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Thursday, February 19, 2009
Essays
I will be writing my first full length essay in the near future. This section will also include critical movie, music, and book reviews. I will post them on the regular part of the blog and after a few days they will be moved to the Essay Section.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
World's Most Overrated Team
First of all, I need to set the parameters. To be included in this team the player must either play regularly for a traditional club powerhouse, be a supposed key member of a national team, they have big price tags on them in the transfer window, or they are hyped prospects. Alright, I know people will completely disagree, but here we go.
GK Manuel Almunia- He is obviously the worst goalkeeper out of England's big four teams and I would argue that he is not even a top ten keeper in the Prem. He is one of the reasons Arsenal is not in the top four right now. Lehmann got a lot of grief, but he is a much better keeper, even at this stage in his career.
RB Alvaro Arbeloa- He is prone to lapses defensively and he isn't much of a threat going forward. Not good enough to be a starting right back for Liverpool.
CB Kolo Toure- He is loads of physical ability. More pace than most centre backs, he is very strong, and good in the air. But when watching him it seems like he doesn't want to mark anyone, he lets his man by too easily, especially when playing against someone who runs well off the ball.
CB Rafa Marquez- Not playing for Barca as much as he used to, but still captain of Mexico. He is a talented defender, but he is susceptible to big mistakes and he is very undisciplined.
LB Ashley Cole- The self-proclaimed "best left back in the world" is definitely not. He's very good going forward, but his marking is lax too frequently to have any claim at that title. He's also capable of big errors.
CM Momo Sissoko- The holding mid for Juventus. At his best he's a fierce tackler that controls the midfield. He tackles well most of the time, but in most matches he gives the ball away with atrocious passing, not consistent enough to play regularly for the Old Lady.
CAM Ronaldinho- Still shows glimpses of brilliance at Milan, but let's face it, his best days are behind him.
LM Florent Malouda- The wide player for Chelsea has great pace, but his crossing is usually poor and he's a bad finisher. The only reason he gets playing time is because they have few wide players, and no left footers.
RM Quaresma- This is based on his time at Inter (I think he will be very good with Chelsea). He dribbles into trouble too much and tries to be too flashy. He has the talent, but a bad mentality.
ST Adebayor- Sure the Arsenal man banged in like 30 goals last year, but that number hides what he really is. He is a poacher, nothing more. He might score a couple of nice ones, but he doesn't offer as much to the squad that his scoring record and price tag indicate. Eduardo and Van Persie should start over him every time they are available.
ST Santa Cruz- He is a good striker, but is he worth what Rovers were asking, absolutely not. He holds the ball up well and he's great in the air, but he doesn't have the pace or the trickery to beat defenders one on one. Not worth his reported 20 mil price tag. There are plenty of strikers just like him out there and they are much cheaper.
GK Manuel Almunia- He is obviously the worst goalkeeper out of England's big four teams and I would argue that he is not even a top ten keeper in the Prem. He is one of the reasons Arsenal is not in the top four right now. Lehmann got a lot of grief, but he is a much better keeper, even at this stage in his career.
RB Alvaro Arbeloa- He is prone to lapses defensively and he isn't much of a threat going forward. Not good enough to be a starting right back for Liverpool.
CB Kolo Toure- He is loads of physical ability. More pace than most centre backs, he is very strong, and good in the air. But when watching him it seems like he doesn't want to mark anyone, he lets his man by too easily, especially when playing against someone who runs well off the ball.
CB Rafa Marquez- Not playing for Barca as much as he used to, but still captain of Mexico. He is a talented defender, but he is susceptible to big mistakes and he is very undisciplined.
LB Ashley Cole- The self-proclaimed "best left back in the world" is definitely not. He's very good going forward, but his marking is lax too frequently to have any claim at that title. He's also capable of big errors.
CM Momo Sissoko- The holding mid for Juventus. At his best he's a fierce tackler that controls the midfield. He tackles well most of the time, but in most matches he gives the ball away with atrocious passing, not consistent enough to play regularly for the Old Lady.
CAM Ronaldinho- Still shows glimpses of brilliance at Milan, but let's face it, his best days are behind him.
LM Florent Malouda- The wide player for Chelsea has great pace, but his crossing is usually poor and he's a bad finisher. The only reason he gets playing time is because they have few wide players, and no left footers.
RM Quaresma- This is based on his time at Inter (I think he will be very good with Chelsea). He dribbles into trouble too much and tries to be too flashy. He has the talent, but a bad mentality.
ST Adebayor- Sure the Arsenal man banged in like 30 goals last year, but that number hides what he really is. He is a poacher, nothing more. He might score a couple of nice ones, but he doesn't offer as much to the squad that his scoring record and price tag indicate. Eduardo and Van Persie should start over him every time they are available.
ST Santa Cruz- He is a good striker, but is he worth what Rovers were asking, absolutely not. He holds the ball up well and he's great in the air, but he doesn't have the pace or the trickery to beat defenders one on one. Not worth his reported 20 mil price tag. There are plenty of strikers just like him out there and they are much cheaper.
overrated team
After seeing Adebayor win African Player of the Year last week, that has prompted me to put together a most overrated team in the world. He will probably be included, but I will need some time to work on it.
World XI
I commented on another blog last week that had shown their dream team for world soccer, it's over at twofootedtackle.com. I agreed with him with the exception of a couple of players. Well, I have now changed my mind and would like to show my dream lineup.
I have quite a few differences now. First, I have Chiellini instead of Carvalho. I think Carvalho is a smarter player, but Chiellini is more physically imposing. Also, seeing Juventus without him last weekend against Sampdoria just shows how important he is to their back line.
I have Lahm instead of Evra. I personally believe that Evra is very good, but he benefits from having great centre backs. Lahm is smaller, but I think he is a better marker and he is a great finisher when going forward.
I excluded Steven Gerrard (my favorite player), who I think is the best attacking mid in the world, and Alexandre Pato. I put in Xavi and Iniesta in two central midfield spots and let me give my reasoning. I don't think they are the best at the position, but seeing how well the play together for Barcelona and Spain, they have a connection that can't be overstated. They also have great chemistry with Messi.
I opted for one striker to put both Xavi and Iniesta in, and I also took out Ronaldo for Ribery. I don't think Ronaldo is on the best of form right now, and in a squad like this you don't need sulking ball hogs like him. Ribery is as dangerous as anyone and he is on great form.
I sincerely believe that Ibrahimovic is more than capable of playing as a lone striker, especially with Messi making runs all over the pitch. He can hold the ball up and find Iniesta, Ribery, Xavi, or Messi darting around the field. I think this team would provide killer through balls to any of the attacking players more often than not.
Reserves:
GK Buffon
RB Sergio Ramos
LB Marcel Jansen
CB Carvalho
CDM De Rossi
CM Gerrard
CAM Hamsik
LW Robben
RW Ronaldo
ST Benzema
GK Casillas
RB Maicon CB Vidic CB Chiellini LB Lahm
CDM Cambiasso
CM Xavi CM Iniesta
RW Messi ST Ibrahimovic LW Ribery
I have quite a few differences now. First, I have Chiellini instead of Carvalho. I think Carvalho is a smarter player, but Chiellini is more physically imposing. Also, seeing Juventus without him last weekend against Sampdoria just shows how important he is to their back line.
I have Lahm instead of Evra. I personally believe that Evra is very good, but he benefits from having great centre backs. Lahm is smaller, but I think he is a better marker and he is a great finisher when going forward.
I excluded Steven Gerrard (my favorite player), who I think is the best attacking mid in the world, and Alexandre Pato. I put in Xavi and Iniesta in two central midfield spots and let me give my reasoning. I don't think they are the best at the position, but seeing how well the play together for Barcelona and Spain, they have a connection that can't be overstated. They also have great chemistry with Messi.
I opted for one striker to put both Xavi and Iniesta in, and I also took out Ronaldo for Ribery. I don't think Ronaldo is on the best of form right now, and in a squad like this you don't need sulking ball hogs like him. Ribery is as dangerous as anyone and he is on great form.
I sincerely believe that Ibrahimovic is more than capable of playing as a lone striker, especially with Messi making runs all over the pitch. He can hold the ball up and find Iniesta, Ribery, Xavi, or Messi darting around the field. I think this team would provide killer through balls to any of the attacking players more often than not.
Reserves:
GK Buffon
RB Sergio Ramos
LB Marcel Jansen
CB Carvalho
CDM De Rossi
CM Gerrard
CAM Hamsik
LW Robben
RW Ronaldo
ST Benzema
Monday, February 16, 2009
Top 5 before I die
Here is another top five list, but this one has a different flavor to it. I watched the movie "The Bucket List" the other day. It is about two terminally ill guys who befriend each other in their waning moments of life. They come up with a list of things they want to do before they die and they go and do them. Well, I am going to do something similar, but my list is going to be sporting events. So, here is my top five sporting events that I want to go to before I die.
1. The Masters- This is the most prestigous golf tournament out there. It has a great history, it's a great golf course, and the event isn't as overly crowded as a U.S. Open.
2. The World Series- I would be ok going to a World Series no matter who the teams are, but I would prefer to see my beloved St. Louis Cardinals in the big one. Baseball is my favorite sport so this is a must.
3. The World Cup- I would love to go to this event at any time, but if I could go and the U.S. National Team was at least a mid level contender then it would be perfect. I would also prefer to go in an English speaking country, that way I could have more fun outside of just going to the games.
4. AC Milan vs. Inter Milan- To me this is the biggest rivalry in club soccer. They play at the same stadium, San Siro, and it is supposedly one of the best venues around. This game is steeped in tradition, it's an extremely heated rivalry, and from what I have heard, Milan is a great city to visit. This game is all about atmosphere.
5. The British Open at St. Andrews- The second biggest major championship, in my opinion. To see this event played at the most famous golf course in the world would be immense. Plus, after the round is over each day I could go enjoy a Guinness in the homeland.
Honorable Mentions
Super bowl, the Olympics, and Liverpool vs. Manchester United.
There's my list, you guys tell me yours.
1. The Masters- This is the most prestigous golf tournament out there. It has a great history, it's a great golf course, and the event isn't as overly crowded as a U.S. Open.
2. The World Series- I would be ok going to a World Series no matter who the teams are, but I would prefer to see my beloved St. Louis Cardinals in the big one. Baseball is my favorite sport so this is a must.
3. The World Cup- I would love to go to this event at any time, but if I could go and the U.S. National Team was at least a mid level contender then it would be perfect. I would also prefer to go in an English speaking country, that way I could have more fun outside of just going to the games.
4. AC Milan vs. Inter Milan- To me this is the biggest rivalry in club soccer. They play at the same stadium, San Siro, and it is supposedly one of the best venues around. This game is steeped in tradition, it's an extremely heated rivalry, and from what I have heard, Milan is a great city to visit. This game is all about atmosphere.
5. The British Open at St. Andrews- The second biggest major championship, in my opinion. To see this event played at the most famous golf course in the world would be immense. Plus, after the round is over each day I could go enjoy a Guinness in the homeland.
Honorable Mentions
Super bowl, the Olympics, and Liverpool vs. Manchester United.
There's my list, you guys tell me yours.
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