Eduardo Leg Break - Should Taylor Face Extra Punishment and Is It The End Of The 'Tackle'?

I think we would all agree that the injury suffered by Arsenal striker Eduardo Da Silva is one the worst injuries ever to be witnessed in football. So I would like to start by wishing all the best to Eduardo from everybody at FootballFancast.com.

The question which I ask myself is what punishment should Birmingham defender Martin Taylor receive? Should he be handed an extra ban or fine for the horrific tackle which left the Croatians leg broken in three places? Also, what does this mean for the future of the ‘tackle’, a part of the game English football is renowned for?

Taylor has issued a public apology to Eduardo and I doubt that he deliberately lunged at the Croat to intentionally injure him, but the question must be asked should he face an extra punishment?

If walking the streets or after a night out on the town for example, and somebody was a victim of a vicious attack, the offender would face allegations of Actual Bodily Harm or Grievous Bodily Harm, whether or not the attack was premeditated. So should the police investigate the incident with a view to punishing the Birmingham centre-back?

I believe not. Not for the reason that Taylor is a good man or that he did not intend to hurt Eduardo, but as it is part of the game. I do not mean to sound ignorant or inhumane about the injury, but it was pure bad luck. After a tackle such as the one in question, the attacker would be either lucky or unlucky. He would get away uninjured or suffer a horrendous injury such as Eduardo has. It was a bad challenge yes but I have seen worse this season. Taylor’s foot was not particularly high as he collided with Eduardo’s ankle; a shin high challenge is normally considered too high and dangerous. If Eduardo’s foot was half-an-inch off the ground he could have rolled away from the incident unhurt as he may have rolled the challenege. Taylor must face the consequences of a red card and live with the fact that he has broken somebody else’s leg.

The result of the tackle is sickening and I feel so much sympathy for Eduardo, but I believe he is the victim of serious bad luck. I hope that he bounces back soon and that this is not the end of a talented footballer. I am calling out to fans everywhere to not get on the back of Martin Taylor as it was not an act of malice. I am a fan of tough tackling and believe it is a part of the English game and it always part of a football match which can get big cheers when it is done right. This is a tough issue to tackle (pardon the pun) as we all like to see crunching tackles, however at the same time we all wish referees would punish the bad challenges.

Once the dust has settled over the extent of Eduardo’s injury, attention will turn to the tackle. This incident will make players aware of the dangers of tackles which may be a little late or a tad bit robust, and whilst I am sad of the injury but happy that Taylor received a red, I hope that this doesn’t deter players away from making the tough tackles which are part of our game.

Nugent set for move away from Portsmouth?

When asked after Portsmouth’s last game, a FA Cup victory at Preston’s Deepdale ground, Harry Redknapp denied speculation linking former Lilywhites stiker David Nugent with a return to his former hunting ground, or to fellow Championship side Ipswich.

The Pompey boss claimed, “No, it wouldn’t be a clever move would it? We paid a lot of money for him and wouldn’t let him come back for nothing.”

So with Redknapp telling Sky Sports at Fratton Park this afternoon that the one-time capped England international is ‘free to leave’, what has changed that has paved the way for the £6 million striker to possibly leave a side gunning for a European spot?

After all, Redknapp admitted that his striking options are limited to Kanu, on-loan Milan Baros and cup-tied Jermaine Defoe, and has even been forced to play John Utaka in an unnatural position up-front. So why then the sudden change of heart?

Nuge has not had the best start to his Portsmouth career with not a single Premier League goal to his name and has only just recovered from a hernia operation. Redknapp has said that a deal is close to being agreed with Ipswich to take Nugent to Portman Road so that he can gain some match fitness.

Is this the end of Nugent’s Premier League career, or is it just as Harry said and a move to regain sharpness? I think Nugent has a lot to offer Pompey and can be a hit in the Premier League as he is a good goal scorer. However, in the short term I do not think he will move to Ipswich. He was in the stands for the FA Cup game, and is great friends with Preston players such as Sean St. Ledger. Therefore, a move back to Preston looks the most likely. Whilst there may no be official bid from the Lancashire club, I believe Nugent will wait for an offer and get back to Deepdale at the earliest opportunity.

I feel as though Preston are in desperate need for a natural goal scorer and this could maybe inspire the club to climb away from the relegation area. He is adored by the Deepdale fans and they could be heard chanting their heroes name at the FA Cup match last Sunday. The fans want him back, Alan Irvine I am sure would want him back, and admittedly I want him back. It really would give the club a real buzz and would create a better competition for places in the striking position. But could the temptation to help Ipswich possibly gain promotion too big a lure for Nugent? Hopefully not.

Are the fans of our English clubs the only part of the beautiful game that we can be proud of?

There are four English teams in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, so does this mean that we posses the greatest league in Europe?

On the face it many people would say yes. Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool people would say are some of the best Europe has to offer. With the likes of Everton, Tottenham and Aston Villa all battling it out to break into the ‘top 4’, it would be fair to say that there are more than just this ‘top 4’ that England should be proud of. But can we really be proud of it.

I mean, I would say the English league is the most exhilarating league there is, high in passion and energy and talent on show every week for the world to see. But are we right to be proud of it? Is it ‘ours’ to be proud of? With all the plans for playing a 39th game which is a clear money making scheme, is the Premier League another toy for the people who have the big bucks in the game? Is it really the publics, the tax payers, the FANS league? I don’t really think so.

Are we really that proud to hear that our league may be expanding, making us the laughing stock of the world, not least Europe?

We can be honoured to watch Premier League football on our doorstep every week, but I do not think the English league represents English football. The only way it can be related to England is because it is played over here, but now that might even change.

We can be proud that we have 4 English teams playing in the Champions League, but they are just English teams, it is not a fair representation of the English game as our national team performances show. There were few English players playing last night and will be few tonight, there is not even an English manager. There is a lot there that needs changing before we can truly be proud.

What we can be proud of is the fans. English fans will travel to all corners of Europe to watch their team play, whether their team is packed with foreigners or not. This something which can never be matched anywhere in the world. I think there is a long way to go for us to really be proud of the English Premier League and how many teams remain in the Champions League. Just because the English Premier League may be the best in Europe and we may arguable have the best teams, I don’t think I can be 100% proud just yet.

Will the English prosper in Europe?

As the Champions League now reaches the knock-out stages, it looks set to be the most hotly contested of all time. Anticipation is rife as to who will reach the final in Moscow come May and who will lift the famous trophy at the final whistle, and everybody has their favourite.

It is realistically the only trophy which 5 time European champions Liverpool can win this season, and is the same trophy which Michael Essien has admitted Chelsea have their eye on winning. Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has also said that European success is what his team has as its priority, and with Arsenal crashing out of domestic cup competitions after humiliating defeats to two of their biggest rivals, I am sure they will be looking to go one further than what they did when they lost out to Barcelona in the final two years ago.

The competition this season is formidably strong with the so called ‘big 4’ English clubs pitting their wits against the cream of the crop from Spain, Italy and France. Pre-season hopes were high that an English club could become the first winners of the competition since Liverpool lifted the trophy in Istanbul 2005, but are those hopes soon to turn into reality?

I think Liverpool will struggle to hold Inter Milan even at Anfield. The Reds have faltered of late, and despite some pundits saying that they believe the players to be inspired from their defeat at the hands of Championship outfit, Barnsley, I believe this not to be the case. The fans will get behind the team as usual and be that 12th man, but I don’t think it will be enough. I get the sense of nothing but negativity in the red half of the city, and whilst I don’t think they will get well and truly beaten, I do think that Inter will just be too strong for Liverpool both home and away. The Italians are sitting comfortably at the top of their league and remain unbeaten and are strong favourites themselves to become champions. Liverpool will just be another hurdle which they will jump over with relative ease. Sorry Liverpool fans but this test has come too soon for Gerrard and co. and I can see them failing resulting in a trophy-less season.

Arsenal host current holders AC Milan at the Emirates on Wednesday evening, who despite their league form being not the best, they too will be formidable opponents. Arsene Wenger has admitted Arsenal will have to change from their usual attractive style of play which the world is accustomed to seeing, so that they can cope with the threat of Brazilian playmaker Kaka. Following a 4-0 hammering from Manchester United at the weekend and having to face even more world-class opposition, a draw with the Italians is probably the best they can hope for. I am surprised, even shocked, to hear Wenger’s comments regarding Kaka. This is so out of character and is almost a sign of weakness from the Gunners. Over the years Arsenal have been unconcerned about anybody else and have concentrated on playing how they want, regardless of who and where they play. I think they will have a better chance of getting something out of the tie at the San Siro given Milan’s home form this season, but Milan are European greats and nobody can write them off.

Chelsea will breeze through their two games against Olympiakos. Chelsea are always a force to be reckoned with whoever they play against, and the Greek team will not be able to contain the likes of Drogba, Anelka, Ballack, Joe Cole and dare I say it; Frank Lampard. They will have an eye on the weekend with the Carling Cup final and may rest a few stars but they could also welcome back previous absentees. But let’s not underestimate the Greek’s, as they came second in their group above talented sides in German’s Werder Bremen and another Italian team, Lazio. Chelsea have squad depth and will come through this stage of the tournament, but I think if they draw a big team in the next round (i.e Inter Milan, Man Utd, Barcelona, Real Madrid), they will have to be on top form. How far Chelsea go in this competition depends on who they get in the next round, but if I were them I would focus on beating Tottenham at the weekend.

Manchester United are my favourites to be crowned Champions for the first time since they achieved the incredible treble in 1999. This season they have proved to have unbelievable squad depth and quality. Whilst some people would say they need Cristiano Ronaldo to play well to win a game, those critics were proved wrong when they brushed aside Arsenal in the FA Cup. Considering United’s poor away record in the knockout stages, the trip to France will not a walk in the park. However, I honestly cannot believe people who have been saying Lyon have a chance of winning the competition. They have a few good players but as a team they are far inferior to Manchester United and the rest of Europe. They have a reputation of being a feeder team to the rest of the world because of their record of selling their best players, and I think their young kids could be taught lessons over the two legs against the Red Devils. United need to be disciplined in France and come away with a victory, but whatever happens they will win at Old Trafford and progress to the next stage. They have world-class quality all the way through the team and will be there in Moscow at the end of the season. Or at least they should be.

Chelsea and Manchester United fans should be getting ready for another trip around Europe after this stage, as I believe they are through to the next round no problems. On the other hand, Gunners and Reds fans can’t bet on it. They have the toughest draws and I just can’t see them progressing any further. It is shame as if all 4 teams were on top form it could all be different. In previous years would you ever write Liverpool off on a European night regardless of the opposition? No, but form is against them.

Can Preston's FA Cup exit spur them on in the Championship?

Preston North End crashed out of the FA Cup yesterday in the 5th round to Premier League side Portsmouth after a heartbreaking last minute Darren Carter own-goal at Deepdale.

The Lilywhites seemed to be heading to Fratton Park for a replay until the last-gasp controversial goal involving Herman Hreiderson gave Harry Redknapp’s side a 1-0 victory. Preston winger Simon Whaley missed a second-half penalty with the score goalless, and Pompey can thank some inspirational goalkeeping from Man of the Match, David James. The England number one produced moments of real brilliance to keep the European hopefuls in the game, saving brilliantly from a Neil Mellor shot late on that seemed destined for the top corner.

But despite the disappointing defeat, PNE can take so many positives out of the game. Alan Irvine’s men fought magnificently and could maybe count themselves unlucky not to go through to the quarter-finals themselves, let alone earn a replay at the Premier League sides home patch.

In my last blog I raved about front man, Chris Brown’s role upfront, and his performance earned himself the Preston Man of the Match and would probably have been runner-up to Sky’s choice for the game, James. He made life difficult for one of the country’s best centre-half pairings in Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin, challenging for every ball both in the air and on the ground. Karl Hawley chased balls over the top of the full backs, and Paul McKenna and Darren Carter made it tough for French international midfielder, Lassana Diarra and Senegalese anchorman, Papa Bouba Diop, to stomp any authority on the game.

The obvious immediate reaction to the defeat was disappointment; however, every Preston fan should be delighted with the effort, desire and commitment of the players in a game they were already written off in before kick off. The Lilywhite never rested and tirelessly gave it their all for 90 minutes, something which the fans, manager and players alike should be proud of.

The FA Cup is without question a magical competition, which can bring the best out of players and surprise everyone, including themselves, so it can sometimes be tough to judge how a team will fair in the league compared to their cup performances. But I think here you can make an exception. There must be a massive amount of belief and confidence within the squad following their great effort. I believe this is a sign that the side does possess quality and can safely achieve a position away from the relegation zone. On Sunday evening, Preston produced something inspiring. The fans at Deepdale backed their heroes for the full 90 minutes and after the full time whistle, so the players need to watch back that performance and look at all the elements which made them out-play their opponents. For me, it doesn’t matter that PNE are out of the FA Cup. I think it’s fair to say the most important thing now, and was before the game, was achieving a safe position in the league. If they can play anything similar to the way they played against Pompey, Preston will steadily climb the table to safety.

But if there is one area which may let the side down then it’s their finishing. David James did have a superb game, but a penalty is a one-on-one situation and requires composure. The ‘keeper can make himself big and imposing, but the striker must still be able to put the ball somewhere which at least makes it difficult for him. I think that this point here maybe sums up Preston’s performance infront of goal. Do they have the composure to finish moves or make that final ball across the face of the goal a good one? That little bit of coolness in the final third is what PNE need to work on, because that’s what is letting them down. As mentioned in my previous blog, they do everything right starting from the back with a solid defence and a midfield which creates enough chances, but don’t score the goals which they deserve.

The team now has the tough task of traveling to promotion hopefuls Watford, looking to build on the impressive Portsmouth performance. I think if the team remain organised and play with the same commitment they did in the previous game, they stand a serious chance of coming out of the game with all three points.

Preston North End Reserves 0 Accrington Stanley Reserve 4 (15th January 2008)

Official match report can be found on the Preston North End FC website here.

Do European golfers stand a chance?

The most recent men's world rankings were announced on Monday 11th February, and there are six European golfers in the top 20, one less than the USA who have seven. Four of those are ranked above the highest ranked European, Justin Rose who is 7th in the world. Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker and Jim Furyk are 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th respectively with the top two on their own averaging more points than the top Europeans put together.

Looking at these latest stats, European golfers are a long way behind the Americans and the best of the rest (Ernie Els, Adam Scott etc). Does this mean that the USA will walk away Ryder Cup champions come September?

The current standings for who will represent the Europeans in Kentucky, USA, mean the world's current number 63, Daniel Chopra from Sweden will be one of the first choice picks, as well as another player ranked otuside the top 20 in Martin Kaymer.

It's early yet and there's time for things to change, but early indications are showing that for Europe to stand a chance of winning the Ryder Cup this year, they may have to rely on the English fight to pull them through.

Anthony Kim - The new Tiger Woods?

As Tiger Woods looks set to play against the hottest new talent in golf, 22 year-old Anthony Kim, there are suggestions already being made that Woods could be getting an early taste of a new rival.

The pair are being lined up to play against each other in the opening round of next weeks WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, if there are no more withdrawals before the Friday deadline.

Mark O'Meara told ESPN.com that he believes Kim has a better technique than what Wood's had at his age.

"Technique wise, I reckon Anthony's swing is better at 22 than what Tiger's was. I think I'm a pretty good judge of what I see in somebody's bag and what they've got in talent and that kid has got it".

"He could win multiple tournaments a year easily and win major championships. That's how talented he is in my opinion".

With Kim being praised so highly from someone regarded as Woods' mentor, could Kim really be 'the new Tiger Woods'? O'Meara seems to think so.

In the same tournament which Woods won, the Buick Invitational, Kim missed the cut following his high finish of 3rd in Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in January. If Kim was to have played Woods in that tournament, we all could have passed judgement on Californian prospect.

Every golfer in the world now has the opportunity to see something which potentially could be the start of a new era for golf.

Preston North End FC : Short Season Review 7th Feb 2008

It’s no secret that North End haven’t enjoyed the best of seasons so far sitting at the wrong end the table, a long way off the pre-season hopes of the play-off spots. Former manager Paul Simpson was sacked following the 3-0 away defeat to Hull which left PNE with a poor record of just three wins from 17 games. In came the new gaffer Alan Irvine, another Scotsman who was former Preston manager David Moyes’ assistant at Everton. I think he’s done a terrific job. It took time, yes, with three defeats in three games but there’s a definite change in the way the team has been playing. The signs are there that the manager is starting to make his mark on the team with four wins in the last five games including a 4-1 victory against Premier League opposition in Derby County, and against two of the Championship’s top teams, Watford and West Brom. The Premier League is full of teams which play quick passing football and that’s what PNE are now trying to do. OK, it might not work at times and I’m not trying to kid you into thinking they’re playing Premier League standard football, because they’re not, but they’re certainly trying their hardest. Irvine stated after the FA Cup game at Pride Park that the team showed exactly what they have been working on: making the right decisions and making the right passes instead of just shooting whenever they see the goal.

One thing which I have noticed with Preston is that they create so many good chances throughout the game but just struggled to put the ball in the back of the net. With captain Paul McKenna in midfield pulling the strings with his quality passing ability on the ball, and Simon Whaley on the wing fearlessly running at defenders posing a real direct threat, all they needed to do was finish a move by scoring a goal. They have done all the hard work by beating the opposing 10 outfield players but failed to beat the single man between the posts. Recently they have look a lot more clinical and speaking of keepers, despite the odd error here and there (which have been costly), Andy Lonergan has been brilliant, especially when on a one-on-one situation.

I was expecting the gaffer to buy a quality finisher in the transfer window, someone who really could replace Dave Nugent and score goals. Instead he bought Chris Brown from Norwich, someone who doesn’t have a good scoring record, but fair play he’s been a fantastic signing. The big front man has only scored one goal in a few appearances but what he does leading the front line has been top quality, holding the ball up extremely well and bringing others into play, something which PNE haven’t had and for £400,000 he’s proved to be a bargain. You will hardly see his name appear on Soccer Saturday with a goal, but I am sure he will get the biggest cheer from the Deepdale faithful at the final whistle every game, as proved by his Man of the Match debut performance against Watford. Former Burnley midfielder Richard Chaplow has been brought in to add steel to the midfield and I think that his addition for a surprisingly substantial fee will prove a good one come the business end of the season in May. The Preston boss has added to his weakened back-line with the arrivals of Neal Trotman from Oldham and Michael Hart from Aberdeen. Despite Hart being injured and Trotman being just 20-years-old, competition for places is now looking healthy especially with Billy Jones making a return from a knee injury last week. In my opinion purchasing Hart is a great coup for the club as they have secured a player who has UEFA Cup experience.

In the final game before writing, PNE lost 1-0 away to Norwich thanks to a goal in the 91st minute. The results means Preston remain 22nd in the table, one point behind Sheffield Wednesday who have a game in a hand, and may even slip to second bottom depending on Colchester United’s result against Sheffield United.

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog on the latest issues in the world of sport.
I will regularly comment on issues to encourage debate from readers and get you all to discuss the things which matter to you.
Whether its football, cricket, rugby or even American sports such as the NFL, I will discuss the hot topics and this gives you the opportunity to share your views with the world.

I hope what I have to say will really spur everyone on to talk about what you all care about....sport! Remember to keep interactive!

Brett