Every lover of football has a hero from when they first started watching the great game. I, amongst many others my age, was extremely fortunate to witness the skill, strength, and speed of the Brazilian legend Ronaldo whilst I was growing up. He must have inspired millions of children all over the world to start playing football, and there must be thousands of current professionals who owe a debt of gratitude to Il Fenomeno for educating them on how to play the game properly.
Today, Ronaldo announced his decision to retire from professional football at the age of 34. He had been plying his trade at Brazilian side Corinthians, and was expected to retire at the end of the season, but defeat in the Copa Libertadores (the South American Champions League) has led him to quit the game prematurely. However, his move away from Europe and AC Milan in 2008 was effectively an unspoken retirement. His lack of fitness meant he could no longer perform at the highest level, and the injury he sustained at Milan when jumping for a cross against Livorno was the beginning of the end.
In that match in 2008, Ronaldo ruptured his kneecap ligament, and it was not the first time he had suffered such an injury. On several other occasions earlier in his career, during his time at Inter Milan, and Real Madrid, he was sidelined because of his knees. These injuries have led many to query whether his spells out of football define his career with the question: “what if?”. But as someone who has always admired the many qualities of the Brazilian, I believe that his ability to return from injury on many occasions, at different clubs, in different leagues, and still perform to an incredible standard, make him the most talented footballer of the last twenty years.
He played for four of the greatest and most famous clubs in world football: Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and AC Milan, and left his mark on all. My favourite memories of him were whilst he was playing at the Nou Camp at the beginning of his career. Whilst it was only a short spell, some of the goals he scored were beyond belief. At Barca, he scored 47 times in just 49 appearances, and the majority of them were great goals.
He had the knack of getting on the end of a through ball even if the defender had several yards on him; his speed and strength made him resemble a steam train, barging his way through defences. And then when he found himself one on one with the keeper, it was impossible to guess what he would do. Such was his speed, the goalkeeper barely had time to react to a first time strike, and if he chose to round the keeper, his quick feet left his opponent wrong footed and on their backside, watching the ball being rolled into an empty net.
There were headers, penalties, tap-ins, the occasional 25 yard screamer, and he didn’t mind using his left or right foot; both were effective during his glittering spell at Barcelona. That’s not to suggest that when he left the club he didn’t continue in that vein; Inter Milan and Real Madrid benefited greatly from his goals and performances. It’s true that injuries did spoil his time in Milan and Madrid, but the stats confirm his greatness throughout: 59 goals in 99 appearances for Inter, and 104 in 177 for Real, which of course included that famous hat-trick in the quarter final of the Champions League against Manchester United, where the Old Trafford faithful stood and applauded the Brazilian’s performance.
If that wasn’t enough, his CV also boasts 15 World Cup goals, which no other player in history can match: those goals helping his country to lift the trophy on two occasions. Throw in some awards: three time World Player of the Year (only matched by Zinedine Zidane), two time European Player of the Year, the 1998 World Cup Golden Ball, the 2002 World Cup Golden Shoe, and us Brits recognised his qualities as well, awarding him the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year.
The fact that he achieved so much despite his injuries, highlight what a phenomenon he really was. Of course people will ask the question, “What if?”, but Ronaldo should not be looked back on by questioning what he could have achieved. He was unlucky with injuries, and quite possibly made bad decisions when choosing clubs, but judge him by what he did on the pitch, which was sensational. At the end of Messi’s career, will people question his greatness if he fails to win a World Cup with Argentina? There seems to be a criteria that has to be matched in order for a footballer to be given legendary status, but like all professions, an element of luck aids great success. Ronaldo wasn’t the luckiest, but he definitely was one of the best - a legend.
Monday 14 February 2011
Friday 11 February 2011
Brighton vs. Hartlepool, Saturday 12th February, Kick-off: 3pm
Sports Saturday with Ben Holt, 2-6pm, Juice 107.2, www.juicebrighton.com
Build up to the game begins at 2pm, featuring interviews with manager Gus Poyet, and midfielder Gary Dicker, and from 3pm we'll have regular updates from the Withdean and around the country. Plus, the chance to win an Brighton & Hove Albion home shirt.
February is the month where Albion will see who their real promotion rivals are. It’s not particularly clear at the moment - as soon as a team look to be the one to challenge, they concede a last minute goal and drop points (see Bournemouth and Southampton last Saturday).
So who are the main title and promotion contenders?
The in-form team at the moment is Lee Clark’s Huddersfield, with a finely balanced squad including plenty of goalscorers - Jordan Rhodes, Gary Roberts, Anthony Pilkington, and returning striker Danny Cadamarteri, all on the score-sheet recently. An excellent run seeing them earn 17 points from a possible 21 has placed them in 3rd position, a point behind Bournemouth with a game in hand. We may find out in the next couple of weeks if they are the team to challenge Albion, as their next two games are against fellow promotion hopefuls Oldham and Bournemouth.
Southampton are still second favourites with the bookies, but despite all the talent they’ve got, last Saturday’s 4-4 thriller at London Road will be a worry for Nigel Adkins. The Saints led by two goals twice, but were pegged back by the Posh and dropped two vital points. Since thrashing Oldham 6-0 last month, they’ve only managed five points from a possible twelve. They host Carlisle on Saturday; a must-win for Adkin’s side.
Charlton have done well since bringing in Chris Powell; they’ve won three and drawn one, and still have a couple of games in hand over the teams around them. Bradley Wright-Phillips is a perfect signing for them, as he’s shown already with two goals in as many games, and with experienced players such as Johnnie Jackson and Christian Dailly, they’ve got a great chance of getting automatic promotion. Their last three matches have seen three wins and three clean sheets, but on Saturday they face Peterborough, who have scored nine in two matches.
As for Bournemouth, how costly will conceding that Dean Cox equaliser last Saturday prove to be? The Cherries are being written off for a top two finish because of the number of games they’ve played, but credit where credit is due, if the Cherries had avoided a last minute Orient equaliser on Saturday, Lee Bradbury would have taken 13 points from 5 games as manager. With trips to strugglers Walsall and Bristol Rovers coming next, it’s a great opportunity to keep the pressure on Albion. But anything other than 6 points from those two games, and a play-off spot will surely be their best chance of gaining promotion.
For Brighton & Hove Albion, it’s very simple: keep doing what they’ve been doing and the wonderful new stadium at Falmer will be hosting Championship football next season. A win against Hartlepool on Saturday would almost guarantee top-spot for another week. It’s a remarkable achievement to think that they’ve been top since September, but they don’t want to surrender their spot at the summit. Maintaining 1st place is somewhat out of Gus Poyet’s hands; if Bournemouth win all their remaining games in February, they will go top, but having played four more than Albion. The important thing is for Brighton to ignore the teams around them and the league table, and instead focus on themselves. The pressure is on the rivals to keep getting results, and that is not a pressure which Gus Poyet envies.
Last 5 matches:
Brighton:
W (2-4 Bristol Rovers away)
D (0-0 Leyton Orient away)
W (0-1 Watford away)
W (2-0 Colchester home)
L (1-0 Bournemouth away)
Hartlepool:
W (1-0 Colchester home)
L (4-0 Oldham away)
D (1-1 Notts County home)
L (4-0 Peterborough away)
D (0-0 Bristol Rovers away)
Albion's starting line-up vs. Bristol Rovers (last game):
Ankergren, Greer, El-Abd, Calderon, Painter, Bennett, Dicker, Bridcutt, Barnes, Murray (Sandaza), Wood (Noone); Subs not used: Brezovan, Elphick, Taricco, Battipiedi, Holroyd
Build up to the game begins at 2pm, featuring interviews with manager Gus Poyet, and midfielder Gary Dicker, and from 3pm we'll have regular updates from the Withdean and around the country. Plus, the chance to win an Brighton & Hove Albion home shirt.
February is the month where Albion will see who their real promotion rivals are. It’s not particularly clear at the moment - as soon as a team look to be the one to challenge, they concede a last minute goal and drop points (see Bournemouth and Southampton last Saturday).
So who are the main title and promotion contenders?
The in-form team at the moment is Lee Clark’s Huddersfield, with a finely balanced squad including plenty of goalscorers - Jordan Rhodes, Gary Roberts, Anthony Pilkington, and returning striker Danny Cadamarteri, all on the score-sheet recently. An excellent run seeing them earn 17 points from a possible 21 has placed them in 3rd position, a point behind Bournemouth with a game in hand. We may find out in the next couple of weeks if they are the team to challenge Albion, as their next two games are against fellow promotion hopefuls Oldham and Bournemouth.
Southampton are still second favourites with the bookies, but despite all the talent they’ve got, last Saturday’s 4-4 thriller at London Road will be a worry for Nigel Adkins. The Saints led by two goals twice, but were pegged back by the Posh and dropped two vital points. Since thrashing Oldham 6-0 last month, they’ve only managed five points from a possible twelve. They host Carlisle on Saturday; a must-win for Adkin’s side.
Charlton have done well since bringing in Chris Powell; they’ve won three and drawn one, and still have a couple of games in hand over the teams around them. Bradley Wright-Phillips is a perfect signing for them, as he’s shown already with two goals in as many games, and with experienced players such as Johnnie Jackson and Christian Dailly, they’ve got a great chance of getting automatic promotion. Their last three matches have seen three wins and three clean sheets, but on Saturday they face Peterborough, who have scored nine in two matches.
As for Bournemouth, how costly will conceding that Dean Cox equaliser last Saturday prove to be? The Cherries are being written off for a top two finish because of the number of games they’ve played, but credit where credit is due, if the Cherries had avoided a last minute Orient equaliser on Saturday, Lee Bradbury would have taken 13 points from 5 games as manager. With trips to strugglers Walsall and Bristol Rovers coming next, it’s a great opportunity to keep the pressure on Albion. But anything other than 6 points from those two games, and a play-off spot will surely be their best chance of gaining promotion.
For Brighton & Hove Albion, it’s very simple: keep doing what they’ve been doing and the wonderful new stadium at Falmer will be hosting Championship football next season. A win against Hartlepool on Saturday would almost guarantee top-spot for another week. It’s a remarkable achievement to think that they’ve been top since September, but they don’t want to surrender their spot at the summit. Maintaining 1st place is somewhat out of Gus Poyet’s hands; if Bournemouth win all their remaining games in February, they will go top, but having played four more than Albion. The important thing is for Brighton to ignore the teams around them and the league table, and instead focus on themselves. The pressure is on the rivals to keep getting results, and that is not a pressure which Gus Poyet envies.
Last 5 matches:
Brighton:
W (2-4 Bristol Rovers away)
D (0-0 Leyton Orient away)
W (0-1 Watford away)
W (2-0 Colchester home)
L (1-0 Bournemouth away)
Hartlepool:
W (1-0 Colchester home)
L (4-0 Oldham away)
D (1-1 Notts County home)
L (4-0 Peterborough away)
D (0-0 Bristol Rovers away)
Albion's starting line-up vs. Bristol Rovers (last game):
Ankergren, Greer, El-Abd, Calderon, Painter, Bennett, Dicker, Bridcutt, Barnes, Murray (Sandaza), Wood (Noone); Subs not used: Brezovan, Elphick, Taricco, Battipiedi, Holroyd
Friday 4 February 2011
Bristol Rovers vs. Brighton, Saturday 5th February, Kick-Off: 3pm
Sports Saturday with Ben Holt, 2-6pm, Juice 107.2, www.juicebrighton.com
Build up to the game begins at 2pm, featuring interviews with assistant manager Mauricio Taricco, and defender Marcos Painter, and from 3pm we'll have regular updates from the Memorial Stadium and around the country. Plus, the chance to win a football signed by the Albion team.
In my last blog, I suggested that February is possibly more important to the chasing pack than it is to Brighton. That’s not to say that having a good month isn’t thoroughly important to Gus Poyet’s team, but Bournemouth, currently in second place, have seven matches in February compared to Brighton’s five. Therefore, Lee Bradbury’s side will finish the month having played four more than the current league leaders. The fixture list has taken control, and Brighton’s league position come March is somewhat out of their hands; if the Cherries have a perfect month, they will be top of the table at the end of it. The question is, can Bournemouth, and the other chasers, take advantage of the extra games and put Albion under serious pressure?
Midweek results suggest they can indeed. A rather flat performance against Leyton Orient which Gus Poyet labelled as “the worst game we have been involved with this season” was disappointing enough. But to see Bournemouth, Huddersfield, Southampton, Oldham, MK Dons, Peterborough and Charlton all winning, would have added insult to injury. In fairness, a point at Leyton Orient (unbeaten at Brisbane Road in the league since September) isn’t a bad point. And it’s very rare to see a fixture list where none of the top 8 are facing each other. But those results mean that Albion have a lead of just a point at the top of the table.
Saturday brings Brighton another opportunity to show why they deserve to be top, as they travel to the Memorial Stadium to face Dave Penney’s struggling Bristol Rovers. The Pirates have had a torrid week, suffering a 6-1 mauling at bottom side Walsall last weekend, and then a 2-1 defeat at home to MK Dons on Wednesday. On paper, this is a hugely winnable game for Albion, but playing the league leaders could encourage the Rovers players to raise their game. In their defeat midweek, they conceded a goal after just 45 seconds; I’m sure Gus Poyet would love an early goal on Saturday to settle any nerves.
Failure to beat the Bristol side could see Albion losing top-spot for the first time in over four months. Bournemouth host Leyton Orient, who are unbeaten since their 5-0 defeat at the Withdean on New Years Day, and can boast some impressive wins against Norwich and Swansea in the FA Cup. So it’s by no means a foregone conclusion that the Cherries win earn a home win, but Gus will be looking to avoid any possibility of going second, by getting all three points.
Last 5 matches:
Brighton:
D (0-0 Leyton Orient away)
W (0-1 Watford away)
W (2-0 Colchester home)
L (1-0 Bournemouth away)
W (3-1 Peterborough home)
Bristol Rovers:
L (1-2 MK Dons home)
L (6-1 Walsall away)
W (3-1 Swindon home)
D (0-0 Hartlepool home)
L (4-0 Carlisle away)
Albion's starting line-up vs. Leyton Orient (last game):
Ankergren, Greer, El-Abd, Calderon, Painter, Bennett, Sparrow (Noone 57), Dicker, Bridcutt, Barnes, Murray (Wood 58); Subs not used: Brezovan, Elphick, Battipiedi, Holroyd, Sandaza
Build up to the game begins at 2pm, featuring interviews with assistant manager Mauricio Taricco, and defender Marcos Painter, and from 3pm we'll have regular updates from the Memorial Stadium and around the country. Plus, the chance to win a football signed by the Albion team.
In my last blog, I suggested that February is possibly more important to the chasing pack than it is to Brighton. That’s not to say that having a good month isn’t thoroughly important to Gus Poyet’s team, but Bournemouth, currently in second place, have seven matches in February compared to Brighton’s five. Therefore, Lee Bradbury’s side will finish the month having played four more than the current league leaders. The fixture list has taken control, and Brighton’s league position come March is somewhat out of their hands; if the Cherries have a perfect month, they will be top of the table at the end of it. The question is, can Bournemouth, and the other chasers, take advantage of the extra games and put Albion under serious pressure?
Midweek results suggest they can indeed. A rather flat performance against Leyton Orient which Gus Poyet labelled as “the worst game we have been involved with this season” was disappointing enough. But to see Bournemouth, Huddersfield, Southampton, Oldham, MK Dons, Peterborough and Charlton all winning, would have added insult to injury. In fairness, a point at Leyton Orient (unbeaten at Brisbane Road in the league since September) isn’t a bad point. And it’s very rare to see a fixture list where none of the top 8 are facing each other. But those results mean that Albion have a lead of just a point at the top of the table.
Saturday brings Brighton another opportunity to show why they deserve to be top, as they travel to the Memorial Stadium to face Dave Penney’s struggling Bristol Rovers. The Pirates have had a torrid week, suffering a 6-1 mauling at bottom side Walsall last weekend, and then a 2-1 defeat at home to MK Dons on Wednesday. On paper, this is a hugely winnable game for Albion, but playing the league leaders could encourage the Rovers players to raise their game. In their defeat midweek, they conceded a goal after just 45 seconds; I’m sure Gus Poyet would love an early goal on Saturday to settle any nerves.
Failure to beat the Bristol side could see Albion losing top-spot for the first time in over four months. Bournemouth host Leyton Orient, who are unbeaten since their 5-0 defeat at the Withdean on New Years Day, and can boast some impressive wins against Norwich and Swansea in the FA Cup. So it’s by no means a foregone conclusion that the Cherries win earn a home win, but Gus will be looking to avoid any possibility of going second, by getting all three points.
Last 5 matches:
Brighton:
D (0-0 Leyton Orient away)
W (0-1 Watford away)
W (2-0 Colchester home)
L (1-0 Bournemouth away)
W (3-1 Peterborough home)
Bristol Rovers:
L (1-2 MK Dons home)
L (6-1 Walsall away)
W (3-1 Swindon home)
D (0-0 Hartlepool home)
L (4-0 Carlisle away)
Albion's starting line-up vs. Leyton Orient (last game):
Ankergren, Greer, El-Abd, Calderon, Painter, Bennett, Sparrow (Noone 57), Dicker, Bridcutt, Barnes, Murray (Wood 58); Subs not used: Brezovan, Elphick, Battipiedi, Holroyd, Sandaza
Tuesday 1 February 2011
Welcome to February - Can Albion's rivals use their extra fixtures to catch up?
Welcome to February. What a relief to have made it through January without losing anyone. Off the pitch, it was an incredibly nervous time for Albion - constant rumours about Elliott Bennett, Glenn Murray, and Inigo Calderon moving to various Championship clubs. But these rumours didn’t seem to have any impact on the pitch, as the Seagulls glided through January with only the Cherries preventing a 100% record for 2011 so far.
February will finish with Albion having several games in hand over rivals. Southampton and Huddersfield have six games this month, and Bournemouth have seven compared to Albion’s five. So it’s a big opportunity for the sides below to take advantage, and really put pressure on Gus Poyet’s team to perform in a crucial March.
THIS IS HOW THE LEAGUE ONE TABLE LOOKS NOW:
PLAYED PTS
BRIGHTON 25 49
BOURNEMOUTH 27 46
HUDDERSFIELD 26 43
SOUTHAMPTON 25 41
OLDHAM 26 40
MK DONS 27 40
PETERBOROUGH 25 39
THIS IS HOW THE TABLE WILL LOOK ON FEB 28th BASED ON CURRENT FORM, LIKELY RESULTS, AND IF NO TEAM HAS A BRILLIANT RUN:
PLAYED PTS
BRIGHTON 30 60
BOURNEMOUTH 34 59
SOUTHAMPTON 31 53
HUDDERSFIELD 32 53
PETERBOROUGH 32 52
OLDHAM 33 51
MK DONS 34 51
Of course, it is ridiculous to predict what is going to happen, because there have been so many crazy results this season. But if Albion get to March with 60 points, top of the table with 4 games in hand over Bournemouth, Gus Poyet will be extremely happy.
For Albion to lose their great position, it will take either a huge collapse, or one or two of their rivals having brilliant runs. So far this season, no team apart from Albion have shown the form to suggest they will be in the Championship next season.
If none of their rivals have a run of form in February, Albion can be quietly confident of competing in the second tier of English football next season.
February will finish with Albion having several games in hand over rivals. Southampton and Huddersfield have six games this month, and Bournemouth have seven compared to Albion’s five. So it’s a big opportunity for the sides below to take advantage, and really put pressure on Gus Poyet’s team to perform in a crucial March.
THIS IS HOW THE LEAGUE ONE TABLE LOOKS NOW:
PLAYED PTS
BRIGHTON 25 49
BOURNEMOUTH 27 46
HUDDERSFIELD 26 43
SOUTHAMPTON 25 41
OLDHAM 26 40
MK DONS 27 40
PETERBOROUGH 25 39
THIS IS HOW THE TABLE WILL LOOK ON FEB 28th BASED ON CURRENT FORM, LIKELY RESULTS, AND IF NO TEAM HAS A BRILLIANT RUN:
PLAYED PTS
BRIGHTON 30 60
BOURNEMOUTH 34 59
SOUTHAMPTON 31 53
HUDDERSFIELD 32 53
PETERBOROUGH 32 52
OLDHAM 33 51
MK DONS 34 51
Of course, it is ridiculous to predict what is going to happen, because there have been so many crazy results this season. But if Albion get to March with 60 points, top of the table with 4 games in hand over Bournemouth, Gus Poyet will be extremely happy.
For Albion to lose their great position, it will take either a huge collapse, or one or two of their rivals having brilliant runs. So far this season, no team apart from Albion have shown the form to suggest they will be in the Championship next season.
If none of their rivals have a run of form in February, Albion can be quietly confident of competing in the second tier of English football next season.
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