Beautiful game blogspot

I think that what had transpired since then has been a success and hope you feel likewise. I wanted us to do a show that was a little bit different — with no ranting and swearing. I wanted it to be offbeat and irreverent, while still being informative and, occasionally, even entertaining. Chris, Noel and Alex R all stamped their unique characters on the show.

Their research, writing, production and presentation skills are all very different, but always of the highest quality. It took some serious hours to get the show up and running, and she was always very understanding and supportive.

Your support has helped our show independently produced and never advertised compete with the podcasts put together by national newspapers and global media organisations. The Beautiful Game Once brilliant insight and opinion on major talking points in top-level English football, sadly no more. August 06, Football Book Offer. Jack Wilshere Club: Arsenal Position: Central Midfield Wilshere has been possibly the most consistent of all contenders in the running for this award, being one of Arsenal's outstanding performers throughout the season.

Since breaking into the Arsenal squad, Wilshere has been tipped for big things, but nobody was expecting things to progress quite as quickly as they did. A successful loan spell at Bolton Wanderers last season really helped Wilshere settle into Premier League life and enjoy a run of first team action, a move which not only benefited the player, but proved to be a masterclass by his manager Arsene Wenger.

This season Wilshere has eclipsed all expectation showing incredible maturity in his play way ahead of his years, which has in turn captured the attention of England boss Fabio Capello. Wilshere has now not only established himself as one of the key members of Arsenal's title challenging side, but also has been mooted as England's number one hope for the future, and hopefully the man to break the stagnant Lampard and Gerrard partnership.

Wilshere was the one shining light for Arsenal in an otherwise forgettable night in Barcelona as Arsenal were sent crashing out of the UEFA Champions League, although his domestic performances have been just as impressive. Without doubt a future England captain, and if he isn't to win the PFA award this year, the smart money would be on him to win it at least once before he reaches the 23 year old age limit.

Javier Hernandez Club: Manchester United Position: Striker "Chicharito" signed for United towards the latter stages of last season's campaign as a relative unknown, with Sir Alex Ferguson citing that they had to act before the World Cup would raise not only his profile but also his value.

This proved to be a wise move as Man Utd fans began to drool with excitement after seeing their latest recruit net goals against both France and Argentina. The man they call Little Pea has netted 17 times in 35 appearances so far for the Red Devils, with 11 of these coming in the Premier League. The young Mexican has been dubbed as the natural replacement to Old Trafford legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer due to his killer instinct and eye for goal, as well as his ability to impact on a game when coming off the bench.

His frightening speed and dangerous runs have caused many problems for Premiership defences and his recent good form has kept the League's top goalscorer Dimitar Berbatov out in the cold.

A developing partnership with Wayne Rooney looks as though it could be successful for years to come. The Frenchman's talent has been evident for years, but until now has struggled to keep up his good form on a regular basis.

This season Nasri has established himself as one of Arsenal's key figures, beating Andrey Arshavin to The Gunners wide left position, as well as providing an ample deputy in the middle of the park, occasionally filling in in the absence of Cesc Fabregas. The former Marseille man has had his most prolific season in front of goal this season for Arsenal finding the net 14 times, with 9 of these coming in the Premiership.

Injuries have of late hampered his season and maybe to an extent Arsenal's title push, with Nasri trying to recapture his early season form just in time for the title run in. At 23 years of age, Nasri will too be considered for the PFA's main award and Arsenal fans will be expecting to see more of the same next season. After promotion back to the big time, Geordies were hailing 'The next Alan Shearer' and a hatful of goals from their local hero in the opening weeks of Newcastle's campaign gave them every reason to be optimistic for the future.

Carroll hit the ground running in the first half of the season, and after a successful season in the Championship last season, had to problem carrying his goalscoring form up to the highest level. An all round athlete, Andy Carroll seems every bit the ideal Centre Forward, strong, good the in the air, able to hold the ball up and he possesses a sweet left foot.

Good performances led to an England call up with Carroll and Rooney looking to be the likely strike partnership for England in the future. Injuries have hampered his start at Anfield and since his big money January move he is yet to score first goal for Liverpool, despite netting his first International goal against Ghana at Wembley last week.

As the eighth most expensive player of all time surely Andy Carroll must be considered for the award? Prediction It has been a particularly encouraging season for young talent, particularly considering that 3 of the 5 front runners for this season's award are British. While all players have offered a great deal to their clubs this season, many of the players have missed chunks of the season due to injury. For example Gareth Bale, despite now being dubbed as one of the World's best players, he has suffered as of late from injuries and many of his best performances have come in the UEFA Champions League, whereas this award is more based on domestic performance.

As far as I'm concerned this season's award will go to Jack Wilshere. Despite being the youngest of the five, Wilshere has been almost ever present for Arsenal this season and has slotted straight into the side without having to be eased in.

January 12, Image Credit- The Mirror. Lionel Messi through his innumerable footballing performances has mesmerized the football fans all over the world. Therefore it will be hard to discuss about his every performance in one blog post. As a result in this blog post, the author will be discussing about one of his great performances.

It was a must win game for the visitors to keep their title hopes alive. However it were the hosts who scored the opening goal of the game. In the 29th minute of the game, Marcelo played the ball inside the box and Ramos hit the post. However, on rebound Casemiro pushed it in and Real Madrid had the lead in this crucial encounter.

But, soon Messi scored the equalizer in the 33rd minute of the game. And what a lovely goal it was. He dribbled past a couple of Madrid defenders and beat Navas successfully. Furthermore just before the goal, Messi received a few bodily blows and. Post a Comment. Read more. January 03, Image Credit- Ekitiradio. Chelsea were ranked 10th in the league and no one gave them a chance in their knock-out game against Athletico Madrid.

However Thomas Tuchel and his team proved everyone wrong. Not only they finished 4th in the Premier League, but also ended up winning the biggest honor in European Football i. The documentary covers how a fallen team rose up to the occasion and beat everyone who came in their way to European Glory.

In the frontcourt, both teams are pretty easily matched with Wake having the advantage at the 3 spot with Al-Farouq Aminu, a former UNC target. Aminu is taller than the man who will probably guard him, Danny Green, and will probably try to take him closer to the basket in order to take advantage of his height. Another matchup to watch will be the pairing of Tyler Hansbrough and James Johnson, if he guards Hansbrough.

Personally, I would put Chas McFarland on Hansbrough since Hansbrough has appeared to struggle more against taller stronger players than against players his own size. I think that Wake can stay with the Tar Heels if they can limit the fast break opportunities that UNC will have by taking care of the ball and getting back quickly after missed shots. Another factor in this game is how close the refs will call fouls inside. If they let the players play down low, Hansbrough might not be able to take advantage of his free throw shooting prowess and ability to get to the line early and often.

It will be an exciting game but I think that Wake will turn the ball over too much and play into the hands of the vaunted UNC fast break. UNC by 7. Posted by Sam at PM No comments:. Labels: acc , aminu , jeff teague , johnson , lawson , north carolina , tyler hansbrough , wake forest. Since North Carolina was discussed at length yesterday and the entire news media has covered almost every aspect of the team, the two other powerhouses in the conference have managed to stay out of the lion's share of the limelight.

The Duke Blue Devils returned everyone from their team except for team captain DeMarcus Nelson, who had been recently playing for the Golden State Warriors until he was cut this week. Kyle Singler, their do-everything forward, has been outstanding in the Blue Devils' first 13 games, leading them in points, rebounds, assists and steals.

After fading at the end of last year, he put on some noticeable bulk and has appeared to be much more able to take the wear and tear of playing in the post. The second biggest story of this Blue Devil team has been the emergence of Nolan Smith as point guard, supplanting three year starter Greg Paulus. Paulus had his best year points wise last year but it became clear as the season progressed that he could not guard opposing point guards as well as the quicker and more athletic Smith. Smith has also shown more confidence in getting in the lane and either finishing or dishing to one of the many shooters that Duke always has spotting up outside of the arc.

Jon Scheyer is one of those shooters and has had another solid and consistent start to the season.