This Is Soccer USA Podcast #1

Topics covered in episode one;

Champions League, UEFA Cup, and a preview of the Carling Cup Final.

The podcast is available on the right hand side of this page (under profile), or click here to download.

Harry To The Rescue!

It seems that AFC Bournemouth future could be secured, thanks to Portsmouth manager, Harry Redknapp. Redknapp, who played and managed Bournemouth, has pledged to help the club who are currently £4m in debt.

Let me begin by saying this, as much as I don’t like Redknapp for what he did at the club I support (Southampton), this indication of generosity is what the game needs.

Whilst clubs like Chelsea, Man United, Liverpool, and others, can splash crazy sums of money on players, they are clubs like Bournemouth who face an uncertain future. Add in to the equation the fact that the rights for Premiership games is set to increase, and your left with some very ‘fat cats’ indeed.

So what’s the solution to all this?

The game in general needs to take a serious look into how the money that becomes available is invested. The game owes it to clubs like Bournemouth. I understand that there is a business side to things, but without your lower league sides, the game in England will suffer.

No more Barnsley like heroics; no more stories of clubs, players, and managers working their way up the football pyramid, It would be a shame if all that were to come to an end due to some kind of financial meltdown, when the resources where available to help.

Will we eventually be left with the Premier League, and a Premier League Lite? Possibly, but let’s hope that there are more people like Redknapp who will do what it takes to save clubs like Bournemouth.

football soccer harry+redknapp money bournemouth premiership premier+league

http://thisissoccerusa.blogspot.com/ - a football fans thoughts

Excellent Scouting Network?

The following comes from worldsoccer.com;

"I (Gavin Hamilton, editor of World Soccer magazine) got a phone call this morning from an English Championship club (I will spare them the embarrassment of naming them) who have just signed a foreign player who had been out of contract since the summer, having previously played for a number of well-known clubs in a major European league. Did I know anything about the player, as his Wikipedia entry only ran to a few lines?

Apparently, the player had impressed enough during a trial to be offered a short-term deal".

After I read this, I went to the bbc site to see if any Championship side had signed any oversea player, this is what I found;

"Norwich have signed right-back Juan Velasco on a free transfer, subject to international clearance.
The 30-year-old has impressed Canaries boss Glenn Roeder while on trial with the Carrow Road club and has earned a three-month contract.

Velasco played 279 games in La Liga during his time with Sevilla, Celta de Vigo, Atletico and Espanyol, from where he was released in 2007.

He has earned four full caps for the Spanish national team".

Looks like the pieces of the puzzle might fit to me.

soccer football world+soccer Juan+Velasco Norwich+City Championship la+liga

http://thisissoccerusa.blogspot.com/ - a football fans thoughts

FA Cup 5th Round Hitlist

FA Cup Hits.

Barnsley win at Anfield: This is without doubt the shock result of the FA Cup so far this season, the fact that the win came at Anfield makes it even more special. The Barnsley defense was magnificent in the second half, as they gave their heart and soul for the cause. This result proves that the FA Cup is alive and kicking, roll on Chelsea for the Tykes.

David James: This has been a great season for James, as he has reestablished himself as England’s number one. His performance against Preston NE on Sunday saw his side navigate their way to the Quarter-Finals. He still is prone to his little moments but he has done enough this year to justify the reports linking him with a move to Spurs, possibly in the summer.

Luke Steele: Whilst David James is going through resurgence in his career, on Saturday we possibly saw the emergence of a keeper who put in one of those performances that will be talked about for years, and on debut. Steele kept the Liverpool attack at bay, time after time, and would have caught the attention of maybe some topflight scouts.

Five Star Albion: This was just the result West Brom needed as they put recent form to one side. Okay it was against a manager less Coventry City side, yet the result and the manner they went about it was impressive.

United destroy the Gunners: As poor as Arsenal were, Man United were simply superb at times. They totally outplayed Arsenal; as Nani caused the Arsenal defense all kinds of problems. Wayne Rooney was always a threat upfront and could, should, have added to his goal tally during the game. Has this result rekindled the fight for the Premiership title, only time will tell, but with that kind of performance the Red Devils have to be favorites to win the cup?

Bristol Rovers overcome the Saints: On another day this result would have stood out more, but due to the Barnsley result it hasn’t received the kind of attention it duly deserves.

FA Cup Misses.

Liverpool’s performance: When you look back at the game, Liverpool in all fairness should have destroyed Barnsley, yet Saturday just wasn’t to be. Liverpool started with nine internationals, and even had the luxury of bringing on two more, one being a certain Steven Gerrard. Maybe they had one eye on the Champions League game against Inter, but that does not excuse them going out against who they did.

soccer football fa+cup liverpool manchester+united arsenal barnsley premiership

http://thisissoccerusa.blogspot.com/ - a football fans thoughts