Disqus - Latest Comments for Lonnie

Re: Bolton Deals Derby County a Cruel Blow

Lonnie — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:13:14 -0000

There are a few things about the FSR that bother me. For one, their graphics are too blocky. Why do they need to cover up a third of the screen to show me the score ?

Re: Newcastle United Sack Sam Allardyce

Lonnie — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:25:24 -0000

From that BBC article: "Other names linked with the job include Martin Jol, Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klinsmann, Marcello Lippi and former England boss Steve McClaren."

My money would be on either Jol or McClaren. The others mentioned would likely see it as a "step down" career-wise. McClaren needs to rebuild his reputation so it might be a good move for him.

Re: Breaking News: The FA Cup is Coming to Setanta Sports

Lonnie — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:56:46 -0000

I still can't bring myself to pay the $15-20 per month for a single channel. FSC costs me about $2-3 in comparison. If FSC in Canada ends up "giving up" their broadcast rights to Setanta for FA Cup as well I might have to reconsider. Still, $180 - 240 per year is a bit much.

Re: Has everyone forgotten how to tackle?

Lonnie — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 13:14:26 -0000

Let's clear up one misconception. It's not just two-footed tackles that need to be punished. There are also the scissors tackling or the clumsy one-footed studs-up or the raking of the studs down the shin, etc, etc which are just as dangerous. It seems they are being cracked down on because players do need a certain amount of protection from thuggery and recklessness.

My estimation is that Mikel was sent off not just because his studs were showing but also because his challenge was high and it did not appear to be a "reasonable" attempt at winning the ball. Reputation certainly could have played a part but quite simply the lad does not know how to tackle in accordance with the rules of the game. As a player you have to know that when you go to ground and attempt a slide tackle that there is an element of timing that you have to get spot on or you run the risk of committing a foul.

The official has the discretion to deem an action like Mikel's as dangerous play, which it was. Neville could easily have had his ankle broken had he not reacted as quickly as he did. The FIFA laws of the game state:

A player, substitute or substituted player is sent off and shown the red
card if he commits any of the following seven offences:
1. is guilty of serious foul play
2. is guilty of violent conduct
3. spits at an opponent or any other person
4. denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity
by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a
goalkeeper within his own penalty area)
5. denies an obvious goalscoring opportunity to an opponent moving
towards the player’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick
or a penalty kick
6. uses offensive or insulting or abusive language and/or gestures
7. receives a second caution in the same match

A further clarification states that: "A tackle, which endangers the safety of an opponent, must be sanctioned as serious foul play."

Do officials get calls wrong? Certainly. There were two calls in the FA Cup that I can think of (Ispwich and Burnley players being sent off ) that replays showed were "incorrect" calls. As it stands currently, officials are tasked with making split second judgements without the benefit of replays. Introducing video replays is debatable because I've seen tackles that looked worse (as well as less offensive) when they were slowed down or shown from a different angle in a replay.

Re: Following Premiership Players in the African Cup of Nations

Lonnie — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 09:34:08 -0000

Great article ! It seems even Nigerians might not be able to watch the matches.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7177804.stm

Re: My England Starting XI | EPL Talk

Lonnie — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:55:26 -0000

My lineup would be 4-1-4-1:

GK - Scott Carson
RB - Micah Richards
CB - Rio Ferdinand
CB - Curtis Davies
LB - Ashley Cole
CDM - Owen Hargreaves
RM - David Bentley
CM - Steven Gerrard
CM - Joe Cole
LM - Ashley Young
FW - Wayne Rooney

Let the midfield 4 push forward to support Rooney and leave cleanup duties to Hargreaves. Trying to play a wide game and knocking it into the box is unlikely to work unless Crouch starts.

Re: Champions League Quarter-Final Draw and Early Predictions

Lonnie — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:51:55 -0000

Burt, I didn't mean to downplay the Arsenal - Liverpool matchup. It will be as big a game but given that the teams playing three times in a week, I don't think we'll see classic flowing football.

From an in-game perspective I just thought the Roma - MUFC match would be better viewing. Judging it from a drama and headlines/hype for the media, Liverpool - Arsenal is definitely bigger.

Re: Pompey-Villa Looms Large Tomorrow

Lonnie — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:34:10 -0000

O'Neill has splashed plenty of cash. They paid 8.5m for Re0-Coker, 3.5m for Zat Knight, likely another £3-4 million for Marlon Harewood. They also spent 9m on Ashley Young in January 2007 and the price tags for Scott Carson and Curtis Davies are not going to be insignificant either.

Of course they have recouped some money on sales but I don't think it's been a case of O'Neill not having money to spend. I just think he's tried to be judicious in his spending and for the most part I've really agreed with his purchases if not always the price but a fair price is not something that's easy to gauge anymore :)

Re: Down, down, down: Derby v Fulham

Lonnie — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:56:48 -0000

Ringo,

That's why I have been cheering on West Brom for promotion. At least they look like they know how to play football from time-to-time :)

Re: Liverpool Deserves Better Owners Than Hicks & Gillett

Lonnie — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:10:22 -0000

I don't agree that Gillett should remain quiet. The fans of Liverpool FC deserve to know what's going on behind the scenes at the club they put their money into.

It seems to me that Hicks is the bigger problem in this mess.

Re: Saturday Takeaway

Lonnie — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:16:32 -0000

I'm eating a nice slice of humble pie right now. I honestly felt that Man City had gotten the better of the Defoe-Benjani deal but at the moment Defoe has hit a hot streak.

As for the tackling, I posed that same question earlier this season (January):

http://www.epltalk.com/has-everyone-forgotten-h...

Re: Questions to Consider After Man United’s 1-0 Roma Win

Lonnie — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:06:23 -0000

I won't go quite as far as the commenter above me but I do agree the remark "the majority of the great players in history are English, or actually British" is off the mark.

Re: Man United 2-1 Arsenal: Same Old Story from Gunners

Lonnie — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:43:43 -0000

Found the info on top earners and have posted it here:

http://www.epltalk.com/top-money-earners/1843

Re: Liverpool v Chelsea Preview: Bring Your Own Stick | EPL Talk

Lonnie — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:46:56 -0000

Tim,

You are quite right. My mistake...I should have researched that point instead of relying on my memory. Thanks for pointing that out!

Re: Manchester City grab UEFA Cup spot

Lonnie — Sat, 17 May 2008 11:47:00 -0000

Ryan, Chris, et al

I did compile the post from a couple of of sources. I did rewrite some of their passages to suit my own taste. Normally I mention or attribute but in this case I forgot. I've modified the post to note that it was compiled from several sources.

My apologies, it was not my intention to make it seem like I was breaking some hot news story that no one else had covered.

Re: Dunne and Dos Santos to join Ramos’ White Hart Lane Revolution

Lonnie — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:55:48 -0000

I remember reading somewhere that Ramos was not convinced with Ledley King being a first-choice anymore so Dunne going there would make sense. I don't think he'll go somewhere unless he's a starter thought. Why would he want to warm the bench for someone else? Portsmouth might be a good fit for him in that regard. A reunion with Distin perhaps?

Re: New 08/09 Manchester City Home & Away Shirts Unveiled | EPL Talk

Lonnie — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:19:30 -0000

That away shirt is gorgeous. The best new kit I've seen so far. The sponsor's logo is a bit amateurish looking but that's a minor complaint :)

Re: Spurs To Sign PSV’s Gomes — Will Robinson Move To Villa?

Lonnie — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:38:34 -0000

It's only partially 'gossip' -- Gomes is on his way to Spurs if all the details can be ironed out. It is even posted on the Tottenham official website:

http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/g...

I only thought it natural to speculate on what might happen to Paul Robinson as it is unlikely he'll want to be the backup.

Re: How Premier League Players Flaunt Wealth Is Absolutely Sickening

Lonnie — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:38:30 -0000

I'd rather see Gerrard invest money into his home/property then watch him blow it on booze, drugs and gambling. All impressions seem to be that he is a hard-working decent fellow, who as Phil points out is being richly rewarded for his physical skills.

I don't see this as any different than film/TV actors who command huge salaries. They buy themselves lavish homes and cars as well. It seems like a lot of money to us working joes but their scale of economy is quite different than ours.

The gym might look ugly to some but it does include some interesting architectural elements:

"Gerrard won planning permission after including plans to install a living 'sedum roof', which includes grass, moss and other plants and helps cut fuel bills by keeping the building warmer in the winter."

Re: Nothing Will Change With Premier League’s Get On With The Game Campaign

Lonnie — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:58:00 -0000

There are some important initiatives that are being tried and I think you should have mentioned them a bit more. For example, the banning of TV monitors from the sidelines could make a big difference. We should see less of the 4th official being harangued by managers who've seen something they disagree with on a replay. In theory of course ! :)

Re: Goodbye, Kevin Keegan | EPL Talk

Lonnie — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:07:35 -0000

"What Wenger has done for Arsenal? Nothing in the past decade."

I think once you stop and think about what you typed, you'll see what a ridiculous statement that is. I'm not going to quote the record book back to you.

Benitez seems to prefer non-English players it seems, which is fine if that's the way the club wants to go...that's their right. I don't see it as a condemnation of Guthrie.

Re: Manchester United - Champions of Europe

Lonnie — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:35:25 -0000

Thanks for the comments Dave. Glad you are enjoying the site.

I thought the game had it all and even though I was not a neutral spectator, I tried to keep a rational perspective as much as possible :)

For my money, it's going to take a really awful match to eclipse the all-Italian final of a couple years ago. That was one of the most painful 3+ hours of soccer viewing I've ever endured. Even in that case I wouldn't lay the blame at the feet of "Italian football". The two teams on the day simply were negative in their approach.

Re: Canada All But Eliminated

Lonnie — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 22:09:03 -0000

You can only blame the CSA up to a certain point and I don’t blame the CSA for that mess against Honduras.

How could I? The squad did not perform. We had no experienced centre-backs in the squad and were running around in the second half like the proverbial beheaded chicken. Radzinski as a winger did not work in the last game nor did Ian Hume work in this match. We have some talent in central midfield and some good keepers but are thin in key areas like central defence.

We did not control the ball and were too often using long ball tactics instead of building through the midfield. We also payed naively at times (Honduras began diving to slow the tempo and disrupt any attacking rythmn we might have built up) and had a player sent off. While it was simulation it was still a stupid tackle.

One other small note…it’s Julian de Guzman…not Juan.

Re: Canada Advances Behind DeRo Brace: Group of Death Next

Lonnie — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:21:18 -0000

While we looked good against StV, I am concerned about the next round. We have to have to have to win our home games in order to have any shot of advancing. I would be shocked if we went to either Mexico or Honduras and got a result. Honduras we might pull a draw at best but that's a tough fixture. We won't be able to play the same up-tempo game against Mexico or Honduras as they're much better technically than StV. StV reminded me of some of the African national sides -- supremely athletic but just a shade behind technically and tactically.

I'm also not forgetting about Jamaica. They are ranked 98th but as Jason de Vos (former Cdn captain) mentioned on the StV broadcast: "The players do not pay attention to the FIFA rankings". Canada should be able to beat Jamaica home and away.