Premier League Friday Night Lights

The Premier League goes Friday Night Lights on everyone! We love it and think fans we love it too. We also chat all things Pep and look at whether or not Pep is getting used to the league or does the league need to get used to Pep’s genius? Should Man Utd panic? Have Spurs bitten off more than they can choose playing at Wembley? Get stuck in. Join the conversation.

Landon the Legend…

2014 MLS Cup - New England Revolution v Los Angeles GalaxyIt’s Landon Donovan’s last press conference. He has just won another MLS Cup with his beloved LA Galaxy. It’s a fairytale ending. He’s had a picture book career. He has given everything to club and especially country.

What an honor to see him play his last professional game. What a privilege to be at his last LA Galaxy presser. He looks tired. He’s ready to walk off into the sunset as a champion.

I was given the opportunity to ask America’s greatest ever footballer a question. What would it be? Everyone is focused on questions about his game in the US. Why wouldn’t they be? This is America! But what about the Toffees? Everton fans fell in love with him. British football dug him. I had to ask. I had to represent. Everton fans…this one is for you!

A Conversation With…Andre Villas Boas

There’s no doubt Brendan Rodgers will be under intense scrutiny and pressure when the new season starts. Taking over the managerial reigns at Liverpool and following in the footsteps of legend Kenny Dalglish will definitely be a tough task for the ex-Swansea coach.

However, if there is one man who easily wins the gold medal for “Manager Under the Most Pressure” it has to be Andre Villas Boas. Will we see the man who dazzled the football universe at Porto? Or will we see the AVB who failed miserably at Chelsea? As mentioned earlier this month on this site, I don’t believe lightning will strike twice for Villas Boas, who lived in the shadow of the Special One during his time at Stamford Bridge.

During Spurs tour of the U.S., the new Tottenham coach looked exceptionally relaxed and happy, and so did his team. I was lucky enough to spend some time with him. Enjoy A Conversation With Andre Villas Boas.

Money, money, money

robinho446-7930141Robinho to Manchester City? Really? We’ve seen it all now. Talk about a twist and turn in the summer transfer market nobody was expecting. What was bigger news for City? The purchase of Robinho or the club being bought by a billionaire? As ABBA once sang, “Money, money, money, must be funny in a rich man’s world.” But who’s laughing now?

If you are a City fan, you must be rubbing your hands together with pure delight. Perhaps you’ve finally put the fear in your neighbourhood enemy, Manchester United. If you are a Chelsea hater, you must be ticked-pink they are finally being knocked-off their transfer pedestal! However, if you are a true football fan, you must be a little worried about the current path our game is taking.

The TV money has helped so many teams and the profile of some lesser clubs has been raised because of that exposure. We are able to see the best players in the world play in the most entertaining league in the world. However, have they taken things too far? Has the importance of money affected our game? Should we use the American sports model which ensures the spread of wealth to all teams? Would this create a more level competitive playing field for all teams in the Premier League? Could it also ensure the survival of smaller clubs with less investment and financial backing?

All we know today is that a new giant has been created in the English game. And this giant is now a giant not because of the way they play football or the amount of trophies they have won. They are a new giant because some rich bloke decided he needed a new toy to play with. Perhaps deep down inside I wish this rich bloke had bought Arsenal, If he had, would the likes of Hleb and Flamini still be at the club? Henry too perhaps?

Young players are easily influenced by things, especially money. As fans across the globe languish in a financial economic crisis, some clubs are behaving in an irresponsible financial manner that could see the Premier League in a football recession in the near future. You can’t blame Robinho for accepting City’s offer. You can’t blame the businessman for making an investment with his own hard earned cash. Ultimately, the league is responsible for how the business side of football is run. What is their primary concern though? What are they going to do about the future our game? Money, money, money, always sunny, in the rich man’s world…