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.
Showing posts with label arsenal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label arsenal. Show all posts
Monday, 25 February 2008
Tuesday, 19 February 2008
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.
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.
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