Fabregas waiting in the wings?

The Carling Cup is not really a competition where we should be judging whether a team is good or bad, or whether a player is quality or not. What I do like about the Carling Cup though is you get to see a team’s future. You get to see budding divas in the making and it’s certainly fun to watch.

Arsenal fans shouldn’t get too carried away with this victory, but it’s always beautiful when you humiliate your rivals in their own back yard. Sweet revenge yes. But the season is oh so long…

Scandalous…

Wayne Rooney has added to the scandalous behaviour of some of England’s finest footballers. Earlier this year Ashley Cole and John Terry made the headlines for their cheating. Cole saw his marriage crumble while Terry was able to worm his way out of trouble. Step forward Wayne Rooney.

Rooney’s name is dominating the front and back pages. It seems the Manchester United star likes prostitutes. Apparently while Coleen Rooney was pregnant with their first child, her lovely husband was busy spending much of his time and money on prostitutes. And we know this isn’t the first time! We all have skeletons. Don’t we?

You don’t want to judge people as we never know what goes on behind-closed-doors. However, this kind of behaviour makes it difficult to not form some type of opinion. At the end of the day, these so-called professional footballers are role models to millions of kids whether they like it or not. So when they behave badly, it’s easy to get vexed.

Everyone is absolutely entitled to their privacy but when you are a public figure and you enjoy fame and fortune it comes with a small price. That price is privacy. I’m not saying it’s right. It’s just a fact. Another solid fact is that it’s these kids and millions of other fans that put footballers in a fortunate position. They pay lots of money to see them play. They pay lots of money to buy their shirt. These players represent more than themselves.

Sleeping with prostitutes is never a good thing, particularly if you are Wayne Rooney. Not only is he a husband and father, he is also center forward for Manchester United, one of the world’s most revered sports franchises. He is also an England international, representing his country at the world’s finest football tournaments. He earns hundreds of thousands of pounds a month from his club and his endorsement deals. It’s time to show a bit more class.

This isn’t the first and it won’t be the last we’ve heard of the scandalous soccer stars…

It’s early days but…

Did anyone think Newcastle would thrash Aston Villa 6-0? Are Chelsea going to score 6 goals week-in-week-out? Is this Theo Walcott and Arsenal’s season to shine? Are Manchester City the real deal this time around? Do Manchester United look sluggish? Will Tottenham flounder after a stellar showing last season? Is it me or do Liverpool look pizazzless?

We all know the season rarely ends the way it starts. But I feel like I can make one prediction already. West Ham look woeful and unless they strengthen their team, they are toast. Their fans can look forward to life in the Championship if their first two games are anything to go by. Time to put some superhero power in those bubbles Hammer fans!

Everyone was blown away by Blackpool’s first game and they soon bounced back to earth after being tossed like a salad by Arsenal. Theo Walcott looked explosive and he sure feels like a man with a point to prove. It’s good for Arsenal that he’s started off the season that way. Let’s hope he can stay fit .

Manchester City have spent gazillions on some foreign imports but it’s the homegrown talent that look like the sharpest tools in the shed. Adam Johnson and James Milner could be the difference in that team this season and to see young British players flourish and play with such style is refreshing. I’m not rooting for City, but I am rooting for Johnson and Milner to do well!

Newcastle stunned Villa and perhaps even themselves with an outstanding home return to the Premier League. Is Andy Carroll finally the man to fill legend Alan Shearer’s shoes? He could be a winner for the Toon and England. Will be exciting to keep watching how he progresses.

Chelsea look sharp and ready to defend their title. So what’s new?

Manchester United look non-plus at this point. But the Red Devils always get off to a slow start. Perhaps this season is the type where no team can afford a slow start?

It seems you were all chicken to cast your stones and vote who you think will finish where. It’s time to put your footballs where your mouths are fellow fans. Check out the THIS IS IT post and plaster your predictions for the football world to see. What has caught your eye so far?

Thank goodness normal life has resumed once again…

Finally…

After a heartbreaking World Cup (well for us England fans anyway) the cure for all of humanity has finally arrived. Welcome back the sexiest football league in the entire universe…yes that’s right, the Premier League is here. Oh how we’ve missed you. And oh how happy we are that you are back. Thank you…until you do something that hurts our feelings of course!

So fellow footie fans. Let’s get the drinks in and talk about who we think will shine this season. Post back who you believe will achieve top spot in the below mentioned categories and together with the amount of posts you make throughout the season, you could find yourself crowned champion. Are you ready for the glory and the heartache?

Champions? Runners-up? 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th? Bottom 3? Player of the Year? Young Player of the Year? Top Scorer? Best Buy? Biggest Flop? Surprise of the Season? First Manager to Be Sacked? Manager of the Year? Greatest Goalie?

Feel free to suggest a category you’d like to see added. Who doesn’t love a democracy?!

Cast your football stones now and you could win the BSD Fans Premier League title and your team’s home jersey. Looking forward to podcasting with the winner. Good luck, play fair and have a stellar season…

Joe Cole finds love…

Joe Cole has moved to Liverpool as a free agent and he couldn’t be happier. Having lost his way at Chelsea over the last couple of seasons, Joe was certainly ready for a new challenge. Could this move be the making of his career?

When he first burst onto the football scene at West Ham United as a wee puppy, Joe Cole was deemed a future England superstar. And when he scored that beautiful self-made volley for England against Sweden in World Cup 2006, we all thought he would go on and evolve into a very special player as everyone had predicted. He certainly played well and won lots with Chelsea, but I don’t think we’ve seen the magic he is capable of in recent seasons.

Joe Cole now gets the opportunity to play with Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. And as Liverpool had nothing short of a mediocre season last term, Joe can certainly become an instant hero with the Kop, if he gets off to a good start. He was excited to sign-up for Roy Hodgson’s Liverpool revolution and can play a key part in lifting the hopes of their fans as they begin their battle for the title once again. Can he make a winning difference to Liverpool?

At Chelsea, Joe Cole felt very under appreciated and he wasn’t feeling the love at all. His relationship with Ancelotti was strained and he believed he was worth a lot more than the recently crowned Premier League Champions did. In Liverpool, he feels he is playing for the best club in the world and he is certainly feeling the love from the club and the fans.

Could this London lad fall in love with one of England’s most beloved Northern teams? He has 19 million reasons to…

Spain: The Golden Age…

For so long we’ve been told the likes of Rooney, Gerrard, Lampard, Terry and Cole are the “Golden Age” of British football and the best we’ve seen since the World Cup winning squad of 1966. But yet again England exited a tournament as losers and their fans dream of world success has turned into another nightmare. And in a European country just around the corner, a team of patriotic men were lauded similarly to this generation of English players. From the media to fans, everyone agreed Spain was something special. And like England, so much pressure was put on the Spanish. Even prior to Euro 2008, the expectations were high. But they didn’t cave. They won it. And the expectations for England and Spain were vast again in World Cup 2010. England were as miserable as their winter weather and Espana went on to win the whole damn thing.

In the case of Spain, their team of individual superstars actually have world-class talent and this time around they didn’t cave to pressure. Their team of individual superstars came together and played for each other. They proved that despite the hype and expectations, they could win. They deserved to win the World Cup. The right team won the World Cup. And with the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Casillas, Ramos, Villa, Torres and Fabregas, they could go on to win for many years to come.

In the past, Spain too have been guilty of failing themselves and their country. Whether it was the European Championships or the World Cup, they would always choke. Even in the days of the great Raul, the Spanish could never deliver the big prize. But somewhere along the way they bought some belief, a little swagger and a side of balls. They became a team of destiny. They became World Champions.

England should examine how Spain have achieved their success over the last four years. They should look to their European counterparts as an example of how you can go from being a total loser to a total winner. And perhaps they should consider having an Englishman manage their way back to the glory days. You can’t help but think the spirit of the Spanish side and the influence of their coach Vicente del Bosque just instilled more patriotic pride to their cause.

There’s nothing much else to say about the World Cup other than I feel the same way about it as I did a few weeks ago. We saw some great goals here and there with Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s of Holland being the best for me. There were a  few nail-biting moments and in my opinion the most exciting of all was the late goal by the USA against Slovenia . The biggest stars in the world including Messi, Ronaldo, Kaka and Rooney didn’t shine at all, which was a huge disappointment. Unfortunately the tournament was dampened by awful refereeing decisions and the final didn’t live up to its billing. Plus it felt way too cold for a World Cup. Overall the sizzle was certainly missing!

A few things are for sure after this tournament…here we go…Spain are truly the best footballing team in the universe. They will be considered one of the best-ever having won Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010. Everyone around the world will now know who Xavi and Iniesta are and who will deny these two sublime players their place as the world’s best midfield duo? Not me. David Villa has absolutely nailed the label of world’s best striker and how happy are Barcelona they bought him before the tournament? Manchester United must be feeling sick having let Pique go back to Barcelona. Referees from Mali suck. Rooney is a baby. Forlan has still got it. Muller is the next big thing. Sneijder is magic. Goal-line technology is a must. And coach Bosque will forever be worshipped for delivering the goods to his fellow countrymen.

This certainly is the “Golden Age” of Spanish football and you truly deserve the label Spain. Hope you are taking notes England…

The story so far…

How are you enjoying the 2010 World Cup from South Africa? Has it lived up to your expectations? Is your country performing as you believed it would? What is the biggest story for you so far? How do you feel about the vuvuzela?

I can personally remember far more exciting group stages at the World Cup. There were definitely some thrilling finishes towards the end, but overall, that edge-of-your-seat type action was lacking tremendously for me. And I also have a problem with the weather and how cold it always looks. Seeing Casillas wearing a scarf during the World Cup is just wrong. I can respect the tournament being held in South Africa, but ultimately, the World Cup always smacks of summer and unfortunately, I’m not feeling the sizzle at all this time around.

The other problem with the tournament is the lack of attendance in the group stages. Most of the stadiums were not full and if it wasn’t for the vuvuzela, would there have been an atmosphere in some of the early games at all? Sure everyone has complained about the vuvuzela, but if you ask me, I think it saved the blushes of FIFA by filling the seats with sound as opposed to their ability to sell the tickets and fill the seats with warm bodies.

I’m also a little bored with Brazil and Argentina being so dominant again. Sure they are playing beautiful football and I would prefer to see Argentina win it all over Brazil. I know that is probably weird coming from a Brit and deep down I’m still hoping this is the year someone unpredictable wins the whole enchilada. But if we’re running with a favourite, I hope it’s Argentina who makes it to the final and I have this silly optimism they will meet England and we will payback Maradona for the Hand of God once and for all!

The truth is anything can happen. Who would have predicted France’s public implosion? And what about Italy’s collapse? It was a total embarrassment as they tried to defend their title. I feel bad for their supporters. We feel your pain. And speaking of pain, some of the refereeing has been hellacious. Some refs have made terrible decisions that would inspire any government in any country across our universe! Fans get ripped enough at it is in life and they certainly don’t want some amateur ref from Mali screwing them over at the World Cup! Come on referees! Sort it out FIFA.

There have been some good goals and perhaps a couple of great goals. We’ve seen very few sexy free-kicks converted and I’m not sure if there is a new star that has emerged just yet for us all to be salivating over. And the already established stars like Ronaldo, Rooney and Messi haven’t really lit it up yet have they? Messi’s had some pretty play overall, but we’ve seen no individual magic just yet and I think that’s what this World Cup is lacking.

Hopefully the last 16 will make me eat all of my above mentioned words. Hopefully the stars will come out and shine bright because the story so far is…Slovakia and Uruguay?