gdp's Comments

World Football Columns : Wolves Mean Business

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:22:34 +0000

The last time I saw a team trying to kick their opponents out of the game was NUFC against Everton in Feb 2009. Victor Anichebe is still recovering now, bless him.

World Football Columns : The Premier League 2010/11 Preview

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:06:18 +0000

Surprisingly, Matt, I am a little more optimistic than you about Everton's chances. I'm going to have a wager on them nicking 4th! Despite all that's wrong with the EPL at the moment. It's good to at least see a bit of proper competition at the top end, rather than just the usual 4 dominating. Also, I like your diplomatic use of the word 'scrapper' to describe Barton and Nolan.

World Football Columns : The Other Shoe

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 21:28:46 +0000

Ha! A slight difference in class there. A double champions league winner or a serial 10th place finisher. Uh oh indeed for Fulham fans!

World Football Columns : The Other Shoe

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:01:04 +0000

I read recently that Ottmar Hitzfeld could be a candidate for the job. That would be a great appointment for Fulham if that came off.

World Football Columns : The Shouting/ A Look Back At The Tournament That Was

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 06:36:37 +0000

Eliot, I concur on both points. Any article that gets a 'Life of Brian' video in there deserves respect. Which Eastern European team can you see doing well in 2012?

World Football Columns : Match Day Special/World Cup Semi-Final Germany v Spain

Thu, 8 Jul 2010 12:09:18 +0000

I agree Matt. Although I've really enjoyed this WC, I have to say that last night's was the 1st game I was genuinely riveted to (I missed the Uruguay-Ghana game, was at the HP Weinmarkt!). Germany were a bit disappointing but I think credit for that has to go to Spain for their pressing, as Martin mentioned in his article. I thought Spain were excellent. The Germans I was with were naturally disappointed but they can take heart from the fact that in the last 2 tournaments it's taken probably the best team in the world to stop them!

World Football Columns : Why Do England Always Lose?

Tue, 6 Jul 2010 10:11:57 +0000

Science? What has science ever done for mankind? Found another interesting article today. Juergen Klinsmann reveals how he changed the style of german football: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cu... that would never work in England!

World Football Columns : Why Do England Always Lose?

Mon, 5 Jul 2010 19:42:12 +0000

I read this today in the Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jul/04/fa... Another reason why England lose: Conflicting interests between the clubs and the FA ruining England's chances in youth competitions. This was the reason for England's recent poor performance in the World U20 Championship. England finished a miserable bottom of the group, despite the fact the same age group had a couple of months earlier got to the final of the U19 Euros (lost to Ukraine). The World Cup was in September, which meant all the better players weren't released by their clubs. Interesting points about differing pllaying conditions in different countries. Gianluca Vialli had a theory on this: British players don't develop as well technically because of climate. According to him, in Britain it's difficult for kids to develop their skills because there are high levels of wind, which makes ball control more difficult.

World Football Columns : Who Says Crime Doesn't Pay?

Sun, 4 Jul 2010 19:06:32 +0000

Martin, I like your proposal. If it were up to me I would give the goal and the player gets a yellow card, thus avoiding a double punishment. I found Ben's point about a deliberate foul interesting also. I remember a match back in 1998 between Newcastle and Man Utd. Utd were chasing the title at the time and I think were 1-0 up in the dying stages of the game. Then, Newcastle's Rob Lee breaks clear on the counter and gets to about 20-25 yards out. Up comes Ole Solskjaer and deliberately scythes him down with absolutely no intention of getting the ball. He started walking off before the ref showed the red card and was congratulated by fans and team mates as some kind of hero. Newcastle only got a free-kick out of it. Utd got all the men back and formed a wall etc. Hardly a fair reward. What would be your take on dealing with that?

World Football Columns : Matchday Special - Germany vs Argentina

Sun, 4 Jul 2010 10:35:23 +0000

@Matt I was expecting more of a contest too. I tipped a 3-3 and then onto pens. I stayed in and watched it sat next to 2 giant industrial size fans to keep me cool, but plan to head out Weds. Can't wait! You're right Spain will be worried and if they play the way they have been in this WC then they should be worried! @Martin, indeed. Would've been good to see Mueller against Capdevila aswell on the other side. Looks like it will be Trochowski coming in for him. He won't offer the same threat

World Football Columns : Poland: The Story Of What Might Have Been

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:24:48 +0000

also, Podolski has scored over 40 goals for Germany. Absolutely fantastic record.

World Football Columns : Poland: The Story Of What Might Have Been

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:19:02 +0000

It would appear that West Germany gave Klose Snr the life his homeland couldn't give him. Germany was a far different place in the 70s to how it was during the war.

World Football Columns : Bundesliga Team of the Season

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:04:41 +0000

Daniel, thanks for straightening that out. A hole in my reasearch it seems :) Shame Rostock couldn't hold onto him a couple of years longer and get a proper fee for him.

World Football Columns : Poland: The Story Of What Might Have Been

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 20:54:02 +0000

Klose is only 3 goals away from legendary status, by equalling Ronaldo's all time WC goalscoring record of 15 goals. Let's see whether he can manage it.

World Football Columns : WFC World Cup Diary – Matchday 16, 26 June 2010

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 09:38:57 +0000

I predicted wins for Uruguay and USA too beforehand. 1 out of 2 ain't bad. I love watching Ghana when they get their 1-touch passing going. Can't wait to watch the QF between these 2 sides, should be a great game. If I had to tip I would go for a Uruguay win because their defence looks more solid at the moment, but it's a very tough one to call.

World Football Columns : The Big One–Vote for your winner!

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 19:26:09 +0000

Germany for me too I'm afraid. I think 2-1 sounds about right.

World Football Columns : WFC World Cup Diary – Matchday 14, 24 June 2010

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 07:46:18 +0000

Interesting stuff. I don't know a great deal about Italian football. I know they've got some young talents like Balotelli, Giovinco and Santon. Does anyone think players such as these will go on to form a new Azzurri spine in future?

World Football Columns : WFC World Cup Diary - Matchday 13, 23 June 2010

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 07:43:50 +0000

Yep indeed he was signed from Marseille as you say. Losing Schweini would be a big blow for them, you're right. It should be a classic match whatever happens. It's what the World Cup is all about. Although being surrounded by 80 million opposition fans if we lose will be a highly painful experience!

World Football Columns : WFC World Cup Diary - Matchday 13, 23 June 2010

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:39:58 +0000

I'd take that line up to be honest. I like the sound of having an extra midfielder in there to deal with the german 3 in midfield. It looks as though Schweini might miss out through injury. That would be a blow to Germany if he can't play. Ziani plays for Wolfsburg, joined last summer.

World Football Columns : WFC World Cup Diary - Matchday 13, 23 June 2010

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 09:43:28 +0000

I was thinking Capello may just switch Milner and Gerrard to opposite wings for the Ger game. Milner would probably do a better job tracking Lahm while Gerrard would give the run around to whoever plays at left back. Well done to the USA, they fully deserved to win the group. The draw looks tasty for them now, a trip to the semis is far from out of the question for them. Well done to Aus too. They showed a lot of character coming back from that abject defeat to Ger in the opening game.