Ronaldo - End of the line?

So the career of one of the games greatest goal scorers could well and truly be over. The news coming out of France is that the knee injury he suffered against Livorno could call time on the Brazilians career.

Despite his well publicized weight problems, Ronaldo has to go down as one of the all time greats. His goal ratios are phenomenal; 12 goals in 13 games at Cruzeiro, 42 goals in 46 games at PSV, 34 goals in 37 games at Barcelona, 49 goals in 69 games at Inter, 83 goals in 127 at Real Madrid, and 9 goals in 20 games at Milan, his record speaks for itself.

Let’s not forget that he is the all-time top goal scorer in World Cup history.

For some strange reason when you discuss the greatest strikers not only of all-time, but in modern day time, his name is hardly mentioned. Why I’m not sure, but when you seriously look at his career he has to be up there, or at least thereabouts.

Not only was the amount of goals he scored impressive, but also all that he won during that time as well; FIFA World Player of the Year: 1996 (youngest winner), 1997, 2002, World Soccer Player of the Year: 1996 (youngest winner), 1997, 2002 , European Footballer of the Year, Ballon d'Or: 1997 (youngest winner), 2002 ,Onze d'Or: 1997, 2002 , UEFA Most Valuable Player - 1998 , UEFA Club Football Awards: Best Forward - 1998 , FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1998, 2002 , European Golden Boot: 1997, Copa América 1999: Top Scorer , Spanish League Top Scorer: 1996-1997, 2003-2004, Dutch League Top Scorer: 1994-1995 , Intercontinental Cup MVP: 2002 , and the GoldenFoot Award: 2006.

If this is the end for Ronaldo, I hope that he receives the recognition that he deserves. The jokes of his weight, and ‘that World Cup final’, pale in existent compared to what he actually did on the field of play.

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Italians have right idea

Catania have lodged an appeal against their 2-0 defeat against Inter on Sunday, after the Italian league leaders included Marco Materazzi in their starting line-up.

Materazzi had pulled out of Italy's friendly clash with Portugal last week, but he then played for Inter just a few days later, which is against league rules in Italy.

I wonder if the Premiership would ever consider enforcing such a rule. It’s a rule that for one makes perfect sense and obviously benefits the national team, in that players are more reluctant to pull out, unlike in England.

Let’s hope that the Italian football authorities carry out on their rules.

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The Scotsman, the Englishman, and the Italian

Did you hear the one about a Scotsman, an Englishman, and an Italian?

They were all apparently in the running for the vacant Ireland job.

If the reports are true, then Billy Davies, Terry Venables, and Giovanni Trapattoni were all at one point considered for the job, with Giovanni Trapattoni seemingly coming out on top, with an expected appointment this Wednesday.

If this is the case, then I firmly believe that they are making the wrong decision in Trapattoni. Now let me make this clear, Trapattoni is an exceptional coach, his record speaks for itself. Yet, how much does he know about Irish players? His fellow Italian, Capello, brought up the fact that in the Premiership about 39% of the players are actually English! What does that mean for the amount of Irish players applying their trade in the Premiership?

With that in mind, Trapattoni will have to scour the Championship, and possibly lower, to be able to select the kind of squad he has in mind. The backbone of the side could possibly be made up from Premiership players. However, as far as squad members go, could you imagine Trapattoni at Bramall Lane on a cold spring afternoon watching Paddy Kenny in goal?

My mind boggles at the fact that Terry Venables was even considered for the position. This is a manager whose last successful stint in management was in 1996, whilst in charge of England, even then (as harsh as this may sound) failed to deliver on home soil.

Since then he has done virtually nothing, except maybe helping Middlesbrough avoid relegation, when Bryan Robson was in charge. The game has changed since then, and believe it or not has progressed further then some like to agree on. All you need to do is look back at Venables tenure at Leeds United to see that he is so far out of touch; the simple fact that some of the English media suggested Venables for England was laughable at best.

That leaves the Scotsman; Billy Davies as the last option. Okay, he didn’t fair too well in his limited time in the Premiership, yet the work he had done at Derby County and before that, Preston, was outstanding. The reason Derby struggled is because they were ahead of the timeframe that Davies had laid out, instead of reaching the Premiership in five seasons as Davies had planned, they reached it in just over one.

When you look back over Ireland’s history and pinpoint their most successful manager, only one really stands out above and beyond all others; Jack Charlton. This was someone who had not delivered any kind of results in ‘top flight’ management, yet he turned Ireland into a team who were difficult to beat, as Italy will testify.

Billy Davies could easily fit into the Jack Charlton type of mold; he also holds a vast amount of knowledge regarding the Premiership, Championship, and the game in Scotland.

Trapattoni could well and prove doubters (like me) wrong, time will only tell.

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That's Entertainment!

Aston Villa 4 Newcastle United 1
Newcastle United 1 Middlesbrough 1
Arsenal 3 Newcastle United 0
Arsenal 3 Newcastle United 0
Newcastle United 0 Bolton Wanderers 0

When you look upon those results, entertaining would not be the first words out of a Newcastle United fans mouth, yet this is the reality of King Kevs appointment. The truth is if things do not approve then a relegation battle is on the cards, a fact that for many Geordies will be hard to digest.

When Keegan arrived back the optimism amongst fans was as high as it was during his last tenure at the club, yet within a week and the appointment of Dennis Wise, questions began being asked, of which no clear answer has been produced.

If the return of Keegan is to be a success then the blueprints of his last time in the hot seat needs to be copied to a certain degree. The bases of the blueprints should be the season that United almost won the Premier League title in 1995/96.

When you look at the axis of the team, you can get a clearer picture of the kind of team that Keegan needs to re-build. Granted, the Newcastle defense of that season left a lot to be desired, and in all fairness probably cost them the title, but it’s really the midfield and forward line that should be examined.

In midfield you had Lee Clark, Rob Lee, Keith Gillespie, and David Ginola. These four would be later joined by David Batty, and probably Keegans most controversial signing, one that many believed cost him the title, Tino Asprillia.

When you look closely at that midfield, it was a strong, yet exiting midfield. You had the exiting young talent, and local boy, Lee Clark. Clark had an exceptional season in 95-96 and was unlucky to lose his place in the team when David Batty arrived. For Keegan this time around he needs someone who will work hard for the team and give everything for the cause, just as Clark did. Right now, Newcastle lacks that type of player. Joey Barton could be the answer, yet too many off field troubles keep him from being that type of player, United so desperately need.

Alongside Clark you had ‘Mr. Dependable’ Rob Lee. Rob Lee is one of the Premierships most underrated players ever. He made that midfield tick, not only with his work ethic but the way he would put in performance after performance, week in, week out. Newcastle just doesn’t have a Rob Lee type of player. Nicky Butt has been the same since he left Man United, and Emre has struggled ever since his arrival. Keegan needs to bring in someone he can rely on, just as he did with Rob Lee.

During the 1995-96 season, one of the most exiting things about Newcastle was their use of wingers, in particular Keith Gillespie and David Ginola. These two alone created so many chances for the Newcastle forward line. With their pace and attacking flair, United where a joy to watch. Compare that with present day Newcastle and it’s a stark contrast. Damien Duff has struggled to find the kind of form that made him one of the Premierships most feared wingers. His constant injury problems have hampered him, and he looks less effective with every passing game. James Milner has failed to live up to hype that surrounds him. He just not comes across as a winger that will create the chances needed. Charles N’Zogbia is however someone who could revive Uniteds attacking play from midfield. He is a major threat, and a talented young player, when played in his correct position (i.e. not left back).

Upfront for Newcastle United during the 95/96 season where Peter Beardsley and Les Ferdinand. In Beardsley you had a seasoned campaigner, who was still being picked for England. He was probably having one of his best seasons, since his Liverpool days. Ferdinand was a major goal scoring threat, who fully complimented Gillespie and Ginola’s wing play. The duo seemed to gel up until the arrival of Asprillia, when the team was shuffled around to accommodate the Colombian. At this present time, Newcastle do not have a strike force that has gelled, which comes as a surprise considering they have Owen, Martins, Viduka, and Smith to choose from. Granted, due to injuries, and the African Cup of Nations, Keegans only options have been Owen and Smith. The quicker he can find the solution, the better.

Now I could carry on and examine the 1995/96 and present day Newcastle defense, yet the obvious stands out… they both can’t defend!

It came as a surprise that Keegan didn’t bring in anyone during the January transfer window, he will be hoping that this doesn’t come back to haunt him and a true rebuilding of the club can begin in the summer, if he is around come then.

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