The Football Blog

After two years at Portsmouth, David Nugent finally arrived in the Premier League this weekend. His two goals for Burnley displayed the qualities that earned him a move to the highest level from Preston in Jully 2007, and even an England cap (and a snatched goal).

His time at Portsmouth was not a success by any means, and a fresh start looks like it was what Nugent required to get his career back on track. From the beginning, Nugent appeared to have made a wrong move. Just weeks after moving to Pompey, rumours emerged that Derby were about to table a bid to take him to Pride Park. Hardly an ideal start for a player looking to make a step up from the Championship.

A more welcoming reception at a newly promoted club up in the North West looks to have helped rebuild some confidence and the premise of regular football is something that Portsmouth never offered Nugent. Burnley are not dissimilar from the Preston side that Nugent was so successful in – a small unit of well organised players, with fans fully behind their club. No doubt the fact that Burnley manager Owen Coyle was willing to gamble on the player despite Pompey manager Paul Hart’s misgivings about his ability will have also put a reassuring arm around Nugent’ shoulder.

There are many reasons to suggest why Nugent and Portsmouth did not work out. The off field issues regarding ownership and lack of funds did not help anyone connected with the club and Nugent may be the type to excel in stable conditions. Portsmouth were certainly not a stable club and it did not take the problems between Nugent and Marc Wilson to work out that all was not well in the dressing room as well as the board room. That Nugent was involved perhaps told more the story of one man’s frustration on the South Coast.

As Owen Coyle said after beating Sunderland 3-1, “our strength is not in one or two players – it’s in the group”. That philosophy, along with Burnley’s geographical location, may help to explain why David Nugent suddenly feels so at home.

The news came through yesterday that Manchester City’s Emmanuel Adebayor has been charged for violent conduct and also improper conduct following the game with Arsenal at the weekend. As far as Manchester City go, the match sent out a real message to football fans everywhere, both City and otherwise. Unfortunately, two of the main talking points in the game have now resulted in Adebayor’s inevitable suspension. Because of those two incidents, there are few people discussing the result of the game.

The charge for violent conduct comes as no surprise. Whatever the circumstances, you cannot tread or stamp on an opponent. Adebayor was roughed up by Arsenal players, and Robin Van Persie, who has put in his fair share of ugly tackles and been involved in equally ugly episodes, deserved a yellow card for his sliding scythe at Adebayor, but that should be no excuse for retribution. Adebayor can claim what he likes; the way it happened does not look to anyone like he did it by accident. His foot changes direction and as far as I can see, intentionally strikes Robin van Persie on the face. Retrospective bans are very much a hot topic right now with Eduardo’s ban from UEFA being overturned yesterday, and so they will continue to be with these latest charges on Adebayor.

The second charge of improper conduct is a more contentious issue. The question of whether fans should be able to take back what they give has again reared its head just as it does when players have sworn or gestured to fans in the crowd. After the abuse that Adebayor has received from Arsenal fans both before and after Adebayor left, it was somewhat likely that he would give some back to those same fans.

Should fans be allowed to say or do whatever they want to players and not expect any retaliation? It is an extremely tough judgment to make. Players are professionals and have the responsibility of being role models. They should be able to keep calm. However, in cases like on Saturday, emotion can easily take over a situation. You could see the emotion in Adebayor’s face, and after scoring a fine goal, it was a perfect opportunity for him to show his old club’s supporters what they were missing and what he felt they had failed to appreciate. It could be argued that a better way to have reacted was to celebrate with the City fans, but Adebayor has a tendency to take the more controversial option. Similarly, fans often get emotional at events like those that happened on Saturday. Nobody likes to see anyone score against their club, particularly one that has had issues with them before, and one who used to play for them. Songs and chants are as much a part of football as goalposts and pies, and are difficult to control. Songs that antagonise players will always happen, and whilst racism or other types of discrimination are never to be encouraged, it will be an almost impossible task to control fans and what they sing.

So do they have a right to complain when something like this happens? And should Adebayor have been charged retrospectively over this? It seems a bit rich for fans to complain about a footballer goading them when they have spent the whole game doing the same to that player. The only problem with the incident as far as I can see is that the inflamed supporters can cause injury to each other and to stewards. Objects were thrown at Adebayor, and one City steward was hospitalised. Nobody would like to see a child or infirm person to be involved in the crush that happened in the away end this weekend, but fans have a responsibility. A big crush rushing to get at someone would not be acceptable outside a football ground, so should not be acceptable inside it either. But short of installing riot squads in away ends up and down the country, there is little to be done about controlling a large group of incensed football fans.

As far as the punishment goes, I’m not so sure that it is particularly fair. Whilst every punishment has its first perpetrator, it seems odd to choose this case to do it when there have been several examples of it before. Indeed Thierry Henry when playing for Arsenal did an extremely similar thing when scoring against Tottenham. After running half the length of the pitch to score a great solo goal, Henry then doubled this distance back again to slide in front of the away end. This did not receive any retrospective punishment, and there are many other similar incidents that do not receive the same amount of attention as this one has. Perhaps understandable given the match and the teams involved, but highlights the lack of even press coverage in the media. I don’t think that this celebration deserves a separate ban. If it does then it sets a precedent that has to be repeated every time something similar happens. It is important not to dilute emotion in the game, and clamping down on goal celebrations endangers this. The rule about taking a shirt off being a yellow card offence is stupid in itself, but to further it with telling players where to celebrate goes past stupid.

In my opinion, Adebayor should get a three game ban for stamping on Van Persie’s head. The punishment for celebrating in front of Arsenal’s fans should be the same as the punishment he received when it happened. A yellow card. Perhaps a fine, in the same way that Didier Drogba incurred when throwing a coin back into the Burnley crowd would be sufficient.

Either way, let’s hope this commotion fades out soon, and allows football fans everywhere to comprehend the message that City’s performance sent us. They deserve that.

Who to play up front for England against Croatia? The choice undoubtedly seems to be between two, despite Carlton Cole’s impressive performances – Emile Heskey or Jermain Defoe. The perennial underachiever (in terms of goals scored) against the perennial second half substitute.

Emile Heskey

Let’s be honest, he probably won’t score. But interestingly for a striker playing international football, he’s not really expected to. His strike rate is not particularly impressive, but his real strength is that he is so difficult to handle. He is your typical English centre forward, and as we know, foreign defenders aren’t generally very good against that sort of striker. Not many countries play the English way of crossing and knocking the ball up to “the big man”. Look across Europe and you’ll often see big target men are very successful. Luca Toni, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Nikola Zigic to name three. Closer to home, and you’ll see that Peter Crouch has a strike rate at international level at nearly one goal every two games. Wolves’s new signing Stefan Maierhofer scored 24 goals in 38 goals last season at Rapid Vienna. Jan Koller played the big man role perhaps better than anyone in recent memory, and his international record lives up to that claim – 55 goals in 90 appearances for the Czech Repubulic. Defenders from average to poor countries don’t defend well against big men. Big problem in this case is that Croatia are in no way an average to poor country! As mentioned before though, if Heskey plays it won’t be for his goal scoring prowess. He helps to relieve pressure by giving an outlet who can hold the ball up. He can battle with defenders on the floor and in the air, and will complement Rooney well who can drift and look to get on the ball. Heskey gives the option in the box for crosses from Wright-Phillips or Lennon on the right, and can provide knockdowns for onrushing midfielders in Lampard and Gerrard.

Jermain Defoe

Here is the complete opposite of Heskey. If Heskey is all power and strength, then Defore is all pace and finishing. Defoe has the ability to create something out of nothing, and with the ball at his feet, is as dangerous a dribbler as anyone England currently possesses. He has a very good, accurate shot, and often surprises defenders and goalkeepers with the speed of his strike. He has very little backlift and can get a shot away before defenders have the chance to move. See his goal this last weekend against Slovenia for evidence of that. Defoe again gives that different option that TV pundits love to talk about. He can get in behind defenders, something Heskey can’t do. The other thing that Defoe has on his side is the proverbial “form book”. Seven goals in six games this year and several eye catching performances coming on as substitute have elevated Defoe into a genuine England starting candidate. But is he only effective as a substitute? Defoe hasn’t done too well when starting for England and looks to be an excellent impact substitute to come on when other, more physical, strikers have battered defenders around a bit. Defoe on paper will certainly strike more fear into tired defenders coming on from the bench than Heskey. But it is hard to argue that Defoe doesn’t deserve another chance from the start, but Capello does not seem to be a man who bows to compassion. Deserving he may be, but Capello will pick the team to win a given match. The equivalent to having bowlers who complement each other at each end, Defoe and Heskey in each half seems to be giving results. It would take a brave man to change that formula for an important game set to be a lot tougher than the last few games England have had.

Verdict?

I would expect Capello to start with Heskey. Heskey gives more to a team than Defoe, who is much better when the game is stretched and can utilise the time and space offered. Heskey will bring England’s other matchwinners into the game, and give defenders a torrid time, allowing Defoe to come on and reap the benefit of that. Defoe may well come on and score again, but it would be naïve to underestimate the role that Heskey’s performance would play in that.

However Capello decides to line his team up, the fact that there is a selection headache is a credit to the Italian and the players performing for him. We should not forget, it has been a long time since England qualified so seamlessly as they could this time. Competition for places can only help the drive towards World Cup glory.

Well well well, that was a dull transfer deadline day wasn’t it? When the main story of the day is that Richard Dunne’s transfer to Aston Villa is delayed, you know that action has been minimal. Even moneybags Notts County failed to capture the imagination on the last day despite being linked with any overpaid player with two legs. Still, Sol Campbell will just have to make friends with his new Nissan owning colleagues instead.

The problem this year was that the big four more-or-less told everyone that they wouldn’t be spending any money…then did exactly what they said. No twists or turns anywhere. How boring for the rest of us. The other main problem is that Tottenham are currently doing well in the league. For a club who have no perception of in-betweens (they are either about to win the league or get relegated), this was an indicator that no real big-money season-saving signings needed to be made. Kranjcar is a bargain for a Modric stand-in, but surely there was room for one more striker to sit on the bench alongside Crouchy’s long legs? Disappointing from Manchester City too, although they’ve probably annoyed too many clubs with declaring an interest in their players for anyone to do business with them now. Either that, or they genuinely think they have a stong enough squad to compete. The latter may not be too far from the truth. No goals conceded in all competitions so far this year, Adebayor scoring in each league game along with Tevez starting to get fit suggests that they might be a force to be reckoned with.

Most of the ins and outs occurred at Portsmouth and Sunderland, albeit for different reasons. Portsmouth, desperate to get some money in, sold anyone that wasn’t nailed down or who doesn’t have a history of extravagant hairstyles, and brought in players with considerably less talent and even less pay packets. Sunderland on the other hand, have spent money to improve on their 16th place finish from last year. Increasing strength in all positions and with a better manager in charge, a top ten place is not beyond them.
Several clubs seem to have weakened over the course of the summer. Signs of tightening purse strings perhaps, but Wigan and Aston Villa will be unlikely to match last season’s efforts. It would be possible to say similar things about Everton and the mighty Manchester United, but their machines in charge always manage to find enough Irn-Bru and chewing gum in the tank to perform above and beyond their squads’ abilities.

Lower down the leagues, Rickie Lambert must be questioning his decision making abilities - moving from Bristol Rovers who lie 7th, (admittedly after only 5 games), to Southampton who are on -7 points. Alan Pardew has a lot to prove after his spell at Charlton, but the way he’s started his tenure at Southampton suggests that he hasn’t learnt from his mistakes there. It will be interesting to see how long the new owners put up with his excuses of not having a balanced squad, scouting issues and new managers being appointed. One interesting note to make is how the three relegated clubs from the Premier League have managed to keep some key players. Newcastle have managed to keep Kevin Nolan, Alan Smith and Jonas Gutierrez as well as Steven Taylor all of whom should prove above most at Championship level. Middlesbrough have kept David Wheater, Adam Johnson and Gary O’Neil, and West Brom have only really lost Paul Robinson and Jonathan Greening. This may be a reason as to why these three teams currently lie in the top four in the Championship.

Similarly in League One, Leeds have taken the gamble of losing Jermaine Beckford for nothing in the summer, hoping that he can fire them to promotion to the Championship this year. A gamble that certainly seems to be worth taking given their opening to the season.

Despite the lack of last day drama this time around, the transfer window closing again almost signifies the real start to the season. Squads are finalised now, so time for the rumour-mill to stop chugging. Until January at least.

Nowadays, success seems unattainable in football unless you have a mega-rich sugar daddy signing the cheques. The amount of takeovers that have occurred recently has brought to attention the need to have tremendous financial clout in order to compete. And not just in the Premier League. Notts County have shocked the world by announcing the arrival of Sven Goran Eriksson to the club, and whilst reports of Sol Campbell and his proposed two year contract on £90,000 a week may be wide of the mark, it has certainly shown what hype and excitement a takeover can bring.

But there are consequences of this. As unpredictable and illogical the lower leagues are, the first weekend of results would indicate that Notts County are in a strong position to get promoted this year. That’s one promotion spot gone. Take into account the 23 other teams fighting for one place and playoff positions, and suddenly the pressure cooker is turned up a notch. The financial chasm in all divisions is clear to see, with Notts County being the top dogs in League 2. As is inevitable, there is always a large fallout from what happens in the higher echelons.

In the top division, the only way to succeed is to become a big spending club. To be big spending, you need a big backer. This summer the main focus of money (apart from Real Madrid) has been on Manchester City. After being taken over in September 2008 by the Abu Dhabi United Group, this summer they have splashed nearly £100m with more than two weeks of the transfer window to go. But despite spending all this money, what is the best that they can realistically hope for? The businessmen in charge of City are not spending money for no gain. They have to be challenging for the Champions League this season with a view to be challenging for the title in the next couple of years. They have managed to entice players this season with money and the promise of a progressing club. If they fail to reach the Champions League, next year will be a lot more difficult to persuade big name stars to Eastlands.

Several other Premier League clubs have undergone takeovers in recent years, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Aston Villa to name a few. The biggest teams have continued to be successful after their takeovers, Chelsea have become title winners, and Aston Villa have made great strides in the last couple of years. So with those clubs progressing, what happens to the other clubs who still have to try and compete? Everton have done terrifically well without large sums of money, leading to manager David Moyes to being linked with the Manchester United job when Ferguson retires. But without a big spending owner, Everton will slowly be overtaken by those with money to spend on players. It will be a cause for concern when the best that a club without a big backer can aim for is eighth place. If you have not historically got the finances like a club like Tottenham, or a rich chairman, then it would seem that anything other than mid table or lower will become a shock.

All this has a knock on effect further down the leagues. Last year, two relatively successful and wealthy clubs were relegated from the Premier League – Newcastle and Middlesbrough. Of course, Newcastle’s proposed takeover is a subject all on its own, but it comes to the situation where Scunthorpe’s Matt Sparrow and Garry Thompson are competing against the Jonas Gutierrez’s and Fabricio Colloccini’s of this world. Whilst last season’s performances did little to suggest that these players deserve to be on different pitches, the difference in wages would point to a different scenario. So straight away you have an imbalance on the pitch, and unsurprisingly, Newcastle, despite the fiasco following them for the past year and a half, start as one of the favourites to get promoted, and Scunthorpe one of the favourites to get relegated.

Such is the way of modern football however, and whether you or I like it or not, as the gap between rich and poor increases, the face of football will no doubt change with talk of European Leagues and Premiership 2’s and suchlike. So until a time of financial equilibrium (will there ever be such a time?), forgive me for being excited at the prospect of Manchester City competing for a top four place. From a neutral’s point of view, a big four has to be better than a big four! And good luck to Notts County. The money they have invested deserves some sort of reward. Even if some of that investment is in Lee Hughes.

Takeovers can certainly be exciting if they progress, but for other fans they can be as excruciating as pulling teeth. Take Portsmouth for example. They have seen a bid for their club accepted on the 27th May from Sulaiman Al Fahim, yet nearly three months later, the takeover has still not gone through. Due Diligence has been completed, and Al Fahim has passed the necessary “Fit and Proper Person” test enforced by the Premier League. After doubts about who was to become manager, Paul Hart was given the full time job. But what does all this point to? Hart is undoubtedly a “cheaper option” than a big name manager that were previously linked. Since January 2009, Portsmouth have sold Lassana Diarra, Jermain Defoe, Glen Johnson and Peter Crouch for large amounts with loan signings and frees making up the incomings. More outgoings are rumoured. So whilst Portsmouth wait for this takeover, their squad is being torn apart in order to provide the right deal for the buyers and sellers of the club. The longer this goes on the weaker they will become, and with the transfer window approaching, they will face difficulty in strengthening it again. It would seem that Al Fahim does not have the funds to enable a Manchester City style takeover, and the current owner Alexandre Gaydamak has no money to run the club. So they are left in limbo until the takeover materialises, as neither the current of prospective owners are putting any money into the club, so instead the firesale continues to keep the club afloat.

Virtually all clubs are up for sale, and all clubs need extra investment. With a limited amount of billionaires willing to invest in football clubs, not all clubs will get that investment. The cream will rise to the top, the biggest spenders will become in a league of their own, literally. Everyone else will fight to win the second division. Armchair fans will support the Sky 10 with no promotion or relegation, and the rest will be relegated to watching 30 seconds of highlights on Channel 5 at 12 o’ clock on a Tuesday night.