Match report: Sampdoria 1-1 Inter Milan

Champions Inter travelled to Genoa to face Samp in their opening Serie A fixture.

A familiar face has appeared on the Inter bench: former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho. Ricardo Quaresma is no longer joining the Nerazzurri, but Sulley Muntari is Mourinho’s big buy so far.

The Blucerchiati’s primary summer coup was the signing of the brilliant Brat from Bari, Antonio Cassano, on a permanent deal.

The Special One certainly didn’t have things his own way. Inter led despite being second best in the first half, before Samp levelled halfway through the second. The mastery of Cassano, and the workmanship and technical ability of his colleagues, had Inter struggling to get a foothold for large parts of the match.

Though Inter looked tidy enough, Sampdoria more than held their own throughout the early sparring. They created a pair of chances early on, Cassano firing over from distance in the sixth minute, and Paolo Sammarco finding Inter stopper Julio Cesar in his way after being set up by a wonderful accurate pass into the area by Angelo Palombo.

Cassano was at his awe-inspiring best, working hard, beating opponents and creating chances. Of course, he pulled a few faces along the way too.

Inter took the lead against the run of play just after the half hour, not that you’d have noticed from Mourinho’s face. It was a special goal from the Nerazzurri. Zlatan Ibrahimovic played a delightful volleyed one-two with Mancini, who put the Swede in on goal. There was a strong suspicion of handball as Ibrahimovic controlled the return, but the goal stood as the Inter man scuffed the ball in off the far post.

Samp continued to be the better side for the rest of the first half and were unlucky to be behind at the break to a piece of delicate forward play by the champions, while themselves being restricted to far post crosses from the wings.

Jose’s favourite mind game was reprised, delaying the restart by keeping his players in the dressing room longer than necessary. It didn’t work: a stunning passage of one touch football in the 47th minute saw Sampdoria work their way into the penalty area, with the final touch from Gennaro Delvecchio just evading Cassano as he raced in on goal.

As the hour approached, Inter began to control the game for the first time. Luis Figo and Ibrahimovic were linking up well, almost resulting in the Swedish striker playing Figo through on goal with an excellent pass.

Samp helped Inter’s cause by committing men forward in search of an equaliser, allowing the champions several opportunities to counter-attack. But as the game moved into its last 25 minutes, it was the Blucerchiati who were the most incisive - Cassano the architect.

With such pressure being applied, it was almost inevitable that Sampdoria would score an equaliser. In the 68th minute, substitute Marco Padalino’s cross caused chaos in the area. Delvecchio reacted quickest, steering the ball past Cesar with the outside of his right foot to bring the home side level.

Inter should have won it on 86. Tricky footwork on the spot from Ibrahimovic gave him enough space to place a left footed cross perfectly on the head of Luis Jiminez, but the Chilean could only head over.

Samp will be very pleased with their performance and can consider themselves unlucky to not have taken all three points. Scudetto hopefuls AC Milan and Juventus will be encouraged by the fact that Inter looked eminently beatable throughout.

Goals
Sampdoria: Delvecchio (67)
Inter Milan: Ibrahimovic (33)

Man of the Match: Antonio Cassano, Sampdoria

(Photo Credit: Sportbeat.tv)

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Quick Hits 30th August 2008

What I've been reading this morning:

• League Cup 3rd round draw (BBC Sport)
• Serie A Preview (Serie Aaaaargh!)
• What to do about the League Cup? (twohundredpercent)
• Ronaldinho proposal turned down by Swedish international (STT)
• Russell Brand prefers football too (Guardian.co.uk)

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Pivotal generation

Are we the football generation that turns its back on the top flight?

I'm sure I'm not the only disillusioned fan on planet football, and that's despite some of the benefits - if that's what they are - of football's modernisation.

Has football sold its soul?

As usual, the easy assumption to make is that football went tits up when, in August 1992, the first Premier League game kicked off.

If you aren't aware that football pre-dates 1992, I suggest you don't read on.

Any fans younger than me have grown up in the Premier League era, and, despite myself, I'm willing to accept that there have been positive developments in the last decade and a half. The only trouble with them is that they are intertwined irrevocably with the erosion of the spirit of English football.

But that's the negative view. The 90s and 00s have seen endless monies pumped into the English top flight, from Premier League to Premiership and back again. This, coupled with developments in television and Internet technology, has seen even the hungriest supporter sated in his search for football.

BSkyB's coverage of the Premier League's early days was met with much fanfare. Super Sunday became entrenched in the football vernacular and Andy Gray became a fixture in the living room of anybody who could afford a satellite dish. We were told about Sky's camera angles. Criticise Sky all you like - and I do like to criticise them, a lot - but football coverage has improved since 1991.

More recently, we've evolved into a society addicted to 24-hour rolling news (the Iraq war has become the focal point for our newly desperate news appetite), and with the emergence of Sky Sports News this became true of football fans too. We need to know it ALL. Every interview. Every transfer bid. Every goal. We want the LOT. And Sky Sports News does the business.

Politics and nuances aside, Sky equals money. With Serie A having struggled in the past ten years or so, La Liga and the Premier League have taken over as the leagues of choice for world class, in-demand players. These days, English football is swimming in the kind of money that makes players think twice about heading for the more pleasant climbs of Espana.

Think about it. The Premier League is currently graced by Fernando Torres, Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Ballack, Deco...the list is long and growing. We're attracting the best in the world, and this has increased the quality of Premier League football (though not necessarily how competitive it is), and football is a million miles from what it was 20 years ago.

It's not just Sky though. The Hillsborough disaster and, to a lesser extent in terms of local impact, Heysel, had a profound effect on football in this country. The matchday experience in the top flight is more family friendly than it ever was in the 80s and before. We've got all seater stadia, better food - except at Stoke - and, most importantly of all, it's safer.

So is it wrong that all of the above fills me with nothing but contempt?

I'm upset that the players are so stratospherically rich that I simply cannot even pretend to relate to them. Even the shit ones like Rory Delap. Hell, I can't even afford to buy tickets.

That's down to the Sky money again. The same Sky that, instead of using its considerable power for good, has used it to manipulate kick off times away from the gloriously traditional Saturday 3pm. The same Sky that swoons every time Newcastle United are mentioned. And, perhaps worst of all, the same Sky that allows David Platt on national television once every few weeks.

More than this, the availability of so much live football, all-seaters and the family focus has bled the atmosphere out of our game. It will never return, and the days of blood-stirringly exciting atmospheres are long gone apart from very special matches.

The worst side-effect of Sky, though, has been their involvement in the creation of the big four, and their nauseating consequent embracing of it. Football, folks, exists beyond Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. And that other one that's a distance behind them. Don't let Richard Keys convince you otherwise.

Another negative of English football being so focused on big names and money is that the England team seems to have suffered. I personally don't put this down to the so-called foreign invasion - I believe our coaching and development in this country is significantly flawed - but many do. The idea is that the English talent is pushed down a level below its rightful place by the cream of foreign football plying their trade in the Premier League.

None of that is new. But my disillusionment has tipped in the last year. Here's why:

The Premier League (the body, rather than the league structure itself) is trying to take football away from us to market English football abroad. Richard Scudamore's ludicrous nonsense about Game 39 - an extra league match in each season, making it uneven, unfair and unworkable - played in the highest-bidding foreign city. It's enough to make you sick, isn't it. Something along those lines will happen someday. I only hope my club of choice has the balls to say no.

And then, just when I thought football couldn't make me vomit any more, this fella crawls out from under his rock and starts dribbling on about ditching relegation.

So here's where I'm interested in what you guys have to say.

Was it better then, or is it better now? Has football's golden age passed, or is it on its way?

Are we, the first generation of Premier League fans, going to be the generation that turns its back on our clubs and stands up to say no? Do we go with the flow, or turn to non-league?

Only time will tell.

(Photo Credit: Non-League Daily)

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Life & Times: Juninho

Life & Times is a regular feature detailing the careers and stories of ex-Premier League stars. In the third post of this monthly piece, the man in question is a one-club Premier League idol who never quite achieved the heights of which he was capable.

One sunny afternoon in November 1995, while sitting at the front of the top deck of a bus in Bournemouth, I heard on the radio about the colourful scenes sparked by the first appearance in the Premier League of a Brazilian superstar.

The place was the Riverside Stadium, and the player was Juninho. I couldn’t wait to see Match of the Day, and I wasn’t disappointed.

Juninho Paulista was born Oswaldo Giroldo Jr. in 1973. He signed for his local club, Sao Paulo, in 1993. A massive 5’5”, Juninho became known for his quick feet and small stature, and his popularity built.

Sao Paulo won the Copa Libertadores in 1993, and went on to pick up a whole bunch of other honours before Juninho packed his bags and headed for Europe in the autumn of 1995.

To everyone’s surprise, the Brazilian joined Premier League new boys Middlesbrough. The town is renowned for its smog and bleak surroundings, but the spirit of Samba infiltrated Teesside as Juninho was greeted by an impressive, colourful display from the fans.

The signing of the kid from Brazil reportedly piled an extra 8,000 onto Boro’s season ticket sales in 1995/96, and the fans turned out in numbers for his debut, displaying an amazing number of yellow and green Brazil shirts, scarves and flags.

The Little Fella didn’t disappoint. He set up Middlesbrough’s goal against Leeds United, and two United defenders earned bookings for tripping him up. His skill and guile was obvious, and it was to be the start of a fruitful and mutually loving relationship.

After helping Bryan Robson’s side to two losing cup finals in 1997, Juninho was sold for big money to Atletico Madrid of La Liga. His time in Spain was scattered with injury, and eventually turned into a succession of loan spells elsewhere.

He spent time back at Middlesbrough, and in Brazil, where he was influential in a successful period for Vasco da Gama. He was also briefly on loan at Flamengo, where he later returned.

In the summer of 2002, a scrappy time at Atletico - not helped by their relegation - came to an end, and Juninho returned to the Riverside to a hero’s welcome. Sure enough, an all too rare piece of silverware was awaiting Middlesbrough. At the end of his final spell on Teesside, Juninho helped his club to a successful League Cup final, before moving on to Celtic in Scotland.

Once again, leaving Middlesbrough didn’t work out for Juninho, and he was left criticising Celtic boss Martin O’Neill for limiting his chances in the Scottish Premier League. Palmeiras in Brazil came calling, and Juninho left Glasgow in 2005 to go home.

In 2007 he moved on to Flamengo, and his career began to enter its decline. Juninho’s rocky relationship with boss Ney Franco came to a head when the midfielder was substituted in a Copa Libertadores match. His tantrum at Franco led to his dismissal, and with that his first class career ended.

In August 2007, Juninho found himself on the way to Australia’s A-League, signed by Sydney FC as their marquee player. It was to be short-lived. Juninho failed to get a new contract in 2008 as Sydney improved the squad and neared the wage cap. He is currently without a club at 35 years old. Maybe it’s time to retire gracefully.

The proudest moment of Juninho Paulista’s career came in the yellow of Brazil. Having made his debut for the national team as a youngster at Sao Paulo, the twinkle-toed midfielder played a significant role for his country as Brazil won the World Cup in 2002, though he only came on as a substitute in the final. He also has an Olympic bronze medal from Atlanta, where Brazil lost to gold winners Nigeria in the last four.

Juninho is often omitted from conversation about great Premier League foreigners. But while he was here he was excellent and very popular, and for one afternoon in late 1995 he mesmerised and entertained us all.

(Photo Credit: Gazette Live)

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Football Pariah #171: Garry Cook

There’s plenty of deluded idiots in football, and they’re not all on the pitch.

My own personal favourite deluded football idiots at the moment are Richard Scudamore (obviously), Rafael Benitez and Harry Redknapp.

Yesterday I read this fantastic post at twohundredpercent, and it sent shivers down my spine.

Ladies and gentleman, introducing Manchester City Football Club’s ‘executive chairman’, Garry Cook.

Once you’ve read twohundredpercent’s post and this here humble blogger’s take on it, it’ll come as no surprise that Mr Cook is a Birmingham City supporter. It accounts for his intellectual footballing capacity being equivalent to that of a lobotomised baboon.

It all stems from this interview with Henry Winter of the Daily Telegraph. Cook shows himself up consistently with continuous nonsense about the future of Manchester City, the ownership of Dr Thaksin Shinawatra and general marketing and money-centric tosh.

But it’s one comment I want to speak about. It’s his blueprint for the future of the Premier League:

“If you could central-entity the top 10 teams to create a global empire called the Premier League, I would sacrifice my own club [Birmingham City] into another division for that. Do Saudi Arabians want to buy Stoke City?

“Or do they want to buy Newcastle, Villa, United, City? There are 10 clubs. I’d like not to have promotion and relegation. There’s an emotion around those battles but the dynamics by which fans can get their kicks can change.”

Telling, isn’t it. This man would do endless damage to the club he ‘supports’ (regardless of the fact that they’re not even in the Premier League) in order to close the Premier League off and market it around the world. He’d do away with the Premier League as a body, and let the club owners run it for their own wealth.

Besides which, what do you Stoke fans think of these comments?

I oppose this proposal on ALL counts. Cook is clearly not a football man. He is working for a [removed by my lawyers] with seemingly no remorse. And football needs to get back to basics, not continue on this tragic path to global obsolescence. Sooner or later, most of us will ditch our Premier League clubs out of frustration. But not because of the beliefs of the likes of Garry Cook.

Mr Cook, have some respect for the supporters. We are not simply buying a commodity. You know it, we know it. So remember that when you try to promote football abroad, the bottom will fall out of the market at home. And then there will be no commodity. Think on.

As for the use of ‘central-entity’ as a verb…

(Photo Credit: Sky Sports)

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PremWatch 24th August 2008

Another Sunday, another look at the weekend's Premier League football.

Yesterday, Phil Brown's Hull City continued an unbeaten start to life in the top flight, drawing at Blackburn Rovers. The goals came from Richard Garcia and Jason Roberts respectively as City pegged Paul Ince's boys back after going one behind.

A Brede Hangeland goal in the first half at Craven Cottage secured a 1-0 win for Fulham over Arsenal. I saw a drunken Fulham fan mocking a Gooner at Clapham Junction last night, shouting "We beat you today!". Hilarious.

A goal from Mido put Middlesbrough ahead at Anfield, but Liverpool levelled courtesy of an own goal from Emmanuel Pogatetz. Not that you'd know that from Match of the Day's hyperbol-ocks about two Liverpool lads getting Redscouse out of jail. The other, predictably, was Liverpool's diving, moaning late goal merchant Stevie "Steven Gerrard" G.

Newcastle United played Bolton Wanderers, apparently. Michael Owen scored and the Barcodes won 1-0. I did watch Match of the Day, but I fail to recall anything else from this match.

Sadly, I remember the lot from the Britannia. Stoke City grabbed their first Premier League points with a 3-2 win over Aston Villa. Fan-baiting referee Mark Halsey (that's right Mark, I saw you, you tit) scored Stoke's first and third, sandwiching Ricardo Fuller's impressive strike. Shame his behaviour as he headed off at half time didn't match (yep, saw you too). Villa's goals came from John Carew and Martin Laursen. Trouble afterwards too. Well, it was Stoke.

Keiron Richardson and Jermaine Jenas scored for Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, before loanee Djibril Cisse headed in the winner to force Roy Keane to break a smile. That's two defeats for Spurs, and Dimitar Berbatov was dropped from the squad.

A Roman Bednar penalty wasn't enough at the Hawthorns as West Bromwich Albion fell to their second defeat of the season. Leon Osman and Yakubu had put a young Everton side 2-0 up by the M5.

Today, we had one and a half action-packed matches. I watched Wigan Athletic versus Chelsea, and you can read my match report here. In the later game, Manchester City stuck three past Robert Green to beat West Ham United.

The Hammers were a man down following the earlyish sending off of Marc Noble. City eventually settled into a rhythm against ten men and goals from teenager Daniel Sturridge and Elano (2) settled matters. Micah Richards was reportedly unconscious for seven or eight minutes following a clash of heads with Tal Ben Haim, and Kelvin Etuhu did his hamstring. All of which left both teams with ten - which was also the number of minutes added on for stoppages. Incredible.

So after 101 minutes and 17 seconds at Eastlands, attention moves to Fratton Park for tomorrow evening's match between Portsmouth and Manchester United. I predict a score draw.

This evening, Chelsea are top from Liverpool, both with a maximum six points. Blackburn and Hull complete the top four, while Portsmouth, Wigan and West Brom are heading for the drop. Maybe.

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Match Report: Wigan 0 - 1 Chelsea

Very entertaining Premier League fare at the JJB Stadium this afternoon.

Hosts Wigan Athletic put in a sterling performance against TFT title favourites Chelsea, and were unlucky to fall to a second consecutive defeat.

Chelsea, for their part, were no mugs either.

The game was settled with the first meaningful kick of the afternoon. A free kick went Chelsea's way between 20 and 25 yards out. Ashley Cole and Deco stepped up to take the kick, but it was the naturalised Portuguese who pulled a bit of magic out of the bag to score an early winner in the fourth minute.

The free kick was situated out towards the right hand side of the box (as Chelsea saw it), in a position you'd expect to be ideal for Cole, the left footed candidate. As Deco ran up, one might assume - as Wigan stopper Mike Pollitt probably did - that it would simply be dinked over the wall into the same corner as the left footer would have selected.

That's a skill in itself, but Deco surprised everyone by swinging the ball back across goal into Pollitt's top right hand corner. Beautifully thought out and wonderfully executed. 1-0 Chelsea, and in truth it was the only time in the game when you would really say they were absolutely on top.

Petr Cech was called into action many times in the first half, saving well from Wilson Palacios, after the Honduran had beaten Jose Bosingwa, and several times from a tricky Amr Zaki. All this came as part of a truly blistering start at the JJB, and Wigan looked excellent.

Business as usual in the 14th minute. Emile Heskey accidentally skinned John Terry and the England skipper earned himself a yellow card with a half-cynical, half-clumsy pull on his national colleague.

Wigan had reacted brightly to the goal, but Chelsea began to take control with some tidy passing throughout defence and midfield. The next chance of note, though, fell once again to Zaki and he drove the ball straight at Cech, who did exceptionally well to parry to safety.

The Latics again had the momentum as half time approached, fighting hard and playing well and, most importantly of course, creating chances. Cech clearly felt the frustration - the Chelsea 'keeper got away with a blatant and unnecessary push on Emerson Boyce in the penalty area. Not to be outdone, Nicolas Anelka decided he'd try out some cheating of his own, getting away with a dive on the edge of the area.

It always annoys me when that happens. If it's not a penalty, the attacking player should be carded for simulation. It seems basic, to my mind.

Chelsea were ahead at half time, but Wigan had given a good account of themselves. Palacios in particular was superb, as was Blues midfielder Frank Lampard.

For most of the second period, the two sides were fairly evenly matched. Chelsea occasionally showed glimpses of the delightful two-touch football we saw against Portsmouth a week ago, but Wigan refused to give up and continued to look more productive than Phil Scolari's team.

They pressed brilliantly at the end. With 13 minutes left, some great build-up from Athletic led to a one-two between Lee Cattermole and Mario Melchiot. Cattermole was unable to keep his shot down. Ten minutes later Olivier Kapo forced a top-drawer two-handed stop from Cech with a low shot from the edge of the box. For Wigan, it was not to be.

Scolari will be delighted with a second win in two, and surprised at how hard Chelsea had to work to achieve it. Steve Bruce, the Wigan boss, will take a lot of heart from his side's good performance. But he'll be keen to get points on the board next weekend.

(Photo Credit: BBC Sport)

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Chelsea option on Kaka?

Ricky Kaka, as we all know, belongs to God.

But in another, more legitimate sense, he belongs to AC Milan and also, at least a wee bit, to Mrs Kaka.

It could be that he belongs to AC Milan forever, in which case this post will go down in the annuls (snigger) of history as wholly unnecessary.

But the transfer of Andriy Shevchenko back to the San Siro from Chelsea raises doubts about what happens when Kaka decides to leave.

It struck me as strange when, upon mooching through my Google Reader feeds this morning, I discovered that Milan and Chelsea had both stated that the specifics of the Shevchenko deal were to remain 'confidential'. I find that worrying, to say the least.

Channel 4's excellent Football Italia site is reporting that it's not gone down so well in Lombardy either, with pundits and supporters concerned that, with Chelsea having paid £30m to Milan for Shevchenko, a year-long loan deal with a £13m permanent transfer fee tacked on at the end of it is a little...strange.

What's the worry? That Rossoneri president Adriano Galliani and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich have factored Kaka into the equation.

From the aforementioned Football Italia, which puts it better than I could:

"There is the rumour that Chelsea’s £100m chase for Kaka could be involved, as the only way for Milan to gain leverage would be to include an option on the Brazilian.

"However, should Kaka not wish to leave San Siro at any stage of his career, then the option would essentially be worthless.

"If the 2007 Ballon d’Or does opt to walk away, then the option would give Chelsea first choice, thereby destroying any chance of Real Madrid pipping them to the post."

With the terms of the deal shrouded in mystery, I can see why Milan's tifosi are struggling. It looks very much like this is a plausible explanation. However, let it not be forgotten that Abramovich is the guard of a bottomless pit of cash and a friend of Shevchenko. It is entirely possible that a simple compromise has been reached which is beneficial to all, but with Chelsea taking a financial hit.

Of course it may be that Kaka is on his way to Stamford Bridge. Time will tell.

(Photo Credit: BBC Sport)

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Who is Lord Triesman?

When Brian Barwick walks out of Soho Square for the last time on 31st December 2008, it will be 11 months to the day since Lord Triesman became Football Association Chairman.

Barwick is leaving the FA following "several weeks of discussions" with Triesman, in a move which seems more like a coup than the restructuring mentioned in the announcement.

Not everybody is interested in football politics, but those who are have spent today theorising.

Reports of a power struggle between CEO Barwick and Triesman are unconfirmed and likely to remain so. It would certainly explain everything. With Barwick on his way out, I expect 2009 to see a new, Triesman-friendly top dog in the Association. According (so I hear) to a reporter on BBC Radio WM, Trevor Brooking's been walking around with a smug "it's me!" grin on his face. Then again, that's our Trev.

It strikes me as a strange time to be removing Barwick - assuming that's what happened. He appointed Steve McClaren, and should have fallen on his sword twice as a result: first, upon his appointment and, second, after abject failure and McClaren's sacking.

The National Game Strategy, the Respect inititiative and the hiring of Fabio Capello are all, in my view, very positive. Maybe we can now assume they're all down to Lord Triesman. I guess we'll never know.

So who is Lord Triesman?

Well, his real name is David Triesman, or Baron Triesman to the likes of you and I. He has connections with London and Essex, and he's a Tottenham Hotspur fan. Oh and he's a Labour peer. Those two words never did sit comfortably together for me, even before the...ahem...peerages thing, but there you go.

On the (almost) plus side, he's ex Communist Party, he got suspended from university for 'radicalism' and he's voted for equal gay rights and the fox hunting ban in the House of Lords. He's also got a decent record of actually showing up for votes, which is nice.

He's been a life peer since 2004 and FA Chairman since 31st January this year.

I think it's safe to say most football fans know nothing of Lord Triesman. But as far as I can tell, the FA's done pretty well this year compared to its usual performance. And Triesman has been responsible for my favourite 2008 Football Association moment, so I'm prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt.

My main concerns are thus: I don't think Brian Barwick was doing too bad a job, after learning from several mistakes, and I'm a little worried about this 'power struggle' rumour. Maybe not such a loving red pal of the people after all.

Still, clean slate for the FA. Again. Here's hoping the progress continues despite this massive disruption. And please, please, do not give Trevor Brooking any power.

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TFT meets...General Charles Krulak

Meet General Charles C. Krulak.

He is a remarkable man, with over 35 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps.

A Vietnam veteran, General Krulak - from Quantico, Virginia - is highly decorated, much-admired and, frankly, a bit of a legend.

Then, in September 2006, the General introduced himself to Aston Villa fans as a non-executive director on the club’s board.

It was the latest phase in a loyal friendship between Krulak and the Lerner family, and followed Randy Lerner’s takeover of the club.

The General kindly agreed to answer some questions for Two Footed Tackle, and told me about his links with the Lerner family:

“Mr. Lerner and I are very close friends and, in many ways, he is like a son to me. I knew his father well and admired him. Randy is very much like his father in many ways, but is also unique.

“My day-to-day role with Villa is to ‘do windows’. I do whatever Randy wants me to do - and that can’t be put into any set category or job.”

One of the windows looked after by Krulak is part of the club’s remarkable communication with its supporters. After his appointment, the General embarked upon his latest mission: to speak directly to fans on the internet, answer their questions and, to a certain extent, act as the public face of a board more interested in getting things done than getting things said.

“I am on several sites: Heroes & Villains, Vital Football, VillaTalk, the official website. I do it to help the club understand what the fans are thinking and how they are responding to our efforts. I listen to the good, the bad and the ugly, and try to pass on all legitimate comments to those who need to know.”

The supporters’ reaction has been as positive as one might expect. Direct communication with the football club they love has fostered not only near-total pro-Lerner support at Villa Park, but also cult hero status for General Krulak. He walks the stadium before games talking to fans and, in return, is incredibly popular.

“I have learned that Villa fans are passionate, that they love their team and that they have little patience for warm beer and queues. Brummies are special, and you need to understand them. I’ve also learned that transfer windows are not good times to be on a website.”

Aside from having the fans onside, one of the central strengths of the new Villa regime is the mutual respect between Randy Lerner and the club’s manager, Martin O’Neill.

“Randy and Martin get along extremely well. They have mutual respect for each other and like each other as people. They have the same goals for the club and that makes things easy. Randy has complete faith in Martin…and Martin in Randy.”

One comment the General made rings particularly loudly in the current climate. With Manchester City, Newcastle United, Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton all suffering boardroom strife (though Old Trafford is generally peaceful during times of success), my question about foreign owners did not raise in General Krulak the need to comment any further than this: “We are blessed to have Randy.”

The vast majority of Aston Villa fans agree, and most would argue that the Lerner package is helped greatly by the willing, witty, and truthful Krulak doing his thing.

The key, though, is that the words of the board are backed up with actions. I know that General Krulak is proud of the redevelopment of the Holte pub, the Holte End mosaics and the general tarting up of the club’s property, and there’s more to come. The next improvements will, no doubt, match their predecessors by improving the matchday experience aesthetically and in terms of treatment of the fans.

“We are going to have future developments at Villa Park, but it is too early to share them. We are still awaiting the results of a study we commissioned.”

It’s all a far cry from the leadership of Doug Ellis, and the future is as bright as the history is proud.

With all the serious business dealt with, I thought I would be neglecting my duties as a blogger if I didn’t glibly ask the General one or two questions more usually found on the kids’ page of a matchday programme. I went for ‘who is your favourite Villa player?’ and ‘is there another Premier League team which has caught your eye?’

“I really should not state a player, it’s not good for a director to name someone above everyone else. I am very proud of all our lads. I enjoy watching Arsenal play when they are passing crisply and accurately. Very pretty to see.”

And on that note, I think it’s safe to end this post declaring that, thankfully, there are people in football, even right at the top of clubs, who know their stuff and, more importantly, care about it.

General Krulak, thank you for your time. Good luck for the coming season.

(Photo Credit: Birmingham Mail)

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In defence of football

It's easy to criticise modern football, and I like to get stuck in given the chance.

We have to put up with money obsession, prima-donna players, all-seaters, bad punditry and Rafael Benitez. It's tough.

But when it comes to the issue of Football v Anything Else, I'll defend the game to the hilt.

That probably doesn't come as a surprise to many of my readers, but there you go.

My blood has been approaching boiling point over something for the last week or so. It makes me want to shout at people in the street, stamp my feet and scream obscenities down the phone. What has raised my ire so?

Since the Olympics began, the BBC has, understandably, ditched Breakfast and replaced it with Olympic Breakfast. I get that. Not my bag, for the Olympics is pony, but I get it. So for that ten minutes while I get ready for work, I've had to switch onto the frankly awful GMTV. I'd never seen it before, but what a couple of tits Garraway and that wooden bloke are. As for Lisa Faulkner...vom.

Anyway, for a few mornings now I've been subjected to the thoughts of the people idiotic enough to both watch GMTV and send in their 'txt msgs'. And I'm sick...SICK...of hearing this, now that the Team GB athletes have attracted our nation of gloryhunters:

"Why don't these sports get shown more than once every four years? Let's get some real sporting heroes on the TV. All we see is those footballers."

I have two major problems with this:

1. Why aren't rowing, swimming and running shown more often? Because the very same people that are now waxing lyrical about our Olympic 'heroes' are not interested in rowing, swimming and running. They're not interested at all. They are only interested in a) jumping on bandwagons and b) slagging off football. If there was demand, these sports would be rolling in cash and we wouldn't be able to channel-hop without seeing them. Who creates that demand? Oh.

2. Football is important, and the Olympics is a nonsense. There is massive demand for football. Look at the attendances throughout the Premier League and Football League. And that's every week.

So, I'll say this to people banging on about the Olympics and badmouthing football in the same breath: Olympic sports do not get the attention that football gets because YOU don't make it happen. So pipe down.

Not to mention Tibet. Oops I just did.

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Wider Reading: Albion Road

We all make ambitious claims.

I claim to be some kind of footballing muse. Martin O’Neill claims to be from planet earth. And Richard Scudamore claims dole payments.

Well, he should do.

I got an email the other day from Jeremy, which mentioned his website. So I had a look and, lo and behold, a claim: his website “attempts to be an encyclopedia of the world's football clubs”.

Quite a claim, no?

Albion Road

Albion Road was launched in April 2005, named after a fantasy football league in which Jeremy competed. I’d love to know how Jeremy decided to have a crack at such an ambitious project. He wants Albion Road to explain the meanings of team names, nicknames, crests, kit and traditions of every team possible.

It’s a pretty major undertaking, and he has a rather impressive network of helpers.

So how good is it? I decided to find out. You guys have probably read enough about Aston Villa, Napoli and Boca Juniors. So I decided to challenge Albion Road to teach me about my local Premier League side, Fulham. Not exactly obscure, granted, but I didn’t want to confuse myself.

At the top of Albion Road’s Fulham page, you find the usual profile information: year of formation, stadium info, nickname, all that sort of stuff. Looks pretty accurate to my reasonably uneducated Fulham brain. Fulham’s rivals are listed as Chelsea, QPR and Brentford and, knowing fans of all four, I’d say that’s not far off the park.

I learned Fulham’s previous name, and that they’ve played bloody everywhere in south west London including Parsons Green. I know Parsons Green because it’s a tube station. See how cosmopolitan I am?

The nickname is explained - obvious in this case, but it’s reassuring that it’s there. And images of Fulham’s strips and an aerial view of Craven Cottage provides the starting point of an embedded Google Map. Very useful.

Not bad at all, then, and similar profiles can be found for clubs, leagues and countries around the world. There’s a news section which, at the time of writing, is over a week out of date. But that’s hardly the point, is it? I can get news anywhere, but easily accessible club profiles are more tricky to pinpoint.

I’m sure it’s not perfect, but Albion Road looks like a cracker, and I’ll be trying it out anytime the need arises to blog about an obscure club or include showy-offy facts in a post. Nice work.

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Season predictions for 2008/09

Granted, I’ve given myself a couple of Football League games and a Premier League weekend to settle into my predictions, but I hope that just makes them a tad more informed.

Either way, I don’t think the season in its entirety has been even hinted at yet.

For the sceptics among you, I have been predicting a Chelsea title win since June - so no smartarse remarks, if you please.

Before it all kicks off, please note that I am aware that some of this will be disagreeable to some and downright offensive to others. I’ve simply based it on my opinion and limited knowledge, hunches, and a firm belief that nothing, good or bad, ever goes to plan. Football is full of surprises.

Here goes:

Premier League
I predict a Chelsea title win (told you so), with Manchester United a healthy handful of points behind. I’ll go for Liverpool in third and Arsenal in fourth.

Pourquoi? Well, Chelsea’s squad looks absolutely unreal, and United have what appears to be a transitional squad. Well, sort of. Arsenal’s losses in the transfer market, in particular Mathieu Flamini, could cost them dear. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s strike pairing of Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane looks deadly as sin.

For the drop, I’m going to plump for Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion and Hull City. Sorry folks.

The Championship
It’s the league which every team needs to win, but none ever seem to want to. I think Reading might spring a slight surprise in beating Birmingham City to the title. I’ll jot Wolves down as play-off winners, leaving behind an unsuccessful trio of Bristol City, Doncaster Rovers and Sheffield United.

I’m condemning Barnsley, Plymouth Argyle and Burnley to relegation.

League One
Without a points deduction and with bitterness no doubt still coursing through t’veins, Leeds United have to be nailed-on favourites for the title and promotion back to the second tier. I predict they’ll be joined by surprise package Carlisle United and, from the play-offs, Peterborough. Money talks, you see. The failed three will be Franchise, Brighton & Hove Albion and Huddersfield Town (no, really).

Four down from this level, and for that dubious honour I’ve gone for Hereford United, Bristol Rovers, Scunthorpe United and…erm…Stockport County. Sorry, too tough to call so I’ve guessed.

League Two
The League Two season has been ruined by points deductions for Bournemouth (17), Rotherham (17) and Luton Town (30). Being a bit of a doom and gloom merchant, I must say I think two of those three will drop out of the league and into serious trouble. Sadly, Luton and Bournemouth could well be those two.

At the top, I think we’ll all be shocked. Three up automatically here: Shrewsbury Town, Bury and, after 387 years in the fourth division, the mighty Rochdale. I think the play-offs will be won by Chesterfield, leaving surprise duo Aldershot and Exeter City, and Brentford, disappointed. I think Shots and Exeter will show that playing football at this level can work.

FA Cup
Winners: Manchester United
Finalists: Chelsea

Carling Cup
Winners: Aston Villa
Finalists: Manchester City

So there you have it. Feel free to leave your comments here, or wait until May to come back and impart my much-deserved abuse.

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Who should pay for football policing?

Football in England is heavily policed. And we all know why.

Traditionally we football supporters have had a chronic lack of ability to conduct ourselves in a civil manner.

That's right: hooliganism.

Often said to be an English problem in the past, it is, in fact, as global as the game itself.

It happens across Europe and South America on a far larger scale than it does in England, these days. But football-related disorder has forever taken its lead from the English. Just ask any fans abroad suffering at the hands of 'casuals' as Eastern Europe catches up with hooliganism's longest lasting fad.

Foreign football policing is also carried out with intelligence and guidance from our officers who have, it seems to me, transformed from a force intent on being the third firm on any given Saturday into an outfit which has done a magnificent job of keeping violence, by and large, away from our stadia.

As well as better policing, hooliganism is driven away from grounds by the sanitisation of football. It still happens, but it happens away from the eyes of the new football family. I don't know where these lads go nowadays, and I don't want to know.

The fact remains that football supporters need to be policed, even today, and this is as much a case of public order policing as it is a specific response to football's unique culture. And it comes at a cost.

Ever wondered who pays for all this policing at football matches? I have, so I found out.

Currently, the whole lot is differentiated by which side of the turnstile incurs the cost. Clubs are responsible for covering the cost of policing on their property, and the taxpayer - via the police force - pays for everything outside. In other words...a lot. Though not as much as the clubs, except in Chelsea's case.

The debate has been rumbling on for years, and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) weighed in last week with Assistant Chief Commissioner Stephen Thomas, of the British Transport Police (and ACPO's football policing lead), opining somewhat sensationally that football clubs should not be receiving this kind of subsidy from local communities. Slightly over the top, methinks, but a valid point.

This was in response to Freedom of Information poking around by the BBC.

Naturally, the Premier League has other ideas. Says head of communications Dan Johnson:

"The law is quite clear - clubs pay for any policing inside the ground and on immediately adjacent property under their control on matchday. Any other provision deemed necessary is covered by the state - it's what people pay their taxes for, with the Premier League alone contributing more than £700m a year to the Treasury, let alone the tax take from the 13 million fans who attend Premier League games during the course of a season. This long-established principle applies to all individuals and organisations in the UK, from private individuals to shopping centres, pubs and major events, like the Notting Hill Carnival."

Another compelling argument, no?

I'm keen to hear what you readers think. Should football be paying its dues? Or should external policing be treated like any other policing and payed for by the state? Comment away.

To read about how football-related disorder is tackled in England and Wales, visit the Home Office website.

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PremWatch 17th August 2008

After a magical FA Cup experience yesterday, it was back to Match of the Day last night and Villa Park today for the start of Premier League season 2008/09. And with it, a new regular feature: the TFT Premier League roundup.

The season kicked off yesterday at the Emirates, with Arsenal signing Samir Nasri beating Scott Carson to score the only goal in the Gunners' win over West Bromwich Albion. The Baggies stuck in there and can be proud of the result, but being chuffed at getting beaten at Arsenal is not a good sign.

Fellow newcomers Stoke City found it tough going at the Reebok. Bolton Wanderers quickly wrapped up a 3-1 win, with Ricardo Fuller's thumping header coming too late to undo the damage done by Gretar Steinsson's cross - which flew embarrassingly into Thomas Sorensen's top corner - and goals from Kevin Davies and new boy Johan Elmander.

Blackburn Rovers outplayed Everton to grab a 3-2 away win under new boss Paul Ince. Goals for Mikael Arteta and Yakubu equalised strikes by David Dunn and Roque Santa Cruz before Andre Ooijer scored a farcical tap-in during injury time.

Seol Ki-Hyeon opened the scoring early for Fulham at Hull City, but a stunning strike from Geovanni was followed by a winner from Caleb Folan, after Craig Fagan capitalised on an horrific error by Fulham left back Paul Konchesky.

Tottenham Hotspur once again started poorly after a summer of posturing, losing 2-1 away at Middlesbrough. Spurs' goal came from a Robert Huth own goal in injury time. The game had already been won, thanks to David Wheater and Mido.

Liverpool huffed and puffed until the 83rd minute, when a typically awe-inspiring shot from Fernando Torres finally blew Sunderland's house down. Xabi Alonso needs to learn some respect for goalkeepers. Or just piss off. Either way.

Two quick-fire goals from Dean Ashton were enough to beat Wigan Athletic before the West Ham United striker departed through injury - again - in front of England boss Fabio Capello. New signing Amr Zaki pulled one back in impressive fashion but it wasn't enough to prevent an impressive start for the Hammers.

Today, I saw the first half of Chelsea's thumping win over Portsmouth. They were absolutely scintillating (yes, Chelsea), playing some of the best two-touch football I've seen in yonks. Joe Cole, Nicolas Anelka and Frank Lampard found the net before half time, and Deco sealed it with a cracker, apparently. Can't wait to see it, and I can't see past Chelsea for the title. They were brilliant.

John Carew put Aston Villa in the lead early in the second half against Manchester City. An Elano penalty levelled, before Gabriel Agbonlahor scored a blistering seven-minute perfect hat-trick to kill the game. City pulled one back through Vedram Corluka, and looked fairly neat and tidy. They'll do fine if they get some stability.

The Premier League weekend ended at Old Trafford, with Manchester United and Newcastle United fighting out a 1-1 draw. The goals came in a short period halfway through the first period. Oba Martins put the Magpies ahead, and Darren Fletcher equalised for the home side. Kevin Keegan was very happy. Sad.

Not that it means owt at the moment, but all that leaves Chelsea top from Villa. Blackburn and Bolton complete the laughable top four, and Portsmouth, Manchester City and Stoke are going down. More next week.

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Wembley 1 - 1 Royston Town

Beautiful, isn't it?

That there picture is the FA Cup in one shot. From the Extra Preliminary Round at clubs like Wembley FC, 762 sides will battle it out until two remain.

I'm sure you recognise the skyline.

The spirit of the Cup, given the defibrillator treatment by Barnsley and Cardiff City earlier this year, is alive and well. I was lucky enough to see it with my own boogly eyes, as I went along to see said early round at Wembley (yeah, yeah) today.

The upper echelons of football (with one notable exception - more of him later) would have you believe that the FA Cup is all about Steven Gerrard's goal against West Ham. About Cantona, or Villa, or Di Matteo. Today, I learned that it's not really about those guys at all. The FA Cup is about the teams that enter from the bitter beginning, destined to fall short of even the first round, just because...well...it's the FA Cup.

I found Wembley to be a genuine, welcoming, wonderful club. When I walked into the club's bar and made myself known, chairman and owner Brian Gumm personally escorted me into the boardroom - where I was supposed to be - and got me a drink. It was a good sign. There was also an otherwise normal looking fan who attended the game barefoot. Very odd, but kinda cool.

After typically pleasant football chat with Gary Andrews, from my hosts for the afternoon, ITV.com, we continued our conversation with a third party: Mr Gumm's wife Jean, Wembley's club secretary. It was that kind of place. It's a club founded on community and family. I loved it.

Before long, a surprise. I found myself sitting at a table with Mr and Mrs Gumm, my aforementioned erstwhile accomplice, and one Brian Barwick. Yes the Brian Barwick, the Chief Executive of the Football Association. After initial pleasantries, I sat back and listened while the two Brians talked about football, the FA and, fascinatingly, the history of Wembley FC.

It's a very impressive history. The England squad trained at Vale Farm before the 1966 World Cup, as photographically proven in the boardroom. The club had ongoing correspondence with key figures from that set-up, including one who continued to send a menu from anywhere the players ate for years afterwards. The menus are still there. So are some of the club officials from the sixties.

Over the years I've been no fan of the Football Association, and have criticised them heavily. But I've noticed that, from the sacking of Steve McClaren and throughout 2008, I've generally been in favour of much of what they've done. I think Fabio Capello was the correct appointment as England boss, and I'm broadly in favour of the National Game Strategy and Respect. It's good, solid policy. I hope it works.

My move towards FA sympathy was deepened today. I have something controversial to say: I think Brian Barwick has learned from early mistakes made in his name by the FA. Undoubtedly, he is a charming, engaging guy. He loves football, and he struck me as incredibly passionate about the FA Cup, the national team and, refreshingly, clubs like Wembley (there's that exception I was talking about).

Joined later by ITV.com Head of Content Marc Webber and Chris Oakley from Some People Are On The Pitch (another person providing excellent company this afternoon), we were fortunate enough to have the FA's security guards unpack the FA Cup especially for us. It was a real highlight, and the photos will no doubt be treasured by us all.

The game itself was very enjoyable. The Lions dug in and achieved an impressive draw against a well organised and technically gifted - if not terribly incisive - Royston side.

The away team were 1-0 up at half time, after a Luke Robins free kick from distance squeezed through the hands of Wembley 'keeper Ricky McCabe. The home side came back into it in the second half and created a nicely worked equaliser.

They continued to press until near the end of the game, when their charge was brought to a halt by the sending off of Andrew Walker for a second bookable offence. Determined defence and a little bit of luck earned them a replay, to be played on Tuesday.

Royston played the better football, and were another set of officials, players and fans which seemed as down-to-earth and 'real' as Wembley. But I really do hope the Lions get to the next round.

It was a top day, thanks to proper football people - from an Exeter-supporting PR, an ITV content guru, a chairman, a chairman's wife and another blogger, to the Chief Executive of the FA. Never write off the FA Cup.

You can see Wembley v Royston (and probably Royston v Wembley) and a whole bunch of other FA Cup type stuff at ITV.com/football.

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Wider Reading: mCalcio

Marco Pantanella is prolific.

I’ve seen his name knocking around for ages, and recently I found his blog.

Unsurprisingly, it is updated with alarming regularity and, despite its relative youth in football blog terms (pot kettle black, right?), it’s got a healthy back catalogue.

mCalcio.com

Pantanella set up mCalcio 13 months ago.

Judging by the number, variety and sheer size of posts, he’s never looked back.

He’s got a superb knowledge of European football - he was born in Germany, to Italian parents. He also lived in France before jetting off to Canada. But it’s Marco’s football experience (not professional, like, but still good) and dedication to following the game which makes mCalcio a worthwhile read.

mCalcio also does things in a way which addresses fans with a certain level of knowledge, but does not assume this of everyone. Marco includes YouTube and Wikipedia links all over the shop, and is very transparent about ads, what he reads and about focusing on Serie A.

If he makes a few quid off advertising, more power to his elbow. Nice work, Marco.

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TFT meets…The Gloryhunter

Meet Spencer Austin.

Two Footed Tackle regulars will already recognise him as The Gloryhunter, from ITV.com’s digital documentary series of the same name.

If you’d like to see more detail about what he’s doing, click here.

In short, Spencer picked a team at random - Grimsby Town - and began to follow them. He’ll do so until they lose, at which point he switches allegiances to their conquerors. Simple, no?

“I actually had the basic idea while sitting on a bus in Burkina Faso about five years ago,” he told me. “Most people have their best ideas while in Burkina Faso. Don't they? Then early this year I fled England after selling my TV production company and intended not to come back. I was sick to my guts of it.

“Then I saw Spurs v Chelsea on the telly in Vietnam and on came twinges that suggested maybe I should give my homeland another chance. And The Gloryhunter idea seemed the perfect device to try and learn to love my country again, on my own terms: football, winning and random travel.”

Random doesn’t get close to covering it! So what’s the aim? For Spencer, it’s about using football to fall back in love with Blighty - and having a bloody good time while he does it. I hope to join him at some point on his journey to take in a game, and not only because I want a name-check in his book, due out in June 2009.

“Being a Spurs fan, I want to avoid anyone from London in the Premier League.

“Apart from that, I'll embrace whatever's dealt to me. Even Barnet. I really want to get to places that not only have I never been to before, but also that I couldn't pick out on a map. It makes the whole thing feel more adventurous and idiotic.”

Idiotic it may be, but it’s bound to be one hell of an experience for a man who clearly loves his football. He’s already making a splash. In episode three of the online documentary, we see Spencer helping Grimsby’s groundsman. Closer to home, the name Spencer Austin is beginning to earn some traction.

“A BBC Radio London presenter called me a lunatic today. I like that. I'm a professional lunatic.”

Beginning in League Two must have its benefits for a man trying to get back in touch with England and football. It’s earthy, it’s real. The Gloryhunter has found this already, and is uneasy about the likely progression up the divisions coming before he can get a real taste for the lower leagues:

“It's kind of inevitable really. But I'm keen to stay in the lower divisions for a while because the people you meet are so interesting. To remain loyal to a club that perpetually does badly takes a certain type of character, a certain type of devotion that fascinates me. I'm in awe of them, even if it is in a way a bit like when you slow down to look at a car crash where someone's got a limb off.”

Spencer has obviously enjoyed Grimsby, and the Mariners’ draw at home to Rochdale means he will return to Blundell Park on Tuesday for the visit of Tranmere Rovers. How did he feel about his first game as The Gloryhunter finishing level?

“Bit of a shame it was goalless, but I'm like a carrier bag in the wind this season. Like that one in American Beauty, but probably more of an Asda Value bag. So I'm happy to go with whatever happens.

“I'm definitely not sad to stay in Grimsby...the place has its problems like anywhere else, especially with industry, but the fans I've met have been brilliant - so accommodating and keen to see that their town comes across well. So I suppose my thoughts at full time were on the Tranmere game and more immediately how quickly I can get down the Imp for another pint.”

Eventually, Grimsby will lose and Spencer must leave the town and, of course, Cleethorpes. The self-confessed ‘sentimental wally’ already has fond memories of his first Gloryhunting club, but he says he’ll have a soft spot for all the other clubs he follows this season too.

Why? Because deep down, us football fans, we’re all alike. And I couldn’t agree more.

“I expect I'll get a bit glassy when I leave all of the teams I visit. Football fans from all clubs have more in common than they realise. We all have the same hopes and fears and irritations, albeit in relative terms, and already I'm realising through Grimsby that football is a language that binds us rather than divides us. Even if there is the odd punch up in between.”

Speaking of which, Spencer has one over-arching fear for the season: having to support Arsenal. Nothing else, it seems, is likely to phase him.

“The Arsenal predicament is the biggest fear, of course. I've already had my car window put through by thieves who got NOTHING. Ha! Stick that in your crack pipe and smoke it, you morons.”

A little persuasion, though, and Spencer reveals another concern - one that may even dwarf the possibility of sitting in the boys’ corner at the Emirates.

I ask him how he would feel if he chanced upon a visit to White Hart Lane. As an opposing fan.

“I can't talk about it. It upsets me.”

I’m not surprised. You can watch The Gloryhunter’s adventures at ITV.com/football.

Spencer…good luck, mate.

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Can Chelsea win the quadruple?

Luiz Felipe Scolari is a name which will be rolling from the fingers of football bloggers many a time over the next ten months or so.

Before being appointed manager at Chelsea, Big Phil already had a huge profile in England.

Let's face it, as fans of the national team we already know all about the Brazilian. He should've been appointed instead of Steve McClaren.

He's also developed a thoroughly annoying habit of knocking England out of competitions.

Besides which, Scolari is a larger-than-life character with plenty of silverware under his belt.

Now Chelsea boss, he has a chance to prove that international success and Brazilian domestic dominance can translate to the major honours in European club football.

While Scolari has been at pains to distance himself from the brash cockiness of predecessor-but-one Jose Mourinho, he did manage to slip in a show of confidence earlier this month - he believes that Chelsea have a squad capable of winning all four trophies this season.

It's not a claim for the faint-hearted.

Chelsea have a lot going for them, and Scolari won't be the only man claiming that a stunning quadruple is within the realms of possibility. There is, of course, the bottomless pit of cash provided by oligarch owner Roman Abramovich. Apart from the massive wages paid to the likes of Michael Ballack, John Terry and (currently) Frank Lampard, it allows the purchase of players like Scolari's compatriots Deco, Robinho and Kaka.

Deco's already in and, if the other Brazilians follow, Chelsea will have begun to sign the kind of players one would suspect Abramovich has been after all along.

One of the biggest factors in Chelsea's favour is Michael Ballack. I've been a huge critic of Ballack. Between his performances at Germany 2006 and around April 2008, I think he was very poor. Now, people are writing Ballack off because of his age and, strangely, I find myself rushing to his defence.

Ballack's form improved towards the end of the domestic season and carried into Euro 2008. He showed that on his day he can be far and away the best midfielder in Europe - quite how frustrating that must be for Chelsea fans I couldn't speculate. He's now having more good days than bad, though, and while Lampard's future remains uncertain, Chelsea need not worry. I think Ballack could be much the better of the two if he keeps on the way he's been going. Michael Essien's no mug either.

Of course, Chelsea - and in particular Ballack - are something of a wounded animal. And they'll be desperate to prove a point. They will be disappointed at the manner of failure in all four competitions last year. Noble, battling assaults on the Premier League and Champions League were heartbreakingly foiled by Manchester United at the final hurdle. But defeat to Barnsley in the FA Cup and a tactically inept performance in losing to Spurs in the Carling Cup Final will smart just as badly.

As with anything in football, though, things won't all go Chelsea's way. Manchester United should be their main obstacle, and they look as strong as ever with Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer to Real Madrid seemingly dead in the water. United will fight tooth and nail to retain the Premier League and Champions League titles.

More than this, the Champions League is something of a lottery. It may be my imagination, but it seems to be won by managers with a fair bit of European experience. Scolari cannot boast this, but then again he does know how to progress well in a cup. The FA Cup? It's anyone's. With any luck, Portsmouth have broken the Big Three Plus Liverpool dominance.

The competition doesn't end there. If Chelsea take the Carling Cup seriously, they'll find they're not the only ones. I expect several other sides to challenge for the League Cup this season, and Chelsea can no longer assume victory over the likes of Spurs, Portsmouth and Villa.

I can't see Chelsea winning four trophies. I wouldn't be surprised if they won three, probably domestically. However, my official Chelsea prediction for this season is a limp failure in the FA Cup, a brave but unsuccessful run in Europe, and Premier League and Carling Cup glory. Stick a pin in this one, folks. It'll help make me look stupid in May.

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Aragones' triumphant Semih

Excuse the frankly vomit-inducing headline. And not in a good way.

This evening I had the pleasure of watching the UEFA Champions League Second Qualifying Round Second Leg between MTK of Hungary and Turkish giants Fenerbahce.

2-0 up from the first leg, Luis Aragones' charges swept MTK aside in Budapest, picking up an impressive 5-0 away win.

They weren't, for the most part, even that good. Alex and Roberto Carlos did alright, along with a few others. That includes TFT favourite the mighty Colin Kazim-Richards.

But one man stole the show.

Following three memorable goals in Turkey's stunning run at Euro 2008, 25-year-old attacker Semih Senturk went some way this evening to showing the rest of us what Turkish supporters have probably known for years: he's no flash in the pan.

In a deadly display of finishing, Semih smashed in a mouthwatering quadruple for Fenerbahce.

The first came within five minutes of the start. Shambolic defending from the Hungarians left Semih six yards out with a perfect opportunity to show that he's just that little bit quicker in the head than everyone else on the pitch. Left-footed, he blasted his shot into the roof of the net.

A good way through the second half, he grabbed his second. And what a goal it was. He received the ball on the edge of the box and, without looking up, turned inside a man and floated a beautiful chip over the goalkeeper and into the side-netting inside the far post. Simply brilliant.

Fenerbahce's third came from the penalty spot. English referee Martin Atkinson gave the kick after a clear handball and, strangely it seemed, Semih did not take the chance. Emre tucked in the spot kick to turn the night into an embarrassment for MTK.

Back to Semih, then, and his third came from another quick turn and shot on the edge of the box - he just appears to be a split-second ahead of everyone else. And number four was a cushioned back post header. Job done.

A wonderful attacking performance from a superb player. Shame so few will have seen it.

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ITV.com expands football offering and bigs up TFT

God bless ITV.com.

They know how to pitch bloggers (from a PR point of view), and that's a great start.

They also know how to flatter a guy, and flatter me they have.

For their blushworthy praise of this here humble blog, click here.

Why is ITV.com suddenly linking to blogs? It's all part of their increasing football offering, which is seemingly coming thick and fast in order to match the broadcaster's soon-to-be-massive profile on the live football TV scene.

My personal favourite aspect of said new online content (except the TFT-worship, natch) is that ITV's live matches from the tellybox will be simulcast online. I live in a flatshare with two women. Simulcast is going to be a bloody godsend.

Regular readers will also know that I have a bit of a mancrush on ITV's approach to the FA Cup's early rounds, appealing to the grassroots supporter in me with their online coverage of the preliminary rounds of the Cup, and even providing a page to upload footage of the games they can't send a camera to. I heart social media, and that could be a damn cool example.

Please call it CupTube!

This next feature makes me hugely jealous: The Gloryhunter.

The jealousy stems from my petulant inner tortured writer, a little fella that's spent years trying to come up with an excuse to do something unusual involving being stupid at different football grounds and turning it into a book and serial documentary. The Gloryhunter is an idea I wish I'd had.

It's a simple but beautiful concept. Man ditches Spurs (wise), draws new team at random (less wise), follows them until they lose (wise) and then switches to the team that beats them (wise).

I have two concerns for him in his quest to leave every match as a supporter of the winning team. First, can he deal with the emotional confusion of a draw? And second, he's drawn Grimsby - he needs a lucky cup draw to get out of the bottom tier, as most teams that beat League Two sides will be from their own division. Good luck with that.

These goodies and more now live at ITV.com/football

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Why I would buy Everton Football Club

Leaving aside the obvious fact that the majority of investors in football will make a staggering loss, I'd buy Everton.

Why do I mention this? Well, Bill Kenwright is making noises again about freeing the club from his 'limited' finances.

It's respectable in a way. I've not had to deal with Bill as the chairman at my club, though, so I can't really say.

What is true, in my opinion, is that Everton would be no bad choice for Kenwright's 'right bidder', presumably a mega-rich altruistic type.

Granted, plenty of billionaires would want things done their own way. But if Everton were to find one with the good sense to tell what's working and what's not, it would simply be a matter of continuing the good work.

So what's the story?

In a sense it's nothing new. Bill Kenwright often speaks of not having the funds to progress Everton in the way he'd like to. Football is a game which surpasses even the wealth of those in charge at Everton. Sickening, really, but a matter for another post.

The status is that Kenwright would sell should the right bidder come along, and the club insists that that bid would not be tied into the possible move to Kirby (thus theoretically dismissing mutterings that ol' Bill is cynically avoiding an EGM and sneakily urging fans to get behind the relocation attempt).

I'd buy the club if I could afford it. I think they're a pretty attractive prospect. But I sure wouldn't be implementing wholesale changes.

It may seem a strange time to say it, but for a possible buyer Everton FC has a lot going for it. The club has a fantastic manager. David Moyes seems to have graduated from his one good season, one bad season early days at Goodison Park to a sustained, genuine berth in the top six. Superstars at Everton? Just one. And he's in the dugout.

In fact, it's essential they don't lose him by not being able to back him.

What's more, they've finally floated the deadwood.

The fans seem a decent bunch too. They have this self-deprecating realism to them which is startling in contrast with their red neighbours. They don't expect the moon on a stick, and they revel perversely in the dark days. They're as deserving of a continued shot at the top four as the likes of Spurs and Manchester City, and it's down to a top-notch manager and down-to-earth, humble supporters.

The players, as it should be at any football club, are immaterial. In an ideal world, no player is bigger than his club.

If anything, the main thing lacking at Everton is cash. And that's exactly what Kenwright is apparently willing to start tackling.

There probably isn't a whole load of easy money to be made, but if the as-yet undiscovered money-monster is, like so many, bothered more about profile and ego, Everton could be just the ticket.

As for Kirby, the worth of Kenwright's word, and the long-term costs of a massively unproductive summer...

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Spurs taking a gamble?

Tottenham Hotspur have never been strangers to spending money.

More often than not, that spending is coupled with hysterical outpourings of confidence.

And yet this summer the shopping and the "Oi! Oi! It's Tottenham's year!" seems to have taken on an added edge.

This time, they actually mean business.

Spurs, of course, always spend big money in the summer. But the relentlessness with which Juande Ramos has snapped up - or hopes to snap up - some genuine quality is perhaps indicative of a strong determination to unseat Arsenal or Liverpool in the top four. And fast.

At the time of writing, the two purchases which stand out as shots across Arsenal's bows are Luka Modric - signed with little fuss from Dinamo Zagreb before shining at Euro 2008 - and David Bentley's number one fan: David Bentley.

One could argue that Bentley's swagger has catapulted him into a price bracket (and indeed a level of reputation) which does not equate to what he can actually do on a football pitch. But he is a very good player, with a knack of scoring from distance, and may well turn out to be the heir to the Beckham throne on and off the pitch. Time will tell.

The signing of Modric was shrewd, despite the eye-bulgingly large fee. One of European football's hottest properties, the Croatian was snared quickly, and allowed Spurs to send an ominous message to the teams around them. His performances for his country in June would appear to vindicate Ramos in his choice.

And there is undoubtedly more to come before season start. Andrei Arshavin began an eventful summer by starring as Zenit St. Petersburg won the UEFA Cup. Then in the Euros he became, briefly, the world's most talked about player. His stock fell once the likes of Barcelona decided there was no point in shipping out layabouts Ronaldinho and Deco to replace them with a lazier and less influential player. White Hart Lane beckons, and for Spurs it would be a big success symbolically.

Ditto Roman Pavlyuchenko, Arshavin's fellow Russian, whose arrival at Spurs also seems likely. They're both good players, but it's their reputations that could well be the biggest boon for Ramos' side.

Of course, there have also been departures. Robbie Keane made a 'dream' move to Liverpool in controversial but - for Spurs and the club's chosen charity - lucrative circumstances. Last generation stars Pascal Chimbonda and Steed Malbranque have linked up with Roy Keane at Sunderland, along with Teemu Tainio, while Paul Robinson has been sold and replaced in goal by Heurelho Gomes.

Dimitar Berbatov's future remains uncertain, with Manchester United reportedly leading the chase.

I think somebody at White Hart Lane has finally decided that it's time to bring an end to the posturing and mount a serious assault on the Champions League spots. The fans must be delighted to see such a transparent attempt at rapid team improvement.

With Arsenal and Liverpool opting for more gradual improvement, there is ground to be gained. But what if it all goes wrong?

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