Footy Factor - Premiership Football - World Cup 2010

Maradona’s Last Dance

Trevor Cassidy — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:24:55 +0000

Love him or hate him, Diego Maradona’s electric return to football ended far too soon. Taking the reins of Argentina in 2008, Maradona guided the national side through a last-gasp qualifying campaign and then inspired his players to produce the most entertaining football of the first round of the World Cup.

So it was sad turn of events when Argentina’s football association decided to sever ties with its feisty coach earlier this week.

Should Ashley Cole Join Real Madrid?

Trevor Cassidy — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 01:20:56 +0000

It’s a fairly straight-forward question, yet one that keeps on coming up. If rumours are to be believed, Ashley Cole, everyone’s favourite Englishman, is being courted by Real Madrid. But should he grab that chance to play at the Bernebeu and leave the Premier League behind?

I’m Joleon Lescott. Remember me?

Stan Hughes — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 06:29:41 +0000

It wasn’t so long ago when big burly defenders were all the rage in the Premiership and Joleon Lescott was the man of the hour. Times have changed for Lescott.

Manchester City’s Odd Men Out

Stan Hughes — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 06:24:12 +0000

Roberto Mancini’s first summer in charge at Manchester City has seen the club lead the race for new and exciting talent. But for every Aleksandar Kolarov that Manchester City sign, there’s a Wayne Bridge clicking his heels on the sideline.

As Manchester City’s summer spending spree shows no sign of abating, keep your eyes peeled for some bargains leaving the back door.

A Fix for Arsenal’s Goalkeeping Problem

Trevor Cassidy — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 06:25:21 +0000

Arsene Wenger has never been a proponent of stop-gap solutions. But two years of watching Manuel Alumnia flapping his arms in the Arsenal goalmouth is apparently enough to cause anyone to change religion. Word on the street is that the Arsenal manager is now seeking a cure for his ongoing goalkeeping woes in the form of a 37-year-old keeper with a dodgy knee.

Who is Ramires?

Stan Hughes — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 06:20:35 +0000

There is one Brazilian whose name has been plastered all over the back pages this week and it’s not Ronaldinho, Robinho or Maicon.

Ramires Santo do Nascimento, Ramires as he is commonly known, is about to become a household name.

Van Gaal: “I’ve yet to see the best of Ribery”

Trevor Cassidy — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 06:36:16 +0000

And you might never, Louis.

On Tuesday, barely hours after Bayern Munich manager Louis Van Gaal was interviewed about his squad for the upcoming season, his French winger Franck Ribery was formally charged with soliciting an underage prostitute for his 26th birthday.

Joe Cole Leaves London

Trevor Cassidy — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 06:19:28 +0000

What’s the matter with Joe Cole? Perhaps he’s been wearing the title of “England’s Most Technically Gifted Footballer” around his neck for so long that it has started to choke off the oxygen to his brain. That might help explain why he’s decided to swap Anfield for Stamford Bridge.

New York Red Bulls Sign Thierry Henry: Does Anyone Care?

Footy Factor — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 06:23:45 +0000

Among the post-World Cup chatter, one story in particular has been lost in the shuffle… Thierry Henry has signed with the New York Red Bulls of MLS!

While we would not expect this to make international headlines as the “mega-transfer” of the summer, it is curious that even MLS has kept such a low profile in promoting the signing.

FIFA World Rankings Defy Logic

Stan Hughes — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 06:24:38 +0000

We have long believed that the FIFA World Rankings are about as useful or accurate as a Shaun Wright-Phillips cross. And now we have the ultimate proof.

Iker Casillas: Best Goalkeeper Ever?

Stan Hughes — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 06:20:50 +0000

We’ve never been ones to shy away from the big debates in football, so here’s one to sink your teeth into: Having watched Spain triumph in South Africa and witnessed their keeper win the final’s most valuable player award, is Iker Casillas now the best goalie in history?

Holland’s Oranje See Red

Stan Hughes — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 06:25:47 +0000

Holland’s Bert van Marwijk has launched a stinging attack on the referee following his side’s 1-0 loss to Spain in Sunday’s World Cup Final.

And the Dutch coach couldn’t be more on the mark.

The Footy Factor Matrix: World Cup 2010

Trevor Cassidy — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 06:23:33 +0000

The 2010 FIFA World Cup came to an explosive end in Soccer City on Sunday when four weeks of scintillating football culminated in Spain lifting their first ever World Cup. We’ve summarized all the news worth knowing about during the tournament in one easily digestible guide. Disagree with any of the items we’ve included, or where we’ve located them? Not a problem: send us your feedback!

World Cup 2010 In Pictures

Stan Hughes — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 21:02:06 +0000

The 2010 World Cup is over and what a month it has been. Spain are newly crowned Champions and the rest of the world must wait four years before staking another claim for the sport’s most prestigious honour. Take a look at our picture review of the tournament and let us know what you thought of the action on and off the pitch.

England Reach The World Cup Final!

Trevor Cassidy — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 06:26:03 +0000

England makes the World Cup final after all! Howard Webb and his team have been selected by FIFA to officiate Sunday’s big match.

Dirk Kuyt: World Cup Winner?!

Trevor Cassidy — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 06:26:46 +0000

It just doesn’t sound right, does it? Dirk Kuyt has got no pace, no moves, no finesse, no killer instinct for goal. Yet come Sunday the choppy Dutch winger could find his name being sung from Groningen to Roosendaal.

World Cup Woes: Manchester United or Chelsea?

Trevor Cassidy — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 06:32:40 +0000

Here’s a fun little parlour game: Who had a more disappointing World Cup? Manchester United or Chelsea ? By the time the quarterfinals rolled around neither of the two clubs – considered by most to be among the best in the world – had a single player left in the tournament.

The World Cup Semi-Finals: Don’t Miss A Trick!

Stan Hughes — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 06:23:04 +0000

In early June, 32 nations set off on a mission to win the first World Cup on African soil. 60 matches later and only four teams remain. Rising above the drone of the vuvuzelas, the refereeing injustice and the most controversial round ball in the solar system, Uruguay, Netherlands, Spain and Germany must hold their nerve once more before reaching Soccer City on Sunday.

A few tips on what to look out for in the semi-finals…

The Biggest and Best of the World Cup Quarter-Finals

Stan Hughes — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 06:28:09 +0000

After a scintillating round of Quarter-Final matches that served up a cocktail of drama, injustice and revenge, only four teams remain in the hunt for the World Cup.

Before we turn our attention to the Semi-Finals, let’s take a moment to reflect on the biggest and best of the Quarter-Finals.

England still in the World Cup!

Trevor Cassidy — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 08:21:28 +0000

It’s become the trendiest theory to explain England’s failure at this World Cup: Premiership clubs play too many games so that by the time the summer rolls around Premiership players are too exhausted to play well at international tournaments. There is a lot of anecdotal evidence to support this theory, including the fact that stars like Fernando Torres and Wayne Rooney have gone missing in South Africa. But the actual numbers paint a more nuanced picture.

Africa Braced For First Brazil v Argentina World Cup Final

Stan Hughes — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 06:21:43 +0000

At the risk of dismissing the World Cup Quarterfinals and Semi-finals as non-events, it is quickly becoming clear that Brazil and Argentina are on course for their first World Cup Final face-off.

The first World Cup to be staged in Africa still holds hope for several of the planet’s best football nations – Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Germany – but look no further than the mighty Brazil and Argentina when July 11th rolls around.

The World Cup 2010 Awards

Trevor Cassidy — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 06:27:21 +0000

The awards are being doled out early here at Footy Factor as we recognize some of the players who have made an impact during the first couple of weeks of the World Cup. Take a bow, boys. You’ve earned it.

Most Hated Men In Football: Fabio Capello

William Whistle — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 06:33:46 +0000

After being appointed England manager in December 2007, Fabio Capello boldly announced that the role would be the last of his career. Two and half years later and that prophecy has quickly turned pear-shaped. England’s embarrassing defeat to Germany sent the Three Lions crashing out of the World Cup and brutally exposed Capello’s frailties on the international stage.

Discredited Fabio Capello now adds his name to the growing list of Footy Factor’s Most Hated Men in Football.

England’s World Cup Post Mortem

Stan Hughes — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 06:24:41 +0000

England’s World Cup crusade ended in humiliation yesterday as Joachim Low’s Germany tore the Three Lions apart 4-1. Fabio Capello’s side board the next plane for Heathrow and no, there won’t be the usual hullabaloo surrounding its arrival home. In a four-match England campaign that included only three goals and a win against Slovenia, not an ounce of the passion, pace and power seen week in week out in the Premiership was exhibited in South Africa.

England’s World Cup post mortem begins here.

South America Dominates the World Cup Thus Far

Footy Factor — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 12:03:41 +0000

While it is no surprise that Brazil and Argentina finished 1st in their respective groups, the continent of South America can be heard chanting a collective “OLE!” to celebrate the region’s dominance in the tournament thus far.

Captain America Saves the World Cup

Footy Factor — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:42:19 +0000

The United States needed a miracle. With frustrations mounting and tensions soaring, the precious final seconds of US existence ticked away. And the time bomb appeared destined to destroy all hopes for survival in this tournament. That’s when Landon Donovan swooped in and saved the day, once again.

Underdogs at the World Cup

Trevor Cassidy — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:52:44 +0000

It’s beginning to feel a lot like 2002. Remember when Turkey and South Korea slipped into the World Cup semi finals at the expense of traditional powers like Italy and Argentina? Well, the underdogs have once again reserved one of the spots in the final four.

England’s Final World Cup Gamble

Trevor Cassidy — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 06:30:27 +0000

These have probably been the longest four days for the England squad. Subjected to a nonstop barrage of vitriol from the press and the public for their shambolic performances against Algeria and the USA, the Three Lions have just one more opportunity to save face – and it comes this evening.

Make This Man England Captain

William Whistle — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:44:27 +0000

When football players act like kids, we all tell them to stop it and start acting like adults. On Sunday, John Terry said that the England players and the coaches needed to get together to talk about what’s wrong with the team performances and how it can be fixed. In other words, he didn’t blame the pitch or the ball or the refs.

England’s Flair: Left Out in the Cole-d

William Whistle — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 06:31:32 +0000

While there wasn’t much to see during England’s mind-numbing goalless draw against Algeria, there’s certainly much to debate. England spent the full 90 minutes crying out for a player who could unlock the Algerian defence. And that player was just a few yards from the touchline: Joe Cole.