Group A
Overview: The easiest of the groups but possibly the hardest to predict. I'm going for Poland as group winners and Russia as runners-up.
Poland:
Star Man: Robert Lewandowski - Has been in lethal form for Dortmund this season, helping them win the German League and scoring 22 league goals. Poland will need him to get on the goal trail in order for the co-host nation to progress.
One to Watch: Wojciech Szczesny - The Arsenal keeper has had a great season and many will be looking at him to continue his progression in his first major tournament.
Greece:
Star Man: Georgios Samaras - Can be hit and miss but can be a match winner. He has had a good season with Celtic and will need to be at his very best if Greece are to have a chance.
One to Watch: Sotiris Ninis - At the age of 22 Ninis is a bright prospect for Greece and has just been signed by Italian team Parma. A creative attacking player who can play anywhere across the midfield.
Czech Republic:
Star Man: Tomas Rosicky - Finished the season in great form for Arsenal and will be looking to lead his team forward as captain. Can score and create and will probably need to do both if he wants to take his team forward.
One to Watch: Michal Kadlec - Confident attacking full back who has been a consistent performer for Leverkusen in recent years. He can score and has 8 international goals in 34 caps from left-back.
Russia:
Star Man: Alan Dzagoev - At 21 years old Dzagoev is the main man for Russia. He is extremely creative and has an eye for goal. A strong tournament could well put him in line for a big summer move.
One to Watch: Andrei Arshavin - Despite losing his place and form in the Arsenal team this season he is certainly one of the more talented players in the Russian team and has a good track record in recent major tournaments.
Group B
Overview: Incredibly tough group where one of the big nations will not make it through. I think Germany will win the group with Netherlands finishing second. Commiserations Portugal.
Germany:
Star Man: Mesut Ozil - An extremely intelligent player who constantly finds space in between the lines. Integral to feeding the likes of Mario Gomez up front and can also grab a goal. His vision and accuracy in delivery makes him the man to stop and he is in fantastic form having just lifted the La Liga trophy with Real Madrid.
One to Watch: Toni Kroos - He's a midfielder who helped Bayern to the Champions League final and looks set to have a huge career in front of him. He already has 26 caps at the age of 22 and this could be his chance to blossom into an international star.
Portugal:
Star Man: Cristiano Ronaldo - Officially the second best player in the world. On his day he can tear anyone apart and Portugal can never be written off for this reason. Contributes goals and assists and is a complete player. Hasn't quite produced his best form at international level but there is still time.
One to Watch: Raul Meireles - Has just won the Champions League with Chelsea. An efficient and intelligent player with 8 international goals to his name. Goes about his business in a less flashy way to the likes of Ronaldo and Nani but an important part of Portugal's system.
Netherlands:
Star Man: Robin Van Persie - He struck 30 league goals for Arsenal this season and has been in unplayable form recently. If he performs, with service from the likes of Robben, Netherlands will be a force.
One to Watch: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar - With 29 league goals to his name this season he will certainly be looking to stamp his authority on the world stage. A great finisher and certainly a danger to any defense.
Denmark:
Star Man: Daniel Agger - Experienced and a great defender. Beset by injury problems but when fit a leader for Denmark. Has had a good season for Liverpool but a few too many injuries. As captain and penalty taker Denmark will look to him for inspiration, although being in the hardest group their chances don't look good.
One to Watch: Christian Eriksen - At the age of 20 many people are already touting him as one of the hottest prospects around. He was expected to make a big impact at the 2010 WC but failed, now 2 years on he has matured and grown as a player and a big performance could get him a big money move from Ajax. He is an attacking player who many have likened him to Mesut Ozil.
Group C
Overview: Holders Spain to coast as winners and Croatia to pip an Italian team beset by troubles to second.
Spain:
Star Man: Andres Iniesta - A player of footballing genius and an integral part of Barcelona's formidable team. He is extremely creative and also has an eye for goal. His movement and passing ability are one of the reasons why Spain are a dominant force currently and one of the favourites to win the tournament.
One to Watch: Jordi Alba - Has had a great season with Valencia and has received transfer attention from all the elite clubs. Can play anywhere down the left and has good attributes going forward and defending. At 23 years old he looks to have a big future in front of him.
Italy:
Star Man: Andrea Pirlo - Blessed with a fantastic touch and passing range the experienced midfielder will be looking to orchestrate Italy's team in order to progress out of their group.
One to Watch: Claudio Marchisio - A creative spark for Italy and Juventus. He has had a great season this year, lifting Juventus back to the top of Serie A.
Croatia:
Star Man: Luka Modric - An elegant player who provides the moves that could see Croatia qualify. In a group against the holders, Spain, Modric will need to perform to keep his team in the hunt for progression.
One to Watch: Ivan Rakitic - Has had a great season for Sevilla in Spain and has amassed 41 caps at the age of 24. He is a creative midfielder with great passing and shooting ability, scoring 8 international goals so far. While the focus may well be on Modric, the likes of Rakitic may be able to thrive under less pressure.
Rep of Ireland:
Star Man: Robbie Keane - With over 50 international goals he is certainly Ireland's most prominent goal threat and is also their captain. If he performs to his best then they have a chance and with his movement and leadership he can be a thorn in most sides.
One to Watch: James McClean - Has had an unbelievable season in the Premier League with Sunderland, mainly praised for his dribbling skills from left-midfield. Despite only having 2 senior caps Ireland may look to him for a bit of genius in their bid to progress.
Group D
Overview: I think England will surprise critics and win the group with France coming in second. The first game between England and France will ultimately decide who wins the group.
England:
Star Man: Steven Gerrard - Talismanic captain and part of a weakened England midfield that has been terrorized by injuries. It is imperative that Gerrard and Parker remain fit in the middle of the park. He can score, create and defend and on his day can be the complete player that can inspire England. With Rooney absent it will be up to Gerrard to be at his best to drive England forward like he has been doing for Liverpool for many years.
One to Watch: Andy Carroll/Danny Welbeck: With Wayne Rooney suspended for the first 2 games one of these two will have a chance to impress. England will need a scorer to help them qualify and with France up first it could be a great chance for one of these young strikers to make their mark.
France:
Star Man: Karim Benzema - He is one of the most prolific strikers in the world currently and France will no doubt be looking at him for goals. If a chance falls to him in the box he would expect himself to score and having earned himself a first 11 place in the Real Madrid side this season he will be full of confidence.
One to Watch: Yohan Cabaye - He has had a fine first season in English football, helping Newcastle finish 5th in the Premier League. While others can call themselves match winners, Cabaye has the ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch and dominate a midfield. With legends like Vieira before him, Cabaye will hope to cement the centre midfield spot as his own and continue his form on the international scene.
Sweden:
Star Man: Zlatan Ibrahimovic - A striker of undoubted talent who's attitude has occasionally held him back. He can be the difference for Sweden and is capable of great things if he puts his mind to it. His skill and manipulation of the football is certainly impressive and his improved goal scoring statistics in recent years had led to him becoming one of the worlds most dangerous strikers.
One to Watch: Rasmus Elm - He is a midfielder who has been linked with many European clubs this summer such as Liverpool and PSG. Has a creative spark and scores goals. He has been in fine form for AZ this season and at the age of 24 he may see this tournament to really kick start his career and get a big summer transfer.
Ukraine:
Star Man: Artem Milevskiy - A talented player who hasn't always played to his potential. A major tournament could be his chance to impress the home fans and lead his team forward from the front. He is a striker who can finish and is a clever player.
One to Watch: Andriy Shevchenko - One of the best strikers in the world back in his peak. Can this legend of the game leave the international stage with a bang and captain his side to qualification from the group? While he may have lost his pace, Shevchenko still has an eye for goal and is a messiah figure for the co-hosts.
Overall Winners: Germany
Runners-up: Spain
Friday 8 June 2012
The Predictability of Tennis
Djokovic will hold all 4 Grand Slams should he win Roland Garros, although the King of Clay Rafa Nadal will certainly prove stern opposition. What has happened to tennis? It has become an increasingly hard sport to support someone as you know that don't really have a chance of winning, unless it is Federer, Nadal or Djokovic. Gone are the days when Juan Carlos Ferrero would win the French, Andy Roddick the US, Lleyton Hewitt the English and Marat Safin the Australian. And of course Henman would be sniffing around the semi-finals. Federer had just started his rise in the rankings, although back then he was an angry youth, far from his calm exterior he is now known for. It was a good time to be a fan. Now the sport is predictably dominated by the big three. The finals are made up of two of those three, bar the rare appearance from the likes of Del Potro or Murray, although they never go on to win it. The Goran Ivanisavic win at Wimbledon just wouldn't happen any more. Back in the glory days of tennis, some ten years ago, you could have genuine belief in the underdog. Now, it is more just a certainty that one of the big three will destroy them. While Nadal, Fed and Djok have certainly raised the standard of tennis and make great champions, it must be a daunting task to anyone outside the top three trying to win their first major tournament. When Marat Safin made his last Grand Slam final appearance at the US in 2009 he was ranked 58th in the world...
Friday 1 June 2012
Brendan Rodgers - The Future
Brendan Rodgers represents not only the new face of Liverpool football club, but the ever changing face of football. As a young manager he has experience with the best, Jose Mourinho, and has a philosophy that is admirable by his peers.
"The philosophy is very much based on the attacking side of the game. People ask me that question and I always say it's about being offensive and creative, but also with tactical discipline. If you look at the Swansea team in the last couple of years they've been lauded for their offensive approach but defensively we've kept many clean sheets and we're up there with the top defensive records. That's the principles of this club. This is a club that's based on fast, attacking, offensive football. But I'll repeat - it's very important to have tactical discipline within that. Your philosophy and your principles will always be governed by the players. There is a fantastic squad here, some terrific players, but there is no doubt I'll need to make maybe two, three or four additions to try and get that flow - and it will take time to put that in place."
It is clear that the ideals that Rodgers hopes to impose upon the Liverpool team have real intent to move forward. With around £30m available to spend, adding on any outgoing transfers, it will be about finding the right play to fit the mold of the team, not making signings just because they are good players. Liverpool is a historic club and expect Champions League football every season. Realistically that is a high target, although not necessarily unachievable . More likely is a good, solid season in which a gap of 17 points does not arise between the coveted 4th spot in the Premier League and 8th, where Liverpool finished in the season just passed. Targeting top 6 and being in the running for 4th is imperative in LFC's strides forward. Rodgers high pressing, possession football is a formula that is bred for success. With the right, quality signings made to boost the squad he will be delighted with this opportunity he has been given. Some say the Liverpool job is one steeped in doom with high expectations and money that can't match the likes of Man City or Chelsea making success increasingly hard.
So what does Rodgers have to work with. Well the stats are there to be seen. Liverpool have often played teams completely off the park and still not won. Finishing has been a clear problem throughout the season with Luis Suarez becoming top scorer with only 11 goals. Liverpool had to lowest chance conversion percentage in the whole league and that is where their problems lay. There is clear talent in the Liverpool ranks, Suarez, Gerrard, Skrtel, Enrique, Lucas, Johnson...these are players that are some of the best in their position and will certainly play a major part in Rodgers transition into the LFC team. Time is obviously an essential element of a managers career, but also an increasingly 'old' trait in football. Modern football has seen many clubs chop and change manager as often as they like, paying vast sums to sign them and then vast sums to sack them. Ferguson got time, got trophies. Wenger got time, built a successful club that gets top 4 every year. There must be a line, however, when the reality becomes too bad for time. Sorry Kenny Dalglish but that was the end of this season. Finishing 8th, behind Everton, with only the Carling Cup to our name is simply not acceptable for LFC and it could not be ignored.
Signings: Liverpool are a club that are always strife with transfer rumours and this window will be no different. With a new man at the helm it is inevitable that players will come in and some players will go. Chelsea have already made major moves by signing Hulk, Marin and Hazard for a combined fee costing barely more than Andy Carroll and Henderson. However in net spend Liverpool received £50m from Chelsea for Torres to allow those signings, which isn't a defense, just a sign of the financial difference between the two clubs. Chelsea's players are clearly more household names but as Newcastle proved this season, with the right signing massive money does not have to be spent. Find the right player who fits with the squad and that is all that matters. I believe Arsenal are a prime example of how not to do this. Most people identity Arsenal's weakness as their defense and yet Wenger still fails to rectify the problem, signing attacking players year after year....Gervinho, Benayoun etc before, Podolski now. You don't have to always buy the best players, sometimes you have to buy what you need and I hope Rodgers realizes this.
While LFC are not in the Champions League currently they are still a club full of history, passion and a philosophy. From the likes of Paisley and Shankley, and then of course King Kenny, trophies were ingrained in the club, signified when Rafa Benitez lifted LFC's 5th Champions League trophy in 2005. While the club have taken knocks backwards and some people questioning the clubs status it is ridiculous to say that they are not a big club. Not only are LFC one of the biggest in the country, but they are also a worldwide club. The fact that LFC are STILL in the Forbes Richest Clubs top 10 with only a 45,000 seat stadium and no Champions League football in a few seasons says it all. It was clear a change was needed and that is what LFC have now got, wether or not it will be a success will remain to be seen but with the style of football Rodgers plans to implement I believe that LFC will soon be making vast strides towards where they want to be, although time to build their project is essential.
"The philosophy is very much based on the attacking side of the game. People ask me that question and I always say it's about being offensive and creative, but also with tactical discipline. If you look at the Swansea team in the last couple of years they've been lauded for their offensive approach but defensively we've kept many clean sheets and we're up there with the top defensive records. That's the principles of this club. This is a club that's based on fast, attacking, offensive football. But I'll repeat - it's very important to have tactical discipline within that. Your philosophy and your principles will always be governed by the players. There is a fantastic squad here, some terrific players, but there is no doubt I'll need to make maybe two, three or four additions to try and get that flow - and it will take time to put that in place."
It is clear that the ideals that Rodgers hopes to impose upon the Liverpool team have real intent to move forward. With around £30m available to spend, adding on any outgoing transfers, it will be about finding the right play to fit the mold of the team, not making signings just because they are good players. Liverpool is a historic club and expect Champions League football every season. Realistically that is a high target, although not necessarily unachievable . More likely is a good, solid season in which a gap of 17 points does not arise between the coveted 4th spot in the Premier League and 8th, where Liverpool finished in the season just passed. Targeting top 6 and being in the running for 4th is imperative in LFC's strides forward. Rodgers high pressing, possession football is a formula that is bred for success. With the right, quality signings made to boost the squad he will be delighted with this opportunity he has been given. Some say the Liverpool job is one steeped in doom with high expectations and money that can't match the likes of Man City or Chelsea making success increasingly hard.
So what does Rodgers have to work with. Well the stats are there to be seen. Liverpool have often played teams completely off the park and still not won. Finishing has been a clear problem throughout the season with Luis Suarez becoming top scorer with only 11 goals. Liverpool had to lowest chance conversion percentage in the whole league and that is where their problems lay. There is clear talent in the Liverpool ranks, Suarez, Gerrard, Skrtel, Enrique, Lucas, Johnson...these are players that are some of the best in their position and will certainly play a major part in Rodgers transition into the LFC team. Time is obviously an essential element of a managers career, but also an increasingly 'old' trait in football. Modern football has seen many clubs chop and change manager as often as they like, paying vast sums to sign them and then vast sums to sack them. Ferguson got time, got trophies. Wenger got time, built a successful club that gets top 4 every year. There must be a line, however, when the reality becomes too bad for time. Sorry Kenny Dalglish but that was the end of this season. Finishing 8th, behind Everton, with only the Carling Cup to our name is simply not acceptable for LFC and it could not be ignored.
Signings: Liverpool are a club that are always strife with transfer rumours and this window will be no different. With a new man at the helm it is inevitable that players will come in and some players will go. Chelsea have already made major moves by signing Hulk, Marin and Hazard for a combined fee costing barely more than Andy Carroll and Henderson. However in net spend Liverpool received £50m from Chelsea for Torres to allow those signings, which isn't a defense, just a sign of the financial difference between the two clubs. Chelsea's players are clearly more household names but as Newcastle proved this season, with the right signing massive money does not have to be spent. Find the right player who fits with the squad and that is all that matters. I believe Arsenal are a prime example of how not to do this. Most people identity Arsenal's weakness as their defense and yet Wenger still fails to rectify the problem, signing attacking players year after year....Gervinho, Benayoun etc before, Podolski now. You don't have to always buy the best players, sometimes you have to buy what you need and I hope Rodgers realizes this.
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