Going Potluck!
January 25, 2008 6:30 PM
It has been a while since I gave my thoughts on all things in the world of soccer, so I’m going to try my hand at expressing my views on a variety of events that are either taking place or have occurred in recent weeks.
As many of you know, there has been plenty of drama in the increasing real-life soap opera that is the English Premier League. Let’s start with Newcastle United’s amazing decision to bring back Kevin Keegan as replacement for Sam Allardyce. Much has been said about the fact that Allardyce was not given enough time in the job at St James’ Park, but I was willing to give The Magpies the benefit of the doubt, as billionaire owner Mike Ashley and chairman Chris Mort were not the ones who hired the former Bolton Wanderers manager on Tyneside. Instead, and I guess one should not have been surprised, Newcastle went back to the future with ‘King Kev’. His appointment came with jubilation in the North East of England, but understandable bewilderment everywhere else. Proponents of Keegan’s appointment say he will return the attacking style that was Newcastle’s trademark during his spell in charge in the 1990’s. I was a fan of the way The Toon played then, but one EPL observer made a telling suggestion that the English game has moved on tactically since Keegan last managed the club. Remember that his tactical shortcomings saw him leave the England job…Will this role turn sour instead of sweet for Keegan?…we wait and see…
This brings me to another EPL topic in Liverpool Football Club. I was far from impressed with Tom Hicks’ public declaration that he tapped up Jurgen Klinsmann as a possible replacement for manager Rafa Benitez. Does he not understand that the British media are constantly on the lookout for such dishes of information? I feel very badly for Benitez. They may have struggled the past few seasons in the EPL, but silverware has been claimed under the Spaniard’s leadership. Of bigger concern is the amount of debt that Hicks and George Gillett have saddled The Reds with this week following their refinancing agreement. Like with us here at the Whitecaps, the American owners are keen to build Liverpool’s new stadium soon. Regardless, I fear there may be drama to come from Merseyside in the summer, and that will be a shame….
I’ll leave the January transfer window business until next week and the likely drama to come in the final week of the month…and shift my thoughts to the current spectacle that is the African Cup of Nations. Having viewed some of the early group games, it is always a thrill to watch highlights that include one of my favourite aspects of soccer play – long-range shooting. Sulley Muntari set the tone with Ghana’s late winner against Guinea in the tournament’s opening game last Sunday, and since then, there has been some great finishing from distance. A quick prediction, I like hosts Ghana and Ivory Coast in these finals….holders Egypt remain strong, but I expect a new nation to win the trophy on February 10.
I know I’ve said this before, but there is a lot to look forward to in 2008. We can talk about EURO 2008, World Cup qualifying, domestic leagues & cups, etc…but there is one things that should draw some interest come Monday. Miami, Florida, will be the scene for a major announcement from our beloved confederation – CONCACAF. They are set give what they call a ‘thorough outline’ of their new club competition called the CONCACAF Champions League. The inaugural season is due to begin in August and will run until May 2009. How does this involve the Whitecaps, you say? Well, I cannot reveal much but to say that there is a chance that Vancouver could be playing some of the best clubs in the confederation later in the year. Imagine the Whitecaps against Houston Dynamo from MLS or Chivas Guadalajara from Mexico. There could even be a clash against one of Central America’s big clubs – the Purple Dragons of Deportivo Saprissa from Costa Rica. Sounds strange, right? Well, this could become reality soon enough. What Whitecaps fans should expect is a similar announcement that involves our club, Toronto FC, and Montreal Impact for this summer that ties in with the CONCACAF Champions League…it’s as much as I can say, but I’m already excited just thinking about it…
Finally, I would like to end this mix of association football thought by wishing all the best to Portsmouth’s Zimbabwean striker Benjani Mwaruwari on his pursuit of another hat-trick for the club. After striking three goals against Derby County last Saturday, Pompey manager Harry Redknapp declared this week that the striker will get ‘fish & chips for life’ if he has another three-goal game. We need to see if fellow South Coast rivals Plymouth Argyle will be as willing to accommodate the African hit-man in their FA Cup fourth round tie this weekend. Speaking of the FA Cup, best wishes to all connected with Havant & Waterlooville Football Club on their day out at Liverpool. It would be nice to see the Conference South club cause The Reds some problems…until next time…
Posted By: Simon Fudge on January 25, 2008 6:30 PM
