Are City's Fan Favourites Costing the Team?

We all love a player who puts a lot of effort in. Tevez and Bellamy have been putting other players to shame, tracking players everywhere and playing their hearts out. Tonight, against Bolton, SWP and Adam Johnson did the same. But is this costing City dearly?

Much has been made of City's formation and from the 909 phone in's i've listened too, I dont think the fans are getting where Manicini is coming from. He is Italian, and such enjoys nothing more than a defensive 2-0 victory. He loves to play 4-3-3 with 3 defensive midfielders holding strong, and letting the front 3 (a lead man, with one winger and one flexible winger/deep striker) counter attack for goals.

This has worked well, especially early on, with Bellamy, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Petrov able to break quickly and supply Tevez. Ultimately, though I feel the fan favourite style of Bellamy and Tevez is costing Mancini (more his formation) his (its) reputation

City often find themselves winning the ball back, sometimes through one of the aforementioned workhorses, and then only having one or two men forward on the break and therefore outnumbered and lacking any bite. This was evident more than ever, in the Carling Cup 2nd leg versus United.

The solution? Either tell the supporting players they can stay forward, dont track back and be ready to receive the ball and break. Or, exchange one of the defensive midfielders for a link up man in the ilk of Stephen Ireland. Unfortuantely, I think its going to be the first one we see Mancini go for.

Peopl don't like change, but I see fans favourites SWP and Ireland heading for the door because they just don't suit Mancini's style.

TO

When The Pot Replaced The Kettle As England Captain

Over the past month, the British public has been subjected to none stop conjecture over the future of John George Terry and the England football team captaincy. Well, fortunately for those debating his capacity for the job and moral conviction, a decision has been made. After arriving back in England after knee surgery recuperation, Fabio Capello pulled the trigger on Terry’s captaincy.

It’s important to state the details of Terry’s proposed indiscretions with a teammate’s wife are still purely allegations at this point. However, many feel that Terry’s attempts to place an injunction on the media is proof enough to warrant his dismissal from his England captain duties. This goes against the very foundation of our legal system, innocent until proven guilty. It is clear that this is no legal case, but that only furthers the counter argument to taking action against Terry. He hasn’t actually done anything illegal; morally dubious, but legal nonetheless.

This highlights the major issue in British society’s outrage to this whole affair; their expectations. Just like celebrities, the British public enjoy building up hero sportspeople, just to knock them down again. However, sportspeople aren’t programmed to enjoy publicity, both good and bad. Professional footballers should not be the moral compass that guide our nation’s youth, or we are heading for disaster. I love football as much as anyone, but it’s clear from headline after headline that there’s no one member of the England team less morally bankrupt than Terry or any other star player.

So who does Capello chose as a replacement? Rio Ferdinand. The same Rio Ferdinand that was banned for 8 months for failing to take a mandatory drugs test (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3333091.stm) and has also been banned from driving four times in 8 years, with a judge stating “"He is a role model and should be a positive role model for young people in society and this does not give out the right message." (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2360175/Ferdinand-handed-driving-ban.html). This isn’t meant to demonstrate anything about Rio Ferdinand but to show the hypocrisy of replacing the pot with the kettle. Britain shouldn’t expect young, overpaid athletes with beautiful women throwing themselves at them to be a shining light of morality for the youth today. It should be the parents, siblings and teachers who show the adults of tomorrow how to behave.

TO

Why I Support The Atlanta Falcons

Recently, I entered a "why do you support the Falcons?" competition over at my favourite Falcons website, The Falcoholic , and won!


Being from the UK, its not an easy feat becoming tangled up in the web of hope and despair that is, the life of an Atlanta Falcons fan. My first exposure to the sport through a friend (Skins fan) who I often played Madden with. Being a teenage kid at the time, anything that made me different and helped forge my identity was welcomed (remember its the UK, I was 1 of 2 people I knew who liked the sport). The thirst for more drove me to actually play for a local youth team and I started cruising the web for something other than porn, and found other fans to converse with - like you guys!

However, I was yet to pick a team. It wasn't until September, 10 2006 when I watched my now beloved, Atlanta Falcons, beat the Carolina Panthers 20-6 at the Bank of America Stadium, North Carolina. That game I fell in love with the team asVick wowed me, Dunn gained 132 yards rushing and Abraham dominated their O-Line. From that day, I was a UK Falc. Knowing myself as a 16/17 year old kid at the time, I knew full well that it could have just been a phase.

But, 4 years down the line i'm more committed than ever. Having seen 6 NFL teams play live at the International Series in London, i'm saving for that all important first trip to the Dome! I don't think some American fans understand how difficult it can be following the Falcons from here. The TV coverage has improved vastly, however, its dominated by the Cowboys, Patriots and now the Saints. I have to cruise the internet (I do this a lot...) for links to streams and watch on a tiny netbook until the link ultimately breaks and the search is on again. For Monday Night Football, this means watching from 1am to 4am GMT and getting up for work 4 hours later.Then, starved of coverage, I find myself reading any online content I can find to get my fix of Falcon news. This doesn't even factor in the hundreds of dollars i've spent on shipping merchandise over to the UK so that I can show my support.

Why do I do this I hear you ask. Why? Just like love, you dont have a choice. You may not like it/them, but you know you love it/them. The early disappointments only served to endear me to the team. Just like when you first fall in love, that snoring is so beautiful. Going through the Petrino era felt like a baptism of fire that left me forged close to the heart. I felt more desperate for the Falcons to break a virtually meaningless back to back streak more than I want my own British teams to win anything. American football does this to a person. 16 games a year instead of 7,000,000 like Baseball (sorry Dave). Every one matters, therefore as a fan, you feel like your opinion and voice matters.

Why do I support Atlanta Falcons? Because i'm in Love. I'm in love with a girl thats unreliable, unrelenting, bad for my health and causes me nothing but stress and heartache. But would I change her for any other girl in the league? Hell no. I'm in love with the Atlanta Falcons. And shes cheating on me with all of you but I don't care...as long as I can watch you.

"Atlanta Falcons Season Preview"-Review

At the start of the year, I wrote a review for a sports website on the season just passed and my predictions for my beloved Falcons in that season. (http://forum.nfluk.com/blog.php?b=965)

Here, I will analyse where I was correct (and where I wasnt) while briefly analysing our up and down year.

Team Depths
I said - OL & RB
It was - RB

I was partly right here. The depth at running back (ie. Jason Snelling) really came to the fore when both Turner and Norwood couldn't stay healthy. Snelling racked up 613 yards this season (previous best of 62) and 4.3 yards per carry. He showed to be of Turner's ilk and he deserves at least a little recognition.

This also might be the season that Norwood leaves to get more of a starting role elsewhere, something he too deserves.

The OL was also affected by the plague which seemed to sweep its way through Flowery Branch this season. They allowed a couple more sacks this season (2009-19, 2008-17) but it appeared giving Matt Ryan less time was more of a problem.

Team Weakness
I said - LB, S
It was - CB

This maybe an area of contention but despite the promising end to the season, the CB's really struggled against the pass. This late development looked like more of a result of poor QB play, but they do deserve some due credit. However, having 5 different starters throughout the year and having one of the worst pass defenses takes its toll. They were exposed by a lack of pass rush at times and couldnt pick up the slack.

I think the LB's stepped up and did enough to get by, especially against the run. And the S's played well above expectation and it should be interesting to see how William Moore sees himself trying to break into the partnership between Coleman and De Coud.

Key Addition
I said - Gonzalez & Peterson
It was - Gonzalez & Peterson

Gonzalez & Peterson provided leadership on both sides of the ball for a relatively young Falcons side. Peterson's strengths were mostly in the intangible side, calling defensive audibles and helping younger players develop.

Gonzalez clearly has this side but his production was also vital, colelcting 867 yards and 6 touchdowns right when they were needed. He was catching balls in double (even triple) coverage all season long. True definition of an offensive weapon, not let down by his blocking.

Key Loss
I said - Milloy, Boley & Foxworth
It was - Brooking

Most fans were sad to see Brooking go but after giving away the play that let the Cardinals knock us out the playoffs, many felt it was time for him to move on. This, in my opinion, was a mistake. He seems rejuvinated in Dallas and we could have done with some solid LB play this year. However, this selection speaks more of the lack of other options, than Brookings success.

Milloy was not missed at all, Boley was injured early on and Foxworth was one of the most beat CB's in the league.

2009 Prediction
I said - 9-7
It was - 9-7

I got stick for my low prediction, but the 3rd toughest schedule took its toll. Its great to finally get rid of that curse, oh and being right!

Rising Star
I said - Harry Douglas
It was - Thomas DeCoud

Can't blame me for this one, Douglas was injured before the regular season and didn't play a down.

DeCoud really stepped up and played hard. I championed Moore to start ahead of him in the preseason, but DeCoud has really made life difficult for Mike Smith in this coming offseason. (2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 3 interceptions)

Fallen Angel
I said - Jamaal Anderson
It was - Jamaal Anderson

27 tackles and 0.5 sacks this season is not good enough for an 8th overall pick, even though he plays as a rotational DT as well as DE. He still hasnt had an average year statwise and only his run defense play is keeping his name on the roster.

TO

Incase you want to make a night of the Superbowl more, 'interesting'...

This game is doing the rounds on the internet. While it means no offense its probably better people look at the game as light hearted realistic view of the Saints as opposed to insulting them.

(Incase you dont know, 1 drink = 2 fingers depth of a pint of beer)

I bring you, The New Orleans Saints Superbowl Drinking Game!

The New Orleans Saints Superbowl Drinking Game

1. Every time they mention hurricane Katrina = 1 drink

2. If they show pictures of the City of New Orleans right after Katrina = 1 drink

3. Every time they say how much the Saints mean to the City of New Orleans = 1 drink
4. Every time the words "tragedy", "flood", or "devastation" are used = 1 drink

5. Every time they talk about how good Reggie Bush was in college = 1 drink

6. If they show Kim Kardashian in the stands = 1 drink

7. Every time they show a picture of Reggie Bush with a bat or say "bringing the wood" = drink for 5 seconds

8.. Every time Reggie Bush gets negative yardage trying to run around in the backfield a bunch and outrun the defense = 1 drink and turn to the person next to you and say "I told you Vince Young should have won the Heisman"

9. Every time Reggie Bush gets up and flexes his arms in that pose he likes to do = 1 drink

10. If they mention Tim Tebow for any reason = drink remainder
11. Every time they say that "it’s destiny for the Saints to win" = 1 drink

12. If they show footage of Katrina survivors at the Superdome = take a shot of cheap liquor

13. If they call Saints fans the most passionate fans in football = 1 drink

14. If they say that the Saints, Saints fans, or the City of New Orleans "deserve" a Superbowl victory = 1 drink
15. Every time they say how good of a story the Saints are = 1 drink
16. If Jeremy Shockey pretends to be hurt after dropping a pass = 2 drinks
17. If they mention the Saints beating the Falcons in 2006 in the first game after Katrina in the Superdome = drink remainder and remember that we are still a better football team with better fans.

18. Every time they compare hurricane Katrina to the Haiti earthquake = drink remainder
19. Every time they mention Drew Brees as the Mardi Gras king = 1 drink

20.. Every time they show Archie Manning = 1 drink and mention how bad he sucked. If they show old footage of him on the Saints = 2 drinks. If they mention how tough of a decision it was for him as for whom to cheer for = 5 drinks

21. Every time they show a saints fan yelling "Who dat!" Or a sign/shirt saying the same = 1 drink

22. If they show Chris Paul at the game = 1 drink and mention to someone how much better he is than Marvin Williams.

23. If they show former Mayor Ray Nagin = 2 drinks and then punch someone in the face




Other Rules not involving the Saints:
1. Every time they show Eli Manning in the press box = 1 drink
2. Every time Pierre Garcon is mentioned with Haiti = 1 drink
3. If Brett Favre is mentioned for any reason = 1 drink

Good luck surviving the game!