The Last Days of Football

It is the end of English football premiership today and two billionaire clubs are up for the championship. Barring shocks Chelsea will be the champions. This title run in has the look of the last days of the Wiemar republic. While the world economy is imploding footballers are demanding more money and driving round in more ludicrous cars. With Liverpool football club announcing debts of over 351 million pounds. What hope does the rest of the game have? Austerity measures are on the way and some grand old names of football will vanish. Feel for the fans but understand that their thirst for success has led them to this place.

 

French Finale

Work has kept me from the world of the blog for a while but I feel it proper to return with a posting regarding the Heineken cup. The French have two teams rightly through to the final. Why? The reason probably is due to one reason and one reason only. Cash. The French league has no salary cap. This has meant the French have never had to think about squad sizes. International prop injured no problem get another one. The great thing about this is that French team have never been handicapped by this. It also helps the finances that the French sides play in Stade municpales paid for by the cities. 

Can the French translate this club and international success into the greatest prize of them all and win the world cup? I think so, the reason why is probably due to the fact that the influx of foreigners into the game has given the French discipline. This is very exciting. The French have always played a great Gallic game of rugby. The problem is they have never had the Anglo Saxon discipline required to win a tournament. That certainly is not the case now. 

England could also learn from the French experience. Marc Lieveremont has experimented and been given time to experiment. Martin Johnson has certainly been given time. He has not experimented, perhaps this is why England have not moved on any further. 

The super 14 vs The European Cup

The contrast between the two tournaments could not be greater. Is this because the super 14 franchise is not rooted in the community such as Munster or Perpignan?

What to do with a problem like Danny?

The six nations finished a couple of weeks ago and the overwhelming issue has been the impotence of the English back line. Danny Cipriani came off the bench yesterday and immediately made an exciting impact. This is what the English back line needs. Is Martin Johnson afraid of Cavalier spirit in his backs? Lets hope when Cipriani gets back from his year in Australia a better player and full of confidence that the English back line needs.

The Six Nations 2010

Originally this Six Nations Championship I was going to blog round by round however this was not possible due to my own rugby commitments. This even restricted my own watching of the grand old championship. However I saw enough to offer some comment on each team.

France: Although in the final game against England they were clinical rather than exciting, they got the job done. Far and away the best team in the championship. This achievement of a grand slam should not be under estimated, this is a French side that Mark Lievermont has put together through trial and error. This team is now performing and performing with flair and excitement as you would expect but also has a steel like spine that helps them win games.

Ireland: The grand slam hangover season and possibly the end of the greatest era in Irish rugby history. The side played up and down rugby but their are signs of hope especially with the emergence of Jonny Sexton at 10. The provincial system seems to be producing good players without the stress that English game puts on the players.

Wales: With golf buggies on the motorway being one of the stranger sights of the Welsh six nations championship. The Welsh are not really sure where they are. Without a doubt the most exciting back in the six nations championship is Shane Williams, James Hook is the most natural ball player and Lee Byrne is a brilliant full back. However, the lions tour acted like a tremendous anchor on them depriving them of their best forwards especially in the front row next season willl be the true indication on how far the welsh have progressed.

Italy: Progress was made in the back division and the forwards held their own again a win against the Scots was just rewards and the progress on the rugby field has to be measured on their worth in the six nations. Without a doubt the Italians are worth their place in the six nations. The improvement in the club structure is dramatic with back play being the major weakness.

Scotland: Most improved. Andy Robinson has developed a pack of forwards capable of competing with any body in the six nations a win against Ireland and a draw against England shows improvement. The key for the Scottish improvement will be keeping the pack together.

Finally the English question what  is wrong in Twickenham? The component parts would seem to be there from the premiership clubs. What happens when the players put on the red rose of England? The front five looked toothless the back row was functional without being dynamic. The lack of a proper old fashioned open side was obvious especially in open play where the lack of continuity was painful. The back play was painful and did not improve until Ben Foden was included.

Six nations Week 2

The second week of the six nations and the championship has finally sparked into life. The Wales, Scotland match was brilliant. Thrown away by Scotland but brilliant none the less. France, Ireland was a great display by the French. The Irish look like a side suffering from a slight grand slam hangover.

The game that really was a let down to what was an excellent weekend was England against Italy. Italy have nothing to be ashamed of as they are a side who know their limitations and play to them. They have a tough pack who disrupt ball. England on the other hand look awful. The forwards look comfortable , in a good way. The problem is out in the back line. Every back from Wilkinson to Tait, are decent players however put them together and they look awful.

It is a safety first back line. That having the ball kicked to them causes problems no one takes the ball into the tackle. The option provided seems to be kick the ball in the air. How to fix this? The coaching staff need to let go. The backs are running without inspiration the only way to get it back is to run with the ball and accept errors will occur but don't let that stop the ball being run .

Six Nations Blog

First weekend in the six nations championship. It was very strange the standard of rugby was generally quite poor with mistakes being made. The biggest culprits were Wales not least Wyn Jones the trip that got him sent to the sin bin was endemic of a larger problem. Ball was wasted and turned over the game was won by England on mistakes. The Irish walked a game against Italy again at a canter again not a performance to thrill spectators. France played Scotland again winning at a canter. Hopefully week 2 will give us a better idea of what to expect this week.