Monthly Archives: March 2013

England: Time to Back the Youth

  By O-Posts Team | March 27, 2022 - 18:45 | , , , , , , , , , ,
Comments Off on England: Time to Back the Youth

Premier League Results

image
Premier League 2014/2015 scores, Football England
Premier League 2014/2015 results on FlashScores.co.uk have all the latest Premier League 2014/2015 scores, tables, fixtures and match information.

Premier League 2014/2015 scores, Football England - FlashScores.co.uk

The whole farcical Rio Ferdinand and England episode in the run up to the qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro highlighted something that has plagued England for too long: an obsession with looking back.

The fact the debate centred on whether or not Ferdinand pulling out of the England squad and travelling to the Middle East to be a TV pundit was a deliberate act of revenge towards the FA or an innocent PR disaster, glossed over a recurring theme. England seem frightened of moving into the future. Petrified of actually committing to the next 5 – 10 years and beyond, rather than only the next tournament.

There’s no denying Ferdinand has been in very good form since the turn of the year and integral to Man Utd improving the defensive record in the second half of this Premier League season. His form is worthy of an international call up, but Ferdinand is 34 and has to carefully nurse his fitness.

He made it be known he was available for International selection and his many backers in the press clamoured for his inclusion; some even suggested that, should England qualify, he should be a part of the World Cup squad.

By the time the 2014 World Cup in Brazil comes around, Ferdinand will be 35.

Whatever the rights and wrongs of how the England captaincy was taken off Ferdinand, his non- selection at Euro 2012 and his row with Ashley Cole, his withdraw from the England squad, explanation and subsequent pundit job was handled spectacularly badly.

Personally, I wouldn’t pick Ferdinand for England again; not because of the recent debacle, but for the same reason I wouldn’t consider John Terry, Scott Parker, Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry for selection: it’s time England moved on. That’s not to say anyone over 30 should be dismissed, indeed

I believe Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole still have a role to play, though I think the World Cup should be their swan song. Euro 2012 was the ideal tournament to give many of England’s next crop tournament experience, but rather than be brave, England once again harped back to the so-called golden generation, but got the same result as always. As the mantra goes: if you keep doing what you’ve done, you’ll get the same results.

A decade ago, Germany tore up their system and started again. They are already seeing the benefits from the changes they implemented, but I doubt English football would ever have the bravery to do the same.

Also, the Premier League holds too much power to allow the FA to implement the type of changes that were in Germany. Add to that, the changes needed in philosophy at grass roots level with too many coaches and parents of young players mean that it would likely take longer for England to feel the benefit of change to the extent desired.

Wilshere.... young players like him need to be backed.

Wilshere…. young players like him need to be backed.

It’s not as though England don’t have any talented young players coming through, but the selection pool and technical level is not as big as it could be. England need to focus on the future and bed some of the best young players in, rather than keep looking at players some way past their peak.

If the so-called golden generation failed to win a tournament in their prime, why makes anyone think they can do it in their mid-thirties?

Rather than fear of failure and going for the safe option, I think it’s time to back the youth, believe in them and look forward, not back.

So, based on England’s reluctance to move on, here’s the squad I expect to be named for World Cup 2014:

Hart, James, Seaman; Terry, Ferdinand, A. Cole, G. Neville, P. Neville, Adams, Carragher; Gerrard, Lampard, Parker, Barry, Milner, Carrick, Beckham, Cleverly; Rooney, Owen, Heskey, Welbeck.

 

Written by Andy Wales

Follow him on Twitter @AndyArmchair

Please like O-Posts on Facebook

You can follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

Ashley Cole vs Baines: Hodgson’s left-back dilemma

  By O-Posts Team | March 26, 2022 - 16:42 | , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comments Off on Ashley Cole vs Baines: Hodgson’s left-back dilemma

As of just three years ago, it would have been unthinkable that Ashley Cole’s status as England’s number one left-back could have been under threat. The Chelsea man travelled to South Africa with Stephen Warnock as his deputy, whilst Leighton Baines stayed at home after making the initial 30 man squad. Baines did make it to the European Championships under Roy Hodgson two years later but watched Cole play all four games from the sanctity of the bench.

Now, as the England journey edges towards next year’s World Cup, Baines has become a valid rival for Cole’s once immovable position. A strong season from Baines, in which he has not missed a game as Everton have mounted a viable challenge to the top four, has put pressure on Cole who will be 33 when, and of course if, England travel to Brazil next summer.

Cole has also been a regular feature for his club this season, playing 43 matches in total despite his age and the disruption caused by the managerial transition of Roberto Di Matteo to Rafael Benitez. His worth to Chelsea has not diminished, he still remains unchallengeable at left-back as his time in south London rolls into its eighth year. It was his enduring quality that caused Roman Abramovich to break his own rule of avoiding offering contracts to over-30s in order to fend off the interest of Paris St Germain back in January.

You have to go back to 2001 to trace his time with England, a career that has yielded a century of caps, the milestone reached in a friendly with Brazil back in January that has created, to some, the feeling that Hodgson wanted to remove the overhanging novelty as soon as possible to allow Baines to form a significant claim for the regular spot.

The backbone of the claims for the Everton man to succeed Cole has been built on the greater attacking threat the former provides. Last season, Baines averaged 1.58 crosses per game compared to Cole’s 0.46, whilst he also created 2.46 chances per game with Cole creating just 0.77. This season, Baines has created 96 chances to Cole’s 16.

The Chelsea man’s 7 assists were a greater total than Baines’s 4 but this year, Baines, as he enjoys a superb understanding with Stephen Pienaar down the Everton left-side, has registered 4 to Cole’s 2. The Liverpudlian, Goodison Park’s regular penalty taker and also a dangerous threat at free-kicks, has also contributed 5 goals to Everton’s season while Cole has given Chelsea just 1.

Defensively, Baines is endeavouring to put to tuned the common misconception that his Chelsea counterpart is more able than him. Baines has a tackle success rate of 82% compared to Cole’s 75% whilst the imbalance in interceptions stands at 46 to 30 in favour of the Everton man.

 

Despite Chelsea’s defence conceding fewer as a unit, 26 to 35, Baines comes out on top in terms of overcoming his man on the ground, winning out in 213 50-50s compared to Cole’s 142.

However, the 100 caps on Cole’s resume that weaved its way through the age of England’s “golden generation” that has spanned three World Cups and two European Championships, will provide Hodgson with the experience that Baines, who stands on just 15, simply cannot compete with.

It was this logic that had the manager see fit to rest the 32 year old in Friday’s procession over San Marino to keep his ageing bones fresh for more testing game with table-toppers Montenegro on Tuesday.

Cole, at this current moment in time, is Hodgson’s first-choice left-back and that’s why he will call upon him for the business game of Podgorica.

After all, Cole has been in three Champions League finals, is a triple Premier League winner and has seven FA cups to his name, there is nothing in Baines’s promise that can rival such know-how and acclaim as England’s defence prepares for the test of Marko Vucinic and Stevan Jovetic on Tuesday evening.

It would be extremely reckless for Hodgson to head into such a pivotal match without the reliability he knows Cole will provide. With his career being blighted by off-field stories that have threatened to blacken his character, there are not many who would have begrudged the player his 100th cap after thirteen years of nothing but reliable service.

Take the two epic quarter final duels with Cristiano Ronaldo (2004 and 2006) as a case in point, in a problematic position where players of the class and athleticism of Cole are scarce.

The presence of Baines will be good for competition, something that has, to a degree, been lacking as Cole previously had to hold off the mediocre claims of Wayne Bridge. The Chelsea man still remains integral to the England set-up but as he ages, Hodgson has a swashbuckling alternative in the peak of his career to turn to, a huge advantage when the tough schedule of the World Cup will be of a huge test to Cole’s body in what will possibly be his last tournament.

Hodgson’s first-choice left-back is still very much Cole, but he is fully aware of the riches he has at his disposal in that position. It is something that he is now exploiting and something that will be hugely vital for England as they head into such a massive year.

 

Written by Adam Gray

Follow Adam on Twitter @AdamGray1250

Please like O-Posts on Facebook

You can follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

Robin Van Persie: A Big Miss For Arsenal

  By O-Posts Team | March 25, 2022 - 20:24 | , , ,
Comments Off on Robin Van Persie: A Big Miss For Arsenal

It hasn’t been easy, speaking from an Arsenal point of view, watching your former lethal striker do so well in another club, especially for your rivals. His name is Robin, and he was like the perfect idol.

It has been over three months since Arsenal sold Robin Van Persie to Manchester United for a fee believed to be around £24 million. His departure also saw the arrival of former Montpellier and French international striker Olivier Giroud, who I won’t be so quick to criticize.

After all, given the fact it is his first season at Arsenal, his goals so far this season has been quite encouraging from a statistical point of view. But sadly, he is nowhere near to Robin. He would also fall behind Rooney and even Chicharito in the pecking order at Manchester United - making the Manchester City starting 11 is also a huge doubt.

For example, we have seen decent chances that Giroud has failed to convert and we find ourselves frustrated and then admitting “Robin would have scored that “. I’ve been guilty of saying that, and I will continue to do so until something is done about the strike force situation at Arsenal.

Don’t quote me wrong. I am not saying Giroud is not worth playing for Arsenal, in fact his brilliant scoring record and eye for goal hasn’t gone unnoticed. Scoring  14 goals so far and over 7 assists for a striker in his debut season at the club isn’t that bad to say the least, but he hasn’t really shown any sign of replacing the incredible work Robin has rooted and replacing a striker of his calibre was definitely going to be a difficult task.

The sale of Robin Van Persie has left a big (very big) vacuum to Arsenal, especially in the striking department as Olivier Giroud, as I mentioned, is  struggling to produce the magical touch Robin had, despite having a good scoring record in his first season so far at the club.

Robin’s eye for goals and brilliant technique makes you ponder if this guy is really human. All you need to do is create the chance and leave Robin to handle the rest. When Arsenal need an equalizer or maybe a winning goal, he usually provides them. Also, not forgetting the fact that he is a consistent player and can bring positives out of a negative game in a matter of seconds.

He did that against Liverpool and Everton, his curling effort against Tottenham, and the list goes on. His tally of 37 goals out of Arsenal’s total of 95 goals in all competitions in the 2011/2012 season, is a testament to his undeniable talent and outrageous ability.

I have to say that I am not really surprised Robin has adapted at his new club. He is a consistent player and he is showing the same fate at his new club. He’s also a genius who is ready to fight, and provided his full commitment in his time at Arsenal. The downside was, he was never patient. He is a big player, and big players have massive “egos”. They dictate what they want, and if you display some of sort of opposition they would most likely depart in a moment’s notice.

Van Persie’s former manager, Arsene Wenger, had this to say about big players and “egos”:

“Can you become a big player without a big ego? I would say no, it’s impossible”

As much as Arsenal fans won’t hide their bitter frustrations on losing Robin to Manchester United, I would suggest Wenger should have done more to keep his big man. Rooney almost quit United after some behind the scenes outbursts with manager Alex Ferguson, with Mirror football quoting “Rooney to leave United after outburst with Ferguson beyond repair “.

The major difference between Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger is Ferguson’s way of understanding big players who have massive egos, and that you need to act and rise to their level to keep them at your club. He did the same on this situation, and Rooney stayed.

It still saddens me that he left, but he has clearly stated his desire to win trophies which Arsenal have failed to provide.

Arsenal lost a leader, talisman, a born goalscorer and a fighter. If Arsenal fail to finish in the top 4 this season, only then would the cost of his departure be very clear. Only then.

 

Written by @femi4arsenal

Please like O-Posts on Facebook

You can follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

Jack Cork: A Calm Presence In The Heart of The Saints’ Midfield

  By O-Posts Team | March 25, 2022 - 16:50 | , , , , , ,
Comments Off on Jack Cork: A Calm Presence In The Heart of The Saints’ Midfield

Southampton’s first season back in the Premier League started slowly for Jack Cork after an injury ruled him out until November, but his return to fitness has seen him develop, together with Morgan Schneiderlin, a strong centre-midfield partnership charged with the task of keeping the Saints in the top tier.

With Schneiderlin providing the energy and drive in the defensive side of the duo, we have a look at what the 23 year old Cork brings to the table.

 

Profile

Cork is a Chelsea academy graduate having joined their youth set up aged 9 and going on to captain both the youth and reserve teams. Despite travelling, and playing, on Chelsea’s pre-season tour of America in 2007, the midfielder failed to make any first team appearances for the Blues and spent the majority of his five years in west London out on loan.

Temporary spells with Bournemouth, Scunthorpe, Southampton, Watford  and Coventry in the lower leagues, it was finally Burnley and a half-season loan spell in 2010 that exposed him to Premier League football. The Clarets failed to stay in the division but managed to secure Cork for a further year in the Championship, where he enjoyed a fruitful season, playing forty matches to establish himself as one of the most promising players in the Championship.

Chelsea had made it clear a year previously that they wanted to sell Cork and his form at Burnley sparked a bid from Southampton for £700,000 in the July of 2011. After joining the south coast club, Cork’s impact was immediate, playing in every single league match as Nigel Adkins’s side earned promotion back to the top, and striking up a solid partnership with Schneiderlin , who missed just four games in that promotion year, that has carried on to this year.

Despite an ankle injury, picked up in a pre-season match against Bristol City, curtailing his first few months of the campaign, him and Schneiderlin have managed to form the solid backbone to a midfield that has driven Southampton to a good chance of survival with eight games of the season remaining.

It is indicative of how much the Saints missed Cork at the beginning of the season as they lost 8 of their first 10 matches. The duo has now featured together 20 times and has remained consistent through the managerial change from Adkins to Manuel Pochettino in January.

Cork’s form and reputation for possessing technical quality in the heart of midfield has also seen him establish himself in the England under 21s after representing the national side at every previous youth level. He also received a call-up for the under-23’s in last year’s London Olympics, playing three times for Stuart Pearce’s side as they were eliminated in the quarter-finals.

 

Strengths, style and weaknesses

Schneiderlin and Cork have acted as the central midfield duo in Southampton’s 4-4-2 system that was favoured by Adkins and has verged into a 4-2-3-1 under Pochettino. Whilst Schneiderlin focuses more on the “uglier” side of the partnership with his tough tackling and superb reading of the game, it is down to Cork to pick up the ball and distribute it from his deep position alongside his French partner.

Cork averaged the most passes per game in the Southampton side under Adkins with 53.6%, dropping deep to provide the link between the defence and attack with his wide range of passing, as well as enabling the full-backs to move forward on either side in order to provide further width.

His positioning off the ball was deep under Adkins, in a move designed to ease the defensive burden on Schneiderlin in a league where they would face the free roaming talents in the Ilk of Juan Mata and Santi Cazorla.

With the duo sitting, usually behind the attacking force of Gaston Ramirez, they could avoid being drawn out of position by the opposition, allowing them to be rigid in terms of offering protection to the defence; it is no coincidence that they have lost just five games since Cork’s November return, with their defence cleaning up dramatically with five clean sheets after registering none in their first ten league games. In the 18 games they have played together, Southampton have lost just 5.

Under Pochettino however, the two players have been pushed higher, with Cork still the deepest but lying on the half-way line behind his partner, who has been instructed to push higher up in keeping with the Argentinian’s emphasis on a high pressure game. The Frenchman’s rabid style of charging around his midfield area looking for the ball is supplemented by Cork’s calmness alongside him, waiting for the second ball to come free in order to launch an attack with his fine vision on the ball.

Cork’s discipline and presence behind him has allowed Schneiderlin more freedom to join the attack to operate off the knock-downs of Rickie Lambert, hence his five goal (his most ever in a campaign) haul this year.

Cork..... cool and unfazed under pressure.

Cork….. cool and unfazed under pressure.

Cork’s positioning behind Schneiderlin gives safety to the midfield in the knowledge that if the first barrier of press is breached, Cork is there to win the ball back in his withdrawn position, his 61% challenge success rate suggests he can win the ball back strongly and move it forward with his 83% passing accuracy. His 19 chances created this season shows how positive he is with the use of the ball.

With both of Southampton’s 23 year old central-midfielders displaying intelligence in terms of defensive positioning and a good technical ability which allows for quick movement of the ball, which is vital to Pochettino’s fast counter-attacking philosophy, it is a promising partnership that the St Mary’s club will be hoping that will be around for years to come.

Such is the excellence in understanding they have both performed with this season, that may hinge on whether they can stay in the Premier League, but with the Anglo-French partnership of Cork and Schneiderlin, the beating heart of Southampton’s well-drilled system, they will have a massive say on whether that will happen or not.

 

Written by Adam Gray

Follow Adam on Twitter @AdamGray1250

Please like O-Posts on Facebook

You can follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

Ezequiel Garay: Is he Manchester United-bound?

  By O-Posts Team | March 24, 2022 - 20:07 | , , , , , , ,
Comments Off on Ezequiel Garay: Is he Manchester United-bound?

According to several reports, English giants Manchester United have agreed a deal with Benfica that will take defender Ezequiel Garay to Old Trafford. The 26 year old Argentine is subject to a £17 million deal and it seems as though the former Real Madrid man will move to Manchester in the summer.

In his contract, there is a clause Real Madrid are eligible for a 50% cut of the next transfer Garay is to undergo.

Ferguson likes to tie up his dealings early during the transfer market with Ashley Young, Javier Hernandez and Shinji Kagawa all being examples of Ferguson’s recent quality signings. Garay has been in scintillating form this season and that form has seen his side concede just 14 goals in 23 games.

The defender has also been linked with several big clubs in Europe clubs over the past few weeks, Chelsea and former rival team Barcelona being some of those names mentioned.
Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson may feel reinforcements are necessary as veteran duo Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand are getting on in age, injuries and inconsistencies between Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.

Garay is 26 and has played at a high level and in Europe. He may be considered a long term replacement for Rio Ferdinand. Garay has represented his country on 11 occasions and was part of the side that hammered Venezuela 3-0 on Friday. At 6ft 4, Garay possesses strength, mobility and pace, all essential aspects that will help to cope with the demands of the Premier League.

At this point, Manchester United have taken a 15 point lead ahead of Manchester City in Premier League. The Premier League leaders face  Sunderland on Saturday at the Stadium Of Light and play Chelsea in the Quarter Finals of the FA Cup on April 1st.

 

Written by Farhan Daw

Follow Farhan on Twitter @RarnieD

Please like O-Posts on Facebook

You can follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

Arsenal: Has the Gunners’ defence turned a corner?

  By O-Posts Team | March 24, 2022 - 18:53 | , ,
Comments Off on Arsenal: Has the Gunners’ defence turned a corner?

Defence is all about organisation and understanding. That is something Arsenal have not had consistently this season. At the beginning of the season, it looked promising for the Gunners. 3 clean sheets in a row got Arsenal fans thinking whether a corner had been turned. Unfortunately, this didn’t come to fruition. An injury to Laurent Koscielny, our best defender last season, meant he couldn’t muster a run of games as well as Thomas Vermaelen and Wojciech Szczesny’s poor form were largely the reasons.

But for the 2nd leg against Bayern Munich, Arsene Wenger decided he’d had enough. He dropped Vermaelen and Szczesny and started Fabianski and Koscielny in their place. For the first time in a while, Arsenal looked like a solid defensive unit. Mertesacker and Koscielny understood each other and looked a good partnership. Mertesacker used his height and aerial strength to win the ball and if anything got through, Koscielny used his pace to clear any trouble.

Our back 5 also communicated plenty, which was refreshing to see. Fabianski was vocal and confident and Mertesacker organised the back line very well. Against Swansea, Wenger stuck with the same back 5 and his decision was proved correct. Lukasz Fabianski didn’t have a save to make all game and the only time Swansea looked dangerous was when Carl Jenkinson lazily passed the ball right to Michu’s feet.

You could argue that these two teams had nothing to play for but considering how I’m used to seeing Arsenal defend, I’m pleased with how solid we’ve looked since that dreadful loss at White Hart Lane.

Dropping Szczesny has hopefully been the reality check he needs to start performing again and has shown him that if he doesn’t up his game, he won’t play. Also, I think this could be Thomas Vermaelen’s last season at Arsenal, with Barcelona apparently interested. I for one wouldn’t be sad to see him go. He is a shadow of the player he was when he first arrived here, and I have found myself get more and more frustrated with his rash challenges and lack of focus costing us goals.

For now I would stick with the same back 5 as we have in the last two games for the rest of the season. Then in the summer I’d buy a replacement CB for Vermaelen (Chico Flores would be my pick) and an experienced goalie for Szczesny to learn from, and to apply some much-needed pressure to that no. 1 spot.

 

Written by Charlie Smith

Follow Charlie on Twitter @csmithafc

Please like O-Posts on Facebook

You can follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

English Championship: Pursuing Promotion

  By O-Posts Team | March 23, 2022 - 16:46 | , , ,
Comments Off on English Championship: Pursuing Promotion

The dog fight – the title best describing the Championship.

Cardiff are the only team consistently taking home three points. Leaving a dog fight for the second automatic promotion place. There is such a high level of expectancy for Malky Mackay’s men, as they have failed to get through the play-offs year after year. They now open a seven point gap on their promotion chasing rivals, with a game in hand.

Hull sitting in second place are trying to secure the remaining automatic promotion place to the Premier League. Steve Bruce has to take the praise for his signing of David Meyler from Sunderland, who has turned out to be a real talisman for the Tigers.

Controversial Watford lie in third thanks to the loan signings from the Pozzo families other club Udinese. Zola’s side have really been a joy to watch with their elegant passing and clinical finishing, evidently the Italian roots have surely played a part.

Just a point behind Watford in fourth are Crystal Palace who really have caught everyone’s eye this season. One player that deserves a tremendous amount of credit is Glenn Murray who really has had an eye for goal this season. He is currently the Championships top scorer, netting 29 times so far in the current campaign.

Nottingham Forest are the next team to lie in a play-off place. Billy Davies has made an immediate impact on his return to the City Ground, picking up 19 points from a possible 21 including six wins a row and remains unbeaten. This has pushed Forest up to a convincing fifth position when many people thought they were down and out for the Premier League chase.

Davies..... immediate impact.

Davies….. immediate impact.

Leicester are the final team to fill up the last remaining play-off place. Only by goal difference over Brighton, they sit just a point behind Billy Davies’ side. Nigel Pearson’s Leicester have been a breath of fresh air in front of goal this season up until now. Recent weeks indicate that the forwards have suffered with David Nugent and Chris Wood only bagging one goal between them in the last five games.

It would be a brave man to predict the outcome of the end of the season. Watford and Crystal Palace would be most suited in the top flight purely on their playing style it may seem. That is if Watford can keep hold of their loanees and Palace can retain the services of the reliable Glenn Murray, following Wilfried Zaha’s departure to Manchester United next season.

With eight games to go and only nine points separating second and seventh it will be an exciting run in to the end of season, with teams stepping up a gear and fighting for promotion to secure Premier League status.

 

Written by Ben Miller

Please like O-Posts on Facebook

You can follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

Sergio Ramos: Real Madrid hardman reaches the century mark with the La Furja Roja

  By O-Posts Team | March 22, 2022 - 19:27 | , ,
Comments Off on Sergio Ramos: Real Madrid hardman reaches the century mark with the La Furja Roja

Spanish central defender Sergio Ramos was a proud man as he prepared to win his 100th cap for his country in tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Finland.

“Let’s hope everything goes off well and I can reach the 100 mark. Entering Spanish football history is not simple and I would be extremely proud,” said the Real Madrid star, World Cup winner and European champion.

Spain hope to see off the Finland before taking on France in Paris on Tuesday, having already dropped points against the latter in their previous group meeting.

Assuming he starts against the Finns at El Molinon in Gijon, Ramos will join clubmates Iker Casillas and Xabi Alonso, as well as Barcelona pair Xavi Hernandez and Carles Puyol and Chelsea’s Fernando Torres in reaching a century of international appearances.

“I’m still young, and at a fundamental stage of my career. I only hope that everything goes well so that I can celebrate the achievement with a victory. All these victories and personal achievements are also very important for footballers.

I have been with the squad for many years now and it makes me very proud. I hope that down the line I won’t just be able to say that I played 100 games, but many more,” said Ramos, who joined Real in 2005 from Sevilla, the same year he made his international debut.

He will only turn 27 on March 30, and will be wearing special boots for the occasion with SR15 and 100 Partidos written on them.

Ramos still isn’t focusing on France and wants to think about Finland first.

“First of all we have a game to play, then we can focus on France. You need to respect all your opponents and make sure you don’t underestimate anyone.These two games are decisive for our World Cup qualification hopes.”

Spain are currently joint top of Group I with France with seven points from three games, three clear of Georgia who will play against France tonight, while Finland are bottom with just one point.

 

Written by Mihir Upadhye

Follow Mihir on Twitter @mihir_upa

Please like O-Posts on Facebook

You can follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

Morgan Schneiderlin: Southampton’s Tenacious Bull-Terrier

  By O-Posts Team | March 22, 2022 - 17:27 | , , , , ,
Comments Off on Morgan Schneiderlin: Southampton’s Tenacious Bull-Terrier

It has been a long way from the depths of League One for Morgan Schneiderlin, a Southampton player since 2008 who has been with the Saints every step of their journey from the third tier back to the Premier League.

This year, they have lost their manager and have played some exciting football as they battle with relegation back to the Football League. At the heart beat of it all has been the 23 year old centre-midfielder, who has remained rather unheralded.

 

Profile

Born in the commune of Zellwiller in the region of Alsace, located in the north-east of France, he joined local side RC Strasbourg as an eight year old where he spent a decade in the youth-set up before making his debut against FC Gueugnon in a Ligue 2 fixture. He only made 2 appearances in that season as Strasbourg earned promotion and only 3 more appearances followed in the following season, but Southampton scouts saw enough to lure the midfielder across the channel to St. Mary’s.

£1.2 million in fact, was the fee Southampton were forced to fork out for the then 18 year old talent, ahead of an offer from neighbours Portsmouth and rumoured interest from Manchester United and Chelsea. The size of the fee considering he only had 5 professional games under his belt and identity of teams interested in his services were suggestive of his burgeoning ability as he developed into his 20s.

It was Alan Pardew, who is now making a habit of unearthing young French talent at Newcastle, who was in charge of Southampton when Schneiderlin arrived, though after being relegated in 2009, he was replaced by Nigel Adkins. After gaining his place in the first team the season before, he was immediately given a permanent role by Adkins as he made 37 appearances in League One before making a further 27 in their promotion year.

Becoming an integral part of Adkins’s promising squad, the Frenchman signed a new four year deal in August 2011, just before embarking on a successful campaign in which the Saints gained promotion back to the top tier after a 7 year absence. Schneiderlin played 42 times as the club finished runners-up in the Championship.

Since starting against Manchester City on the opening day of the season, the midfielder has missed just one of Southampton’s 30 games so far, providing the back-bone to a side that has confounded expectation to lie four points clear of the relegation zone with eight games remaining. His previous boss Adkins was removed in January in controversial circumstances but Schneiderlin has remained in the plans of his successor, Mauricio Pochettino.

It is his performances, in which he has registered 5 goals, that have seen mentions of a possible call-up to the recent French national team. Though that has come to early for him, it is not to take away from a player who has impressed beyond expectation in his debut year at the top.

Whilst Didier Deschamps is yet to pick Schneiderlin, he is very much on the radar of the national team having represented France at every youth level up to the under-21s. With Paul Pogba, Maxime Gonalons, Jeremy Toulalan and Yohann Cabaye all available to Deschamps, France are very strong in the central-midfield area, but such has been the standard of the 23 year old’s performances this year that it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was mentioned in such esteemed company.

 

Style, strengths and weaknesses

Schneiderlin is mostly deployed as a centre-midfielder alongside Jack Cork, providing a defensive shield to a back-four that has improved over the course of the season. In doing so, the Frenchman has made more tackles than any other player in the Premier League with 121, 20 more than Steve Sidwell in second-place on the list. He also has the most interceptions, 112 indicative of a spectacular reading of the game far in advance of his age.

His enthusiastic tackling, he has won 58% of his challenges in total and averages 4.1 tackles per game, is vital to Pochettino’s philosophy of intense pressing in midfield and moving the ball quickly after winning it back. His high tackle rate also inevitably attracts a lot of fouls, averaging 1.8 per game, though as suggested by just 7 yellow cards, he has managed to keep his play clean.

Standing at just under 6 ft, Schneiderlin isn’t particularly big physically, but his tenacity and willingness to battle away like a bull-terrier in midfield is vital to Pochettino’s Bielsa-like values of high-press and high energy off the ball. His determination is summed up by his success rate in aerial challenges, winning 42 out of 82 despite not being particularly big, it is this will to win, hunger and drive that casts the French youngster as one of the main players in Southampton’s survival hopes.

His passing accuracy also fits perfectly into the system, registering the highest total at the club with 1470 with a success percentage of 84.5%, bettered only by Steven Davis at the newly promoted club. As well as passing from deep, the Frenchman can also be a threat with the ball in attacking areas, creating 25 chances in total this season.

A stringent 4-4-2 was used under Adkins, utilising Schneiderlin’s ability to move the ball forward quickly as they hit on the counter attack. His willingness to drive into the opponent’s half has been a huge advantage, registering 852 of his passes in the attacking half, as well as scoring 5 goals, more than his previous four years at the club, and something the player himself puts down to fitness;

“Fitness is something I have worked on a lot. When I was in League One I could not finish a game without blowing or after 60 minutes feeling tired on the pitch, so I’ve tried to make sure I eat the right things and look after my body better. When I was 18 I thought if I ate a pizza and a lot of takeaways at nights it wouldn’t affect you but it did. Now I eat only healthy French food.

It has helped me score goals – before, I couldn’t make those forward runs because I wasn’t fit enough to get back in position.”

His leadership skills have also been a huge asset at the heart of Southampton’s midfield, being trusted with the captaincy as he led the Saints back from 2 goals down to draw at Chelsea.

His performances have been key in the fight for survival down on the south coast and he will hope his future, after signing another new deal in February which expanded his contract to 2017, will lie in the Premier League. He certainly deserves it.

 

Written by Adam Gray

Follow Adam on Twitter @AdamGray1250

Please like O-Posts on Facebook

You can follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

Russian Premier League: The Second Half Commences

  By O-Posts Team | March 22, 2022 - 16:49 | , , , ,
Comments Off on Russian Premier League: The Second Half Commences

Following on from what actually felt like quite a short winter break, the Russian Premier League has returned. And with now another 9 rounds to go, the table is now just starting to sort itself out once and for all.

Atop the pile sit CSKA Moscow, who hold a solid seven point lead over second placed Anzhi, while reigning champions Zenit sit 8 points adrift in 3rd. Right at the other end of the table, Alania and Mordovia, both stuck on just 12 points each, are just starting to be cut adrift.

But the first two rounds of the championship played this year have been nothing less than engrossing. Mordovia themselves managed to provide the biggest sensation of the season so far, beating high flying Anzhi 2-0 in Saransk in a result that shocked Europe let alone Russia.

CSKA are extending their lead at the top with every passing week, but Anzhi and Zenit aren’t done yet. With Russian clubs struggling in Europe as whole this season, you could be forgiven for assuming the level of football in Russia has taken a dip, but the football in the first two rounds this year in the Premier League have proven otherwise, in what is shaping up to be a climax to the season that is going to be thoroughly intriguing.

Talk that CSKA can already call themselves champions however, may yet be a bit early. After what has so far been almost a perfect season, the Muscovites find themselves closing in on a first league title since way back in 2006. Despite being without star striker Seydou Doumbia for most of the campaign, the Army men have powered their way into first place and show no sign of letting their grasp on the title slip.

Already having won an impressive 77% of their matches, they win just about every week without fail, and have started this year off in good fashion, finishing up on the winning side against both Krylya Sovetov and Krasnodar. One of their main men so far this season has been Swedish midfielder Rasmus Elm.

The 25 year old made his name with Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar before making the move to Moscow, and in his debut season, his passing in midfield has made CSKA more coherent in the attacking third. He has also weighed in with a few goals also, with 5 to his name, which included a crucial equalising goal away to Zenit at the end of last year.

Elm.... impressive for the league leaders.

Elm…. impressive for the league leaders.

At the other end of the field they are proving themselves to be a force as well, conceding just 17 goals so far, the best record in the league, and to many it’s come as a bit of a surprise. A defence which consists of the Berezutskiy brothers, Alexey and Vasiliy, and Sergey Ignashevich hasn’t always had the best of reputations, but this term they have most certainly proven their worth, and Swedish full back Pontus Wernbloom has added muscle and strength into the back line.

The reasons for CSKA’s success so far in this season though could be quite simple, and it could have nothing to do with just how good the Muscovites are. Since August, when AIK Solna from Sweden somehow managed to knock out the Russian giants from European football until the next season, CSKA have been able to focus all their attention on to just domestic matters.

The same can’t be said for closest challengers Anzhi and Zenit though, who have both had to juggle their eggs between two baskets up until last week, when they both got beaten in the last 16 round of the Europa League. Anzhi have been in European action incredibly since last July, and recently, it’s been looking like it has finally taken its toil on their weary players.

Positioning themselves in second place and ready to pounce on any mistake that CSKA would make, and qualifying for the knockout stages of the Europa League, Anzhi made 2012 a year to remember. But they have started this year just how they wouldn’t have wanted. Tumbling out of Europe to a last minute goal against Newcastle in the last 16 stage was bad enough, but losing to minnows Mordovia and only getting a 1-1 draw at home to Krylya Sovetov in domestic affairs has already almost ruled out any change of silverware this season.

It’s not only Anzhi who have had a rough start to 2013. Current Russian champions Zenit Saint Petersburg haven’t quite had the start to the year that everyone dreamed of, just like Anzhi their European adventure has already come to an end at the last 16 stage. The defeat to Rubin in the first game in Russia this year has prompted many to already fully rule out Zenit from the title race, but a vital 1-0 home win against Mordovia last weekend has kept hope alive among the Saint Petersburg faithful at least.

Zenit still have to sort out internal affairs though if they want to have a realistic shot at defending their crown. Roman Shirokov publically criticised much maligned team mate Hulk after Shirokov himself missed a crucial penalty in the match against Basel, and such problems have been present in the team ever since Hulk and talented Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel joined in big money signings last summer, two transfers which were meant to enforce Zenit’s chances of glory even more, but have proven to do quite the opposite.

Anzhi and Zenit have to be looking over the shoulders as well though. The chasing pack which consists of Spartak, Kuban, Rubin and Dynamo are just starting to close in, in a race for the European places that looks set to go all the way down to the wire. Rubin are in particular looking in good shape.

A European quarter final against Chelsea in the Europa League is looming on the horizon, and it isn’t just in Europe that they have made a good start in this year. A 1-0 victory against Zenit and then a goalless draw against Terek in Grozny have helped bring Rubin within striking distance of the Saint Petersburg club and on the verge of clinching a definite European slot.

Rubin..... definite European place looks set and locked in.

Rubin….. definite European place looks set and locked in.

Looking downwards, and the action doesn’t get any more dire.  Mordovia and Alania are stuck down at the bottom and are looking more and more certain to go down, despite Alania’s headline winter acquisitions of ex Real Madrid man Royston Drenthe and BATE Borisov star Renan Bressan.

Above them though is the battle to avoid the relegation playoffs, which will be played against the 3rd and 4th placed team from the First Division, and the battle is heating up. Any two of four teams could be sucked into fighting for their Premier League lives in a playoff later on this season, with Volga and Krylya Sovetov currently occupying these unwanted slots but Amkar and Rostov have no reason to sit comfortably, with just 5 points separating 14th placed Krylya with Amkar.

A thrilling last couple of months are upon us, and make any firm predictions at your peril. CSKA may be sitting pretty but chances for Zenit and Anzhi will come, especially when the Army club have 3 challenging games in a row, against Dynamo, Spartak and Rubin. A series of games in which it is almost certain they will drop valuable points.

The Muscovites may have it all in their own hands, but that is just when life starts to become more dangerous.

 

Written by Shaun Nicolaides

Follow Shaun on Twitter @zenitfan93

Please like O-Posts on Facebook

You can follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts