There Is Only One Sinnacle

Dire Straits may of sang I want my MTV but I want to watch Real Madrid on TV. As you know few things bug me more than seeing the people in charge of television networks lag behind soccer’s emerging popularity in this country.

Now to back up. ESPN now carries one La Liga game during the week. Since Goltv Canada is an afterthought to MLSE they don’t pick up the feed instead they air whatever live games Goltv international airs.

For example midweek you’ll see Real Madrid play on Goltv but you won’t see Barcelona. Then on the weekend Goltv Canada will show the Barcelona game but now the Real Madrid match will be playing on ESPN.

Pisses me right off considering Goltv does show the ESPN feed of their MLS game of the week. It’s one thing not having the rights to games. It’s another to see a game out there where all you really need to do is pick up a phone and cut a cheque. The fact they haven’t done that yet annoys me.

Rogers up in Canada needs to re-brand Setanta and let me have a say in programming. They are so many football matches out there that should be seen but aren’t. More on that another time. I’d also be smart enough not to piss off my customer base by not showing a game people want to see. No offence is meant here but few people pay for Goltv to see the likes of Sporting vs Zaragoza. They do it for the Barcelona and Real Madrid. Not showing one of them each week will start to leave a bitter tastes in people’s mouths soon.

Deportivo La Coruna have targeted Tottenham forward Giovani Dos Santos to replace the departing Angel Lafita. (Spanish newspaper AS)

With the way Giovani Dos Santos has been playing for Mexico recently I’m surprised other non English clubs haven’t tried to sign him. Dos Santos needs to get out of Tottenham in the worst way.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is lining up a January transfer swoop for Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand.
Full story: Daily Mirror

There was talk of a swap just before the deadline between Sunderland and Tottenham involving Ferdinand. Don’t see what Sunderland would have to gain by selling a central defender in mid season however.

Manchester United are considering an £8m move for Napoli’s Slovakian midfielder Marek Hamsik. (Daily Star)

If Hamsik can be had for only £8 million Inter would of signed him. Very good player who any club will need to shell out top dollar for.

Tottenham are tracking Sampdoria’s Spanish midfielder Pedro Mba Obiang. Daily Mirror

Never understand seeing Tottenham linked with a midfielder when they have a glut of them already. With Samdoria perfect start to the Serie A season not shocked to see some of their players appear in the rumour pages.

Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker has apologised to manager Martin O’Neill following their training ground bust-up and looks to have saved his future at the Premier League club. The Sun

Martin O’Neill doesn’t seem to be the type to forgive and forget. Don’t see Reo-Coker having a long term future at Villa park anymore.

Former Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann has been dropped by Stuttgart after attending the Munich beer festival, Oktoberfest. Lehmann said: “The visit was part of a charity event and had been planned for a long time. However, it was not agreed with the club. Of course I accept the measures taken by the sporting management.” The Sun

Must admit kinda miss Lehmann in English football. During his final season with Arsenal it seemed like everything time you put a microphone to his face Lehmann would say something to piss someone off.

Real Madrid Reveal Mammoth Debt Of €327m

Real Madrid have revealed that they are €327 million in debt after a massive summer spending spree was authorized in order to rebuild the squad for the new season.

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Michel Platini must of took his fit to a table upon reading this news. To make money you have to spend money. Where you considering Barcelona left Real Madrid in their dust last season desperate times calls for desperate measures. Besides how many summer will there be when two out of the top three players in the world were out there ready to be bought?

Police and FA probe Craig Bellamy incident

An altercation between Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy and a Manchester United fan during Sunday’s dramatic derby is being investigated by Greater Manchester Police and the FA.

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Everyone knows Craig Bellamy has displayed questionable judgment in his question but when a fan runs onto the pitch he is asking for trouble. Don’t care if the fan was being held back at the time like the picture below would suggest. Considering the heat of the moment I’m not going to blame Bellamy for losing his cool.

Top notch security they have for Russian games. Great kick I must say all things considered.

Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker will face boss Martin O’Neill on Monday to find out if he still has a future with the club following their training ground bust-up last week. (Daily Star)

Considering the time of year it makes sense for both to kiss and make up, at least for the public. Once the season is over if both get on each others nerves then sell.

Another Villa player hoping for good news regarding his future is winger Stewart Downing, who will today have an operation to remove a pin from his broken foot and is targeting a return to action in November. Daily Mail

It’s still another six weeks away, two months when you take into consideration match fitness. It will be interesting how Martin O’Neill fits in Downing, Milner and Young each week.

The Football League has confirmed they are looking into the recent takeover of Notts County by Munto Finance and said: “We have received fit and proper persons documentation. Discussions are ongoing with regard to the club’s ownership structure.” The Sun

It’s like the blind leading the blind. Why did the FA wait three months for this to occur instead of looking into such matters when the takeover from announced?

Bolton were only able to complete the season-long loan signing of striker Ivan Klasnic from Nantes with the help of his wife’s German passport. The Croatian was born in Germany but opted to represent Croatia and as such does not have a passport for the former. Unfortunately, he has not played the required number of games for his adopted country but the Trotters got round the problem by flying in his wife. Daily Mirror

Won’t be long before Klasnic starts thinking to himself, “What have I done.” When it comes to his decision to play for Bolton.

- By just looking at the scoreline one may think Real Madrid were more impressive than Barcelona this post weekend. Three points is still three points but Barcelona are just ruthless. They go into a tough place to play in the Vicente Calderón stadium and after 30 minutes render the rest of the game meaningless.

- Been an awful start to the season for Atletico Madrid. One point in three games plus a 0-0 draw in the Champions League have Atletico Madrid quickly losing patience with head coach Abel Resino.

- Sergio Agüero and Maxi Rodríguez must think this season is a nightmare they won’t wake up from. When you add Atletico Madrid struggles with the situation in Argentina and both players must be under a whole lot of stress right now.

- As the title of this site suggests there is only one Sinnacle and only one Cristiano Ronaldo. There isn’t a player in my lifetime that I can remember who punishes weak opposition like he does. The 5-0 scoreline may be impressive but Xerez held the game tight until Ronaldo’s 75th minute header. Then the floodgates opened up.

First goal

Second goal

- With Kaka coming in many were questioning what role if any Guti was going to play this season. Well after two goals this week it appears Guti is enjoying his new role.

- Great to see Ruud van Nistelrooy bang home a goal. Class is class, van Nistelrooy is still lethal in the box.

- I know 99.9% of you don’t come to this site for me to talk about Portuguese soccer but a nice little story is brewing. Like Chelsea only with 1/100th of the budget Sporting Clube de Braga is off to a perfect start. Easy fixture list perhaps? Will they have already defeated Sporting and this weekend got the better of Porto 1-0.

- Nice job by Roma putting their defeat in the Europa league behind them to defeat Fiorentina 3-1. Claudio Ranieri will have this Roma side completing for a Champions League place by year’s end.

- Four weeks in and Inter Milan are still looking up at Juventus and Sampdoria. Now most people expect Sampdoria to fade but Juventus may prove a tougher nut for Inter to crack. Really like the way Ciro Ferrara has his side playing. They do the two things you want a club to do. Scoring first helps but when they do get the lead you have the sense Juventus is not going to give it away.

- Sorry Bundesliga didn’t catch any of your games this weekend. Did notice Felix Magath not enjoying his former squad Wolfsburg beating his current side Schalke 2-1.

- Every team will have their challenges this season but it will be interesting to see how Manchester City bounces back from this stomach punch. The citizens showed their flaws and strengths in one game. Even if it is against United giving up four goals is a bit much. The part Manchester City fans can hang their heads on is the fact they kept coming back at United thanks to Craig Bellamy who seems to have a knack for coming up on the big stage.

- Nice giveaway there Rio Ferdinand. He must of been on cloud nine when Michael Owen scored the winner as is now off the hook.

- Recall two years ago when Arsenal were challenging United for the title Sir Alex Ferguson said on a late Arsenal winner, “Typical Arsenal, they score in the 7th minute of the 5 minute allotment of extra time.” Mark Hughes should bust out that quote in his press conference today. It must leave a bitter taste in the mouths of Manchester City fans to lose like that. Who was in charge of the extra time, Luciano Moggi?

- Only thing was missing was that game was Stan Collymore sliding it home. Sunday’s match doesn’t quite measure up to that Newcastle/Liverpool classic but I’m sure it’s going to be played on TV for many years to come.

- Portsmouth fans must be wondering what in the world is David Nugent doing scoring two goals for Burnley? Nugent isn’t going to save Portsmouth from their faith but it is another head scratcher to send a player on loan who can chip in 5-10 goals a season.

- It does say something when the Arsenal fans by and large weren’t jumping for joy in the stands yesterday. Arsenal is like a classic bully. They pray on the weak. Of course Arsenal was going to put the boots to Wigan. Roberto Martinez is still trying to put his stamp on his Wigan team where as Arsene Wenger has 13 years behind him when it comes to playing the beautiful game. When it comes to facing clubs with equal talent Arsenal have rarely risen to the challenge these last couple of years. Wenger will say how the future is still bright but casual fans will only believe it when they can get something in games like their Manchester United/City matches.

- Good to see total football is alive and well in Dutch football. Thomas Vermaelen second goal of the day was a thing of beauty. Not many strikers in England could supply such a finish never mind a defender.

- Spike Lee was in the stands watching Arsenal on Saturday. Makes sense as both Lee and Arsenal are living off past glories.

- Aston Villa was being nice yesterday. Up 2-0 they put it in cruise control against Portsmouth.

- Portsmouth fans might as well book they trips to Plymouth, Bristol City and Coventry. I’d also be shocked if Part Hart makes it past the next International break as coach.

- Could easily see why Bolton fans hate Gary Megson. It’s one thing playing cautious on the road. Fair play if you are trying to sneak away with a point. That I can understand but doing it at home with the likes of Stoke is perplexing. Bolton fans can look at Megson one of two ways. They could be happy with him leading them to 14th every year but most of them pine for the days of Sam Allardyce. Those Bolton teams were no push over but still had the likes of Jay Jay Okocha and Nicholas Anelka who could make something out of nothing.

- Tough to be in Gianfranco Zola shoes today. One of his best strikers in Dean Ashton may decide to retire due to injures then he has to watch Ferando Torress rip them apart. The best players like Fernando Torres can get you three points by themselves.

- Must admit didn’t except Wolves to have seven points out of six games this season. Full credit to them beating a tough Fulham team 2-1 at home.

- If only Louis Saha didn’t have to live in a bubble. Two goals today against Blackburn sees Everton leap frog out of the regulation places.

- Another week and another review where I’m fill of praise for Carlo Ancelotti. Chelsea has had to deal with a hard fought Champions League game mid-week, Peter Kenyon being shown the door albeit with love. Not to mention the whole transfer ban saga hovering over their heads. Despite that Ancelotti has done a masterful job keeping his Chelsea players focused on the game since everything else is largely out of their control.

- Harry Redknapp must be wondering what if Robbie Keane penalty call was given. Ricardo Carvalho did catch Keane in the box but it’s one of those calls rarely given against a top side. Once the penalty was denied to add insult to injury Frank Lampard made it 2-0 and Tottenham waived the white flag soon after.

- Don’t think many Manchester City fans are missing Vedran Ćorluka. Chelsea just kept exposing him the entire game.

Always scary seeing a player leave the field like Sébastien Bassong went off. Hope his injury isn’t serious.

Messi signs new deal with Barcelona until 2016

The Argentina playmaker, whose contract was set to run out in 2014, becomes the best paid player at the club while his release clause has also been increased from 150 million euros to 250 million.

Article

Good news for Barcelona as the 150 million release clause was almost attainable considering the money spent by Real Madrid and the money behind Manchester City. That figure was suddenly not becoming so far fetched. Still wouldn’t shock me if Barcelona re-do Messi’s contract a couple of more times before this one is due to end in 2016.

Milan Vice President Adriano Galliani: I Love Leonardo

The big wig is walking around Milan with a spring in his step as he hails the coach and squad, stressing that all is well at Milanello…

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To be fair A.C Milan has usually displayed a good deal of patience with previous head coaches. With that said Leonardo better start making his mark with this A.C Milan team or else he won’t be at the helm this time next year.

Arsenal have suffered a blow in their efforts to sign Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh after Italian side Juventus moved in for the player. Daily Mirror

However, Chamakh’s representatives are pushing for further talks with both Arsenal and West Ham after holding a meeting with Juventus in Turin on Wednesday. Daily Mail

Let’s face facts here, if Arsenal wanted to sign Chamakh they could of easily done so during the summer. Not doing so either means they passed on the player or passed on the price. Despite West Ham being mentioned do not look for Chamakh to give up Champions League football for Upton Park anytime soon.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill and midfielder Nigel Reo Coker had a training ground bust-up on Thursday which saw the pair wrestle each other to the ground. The Sun

While everyone thinks Gareth Barry left for money still believe he left partly to not liking Martin O’Neil. If that turns out to indeed be the case one day, safe to say you can add Nigel Reo Coker to that list.

Former Liverpool, Blackburn and Newcastle manager Graeme Souness says he never wants to manage again because he is not prepared to deal with rich, opinionated modern footballers. Daily Star

Plus he was an awful coach. Perfect case of the hype never really matching the results whenever Souness took charge of a club.

Former Chelsea coach Avram Grant is being lined up as the new coach of Poland. Daily Mail

This move would almost be close to the Scolari’s fall from grace, going from Chelsea to his well playing job now at Bunyodkor.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres says English football is still the home of fair play. Launching his autobiography, the Spanish international said: “I get kicked a lot here, but at least they do it honestly. In some other leagues they try to catch you with their elbows and stuff like that.” Daily Mail

Torres is a little young to have an autobiography. Then again Wayne Rooney had one when he was 20.

So kicking myself for missing the commercial for Sky Sports featuring the Special One himself. They still love him. Sheds tear.

Also loved the fact someone did a mock up of this commercial. Can’t believe Special One TV isn’t back on the air in some form.