Disqus - Latest Comments for ihuy01

Re: Battle Of The Highlight Shows: Match Of The Day vs Premier League Review Show

ihuy01 — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 21:04:07 -0000

I think the fact there are experts is important...of course you dont have to agree with their opinions but dixon and hansen offer interesting tactical insight. England arent even the most focused on tactics and such, compared with the Italians... and the Germans apparently (from what ive heard)

Re: Arsenal Eyes American Midfielder Charles Renken

ihuy01 — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 19:32:06 -0000

Joe and Shakira. A large majority of the premier league clubs in England have very strong academy systems. I think it's a cultural thing above all the other issues. Wenger and others have continually said that the coaching and methods used are barely different to those on the continent or in south america. The fact is culturally these places are different. I would agree clubs and academies at the lower level is more of an issue. Add to add to that, i think there is legislation in place that doesnt allow a child to attend a club for training purposes in an area other than where he lives (it may have changed). None the less the Manchester United, Arsenal and others have encouraged ball work in a bid to improve the technique of their academy youngsters. Parents sign 'silence contracts' whereby when attending training they cannot yell or scream at their child..of course this is a bid to address 'lump the ball up the field' and 'your child is a hog' mentality. I would like to also say that technique is built up at a very young football age which is the main argument why players of developing football countries want to leave early.

Bear with me but i have always thought there are similarities between USA and Australia in terms of football. Let me preface this by saying football similarly to in the USA i think attracts a lot of young footballers despite being a second rate sport (though this is changing dramatically). Long we have produced the physical type of footballer, very much different to other developing football countries who tend to lack organisation but have a technical basis to their style. I think we have similarities to the African footballers who (for all intensive purposes) have been associated with the physical side but you could argue have a good balance with technique these days.

Australia has gone the dutch root in terms of our football style. Albeit success at the NT level has alluded the oranje, their methods in the style of play is conducive for the development of technical players. We have a dutch coach and a dutch technical director. We have moved away from the mixed system in place five or so years ago. Youngsters are encouraged to go to holland. I think this has helped greatly, football played at youth level translates to NT level. However i would like to emphasize the fact that Harry Kewell, Luke Wilkshire and Carney, all in the squad for Australia went through the English football system. Kewell Australia's greatest export and at one time was the hottest property in european football and our most technically gifted player ever has played in England all his life until this latest move. Carney who is dribbling abilities is his greatest strength came through everton i believe. And Wilkshire, Hiddink said he had the best technical skills of all the Australian players developed at Boro. Albeit Wilkshire has moved to Holland and subsequently earned a big money move to Russia, England is not a waste ground for talent.

If you ask me i would send your young and developing player to France or Italy. The French system in the 20 years or so has been churning out talent which has reflected success at senior level football. When it's said and done the purpose of NT football is to win the world cup. Albeit Spain and Holland have incredible records of developing skilled footballers they have not translated and do not compare to France or Italy in terms of senior success.

Finally...when it's all said and done, nothing is as important as first team football...you have to go a place where you have a legitimate chance...it's all about timing of your move....

Re: Battle Of The Highlight Shows: Match Of The Day vs Premier League Review Show

ihuy01 — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 01:05:11 -0000

MOTD is a million times better than the PL highlights. watch it week in week out, top class commentary and top class analysis. alan shearer is the worst thing on motd...talk about stating the bleeding obvious.

Re: Two Academy Subs Would Be a Mistake

ihuy01 — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 03:35:27 -0000

If define Steven Gerrard as world class then you have to say Cesc has a good argument. For me world class is way too broadly applied. None the less by you reckoning i would say Cesc is up there. He was the top assister in England and if im not wrong he had the most assists at the euros? and also chipped in with a few goals early on in the season and had 13 in all comps.. I would take Fabregas over Gerrard that is my personal opinion, i just think his a better passer of the football. I think Arsenal are greatly dependent on him, in a similar way to Gerrard. Gerrard in his own right is an excellent footballer and he does have case for being the best in his position. Time and time again he wins games. Like it or not the game is defined by success and he has champions league victory to his name. I have reservations on the dynamism of his passing game (i think his need to pass hollywood style and drive up with the ball is not exactly conducive to possession style of international football) and his tactical discipline (his been a problem for england managers and rafa himself).

Re: Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa: Don’t Blame The Loss On Scapegoat Gomes

ihuy01 — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 20:32:17 -0000

I think darren bent has had a harsh beating from media pundits/journas all round. His barely been given a sniff and he was scoring like no tomorrow in pre season. Case in point he gets once chance against Chelsea and he puts it away. He was winning balls in the air yet there was no support. To preface my point i didnt see this particular game but Darren Bent's greatest trait is his pace, he loves the space behind the back four. Yet noone has given him any decent service in all the games ive seen this season. Pav? the other russian bloke who injured his knee pre euros is apparently a much better player. Pav misses bags of chances but no doubt has potential.

I've followed modric for years since he starred for Zagreb v Arsenal in UCL qualifying, and his best position is up close like a number 10 to the strikers. He likes to play in that little hole playing his delicate passes and shoot. I've seen him play way too deep at times for spurs.

The real missing ingredient in my opinion is the defensive midfield position. Zokora played his best game against Chelsea but has been useless (and that's not being harsh) for Spurs since he has signed. His been found missing in action countless times. Add to the mix Dawson is shambles, King who is a great defender cant get himself fit and they still havent signed a good enough left back (gilberto? assou?) well you can tell why defensively they have problems. Bale is a phenomenal talent and he has done reasonable well playing at left back. He has a big physique, technically very good which means he can play in various positions. I dont think Ramos has found him his best position.

Re: Poll: Fernando Torres Or Dimitar Berbatov? Your Pick

ihuy01 — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 20:20:40 -0000

Umm tough one. I think technically Berbatov is far superior player. I dont really like saying a player suits a league cause a lot of factors come into it but Torres is definitely a better player for being in England. I think Berbatov is a more dynamic footballer, he can play up the pitch and be creative, he can play that slide rule pass or the delicate ball for his strike partner. But Torres does offer a real fear when he drives at players, i dont think close control or dribbling is his greatest strength but his pace just takes him a yard from a player.

Re: Legend of Cahill Continues

ihuy01 — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 03:18:41 -0000

Steven Gerrard is ridiculously good in these 'clutch situations'. And i'm an Australian!