Rangers fan and editor of Two Banks of Four, Alistair Hunter kicks off our series with his moment.
“…The definitive better late than never goal…”
Not my words, rather, the words of Sky Sports commentator Ian Crocker. He’s having to scream each syllable down his microphone to the benefit of, not only the television viewers, but himself too.
“I think we’ve just seen the goal that’s won the championship, here,” adds the pundit, allowing Crocker to catch his breath.
After two weeks of old arguments, the Champions League’s return proved a refreshing end to the
monotony.
At what point England’s dour, 1-0 win over Wales was forgotten is hard to say. It could have been on ninety-three minutes at the Nou Camp, when Thiago Silva powered home a late equalizer, or maybe seconds later, as Ivan Peresic’s breathtaking volley flew into the top corner in Germany. The contrast between two midweek spectacles couldn’t have been more pronounced.
It seems that international breaks are now nothing if not depressing inevitabilities – interim periods cut from the same cloth as that mountain so elegantly described by the brilliant Dante.
To say that Rome wasn’t built in a day would be much too obvious. As streams of black and white clad supporters jubilantly exited Juventus’ shiny, new, packed to the rafters stadium, a wave of doom engulfed the capital.
As the goals flew by in Sofia, something happened. A drop, a loss, a departure. Memories wiped blank, evaluations reset and hopes freshly kindled. With Ukraine emerging into view, Bloemfontein faded – unhappy recollections usurped by a new wave of optimism.
“Something in me warms to eastern Europe, and I rather suspect it’s related to my affection for the classic thrillers of post-war espionage,” Wilson writes in the introduction. The statement is indicative of the book’s attitude towards eastern Europe, one both loving and curious, melancholy and honest. Continue reading
A Few Fantasy Premier League Notes:
Gary Cahill the goalscorer- On the occasion of his first competitive start, Gary Cahill opened the scoring for England with an effort from close range. Interestingly, that goal was actually atypical of Cahill, more often than not his strikes are from long range, that opening day sucker punch against QPR an obvious example.
Rooney’s continues to pick up momentum- Wayne Rooney is fast becoming a must have fantasy player. With five goals in three Premier League games, he is the league’s second top goalscorer and is showing no sign of a drop off. Two against Bulgaria merely served to underline his classy displays of late – only a fool would leave him out.
Van Persie scores four- It’s difficult to know how much to read into this given that the opponent was San Marino and the final result 11-0. However, Van Persie will nevertheless savor his four goal haul; the striker has struggled for consistency over the league’s opening weeks. With the transfer window concluded, the sense is that Arsenal are ready to move on from August’s horror show, and maybe even start churning out a few wins. Any pick up in form is likely to be a function of Robin Van Persie goals, especially if new signings Benayoun and Arteta bed in well.
Park Chu Young scores three- Arsenal fans desperate for encouragement will have been relieved by Young’s performance here. Three goals in what is technically “The World Cup” is not to be scoffed at, even though the opposition was Lebanon. Young represents a fascinating, if perhaps risky, option up front.
Part Two coming after the second round of international fixtures.
In the mean time, enjoy the rest of our fantasy coverage.
Brilliant article by Andy Brassell about Lisandro Lopez, Argentina’s forgotten striker.
James Appel is typically informative in his analysis of Igor Akinfeev’s injury.
Jim White talks Peter Crouch and Stoke City.
Ashley Young, England and bucking the trend set by under performing wingers.
Rory Smith analyzes revolution at Anfield.
A brutal summation of the situation at Goodison Park.
Kevin McCarra commends England for their away form.
Martin Samuel on the importance of today’s England-Bulgaria match.
To ask English football to learn, is usually to ask too much. In the cycle of perpetual misfortune, England have carved themselves a comfortable little place – one festooned with cushions, lights and running water by the very men and women who pray for better everyday.Wayne Rooney and Jesus Christ have a lot in common. Both are featured in best selling books – Rooney’s albeit, of a more recent publication – both have faced trials and tribulations, births and resurrections and both at one point or another have offered hope to a group of disciples, disillusioned with the current state of things.
Both are messiahs. Just as Jesus rose, quickly, stealthily from anonymity, Rooney did too. Rooney scored, Jesus preached. The parallels are there for all to see, the overlap between the lives of two seemingly polar opposite characters.
But then again, it isn’t really a shock that comparisons have been made. Religious undertones are an ever present in modern day football reporting – symptomatic of the way religion has been used to articulate the feelings of fans, players and clubs over the last century.
1. Peter Crouch to Stoke- It seems that Tony Pulis has given up on any kind of reformatory notion. The signing of Tuncay two years ago was supposed to herald the start of a revolution – no longer would Stoke be a long ball team, no longer would every throw-in won be greeted with roars from the vociferous home fans. Now, in 2011, Tuncay plays for Bolton, Delap’s still going strong and the Potters are likely to start both Kenwyne Jones and Peter Crouch in their next match. Effective, yes. Pretty, no. Needless to say, Crouch will thrive in the Stoke system. His ability in the air should produce countless numbers of goals and assists, and available at low, Spurs bench warmer type price, fantasy potential is there.
2. Nicklas Bendtner to Sunderland (loan)- Nobody seems to rate Nicklas Bendtner, but his statistics aren’t really that bad. A career haul of fifty-eight works out to about a goal in four, and considering most of his appearances have been off the bench, that record is quite impressive. At Sunderland, Bendtner is guaranteed more playing time and it will be fascinating to see whether he can develop a relationship with Asamoah Gyan. For Denmark, Bendtner has always been dangerous, so perhaps he is big fish-small pond type player, and will only succeed when it is he who has the highest profile.
3. Yossi Benayoun to Arsenal (loan)- Of Arsenal’s two creative signings, this one presents the most fantasy intrigue. Benayoun has always been a crafty little player, and I can see him fitting in well with the Arsneal way of doing things. At Liverpool, Benayoun was able to develop strong relationships with players like Gerrard, Torres and Kuyt, so if equivalent bonds can be forged, perhaps the Israeli might prove just as useful as the departed Samir Nasri.
4. Shaun Wright-Phillips to QPR- After two excellent seasons in the mid 2000s, Wright Phillips’ professional career has tailored off a bit. A disappointing spell at Chelsea, was followed by failure to adjust in Manchester City’s new financially charged environment leaving the England international cut adrift. At 29 though, he still has plenty to offer. Very tricky down the wing, SWP will have ample targets in the penalty area – both DJ Campbell and Jay Bothroyd are adept converters of crosses. Again, like Peter Crouch, Wright-Phillips is available for a knock down price – certainly one which will rise as the season continues.
5. Royston Drenthe to Everton (loan)- After going the entire summer without once dipping into the transfer market, Everton signed two player on deadline day. Headlining their business was the acquisition of former Real Madrid winger Royston Drenthe, a speedy player with the potential to make a big difference in the Premier League. As of now, Drenthe’s price hasn’t been confirmed, though I’d be shocked if it was any more than six million.
So often caught on the wrong side of the moral spectrum, Manchester City will relish this opportunity to make their rivals look just as base.At the 2006 World Cup, a series of dynamic performances – culminating in a penalty conversion against Portugal – earned Hargreaves the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson and, eventually, a move to Manchester United in the summer of 2007.
In For The Hat Trick 