Clean Sheet 14

This week saw the 50^th clean sheet of the A-League (@Aleague) season notched up by Melbourne Heart’s (@MelbourneHeart) Andrew Redmayne (@redders_20) win over Perth Glory (@PerthGloryFC) 2-0 at AAMI Park in the club’s social media’s #interactivematch experiment. I’m not quite sure if it was successful or embraced by the football public, but hats off to the club for trying something a little bit left of centre. Unfortunately for the Perth Glory the loss was the catalyst for the club to move on from current manager Ian Ferguson who remarkably took the side to the Grand Final less than 12 months ago. Good luck to ‘interim’ manager Alistair Edwards who takes over the reins on a horse in desperate need of a spell over continuing onto to an autumn carnival campaign. One thing’s for certain, after the ACC’s recent Performance enhancing drugs in sports bombshell, the Glory are at long odds to rate a mention anywhere in their ‘terms of reference’.

The only other keeper to record a clean sheet was Adelaide’s Eugene Galekovic whose solid performance helped his side recapture some much-needed form against Melbourne Victory. Until Friday night, the Victory was unbeaten in their last three games, while in contrast United had lost their previous three and in danger of losing touch with the top four.  In all honesty, barring a complete form implosion from the leading clubs, I cannot see the Grand Final winner coming from outside the current top four.  The top six is a little odd to be honest, as it rewards mediocrity.  A quick look at Sydney FC’s stats uncovers that winning seven and drawing three of after 20 rounds of football could still reward them with a finals birth.

To the English Premier League and Manchester United are all but home and hosed after Manchester City stumbled against Southampton in what was arguably their worst performance under Roberto Mancini. This prompted many disappointed City fans to take to the airwaves voicing their disapproval. “A new Kompany tea tray is available at the MCFC club shop. If carries 10 mugs.” A tough crowd but under the circumstances a fair assessment of how important Vincent Kompany is to their team. United on the other hand continue to hum along at the top of the ladder and are now 12 points clear of their rivals. Joe Hart proved that a week is a long time in football. After a clinical display against Brazil midweek, Hart’s howler enabled Southampton’s Steven Davis to slot home a simple goal and ensuring the night was memorable for all the wrong reasons. Things worsened for Hart after Gareth Barry slotted home his easiest goal of his career, only problem it was at the wrong end. Attention will now turn to the battle for the all-important Champions League spots. Tottenham must be thinking they have a better than average chance after last year’s let down. Without setting the world on fire with one-sided victories they have stretched their unbeaten run in the League to 10 matches, and their French keeper Hugo Lloris has certainly given them confidence at the back to keep their goals conceded tally to a minimum this season.

This week sees the League pause for the various FA Cup clashes on show. As always there will be a game or two that could potentially throw up a ‘romantic’ Valentines Day win for a low league side against the wealth and might of a Premier League squad brimming with more Ferraris and Lamborghinis than a Monaco cocktail party. 

Until next week.

Football Quote of the week:

"An artist in my eyes, is someone who can lighten up a dark room. I have never and will never find difference between the pass from Pele to Carlos Alberto in the final of the World Cup in 1970 and the poetry of the young Rimbaud, who stretches cords from steeple to steeple and garlands from window to window. There is in each of these human manifestations an expression of beauty which touches us and gives us a feeling of eternity."

Eric Cantona

Some deep deep stuff from Eric….

backpagefootball.com

Neymar to EPL, La Liga or will a ‘Pep’ talk take him to the Bundesliga?

One of the biggest talking points in football is not about ‘if’ but ‘when’ Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior will make the move to European football. Neymar just didn’t arrive on the football scene, but exploded after debuting for Santos in 2009.  Neymar has already appeared for Santos on 102 occasions and amassed an incredible 54 goals, all before his 21^st birthday, which he celebrated last Tuesday. He is a player with vast talents, blinding speed and the fine skills of a micro-surgeon when dribbling and shooting.

Former players and commentators alike have heaped him with endless praise and expectation. Not surprisingly the class clown of football, Joey Barton savaged Neymar on Twitter during and after the England v Brazil friendly this week by tweeting “I wouldn’t pay the £40-50 million they’re asking for Neymar. Not a chance.” #showpony. Geez tell us what you really think Joey. The issue for Neymar thus far in his career is that he plays in South America and the coverage of his games consists of snippets and grabs or YouTube footage showing only his highlights. As we all know games aren’t highlight reels, but 90 minutes plus of blood sweat and tears.

For Neymar to develop further as a player he ultimately needs to test his wares in the fishbowl football world that is European football. Whether it be La Liga, EPL or Bundesliga, the competition is intense and high quality. The big names and reputations are on the line each week as well as the opportunity to play in the many cup clashes or the lucrative UEFA Champions League competition. To have honor of being a great player bestowed upon you it’s not just competing at the highest level but dominating.

Neymar will go to a club that has fine traditions of success and management excellence. The front-runner is said to be Bayern Munich, who recently announced that Pep Guardiola would be at the helm next season.  The thought of Neymar up front with the likes of Muller, Robben and Gomez is a frightening prospect. The challenge for Guardiola….Does he stick to the German way? Or does he try and bring his own La Liga style by starving oppositions of possession and ultimately open up the holes in the defensive line to deliver the fatal blow? I’m guessing it will be a smooth morphing of styles, but having the young Brazilian’s speed up front could accelerate his transition process considerably.

Other speculation is that he may move to the lucrative, yet top-heavy La Liga competition.  Barcelona isn’t exactly starved of talent with the likes of Messi, Iniesta, Fabregas and Pedro, but their talent ranks are beginning to see the signs of ageing so an injection of youth (not Botox) could be the solution.  Real Madrid is also in the equation, but with all the speculation on Jose Mourinho’s possible departure back to the Premier League, Neymar may chose follow “The Special One” when he decides what his club suits his needs. 

In the days of massive contract signings and record transfer payments, the endless cattle trading continues. For Neymar he will no doubt command massive Euros or Pounds Sterling in reaching a deal. In a sport that careers can live or dry up with a simple stroke of the pen, I think Neymar won’t just follow the promise of riches far beyond the imaginations of many. His decision should be balanced not by the debits and credits on his bank account but the need to improve as a player along with the chance of playing in a world-class club competition and tasting Champions League success.

The mail is that Neymar will hold off on a move to Europe in favor of staying in South America until after Brazil’s hosting of next years World Cup. For now stories of his possible signing will dominate podcasts, football websites and twitter until he is seen in his new club colours. 

SoccerSouls.com

Matthew Acton is the reserve goalkeeper with back to back A-League Grand Final victors Brisbane Roar.

Matthew always dreams big but also understands that hard work, applying your craft and a little luck on your side is what’s needed before you even get a chance to make it on the pitch.

What is your short term and ultimately your long term football aspirations?

My short-term goal is to be playing regular A-League football. Currently I’m the reserve keeper behind Michael Theo, so I will continue to train extremely hard and wait for my opportunity to perform at the highest level. I have played about four Youth League games and have enjoyed the intensity and pace of the competition.

Townsville has always been known as a wonderful Rugby League nursery so what made you chose the round ball game over the Steeden?

I grew up playing the odd game of Rugby League at primary school with my schoolmates. I really enjoyed league but when it came to playing for a club, my Mum stepped in saying it was far too rough. As a result I decided that the round ball was for me and have my Mum to thank for that….in a positive way of course.

What football team have you always followed from a young age?

Growing up in Far North Queensland you always love to follow a Qld based team so for me it was easy…the Brisbane Roar was my team. Who would have thought I would end up playing for them? Like many football fans I’ve always had a love of watching Manchester United perform in the English Premier League but I also enjoy following the fortunes of Real Madrid in the Spanish La Liga.

As you are 2IC to Michael Theo at the Brisbane Roar, have you been able to download much in the way of keeping skills and tactics from him since joining the squad?

I have been working with Michael for about two years at the Roar now and he’s probably the most successful and respected goalkeepers in the A-League. I’m extremely lucky to be learning my craft with him and he is always willing to be a sounding board for anything to do with keeping on and off the pitch. It’s important to develop your own style of keeping but applying the skills from the best certainly helps aid your development.

How do you stay relaxed and motivated away from the pitch?

I have been studying a Certificate III and IV in Fitness and is something I enjoy and am passionate about. We cover many interesting subjects such as Food Nutrition, Massage Therapy and Performance, Strength and Conditioning training. I also hope to complete my Diploma of Business I’ve been studying with Michael Theo. Outside of study I like to have a round of golf or hang out with my mates.

How have you found settling into the Brisbane way for life from growing up in Townsville?

It really wasn’t too difficult, as Brisbane has always been described more like a big country town. I was 14 when I moved so I started at a new school and had to make new friends. I was also lucky to have plenty of mates at the QAS (Queensland Academy of Sport) to spend time with. My family later settled in Brisbane so having them close by and supporting me makes life easier. I always like to get back to Townsville when I can to catch up with old school friends and family.

How do you go about preparing for match day and is it difficult to maintain your intensity on the bench knowing you just want to hit the pitch and perform?

I aim to be as relaxed as possible before games by sleeping in and having some good healthy meals. Plenty of stretching and a good walk helps the body remain fresh and ready. I never like to be too far from the house just in case, but as the game draws closer I generally put on some tunes to fire up a little and get the blood pumping before hitting the pitch.

From where you stand in the six yard box who has the most difficult shot to contain at the Brisbane Roar and who do you see as a future star player in the A-League over the coming seasons?

It might surprise many football pundits but Massimo Murdocca has one of the most powerful shots at the Roar. At training he’s constantly hitting the top corners with his bomb of a shot. I’m surprised he has only scored two A-League goals but he’s a wonderful team player providing plenty of service on the right or central mid-field.  Ben Halloran also fires in a mean shot that can take plenty of stopping.

You were been part of the Young Socceroos squad that participated in the Under 20 World Cup in Columbia in 2011. How did the experience develop you as a player?

It was a giant honor and a great experience to be part of the Young Socceroos squad. The skill level of the players I watched was a real eye opener as many were of already contracted to big European and South American clubs.  I wasn’t fortunate enough to get any game time but I was so lucky to experience the training and travelling with the coaching staff and squad around the world. It certainly has prepared me well for the rigors and challenges of playing professional football.

Do you have any strange habits that you like to do out on the pitch that keeps you focused on the match?

I don’t really have any, but for a long time now (can’t remember since when) whenever I walk onto the pitch I make sure my left foot hits the turf first. Strange superstition or habit, I’m not sure.

Do you have a favourite keeper in world football here or abroad and why?

Ever since I was a young lad watching games on TV, I always enjoyed watching Peter Schmeichel. He always seemed to play the game with such energy and passion and was so widely respected by teammates and opponents alike. I love watching Spanish and Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas. What strikes me the most when watching him, is that he is such an attacking and aggressive keeper yet appears so calm and in control.

Quick five penalty shoot out questions

1. Apple or Android?             Apple

2. Chicken or Beef?               Chicken

3. Rock or Hip Hop?             Hip Hop

4. Cats or Dogs?                    Dogs

5. Sweet or Savoury?             Savoury

backpagefootball.com










Matthew Acton can be followed on Twitter @MatthewActon1

Clean Sheet 13

Well the A-League continued to shine brightly despite negative tabloid media reports highlighting the crowd behaviour of a few over another cracking Melbourne Derby clash played in front of over 41,000 passionate fans at Etihad Stadium. Victory’s Nathan Coe and the Heart’s Andrew Redmayne’s keeping performances were a standout with Coe picking off some brilliant acrobatic efforts earning him the coveted ‘Save of the Round’. His full stretch effort from Gol Gol Mebrahtu’s free kick was something to behold and would earn the praise of many keepers around the globe.

One thing for certain is that the Socceroos goalkeeping succession plan is in terrific shape with a healthy sized queue forming to take over from Mark Schwarzer when he finally decides to hang up his international boots. It is unlikely that Schwarzer will ever be asked to make way for a younger keeper after his continued outstanding service to his nation, but the competition existing both here and abroad for the number one shirt is unprecedented.

Back to the games and anyone watching the Wellington Phoenix/Perth Glory game would have noticed the standout game dished up by All Whites and Phoenix keeper Mark Paston. For so long on the wrong side of the score sheet this season, Paston’s heroics in the box went a long way to help salvaging some respect for their embattled manager Ricki Herbert and suffering fans.

Moving to the old dart and as a long-time goalkeeping tragic, it was a wonderful sight to see Aussie keepers Brad Jones and Dean Bouzanis go head to head in the FA Cup clash between Liverpool and Oldham Athletic last weekend. Oldham eventually prevailed over the Reds 3-2 and will now prepare to the brush aside their Merseyside cousins Everton on the 17th of this moth. This game could be a turning point for the young Bouzanis who has made it known the wants back in at Liverpool after joining the club as a youth player back in 2007.  Be sure to watch this young Sydney lad peddle his wares as he was once described by former manager Rafa Benitez as “the best goalkeeper in the world for his age.”  Which brings me to the Red’s Pepe Reina and his clanger against Manchester City. In all fairness I don’t think poor ol’ Pepe deserves too much curry for his error in judgement in rushing out to welcome Sergio Aguero to the edge of the penalty area. The fact Aguero threaded the ball between Reina and the goal like a loving Nanna weaving a difficult ‘Jump Stitch’ embroidery manoeuvre did nothing to hide his embarrassing howler.

The QPR and Norwich game was hardly writing home about except for the keepers Julio Cesar (QPR) and Mark Bunn (NOR) chalking up their fifth and second clean sheets respectively. Sadly for Harry Rednapp, his side looks set to head down to the Championship later in the year barring a miracle that even the Mayan’s couldn’t predict. Arsenal scraped home against Stoke City at the Emirates courtesy of clean sheet number five to Wojciech Szczesny whilst Manchester United’s David De Gea continued to deflect the ongoing criticism of his keeping form by even keeping the Craven Cottage crowd in the dark with some smashing saves in the clash with Fulham. Hugo Lloris again helped his Tottenham side go a very long way to securing a top four position and possible Champions League spot with a classy win over an ill disciplined West Brom outfit. Goran Popov was shown a straight red card for spitting at Spurs fullback Kyle Walker in a disgraceful act. Spurs then took advantage of the man down which eventually saw Gareth Bale notch up his 11th goal of the season and earn even more interest in his talent from abroad.

In closing, a special mention to the keeper with possibly the best name in the game being West Ham’s favourite Finn Jussi Jaaskelainen. Jussi recorded his seventh clean sheet against Swansea City after playing in every league game to date.  Check out his shirt next time not a lot of room left for anything on that baby.

Until next week

Football Quote of the Week:

"Being a goalkeeper gives you a unique perspective on things. You are part of a team yet somehow separate; there are no grey areas, with success or failure being measured in real time; and you have a physical job which you can do well only by paying attention to your mental well being. A great goalkeeper has to have the keys to a great mindset. To be able to work well in the box, I believe you have to be able to think outside of the box."

- Brad Friedel (Former USA and current keeper at Tottenham Hotspur)

Deep and thought provoking stuff Brad but interesting nonetheless…

backpagefootball.com

Juventus “Numero Uno” in Italy’s Serie A… but where to in Europe?

Juventus is the third oldest and the first professional club in Italy. Their worldwide success and fan base is only matched by their dark and scandalous past. For now they are a club again riding the wave of success. They currently share top spot with Napoli atop the Serie A ladder and are very much alive in the lucrative UEFA Champions League round of 16. The side boasts no less than nine Italian internationals, in including their very popular Captain Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini and the Euro 2012 hero and evergreen mid-fielder Andrea Pirlo. Their form in the domestic competition is steady but this year is a much tightly fought league and they still have much work to do to claim the League trophy. The immediate focus is their first up Champions League encounter with current Scottish Champions Celtic. Juventus will know from Barcelona’s surprising loss in November that the ‘Hoops’ are by no means easy beats. It will take a great deal of skill for Juve to come away from Celtic Park in Glasgow with a win.

Ideally Juventus would be well placed to draw the match or notch up one or more important away goals that have the momentum balanced in the favor for the return leg in Turin on March 6. It can be argued that Celtic plays in the “easier” Scottish Premier League and they are the poorer cousins in terms of class to the two time Champions League titleholders. Celtic have tasted success in Champions League winning it back in 1966/67, and possess handy form after only tasting defeat twice in 10 starts this campaign, one of those being a narrow loss to Barcelona at Camp Nou.

Juventus will be buoyed by the news of their captain and keeper recently agreeing to a contract extension that will see him wear the gloves for his beloved club until 2015. Buffon has made it clear that his passion is winning trophies and besides the ‘Scudetto’, the elusive Champions League trophy is the one his team is chasing. If they are to progress late into the tournament or even onto Wembley, then it could well be Buffon providing one or more of his trademark penalty saves that denies their opponents from glory.

The last time Juventus tasted success in the prestigious tournament was back in 1996 when they met Dutch powerhouse Ajax in the final and prevail on penalties. Great names of football such as Fabrizio Ravanelli, Allesandro Del Piero and captain Gianluca Vialli littered this wonderful side. The club has consistently experienced success at home but dominance in Europe has always been the yardstick that measures a club’s greatness. When looking into the current markets, the ‘Black and Whites’ are fourth favorite to win the competition with Barcelona the clear favorite over Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Manchester United with their handy buffer over cross-town rivals City in the EPL, is wonderful value considering they boast the firepower of Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney upfront. They do have a huge task ahead after drawing a very tough opponent in Real Madrid. No other team in Europe can boast the record of Real Madrid after winning this competition nine times since 1956, but their recent form and ongoing speculation concerning Jose Mourinho’s tenure favors a possible upset is on the cards. 

As the 2012-13 tournament progresses the cream of football talent always rises to the top and what makes it the favored tournament of the football purist. Nothing beats crawling out of bed on a crisp autumn morning to make the journey to my local café to resume my intimate relationship with football and a piping hot cup of Italian hot chocolate. As the game ends it’s off to work to then dissect the game with my peers and look forward to the next leg. My money will be on Buffon raising the trophy for his beloved Juventus in May, but anything can and does happen in Champions League.

SoccerSouls.com

Clean Sheet 12

Well these are the weekends I love to watch football. Goalkeepers were the talk of the town this week with outstanding goalkeeping on show and a frightfully difficult decision for save of the week.

 

Michael Theo’s Brisbane Roar endured the long road trip west to Perth and recorded only their second win away from home this season. Theo looked to be making a late career change as a defensive midfielder when his rush of blood from the box almost allowed Perth an equaliser if not for Perth’s midfielder Nick Ward spraying his shot over the bar. His lunging right foot save from another sharp chance again from Ward helped lift his side to within one point of the top six. The Roar now return to Brisbane for Friday night’s battle with ladder leaders and staunch rivals Central Coast Mariners.

The game of the round in my opinion was the clash between Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne Heart. The Wanderland faithful again proved why they’re the envy of the league with a healthy crowd of 14,624 turning up to get their team a few points closer to securing a home final in their maiden season. Wanderer keeper Ante Covic was the hero of the night by pulling off one of the saves of the season and chalking up his fourth clean sheet in the process. Covic’s first half penalty save was matched by a ever improving Heart keeper Andrew Redmayne who according to the stats pulled off 10 saves and went along way in keeping his side in the match. Redmayne’s aerial effort denied a certain goal for Labinot Haliti and only went down in a narrow points decision to Ante Covic for my save of the week. For coach John Aloisi it was another game of missed chances as his side sits precariously in sixth spot as they struggle to maintain their intensity on the pitch for the full 90 minutes.  

To wrap up the A-League focus, an interesting statistic worth noting is the average goals conceded by keepers in minutes played. It’s no surprise that Matt Ryan and current clean sheet tally leader only concedes a goal for his side in every 130.9 minutes of park time. To put this stat into some perspective, Adelaide’s Eugene Galekovic with equal minutes played averages a goal every 72 minutes played. It must be said that the Mariner’s do boast the best defensive record in the league and Ryan would be the first to admit that his back four contribute in part to his great record, but it is a great stat nonetheless.

To the EPL and this morning’s fixtures rounded off a tough week of tipping as Round 24 of the competition drew to a close.  Joe Hart continues to give his team every chance of chasing down their Manchester rivals and retain their league title from last year with another clean sheet against QPR. The only problem is that QPR’s Julio Cesar stood in the way of a much needed victory to help gain ground on a United side brimming with confidence despite their goalkeeping woes. David De Gea again earned the wrath of the United supporters and English press after leaking an early goal against Southampton.  For an outfit that is seven points clear at the top of the league, De Gea is never far from transfer market speculation and his effort certainly did nothing to quell talk of him leaving Old Trafford over the summer. His skill level is hard to question but on this occasion his courage at the contest was as soft as a freshly made sponge cake. De Gea only needs to view a highlights reel with the likes of Pepe Reina, Petr Cech, Mark Schwarzer or our very own Andrew Redmayne to show that going in hard in a one on one contest is what’s required to keep goal any top flight league. What many articles wont report is that De Gea also saved his side from sharing the points with an extraordinary save from a Southampton set piece late in the match. At the opposite end, Polish International keeper Artur Boruc pulled off one of the saves of the week by denying Robin van Persie United’s third goal from point blank range. It is well worth seeing a replay to catch the look of surprise on Robin van Persie’s face. A solid barrel chested customer, Boruc is a keeper that tends to fly under the radar given his side’s position on the ladder, but is one to watch after only starting in seven games this season and recording two clean sheets thus far. He also denied Wayne Rooney a hat trick after the two met heavily in the box, with Boruc winning the race to clear the ball.

At that point I almost choked on my porridge after I hearing co-commentator and ‘football analyst’ Chris Kamara say, “You look around in world football and there’s not many great goal keepers around”…  Sorry he must be watching a different game to me… What the?  Hart, Buffon, Reina, Cech, Begovic, Casillas, Valdez, Neuer, Schwarzer, Lloris, César….Should I stop?

The only other clean sheet recorded this round was in the scoreless draw between Swansea and Sunderland. This lifted the Black Cat’s Simon Mignolet into equal second behind Joe Hart on the clean sheet honour board with nine with Swan’s Gerhard Tremmel notching up his third.

The pick of the games this weekend is Liverpool travelling to ‘The Etihad’ to take on Manchester City in what promises to be a game where the referee will be kept on his toes.

Until next week…

Football Quote of the week

"The game was crazy. Bayern Munich scored on about 80 minutes, and with the last corner, our only one, Didier [Drogba] scored. After my penalty was saved I still believed in Petr Cech. He was like an angel and saved the important ones. It was an explosion of feelings when Didier scored that [winning] penalty. It was destiny." 

 Juan Mata (Chelsea FC)

backpagefootball.com