2017
Beddows Emotional Goodbye - Millions Mourn
After tonight match v Lazio Beddows announced that he was to be leaving the San Siro for pastures new - as was to expected what followed was chaotic scenes of emotion which can only be comparable with what the bible predicted will happen on judgement day and what followed was a hastily arranged memorial service which millions attended.
At full-time Beddows said thank you before boarding a mysterious helicopter which was adorned with #mckenzieout #whereisroy
Beddows will be remembered at Milan for
| Played 254 | Points 460 |
Honours - 2x runner up in various competitons
3x winners of Milan Cup
2x winners of Copa del Duomo
READ ON FOR EMOTIONAL SCENES AT THE MEMORIAL SERVICE
This evening, Thursday 28thDecember, (and tomorrow) has been declared a public day of mourning across the whole of Milan and the wider world as the Milan fans bid farewell to Stephen Beddows in a moving public memorial service bigger than that of Princess Diana's, Nelson Mandela's and Winston Churchill's put together.
They gathered in the streets of the Milan in their millions, many were inconsolable with shock at the suddenness of their manager's departure.
Flowers covered Piazza Duomo and the road leading down to Piazza Castello as the great and glorious of T100 arrived for a memorial service in Beddows’ honour. It was Tom Parfitt and Frank Hirst who led the cortege of mourners into the Duomo for the memorial service that was complete with an empty coffin that was to be placed into the vaults of the catherdral. Parfitt looked quite tearful as he read some of the notes on the flowers and took one which he seemed very moved by and took it with him into the Duomo – clutching onto Hirst as he was clearly hit by the emotion of the occasion.
 |
| Hirst and Parfitt led the cortege of mouners |
Beddows’ empty coffin was bought into the Catherdral by six Milan clad pall bearers, Barzagli, Brooks, Bonadventura, Soriano, Benassi and Lopes – the sextet of players leaning on each other for comfort in their dark hour of need. They placed the empty coffin above an opening vault dating back to the Cathedrals origins of 1386 – Beddows was to be given a fitting resting place alongside the greats of Milan dating back over 900 years.
Many other T100 managers also attended (although some were conspicuous by their absence, DP, Mclean, Dinosaur, the Mckenzie’s amongst many others), Senior arrived with Davy and Mick Hudson – Bob had to be pushed in a wheelchair by Feargal such was his grief – Foster arrived with Reynolds the two of them taking the time to speak to the many fans. Then finally arrived poor Gino – a man clearly so distraught by the occasion that he stood outside the Duomo looking as sad as Scalotti when a deal does not go his way!
Once the memorial service began many of them spoke publicly of their admiration of Beddows...
Silvio spoke fondly of “a great manager,” The Chinese owners spoke something about dogs and ducks and Barbara made a moving speech in a moving speech that whilst "he is gone, he may be back as a true Messiah will always return... but it is unlikely to be on the third day..."
Many T100 managers also contributed with Tom Parfitt speaking first choosing to read out a piece he found attached to one of the millions of flowers outside the Duomo – Parfitt read
"Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is gone,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is gone,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was Milan’s North, their South, their East and West,
Their working week and their Sunday rest,
Their noon, their midnight, their talk, their song;
They thought that love would last for ever: they were wrong.
Their working week and their Sunday rest,
Their noon, their midnight, their talk, their song;
They thought that love would last for ever: they were wrong.
The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good."
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good."
Parfitt then had to be helped from the pulpit by Rob Ryan who himself was in floods of tears...
Then the great Frank Hirst came to the stand – never a man to state his opinion of Beddows publicly – but privately one of the greatest backers of the anti-Milan, Beddows and Balotelli movements- yet he said -
"To the rossineri, He is gone,
To the sorrowful, He will never return,
To the angry, He was cheated,
But to the happy, He is at peace,
And to the faithful, He has never left.
To the sorrowful, He will never return,
To the angry, He was cheated,
But to the happy, He is at peace,
And to the faithful, He has never left.
He cannot speak, but he can listen.
He cannot be seen, but he can be heard.
So as you stand above Piazza Duomo gazing at his beautiful city . . .
As you look upon a flower and admire its simplicity . . . .
Remember him.
He cannot be seen, but he can be heard.
So as you stand above Piazza Duomo gazing at his beautiful city . . .
As you look upon a flower and admire its simplicity . . . .
Remember him.
Remember him in your heart:
Your thoughts, and your memories,
Of the times you loved,
The times you cried,
The times you fought,
The times you laughed.
For if you always think of Beddows,
He will never have gone."
Your thoughts, and your memories,
Of the times you loved,
The times you cried,
The times you fought,
The times you laughed.
For if you always think of Beddows,
He will never have gone."
Hirst like Parfitt could not control his emotions at his great friends departure and this time Nathan Prince came and offered Frank a hand and his handkerchief...
Many other contributors then followed, Bruin, Mark Hewitt and David Marsden all spoke kind words.
And finally one of the chief mourners, Rahul came up to speak and said...
"He shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary him, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We in Milan will remember him."
Age shall not weary him, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We in Milan will remember him."
And then despite being not scheduled to speak at the memorial service Gordon Kinnear took time away from his buses to deliver an unexpected but fitting eulogy...
"Beddows was the glue that held Milan together, never before has a manager been so valued by a club than Beddows at Milan, it was an ingenious appointment - a masterstroke - Beddows and Milan were like 'Cheese and Tomato' 'Pasta and Cheese' and 'Chips and gravy' inseparable!
Like all those before him Gordon Kinnear too had to be helped from the stage as he blew a fair well kiss to Beddows' ‘empty, ceremonial’ Golden Coffin - with Greg Owen of all people helping Gordon to his feet and leading him back to his seat.
Beddows' one true hero in T100 – David Marsden then preceded (also unscheduled) to take the stand declaring his undying love and respect for a manager who has become the most successful in the history of the Italian club.
As the memorial service played out with a brilliant rendition of "Amazing Beddows" followed by "Beddows's on fire all of T100 is terrified" the mourners left in tears, many people needed hospital treatment and others simply refused to leave - not willing to accept the inevitable - that he is gone - gone for now - but never to be forgotten!
Youth Shield Final Match Report
Division Three promotion chasing Sevilla matched up with Division Five strugglers Flamengo in a distraction from league position pressures for respective managers David Senior and Mark Phelps. Former Valencia boss Senior won the Youth Cup last season with Los Che, and was looking to complete a unique double by winning the Youth Shield this. Fla boss Phelps has built an all-Brazilian squad, which has perhaps under-performed at senior level, but is bearing ripe fruit in the under-21 age group.
Flamengo had easily the best side on paper going into the final, but Sevilla had little right to get to the third round stage, let alone the final, and have been over-achieving all season under the seasoned eye of boss Senior.
Youth Shield Final 1st leg at the Maracana, Saturday 23 December 2017
Phelps made three changes to the side which totally dominated the second leg of the semi-final in the same stadium against Sporting Lisbon, but who could only draw 1-1. Having comfortably won the first leg in Lisbon 2-0, it didn’t matter, of course, but the Brazilan club’s boss might have been mindful of trying to make their likely domination of the ball count where it matters most. Cerqueira came in for dos Santos at the back, while Jailson assumed solo defensive midfield duties, allowing Rossetto to make way for Ribamar to partner Everton up front.
Sevilla, meanwhile, stuck to the trusty 4-2-3-1 that had served them so well in the competition to date:
As expected, Flamengo dominated much of the ball and created ten shots on goal to Sevilla’s one. Antonio Sivera in the Spanish goal produced some brilliant saves to keep his team in the tie, but Sevilla created chances of their own, but lacked the quality to trouble Caique in the home goal, other than a tame effort from Umut Bozok just before half-time.
Final Score 1-0. Man of the match Jailson for Flamengo.
Youth Shield Final 2nd leg at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium in Seville, Wednesday 27 December 2017
Team news
Sevilla continued unchanged while Flamengo brought back Gabriel dos Santos for Leo Santos.
The pattern of the game was similar to the first leg, with Flamengo again creating more and better chances overall. The Spanish side, however, created more and better chances of their own, and while young Sivera in the home goal produced yet more outstanding saves to keep the Brazilians at bay, his opposite number Caique had a bit of a nightmare!
While Sivera had already made three good saves inside the first twenty minutes, the young Brazilian had shakily tipped an early near post effort from Vittorio Parigini on to the post, before failing to stop Bozok’s 18th minute strike, only helping it on its way into the back of the net. 1-0 on the night, and 1-1 on aggregate.
That goal understandably took the wind out of the visitors, before both sides had their next efforts on goal just before half time.
Sevilla contained Flamengo again after the break until just after the hour they broke and won a corner. Remi Oudin’s deep in-swinging cross into the box was touched in by Bozok at the back post as Caique - and the Brazilian defence - just stood and watched. 2-0 on the night, and 2-1 to Sevilla on aggregate!
Flamengo rallied, and briefly threatened when Richarlison’s free-kick was touched on to the bar, and over, by Ribamar. But Sevilla held on and even had another effort of their own in the final ten minutes.
Final Score 2-0. Man of the match Antonio ’new de Gea’ Sivera for Sevilla. Sevilla win the Youth Shield 2-1 on aggregate.
After the game, Flamengo boss Phelps was flummoxed, but magnanimous:
Meanwhile, Sevilla boss Senior refused to let his players collect the trophy claiming it wasn’t sufficiently shiny, cancelled the after match party, and declared - a la Mourinho - that the best team lost:
Very unlucky to lose after dominating the stats so completely, Mark, but Sevilla have had a truly magnificent competition, and Sivera’s performance in both legs of the final sealed their win.
Youth Cup Final Match Report
Two Top 100 giants fought each other tooth and nail home and away in this two-legged final either side of Christmas. Bayern hosted Juventus at the Allianz Arena on Saturday, with the return leg in Turin last night.
Dan Payne’s Old Lady side arguably went into the tie as strong favourites having significantly strengthened their youth setup during the campaign, most notably with the capture of former Real Madrid pair Gabriel Jesus and Ousmane Dembele.
However, their confidence took a knock losing 4-3 at home to a weakened Madrid side in the semi-final second leg, and only progressed thanks to two sendings off for Real, and the cushion of a 3-0 away leg win courtesy of Madrid’s failure to organise their home fixture.
On top of that, Bayern had won 9 of the last 10 fixtures between these two at senior level.
Youth Cup Final 1st leg at the Allianz Arena, Saturday 23 December 2017
In his pre-match press conference, Juve manager Payne had this to say:
“just hoping our weak areas in FB & GK positions don’t cost us, especially in the away leg where the tie could essentially be wrapped up by Bayern alike the 1st leg of the semi-final they contested. “
Bayern also made what might be thought of as a defensive change from the eleven that saw off Benfica in the semi-finals, with Harry Winks coming in for Anastasios Donis to strengthen the midfield. Semi-final hat-trick hero Breel Embolo moved to centre-forward.
Bayern boss ruts heaped the pressure on Payne in his pre-match presser, playing up his team’s role as underdogs:
“It would take a huge dollop of SM f***wittery to deny Juve over two legs but we’ve seen it before so you never know… :-)"
Juve dominated much of the first half, creating the better chances, but Gabriel Jesus’s early strike which cannoned off the cross-bar was the closest they came to breaking the deadlock.
The second half began in much the same way until Juve boss Payne made a tactical switch on the hour, replacing the anonymous Ousmane Dembele with Mahmoud Dahoud in a holding role, allowing wide men Marco Asensio and Leroy Sane to push further forward in a three with Jesus.
The change backfired, though, as almost immediately, Ante Coric played a long cross-field ball to Christian Pulisic into the space that Asensio had just vacated on the right. Pulisic brought the ball down beautifully, and in the same movement, cut inside leaving Pedro for dead. His shot seemed to take Juve keeper Adrian Semper by surprise, who stood motionless as the ball swept past him into the net to give Bayern an unexpected lead.
Straight from the restart, Juve hit back. Sane played in Asensio in much the same way that Coric had teed up Pulisic only moments earlier, but rather than take the ball down and dribble into the box, the young Spaniard hit a looping rocket of a shot into the top corner, leaving Bayern keeper Alex Meret to watch as the ball bounced in off the woodwork to make it 1-1.
Bayern had the better of the remaining 25 minutes or so, and came closest to making it 2-1 on the night, but it was not to be, and they may live to regret not taking advantage of the chances they created once Juve opened up a little on the hour mark.
Final Score 1-1. Man of the match Christian Pulisic for Bayern Munich.
Youth Cup Final 2nd leg at the Juventus Stadium, Wednesday 27 December 2017
Team news
Bayern reverted to the team that disposed so comfortably of Benfica in the semis, with Donis replacing Winks from the first leg. That also meant Embolo reverting to the right wing, and Pulisic to an attacking midfield/second striker role behind the young Greek centre forward. A more attacking line-up reflecting the fact that they had to score.
For Juve, Dahoud replaced the ineffective Dembele, and boss Payne perhaps surprisingly stuck with the 4-3-3 he employed in the final half an hour of the first leg. A more defensive line-up, you could argue, but Juve knew that all they had to do to win the trophy was to stop Bayern from scoring.
The second leg played out almost like the first leg in reverse, with Bayern having most of the play and the better chances in the first hour. Unlike Juve in the first leg, however, The German club were more efficient in front of goal and took there early chance when Aaron Martin slipped in Coric, playing down the left, who hit a hopeful effort up and over the despairing dive of Semper.
A goal down at half-time, Juve reverted to the tried and tested 4-2-3-1 after the break, replacing Sanches with Dembele, who took up a position in behind Jesus. Bayern also made a change, with young Turk Enes Unal taking over from Donis up front.
This time it was the Turin side who exploited extra space down the flanks as Bayern pushed on emboldened by their lead and the vociferous home support. And it was Sane and Asensio who combined again as in the first leg, although Meret will be disappointed he didn’t keep it out having got a touch to it.
1-1 on the night, and 2-2 on aggregate with both teams having an away goal, it all looked set for extra time, until five minutes from time when man of the tie Pulisic was fed in by supersub Unal to sink Juve and fire the German giants to victory and their first ever Youth Cup in manager ruts’s first season in charge!
Final Score 1-2. Man of the match Marco Asensio for Juventus. Bayern win the Youth Cup 3-2 on aggregate.
After the match, Juve boss Payne was ruing his sides missed chances, but took full responsibility for the defeat:
A cracking end to a long and at times intriguing competition. Well played both, commiserations, Dan, and congratulations to ruts!
Last day nerves. What is to play for on the last game of the season. Part 1
Last day nerves. What will the last day bring.
While not really the case, it always seems that the last day of the season decides the fate of so much that could have been sorted a week a go. 8 teams in D2 have a possible 3rd place finish and 3 more could get a playoff spot.
Division 1
At the top all done and dusted .
At the wrong end ( gulp ! ) . Still plenty to decide in terms of the sack race and the race with 3 teams who could finished 2nd from last.
Villareal need a point or for Ajax or Valencia to not win. However if they lose and the others win their fate is settled as all teams have -28 GD.
Villareal should expect no favours from Barca so there is hope for both their opponents.
Ajax need to score one more than Valencia, if both teams win or lose by one less if they both lose.
Valencia have the toughest game away to Napoli , Ajax a more favourable home draw to PSG who blow hot and cold.
Sadly I expect the last 4 order to be Ajax, Villareal, Valencia, Sunderland.
Division 2
Champions and second spot decided.
However as indicated in the title, it is a mad battle for 3rd and below.
A win for Schalke is enough for 3rd but a draw could see them not even in the playoffs.
They play Sporting Lisbon , who have to play for a win. Schalke are on a tremendous run Sporting less so,.
So I see Schalke finishing 3rd.
Southampton can also expect maximum points so they should get 59 ooints and with a superior gd will finish 4th
Sampdoria vs Fiorentina is the tie of the round. Sampdoria have better form , expect a win, Fiorentina to miss out on the playoffs all together.
So Sampdoria to finish 5th
Inter should take advantage of this and win coming 6th again with superior GD making the difference.
Leverkeusen should do enough against lowly Athletic club to come 7th.
Genoa , AC Milan should also win , and with Sporting likely not to , they will be snapping at the heels of any of the top 8 if they don't perform.
At the wrong end
All is settled other than who faces the sack, with Athletic club look all but doomed.
Division 3
Where will the title end up. Well Celtic have the easier fixture , but a draw will be enough for the Hoff, so that should be enough.
St Etienne in 3rd have an easier fixture than 4th place Newcastle and have good form, they should get the 3rd promotion spot.
Chievo and Sevilla are guaranteed a playoff spot and no more.
This leaves Hamburg , who I expect to draw with the Hoff. Lyon who will beat Chievo who will rest up their first 11, and Shaktar who should beat AZ. So it looks like Hamburg's great run will come to nought with Lyon taking advantage of Chievo to get the last place.
Villa and Galatasaray battle it out for the last relegation spot, with PSV safe on superior GD, Villa face Celtic so it will be an up hill battle, expect the Turkish team to beat already relegate Marseille, who will also finish 2nd from last .
Division 4
All 3 promotion and champions decided upon and no playoff spots up for grabs , the 2nd XI will be out in force.
It is unlikely Feyenoord can avoid relegation as they probably need to win 10 - 0 to stand a chance. Basel also have to win as they play relegation rivals Levante. Levante have the better form, and knowing Basel must win , leaves them with a tactical advantage to exploit , so Basel will be saying hello to D5.
Celta may avoid the 2nd to last spot, as Feyenoord have a tough last game where as Celta play the last place Malaga.
Division 5
Monaco and Torino promoted as 1st and 2nd. Anderlecht should expect to win against mid table River Plate, but a slip up will certainly put them in the playoffs.
Twente should beat Independiente to come 4th with Espanyol all but guarnateed victory to come 5th but looking for Anderlecht to under perform.
All this could play into the hands of Montpellier and Bremen who will be resting up their first XI .
Cologne and Kazan can expect to prop up the table.
A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS IN TURIN
Turin at Christmas
It’s been a while since I contributed to the blog. Too long to be honest but with so much going on in my life, I just didn’t have the time. Since my last blog, which I am sure was in black and white, the biggest change has been leaving a comfortable job at Liverpool and taking on a much more difficult one in the football hungry city of Turin. When Torino wanted to speak to me about their vacant post I told them I had no idea where the post had gone but it definitely wasn’t me that stole it. Once the chairman explained that it was a job offer and not an accusation I accepted but still denied knowing anything about the missing post. I was, of course, followed to Italy by my favourite journalist who you will know as Fanny Licker. Well Fanny has also had a big change in her life. She met and married rock star Johnny Fishface and she is now Fanny Fishface. A nice aroma to that name I would say.
Her first task in Turin was to speak to the Torino supporting public. Most seem delighted at the club getting such a big name but the best reply came from a fan called Antonio Esposito.
Fanny: A quick word sir. You speak English?
Antonio: Huh
Fanny then changed into her fluent Italian
Fanny: You speak-a de English-a
Antonio: Aaah, Si, a little. Wait are you not the well known journalist, Pussy Wetter? No, erm, it is similar, no?
Fanny: Yes, actually it is Fanny Licker now Fanny Fishface
Antonio: Si, of course. What can I do for your Fanny?
Fanny: What do you think of the new Torino manager?
Antonio: Aaah, Signore Gino. I am delighted especially after our last disaster. A funny story actually. When we hired our last manager, the information was very patchy. My friend, Giovanni, he told me we had an Australian. Some guy called Mick. I was so excited. ‘I know this guy’ I said. He is awesome. It will a great sight coz if we are losing he will just send on a couple of crocodiles and they will take care of our opponents defence and then we go on and win. At our first home game you can imagine my disappointment when they introduced the new manager. Mick Hudson was the announcement. What the fuck does he have to do with crocodiles? I was expecting that bloke with the crocodile teeth on his hat. You know, that Mick Dundee guy so I boo-ed this Michael Hudson guy and when we finished mid-table I was already screaming for a new man. He got better and took us to the play offs where we lost. Wait, this guy was a loser and he proved me right by getting us relegated the next season. Too bloody interested in the TOP100 Shield where he got us to the final only to prove he was still a loser. Next the Division 5 play offs and again a loser before complete mediocrity in Season 5. He decided to leave before he was lynched and we were angry fans. However news of the new boss made us very happy and look what Signore Gino has done in his first season!! We are back to being a Division 4 team and we are closing the gap from that black and white scum across the city.
The last Torino manager - according to Antonio
Fanny: Thank you Antonio for that wonderful insight. One more question, do you have a big cock?
Antonio: No, molto piccolo.
Fanny: Piccolo? What the fuck? So I can play it like a flute? Doesn’t matter. Meet me in my hotel tonight.
Kinnear has brought the crowds back to Torino
So it has been a very happy, merry Christmas for all Torino fans. They can see the club moving forward and are excited for this season ending and the new fixtures coming out for next season. As for me, I am really enjoying Italy and I have signed up to the ‘GBOOI’ organisation. Not sure what it means really but one of the non-English speaking members told me it meant ‘Ottenere Beddows Fuori Dall’Italia’. Surely it should be the OBFD organisation then but apparently GBOOI is the English name. I still have no idea what I am paying my 1000 euros a month for.
Well, I hope everyone had a great Christmas and have recovered enough to look forward to the New Year. I don’t know if I will have time to contribute more often to the blog but I will see what happens. Would like to bring back the Thursday blog but, if I do, then it will be random Thursday’s and not every one.
That’s me for now. Catch you all later.
Ciao
Bah! Hamburg!
This Christmas, Hamburg find themselves in almost exactly the same position as at the same stage last season - one game to go, and just about to miss out on the playoffs. Which got me to thinking about the posts (and ghosts) of Christmases (and other times) past, present and future. In no particular order, and these are of course just a small selection…
Christmas Past
Two years ago, the Youth Cup was born in a table and knockout round format, conceived in a bizarre love triangle comprised of three wise men, bearing gifts of Beddows, and Frank ‘In’ Hirst and DP91.
Tom Parfitt was battling relegation.
Stephen Beddows was looking forward to relieving himself of the pressure of managing Milan’s second best club, so that he could spend more time with his Youth Cup.
Doug Earle was peddling a ’new and improved’ Espanyol.
Arsenal chief Michael Bowes was exchanging Christmas gifts with Roy Keane and Joe Jordan.
Norman Little had big plans for the Baggies.
New Hertha boss Mark Stewart was patiently waiting for a decent offer for Demba Ba.
Bruin was fanny bashing his Christmas Turkey and getting in his excuses for relegation early doors.
Ruts was looking forward to improving on predecessor Jens McJockitch’s 61 points for Celtic in D5.
I was hopeful of great things from Hatem Ben Arfa and new signing Demba Ba, and everyone thought Junior Stanislas was a good signing.
Christmas Present
The Youth Cup (and Shield) is still going strong. Beddows has handed over the running of it to me now, and I hope that I can continue to organise it in a much better and more timely fashion, er, I mean carry on his great work and legacy, especially with continued help from some of the rest of the Top 100 community.
Tom Parfitt is battling relegation.
Beddows has been tying himself in knots talking himself into and out of the Real Madrid job he so desperately covets.
Doug Earle has improved Espanyol beyond recognition, and they really do look like a brand new team. But they are still in Division Five.
Michael Bowes hasn’t blogged since signing Luke Shaw and Phil Jones for Anthony Martial. To be fair, he is about to lead Arsenal to fifth in Division One, which - as all Gooners will no doubt appreciate - is just like a trophy.
Nuno Bento has big plans for the Baggies.
Mark Stewart is planning a third successive title and promotion, and is probably going to stick with Luis Muriel for the time being.
Bruin is back in the USSR, and taking his new club back down to Division Three.
Ruts is just completing his first reasonably satisfactory season as Bayern boss, and his old club Celtic have just been promoted to Division Two.
I’m hopeful of great things from Raul Garcia (again) and new signing Mathieu Valbuena, and everyone thought Ahmed Hegazi was a good signing.
Christmas Future
A Division Five team for Tom.
To be honest, for all he’s done for the game world, I think Stephen deserves a crack at Madrid.
Doug gets promoted. (I still feel guilty for telling him Demba Ba would get him promoted.)
Michael comes out of blog retirement to write about his latest trophy.
Nuno will get drunk on New Year’s Eve and sign 57 youths no one has ever heard of. Once his six month transfer ban is up, they will all be world beaters and he will be crowned King of Top 100.
Mark will win a third successive promotion.
Bruin will be proving how tough he is by focusing on beating the drop into Division Four.
Ruts will win Division One, while Celtic will get relegated.
I’m hopeful of great things for Issa Diop. But I need a new defensive midfielder to replace Santiago Ascacibar, who has been fantastic on loan for us this season. And I really want to get Hamburg - a massive club - into Division Two, at least.
Merry Xmas all.
Nathan to leave leicester city??????
After a long hard season and one game left hertha Berlin finally pipped us to the title.
In what has been a very tough season and a massive battle to claim a automatic promotion with some very well managed teams in division 4.It's very hard to be downbeat despite losing the title. We have the best goals scored and the best defence in the division going into the last game and I couldn't of asked for anymore when the whole squad was pretty much changed.
With one game left at home to Sao Paulo.the lads will hope to send the fans away happy and ready for what will be a very tough season in division 3.
After the game manager Nathan will wave goodbye to the Leicester city fans as he moves on to a new club after guiding the foxes to promotion.
It's been a pleasure managing this top club and I will keep a eye out on there results in division 3. A opportunity has come that I can't turn down. I'm sure the board will appoint a new manager in due course and continue to grow.
Youth Cup and Shield Finals Previews
Tonight sees the first legs of the culmination of a long, hard season of Youth Cup and Shield games for the four remaining teams, Bayern Munich and Juventus in the Youth Cup Final, and Flamengo and Sevilla in the Youth Shield Final. Second legs will be played on Wednesday 27 December, but here is a quick preview of the finals.
Youth Cup Final
It's not often that Munich giants Bayern are thought of as underdogs, but they disposed of a very disappointing Benfica team full of young talent in the semi-finals, and now face an equally good, if not better, Juventus youth team.
Not that Bayern don't have an excellent and steadily improving youth academy of their own:
And then there are those starlets out on loan:
Six of those players arrived during the season, just prior to the knockout rounds, taking some of the best players from their rivals, then-favourites Real Madrid, and Benfica.
It's a testament to Juve manager DP's dealings that the senior team now sit comfortably in fourth place in Division One, having seen the Madrid and Lisbon youth teams fall by the wayside. Managerless Madrid's seniors, meanwhile, languish in mid-table, while Benfica's first team are fighting a very real threat of relegation into Division Three.
Having said all of that, Bayern have won 9 of the last 10 meetings between these clubs, albeit all at senior level, but Juve will have to overcome that mental barrier, too.
Youth Shield Final
Referee Mohamed Benouza will earn some air miles refereeing both Youth Cup and Shield finals simultaneously, and the cool rain in Bavaria will undoubtedly alleviate the sweltering heat in Brazil during the first legs tonight.
In the Youth Shield semi-finals, Flamengo beat another Lisbon club, an improving Sporting, over two legs. Having won 2-0 in Portugal, Mark Phelps' all-Brazilian starlets kept Michael Hudson's lion cubs at arms length in the return leg to record a 1-1 draw, and ease into the final with a 3-1 aggregate victory.
David Senior's surprise package Sevilla finished off Rob Ryan's Napoli 2-0 in the second leg of their semi-final to record a 3-0 aggregate win.
Like Juventus in the Youth Cup final, Flamengo look like much the stronger team:
Like Juventus in the Youth Cup final, Flamengo look like much the stronger team:
Good luck to all, and may the best teams win.
Spoon Army Communique #1
Official Communique of the Spoon Liberation Army of Sao Paulo (In hiding)
We of the S.L.A.S.P. (in hiding) congratulate Manager Nick Wheels of Sao Paulo Football Club for his efforts to guide this great club into Division 3 and for his loyalty in announcing he will stay another season to complete this great work.
Nick Wheels is not only a great manager of Sao Paulo, he is also an inspiration to its fans, it’s citizens and to us, here in S.L.A.S.P.
He has unswerving sought to elevate the fortunes of both the club and its people. He has supported The Spoon Army unswervingly from its time on the terraces of the Morumbi, through the mass incarcerations by the corrupt fascist dictatorship of the previous military Government and now he honours the Spoon Army’s metamorphosis into the social and political movement for justice for the Sao Paulo people.
We honour manager Wheels efforts & achievements both off and on the pitch and hope one day soon that we may be on the terraces, backing our Spoons with full revolutionary fervour, no longer an army in hiding.
Nick Wheels, you are now an honoury Commander in the Spoon Liberation Army of Sao Paulo.
May truth, glory and honour be your everlasting companions. May Spoons clatter wherever you walk.
Viva Paulista!!
Signed:
Juarez Tavora,
Patricia Galvao,
Dandara,
Luis Carlos Prestes
Regional Commanders
Christmas At Liverpool - BY WAYNE BULLOUGH
Nobody hates Christmas more than I do.You spend a fortune on presents for people and what do you get in return?Some novelty socks and a Lynx Africa box set.Not really fair is it?
And how about having to sit through endless repeats of TV shows and films year after year.Santa Claus The movie anyone?You have to be nice to people, family who you don’t like just because “it’s Christmas”.And don’t even get me started on Cliff bastard Richard!
No Christmas isn’t for me.I’m the original Scrooge.Because of all of this I wasn’t looking forward to the Liverpool Christmas party.A time where my players and staff and famous Liverpudlians come together.Get in the Christmas spirit I was told.My arse!
The day of the party got off to the worst possible start.South American duo Maxi Pereira and Salomon Rondon were caught with millions of pounds worth of white powder on them.I tried telling the police that as it was Christmas it was probably snow but they didn’t believe me.
The problems continues as Wojciech Szczesny and Hector Herrera were both hospitalised when a “Vodka v Tequila” contest went wrong.The winner-well neither of their livers obviously!The party was finally in full swing and the drinks were going down faster than David Inglis’ Everton team.Captain Javi Martinez was owning the dancefloor.That was until he was kidnapped through a side door and thrown into the back of a van with “Scallotti removals” on the side.As it sped off 2 people who were recognised as Guido Carillo and Frank Acheampong were kicked out of the back door with “Send to Liverpool” signs on them.
This was turning into a bad night.There were a few familiar faces inside the party who seemed to be gate crashers.Leicester City manager Nathan Prince and the most wanted man in Top 100 Clement Lenglet were sat at a table with Sir Stephen Beddows and Mario Balotelli.I didn’t catch all of their conversation but I did hear Beddows say he was trying to tempt Nathan with “bunga bunga”.Hmm.Must be some new Brazilian wonderkid I thought.
Jordan Henderson was getting some stick from the rest of the lads about never having a girlfriend and needing to prove himself as a real man.Fair play to him then when he was seen smooching with someone who looked just like Cinderella on the dancefloor.Turns out it was Cinderella.Even though it was Les Dennis in full costume after just arriving from the local Christmas panto at least he still pulled!
A fracas then started between a couple of blokes and a group of youngsters.Apparently local lads Ron Dixon and Jimmy Corkhill were fighting over a woman called “Our Jackie” when some cups of fizzy vimto went flying and all hell broke loose.The drinks belonged to a group of teenagers wearing baseball caps and “Baggies for life” hoodies.The fight was eventually broken up by bouncers Joey Barton and Jimmy Tarbuck and this was our cue to leave.
As we headed back home I got a text from Ciro Immobile saying he wouldn’t be available for the next few games because of a groin strain.Seconds later João Moutinho texts me saying the exact same thing.I don’t think it was a coincidence they were both seen sloping off with Coleen Rooney and Abby Clancy midway through the night.Oh well groin strains aren’t too bad.Its not like they need double hip replacements like I did after that weekend with Sonia back in the late 80’s…..