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The TEN great ‘footballing mysteries’ of recent times

Matt C — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 19:45:20 +0000

Players can come out of nowhere and burst onto the Premier League scene, wowing supporters and managers alike. Unfortunately, it is a lot easier to fall from the limelight and disappear into a being an unknown footballer that should and could have been brilliant. Whether it be an expensive signing after impressing abroad or making a name for themselves as a prolific youngster, it is unsurprising that so many footballers fall into an abyss of disappointing superstars.

It is a mystery at how much players are built up before they have even kicked a ball in the Premier League and here is a look at the top ten footballing mysteries that have occurred in the Premier League over the past 20 years.

Click on Mido to unveil the top 10 football mysteries

Arguably the TEN ‘poorest’ players in the Premier League?

Roy James — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 13:38:19 +0000

While too many people the Premier League is deemed the best league in the world, given its competitive nature and the quality of players that have plied their trade on these shores, whether it be a Jurgen Klinsmann, Thierry Henry, Eric Cantona, Gianfranco Zola or in more recent times Cristiano Ronaldo. Few can doubt that the Premier League has had its fair share of talents to grace the pitches around, but at the same time I do feel important to recognise that it has also had to bear witness to some absolute shockers as well with the likes of Mido, Boogers, Prunier and Cheyrou still etched on their respective club fan’s mind.

The Premier League has always been a mixed bag of players and I always welcome witnessing a mismatch on the field whether it is Ramon Vega looking to mark Dennis Bergkamp; Tony Hibbert attempting to shackle Cristiano Ronaldo, or simply Gregorsz Rasiak attempting to take on any Premier League defence; the bad will always play a major part in adding to the excitement of the league.

This current Premier League season has been no different and this is the FIRST PART in my look of who I consider to be arguably the worst players plying their trade at present:

Click on Stefan Savic to unveil the top 10

The Premier League’s ‘Bosman XI’ up for grabs in 2012…some team!

Roy James — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 11:50:52 +0000

While Jean-Marc Bosman lives on benefits and in his council run property, many footballers will be deciding about their next big move this summer, or which super car they should buy to complement their ever expanding fleet. Little attention or credit is ever given to the man who fault for their freedom and who has subsequently changed the landscape for footballers, and who has made them richer beyond their wildest dreams.

The players now call the shots at football clubs and are controlling the contract situations, while parasite agents tout their client out from club to club in order to get a new club or bigger deal. I’m sure this wasn’t Bosman’s intention when he first set out in the courts to fight his right to freedom, but the subsequent change in EU Law has created the beast we are not witnessing now.

A staggering 109 players who were registered for Premier League football are out of contract at the end of this season resulting in many clubs looking to either move them on in the summer or risk making a loss in May. There will be plenty of chances to earn a new contract for the future Bosman players, but having now let their contracts run down to just over six months remaining, perhaps the clubs are eager to get rid of them.

The list of out-of-contract players is not just packed with squad players and bit-part first team members, but star internationals that have brought a lot to the Premier League in the past five years or so.

At the end of last season there was not a huge rush to snap up free signings from the Premier League as there was very little to choose from. Hargreaves, Ba and McFadden were about as glamorous as it got last May but this year a team could be built solely from free signings that could well finish in the top half of the league. A club could spend their whole transfer budget on wages for these players and have a better side than most in the Premier League next season.

Click on Tomas Rosicky to unveil the Bosman XI for 2012

The Top TEN Footballers ‘misbehaving abroad’

Matt C — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:59:43 +0000

In light of FFC’s focus on troublesome footballers this week, I have decided to constructed a Top Ten list of footballers misbehaving abroad. Although the sport has increased in professionalism over the last few decades, there are still a number of stories reported that show the players in a worse light off the pitch. Although, we must remember that they are only human, like us and can’t be expected to behave like machines, some of the following is inexcusable.

So whether it’s team mates coming to blows, the paparazzi snapping players boozing it up or just stupid and bizarre actions, they make it onto the list. What didn’t make it was the England WAGS from the 2006 World Cup, they reportedly distracted the players during the tournament and although it wasn’t the players misbehaving themselves, they nearly made it into the top ten. Also, quite a few people recommended Cristiano Ronaldo photographed in speedo’s as a criminal activity, but again it failed to make the ten below…..

Click on Gazza below to see the Top TEN!

Compiled by Matt Freebody

Top TEN Premier League players who like to ‘con the refs’

Thomas Hallett — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:44:15 +0000

The Premier League has been built on a foundation of physicality, strength and competitiveness. It’s all well and good for the entertainment aspect of the game when you see end-to-end action and goals a plenty. It only strengthens the debate that the English league is one of, if not, the very best for entertainment and action.

But then comes that controversial, ugly side of football; like a late, late substitution by the opposition you hoped wouldn’t make an appearance, but diving is all too common and certainly takes away from the integrity of the game. In fact, the very mention of integrity in the modern game has become laughable, but that is the situation we’ve come to accept.

Far too many regular divers and conmen line-up for Premer League clubs each week. And it’s not necessarily the fact that you want to get rid of them as players, but rather highlight and eradicate the persistent diving to win one over on the other team. Common, ugly, and with no rightful place in the game.

Click on Didier Drogba to unveil the top 10

The ‘Alternative’ football stadium endorsements

Joshua Robbins — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:00:28 +0000

Since the iconic St James’ Park was renamed the Sports Direct Arena by Newcastle’s ingenious owner Mike Ashley, the issue has been on the lips of every football fan. While it can earn clubs a lot of money, it appears to be another step away from the traditions of the game and a plunge into the pool of business.

A lot of new grounds have bought into this idea but what if clubs could only sell the rights if the buyer reflects them.

Click on the Sports Direct Arena to see some of the best endorsement opportunities for clubs around the country.

Leighton Baines delighted with deals

FFC News Desk — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:19:41 +0000

Everton defender Leighton Baines has stated that he is pleased with the club’s January signings, and feels the new men have lifted the team’s spirits.

David Moyes swooped late in the January transfer window to bring in Nikica Jelavic from Rangers, Darron Gibson from Manchester United and Steven Pienaar on loan from Tottenham.

The England left back is happy the cash-strapped outfit could strengthen their ranks.

“I think [January's transfer dealings] lifted everyone associated with the club, it certainly did from what we see within the club, it gave everyone a boost,” Baines told the club’s official website.

“It was massive, in particular, what that 24 hours did for us with the two new lads coming in (on deadline day) and the win over Manchester City.

“We needed it and it does lift people. It is hard to articulate exactly why that is at times but to get the new bodies in really helped.

“It was a productive period for the club and we certainly feel as though we are on the up again,” he concluded.

Everton take on Chelsea on Saturday, and will look to build on a five-match unbeaten run.

By Gareth McKnight

The Top TEN Premier League Surprise Packages

Jak Penny — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:26:02 +0000

I don’t know about you but I always find it immensely satisfying when I see a newly promoted team or an unfashionable side royally upset the Premier League apple cart and barge head first into the upper echelons like an rowdy, uninvited guest at a swanky dinner party. The monopolisation of the top six has lead to the same teams dominating those positions for the last 10-years or so with the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea playing in a league of their own. They are separated from the rest by the quality players that inhabit their squads and the sheer wealth lying in their bank values waiting to be tapped into. For clubs promoted to the top flight and even those stuck knee deep in mid-table mediocrity the thought of challenging at the business end of the Premier League is a something that rarely enters their heads. Anywhere between 9th and 17th is passable and anything above is a massive bonus and a serious accomplishment.

It hasn’t happened many times in the 20-year existence of the Premier League but on the few occasions a team without the resources and stature of the so called ‘big clubs’ decided they want a place in the illustrious top six, it’s rather exciting to watch. This season Newcastle United, touted as relegation candidates just a few months ago, have made an astonishing start to the campaign going 11 games unbeaten a run which has seen them soar into the top three. For a few hours on Saturday after their win over Everton the Magpies went second which is some achievement considering the troubled pre-season they endured which was documented closely in the press. Whilst their challenge to stay in their current position may ultimately falter as the season progresses it’s safe to say that, as of now, the Geordies are surprising everyone on and off the field.

Their rise to prominence is both remarkable and enchanting evoking memories of sides who have no business challenging at the top flight summit but fancy adding a bit of spice to the Premier League season. You have to admit it’s always a pleasure to watch the underdogs beat the big guns, david slay goliath and the weedy kid kick seven bells out of the school yard bully.

Ladies and Gentleman I present to you the Top TEN Premier League Surprise Packages.

Click on the Norwich City boys to see the Top Ten

The Top TEN Euro youngsters that will have Premier League scouts sniffing

Thomas Hallett — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:50:11 +0000

The fascination and excitement surrounding new arrivals in the Premier League does not just end with established, experienced players with high profiles abroad, it also stretches to the exciting prospects that regularly turn out for their clubs on the continent as well. Perhaps an indication that the country is not settled on the many talents that are produced in clubs all over England, but rather an insistence of bringing in talent who are well coveted and maybe have a greater likelihood for success.

The success of the Spanish national teams—from youth levels through to the senior squad—and the remarkable consistency of the German sides have paved way for a number of admirers to look up and take note of how well these countries fare on the youth development side of the game. Maybe there’s a lack of patience from club’s to consider their own, rather preferring the attraction of a potential big name from abroad.

There are certainly a large number of foreign based young players who fit that bill, and would do extremely well and add significant quality to the Premier League.

Click on Javi Martinez to unveil the top 10

Football’s Bargain XI vs Overpriced XI…quite a contest!

Tom-Mordey — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:08:29 +0000

Following one of the lowest spending transfer windows in recent times, clubs may finally be coming to their senses regarding transfer fees. It is, however, far more likely that this is just a temporary blip and that summer will see a resurgence of ridiculous spending despite the number of big-money flops currently clogging up the Premier League. Nevertheless, there are a number of players who have proven to be bargain signings and shown to be amongst the best players in the league. Whilst this is hardly news to any football fan, the full extent of the disparity is easily overlooked. To clarify the matter, listed below are two teams: a Bargain XI and an Overpriced XI.

The combined total of the Bargain XI’s transfer fees is lower than the wages of the Overpriced XI, demonstrating how a little shrewdness in the transfer market can reap great rewards, and reiterating what we all know already – that a big transfer fee does not mean a good player.

Click on Tim Krul to unveil the two starting XI’s