Bleacher Report - Articles by Martin Hill

World Soccer -- England Reign in Port of Spain. Trinidad & Tobago 0 - 3 England

Martin Hill — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 12:47:24 -0400

Now I'm sure many people would like to be heading to the West Indies for their summer holidays and the England players got just that chance.

From the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, 28,000 fans filled the ground four hours before kick off to catch a glimpse of some of the biggest names in world football.

With the likes of Wayne Rooney and John Terry staying at home, fans were still left with many big names to watch, including Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard and captain for the day David Beckham.

The first 20 minutes saw England take control of a very poor Trinidad side. Goals from Gareth Barry (his first international goal) and Jermain Defoe saw England take an early, comfortable lead giving the players a chance to start their summer vacations early.

Constant pressure on Trinidad right-back Kern Cupid left him thinking he should probably stick to match making rather than match playing, as he could not cope with the left sided strength of Wayne Bridge and Stuart Downing.

Even with constant pressure down the left, nothing much happened after the second goal and the first half fizzled out with very little to talk about, as England fluffed a couple of chances to increase their lead.

The second half saw the start of all the changes, as Crouch and Bentley came on for Dean Ashton and David Beckham. Fabio Capello handed debuts to Phil Jagielka and goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Four minutes into the second half, Defoe grabbed his second goal of the game as more poor defending left him one-on-one with Clayton Ince.

As expected, the game never really reached the levels of the first twenty minutes as both sides lacked any real attacking flair. The changes continued to break up the run of play.

One highlight for Trinidad was the second international comeback of Dwight Yorke, who made an appearance with 15 minutes remaining.

His appearance was at the request of FIFA Vice president Jack Warner. He also asked Falkirk player Russel Latapy, at the age of 40, to come back for a swan-song against England, though he politely declined.

While Fabio Capello can take very little from this game, it should prove to be a vital piece of the puzzle in gaining support for England's bid for the 2018 World Cup, as Jack Warner will be the CONCACAF decision maker regarding where the tournament should be held.

Sepp Blatter: The English Chip on His Shoulder

Martin Hill — Fri, 30 May 2008 04:12:16 -0400

For a neutral, why has this Swiss man got such a chip on his shoulder when it comes to the EPL?

On the back of his latest plan, "Six plus Five", limiting the number of foreign players on a team, I wonder why Sepp Blatter thinks he can change the face of leagues across the world?

Easy answer—he is the president of FIFA and like other presidents around the world (naming no names) he probably feels he can do as he pleases with the backing of a few, against a large majority!

But this isn't the place to question everything Sepp Blatter has done during his time in charge (the silver goal rule was a complete joke) and complain about how it has spoiled football.

This is a look at his constant belittling of the English FA and how all his new "ideas" seem to stem on the back of an incident involving an English team or player.

Looking at what's current: While the transfer window has opened and the inevitable influx of foreign players into the Premiership is upon us, his new six-plus-five plans are going to leave clubs thinking twice about going out and buying "non-British" in the event that by 2012 they have to get rid of half their squad.

It's like the foot and mouth crisis backwards...

Giving young talent the chance appears to be Blatter's only plus to this idea, but on the flip-side the level of ability would fall, vastly weakening the league!

There is a long way to go for this to happen and many believe this is a fight Sepp Blatter has started and is unlikely to win, mainly due to the fact his plans go against many EU policies.

The point here is the Premier League is currently the strongest, richest league in the world, and, Sepp Blatter has probably decided, too strong in comparison with the rest of the world's leagues.

So let's introduce an idea that if put in place can only weaken the league.

Another incident where Blatter decided to involve himself was the leg breaking tackle by Martin Taylor on Eduardo.

He chirps up by saying it was an attack on Eduardo and he would overrule the three match ban given by the English FA. On the back of Eduardo publicly accepting it was just an unfortunate footballing accident; why did Blatter need to get involved?

So he can belittle the English FA, and tell them they are not doing their jobs properly.

England launch a bid to host the world cup in 2018 which was almost immediately attacked by Blatter. His only real argument being the behaviour of fans and a brief under-breath comment about stadiums not being up to standard. The standard being Wembley!

What will Sepp Blatter be doing come 2018?

His constant belittling of English football will only lead to problems throughout other leagues. Bare in mind the Premier league now sets the standards for world club football. Weaken that and weaken all the others. Anything negative done with the Premiership should be from a ruling by the FA.

Even with the inabilities of some at Soho Square, none compare with Sepp Blatter, your president of world football!

NFL in the UK: Should We See More Games On Foreign Soil?

Martin Hill — Thu, 29 May 2008 04:36:13 -0400

Five months and counting...

After the success of the Dolphins-Giants at Wembley last October, many British fans welcomed the decision for another international game in the English capital.

Since the announcement just prior to the Super Bowl that the Saints and Chargers would be going head to head at Wembley, it has been a waiting game for eager fans to get hold of a ticket for the big showdown.

If ticket sales are anything like last year then at least 45,000 tickets have already been sold (I got mine—GO SAINTS) to the 'lucky' fans who were issued with a lottery code in February to guarantee them a ticket, money pending of course!

With over 300,000 people entered into the lottery, many were due to miss out on the guarantee of a ticket (as was the case for me last time around).

There will be other sales throughout the next five months, allocating some of the few tickets that were not snapped up when originally available.

Any tickets found to have been sold on auction sites will be cancelled and re-issued into these general sales, so no fan will be ripped off having to pay above face value for their ticket. But as I found out last year, these tickets are very sought after and hard to come by.

With all this in mind, is it worth the NFL looking at staging more than one game a year on British, or European soil?

As a Brit, having spent 25 years on these shores, I'm obviously going to say yes. Especially with the interest it generates when announcements are made, or when tickets go on sale, let alone the event itself.

With tickets ranging from £45 ($90ish)-£100 ($200ish) do these prices compete with that of a ticket for a game in the United States? Has the NFL lowered/or raised the prices for this game?

Wembley isn't the only option when looking at stadium to host these big events. The Millennium stadium in Cardiff did a fantastic job hosting all the big events during the re-building of Wembley. Outside of the premier league football grounds (Old Trafford, The Emirates, St. James Park), there is also the home of England's Rugby team, Twickenham, and Hamden Park and Murrayfield in Scotland, these are various places ready to host massive games!

It's likely to be a sell out, so if there is such a big market for the game here in Britain, why shouldn't more teams take the chance?

Remember, it worked out alright for the Giants, they win in Wembley, they go on to win the Super Bowl. Should that happen again this year, imagine how many of the superstitious players and teams would fancy gracing the Wembley turf?

I'm looking forward to comments from both sides of the pond to see what all you fans think.

Nothing out of the Ordinary; England 2 - USA 0.

Martin Hill — Wed, 28 May 2008 10:01:31 -0400

A rather somber Wembley stadium saw England win a mediocre match against the USA.

Goals from John Terry and Steven Gerrard soon put an end to a dismal USA side who's only real highlight was Kelly Rowland singing The Star Spangled Banner.

The first 30 minutes were very much what people expected—a gentle end of season game with nobody really putting much effort into the proceedings.

England finally decided to get the ball on the deck and play some football as half time approached and a David Beckham free kick was nicely headed home by England captain Terry.

The only highlight of half time was a repeat of David Beckham's goal against Kansas from earlier in the week and news that "Golden Balls" would not be appearing for the second half as he had been substituted for David Bentley.

The second half started off in the same vein as the first had finished with England taking control of the game with their second goal.

A USA side, who had won four and drawn one of their last five games, should probably have proved tougher opponents for England, but with many players currently between clubs, it's understandable they may have their minds on other matters.

A solid performance from the England team, mainly Rooney and Gerrard, should leave 70,000 or so England fans, and Fabio Capello, fairly happy with the result.

Didier Drogba Finished?: Chelsea Pays the Price for His Penalty, Loses CL Final

Martin Hill — Wed, 21 May 2008 12:08:00 -0400

How does Didier Drogba face his Chelsea teammates in the days to come?

Quite simply, he doesn't. Milan, here he comes!

In today's game you cannot strike an opponent in the face—regardless of how pathetic the tap may be! And even more during the biggest club game of the season.

Having hinted on so many occasions in the run up to this big game that his future may lie away from Stamford Bridge, is it fitting he will leave with a graceful walk of shame?

Now, I agree Drogba has done some great things during his career for Chelsea and how different would things have been had his shot drifted inside the post. But nevertheless, was he right to comment on his 'inevitable' Chelsea-less future on the eve of the club's biggest game?

Drogba should stand up and admit he was wrong—though I'm sure, as always, he will find somebody else to blame. Perhaps he could take a leaf out of John Terry's book and attempt to be the 'bigger man.'

I felt nothing but admiration for JT as he stepped up to take the most important penalty of Chelsea's history. But would it have been him with Drogba still on the field? One thinks not!

Newcastle's Joey Barton Sentenced To 6 Months Behind Bars

Martin Hill — Tue, 20 May 2008 00:36:47 -0400

The latest updates involving Joey Barton..

From The Liverpool Echo, Tuesday 20th May 2008:

Premier League footballer Joey Barton has been jailed for assault and affray.

Jailing the 25-year-old Huyton-born midfielder for six months, Judge Henry Globe said: “You delivered many blows and were acting in an extremely violent and aggressive manner.”

Barton, who was described by his barrister as addicted to alcohol, had earlier admitted committing assault and affray in the early hours of December 27.

CCTV cameras picked up the Newcastle United star as he staggered along Church Street, getting involved in two separate altercations.

The camera operators monitoring alerted police after seeing an incident at about 5.30am.

Two men claimed they had been attacked by Barton and officers arrested him and two friends further along Church Street outside a mobile phone shop.

The £6m midfielder, who has one England cap, had been out with friends and family after an ankle injury forced him to miss the Boxing Day game in which his Newcastle United teammates were beaten 1-0 at Wigan.

He spent the New Year behind bars at Walton prison.

Silly Names! Whats The Best Out There In The World Of Sport?

Martin Hill — Thu, 15 May 2008 06:38:52 -0400

With all the bad vibes surrounding the latest UEFA Cup winners Zenit St. Petersburg lets look at some of the funny things we love about football!

The guys with the funny names...

First and foremost with Zenit fresh in the memory they have a player, a very good player, a star player in fact called Andrei Arshavin. I love the commentators attempt at saying anything other than Arse Shaving!

Some other fun names that will always stick in the memory from the world of football include...

David Seaman

Stefan Kuntz

Nwankwo Kanu

Paul Dickov

Titty (spelled wrong for dramatic effect) "Titi" Camara

Danny Shittu

Dean Windass

Quim

Vagner Love

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink

Francisco Arce

I'm aware of Kolo and Yaya Toure who also have a younger brother Ibib (Ibrahim) playing in the Ukraine.

A few now from other sports...

Coco Crisp (Baseball)

Randy Duck (Basketball)

Dick Trickle (NASCAR)

Ron Tugnutt (Hockey)

Tractor Traylor (Basketball)

Scott Speed (Motor Racing)

Pooh Richardson (Basketball)

Carlos Boozer (Basketball)

Gregor Fucka (Basketball)

Misty Hyman (Swimming)

Craphonso Thorpe (American Football)

I'm sure there are many many more around the world, so please comment in with any sports personalities you are aware of with a fun or silly name!

Newcastle United; Perennial Underachievers?

Martin Hill — Tue, 13 May 2008 23:10:25 -0400

No silverware since 1969; no domestic honours since the 1955 FA cup and yet Newcastle currently boasts the 13th richest club in European football as ranked by Forbes magazine.

Manchester United, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Juventus, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Barcelona, Schalke, Liverpool and Olympique Lyonnais are the 12 teams ranked above Newcastle and in the last 10 years all mentioned teams can lay claim to at least one piece of silverware whether it be domestic of European!

Even 14th placed Tottenham Hotspur can boast winning domestic honours after a League cup win over Chelsea this past season.

If Newcastle were ever going to win the title it was under Kevin Keegan during his first spell in charge. Taking Newcastle from mid-table second division obscurity to Premiership title challengers within four years.

Since the introduction of the 20 team Premier League in 1995 Newcastle's best finishes have been second in the 95/96 and 96/97 seasons. Arguably the beginning of the underachievements that continue to plague Newcastle to this day.

These seasons saw massive leads slip away to Manchester United when the league looked wrapped up. These were not underachievement's though, this was a team falling at the final hurdle, but two second place finishes is a great platform to build on for the future.

Then the unthinkable, King Kev quits!

Let the underachieving commence. Four years under Dalglish then Gullit saw dismal league performances with a highest league finish of 11th.

Two FA Cup finals, one for each manager shed some positive light on these bad seasons, but lifting the trophy would have written these managers into Geordie folklore, even as bad as both turned out to be!

After Ruud Gullit was sacked one year into the job with Newcastle languishing at the bottom of the table and Alan Shearer sitting on the bench along came Sir Bobby Robson.

From the depths of the Premiership to a this time respectable 11th place finish times were looking up for the Toon Army under the all Geordie regime of Freddie Shepherd, Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer.

Fourth, third and fifth over the next three season's saw Newcastle back in the Champions League, but at no point during this time were Newcastle ever in with a shout of winning the league with Arsenal in full swing.

Domestic trophies aside, the UEFA cup was the most likely silverware heading to St. James' Park, but a semi final defeat against a Didier Drogba inspired Marseille put an end to that claim.

Early into the 04/05 season amid claims he'd lost the dressing room and early performances looking very questionable Sir Bobby Robson "stepped down" as manager.

In steps Graeme Souness!

After his success with Liverpool it was fair to say Graeme Souness was due a crack at another big club, but his recent managerial form hadn't been anything other than average. He certainly wasn't the fans first choice but rather than get on his back it was time to let him give it a go.

Our worst finish in the Premiership of 14th was the outcome of Souness "giving it a go."

Again though a healthy run to the UEFA cup semi final this time saw Newcastle fall at the final hurdle to Sporting Lisbon, but gave Souness, albeit surrounded with great pressure from fans, had another season to prove his worth.

As expected this season didn't go to plan and in February 2006 Glenn Roeder was installed as caretaker manager until the end of the season. The first sensible thing the Newcastle board had done in a long time.

To Glenn Roeders credit he dragged Newcastle up to seventh place earning European football for the following season as well as a chance at managing the team without the "caretaker" tag.

Disappointment largely surrounded Newcastle's league form under Roeder as he couldn't repeat the events of the previous season and another bottom half (13th) finish was all Newcastle could muster.

Again the UEFA cup run was eventful if unimpressive as this time Newcastle fell to an inform AZ Alkmaar and the shrewd management of Louis Van Gaal clearly showed what Roeder and Newcastle were lacking to make the grade.

The loss in the UEFA cup and the 13th place in the league saw Roeders time come to an end in May 2007, in comes Big Sam!

Freddie Shepherd finally brings in the man the fans want. After success with Bolton Allardyce was due a chance at a club like Newcastle and all early signs looked good.

To everyone's disbelief Freddie Shepherd (who's time in charge was becoming tiresome) did two things the fans agreed with, brought in Big Sam then sold up to billionaire Mike Ashley.

Although originally kept on in some capacity Freddie Shepherd had soon completely parted company with the club after scandal surrounded him during the football transfer probes.

Thanks to the take over Allardyce never really had the chance to chase the targets he wanted that summer and with chairman's, assistant chairman's, directors and assistant directors of football being appointed left right and centre Big Sam was left with signing the players near the middle of his wish list.

Pre-season form saw Newcastle beat the likes of Juventus and Fiorentina and a 3-1 win away to Bolton on the first day of the season left Newcastle top of the Premier League and the whole place buzzing with the great things that were to come.

Big Sam was the man, until October anyway!

After 26 points from 21 games Sam Allardyce was the latest casualty of a Newcastle board insistent on giving every manager under the sun a chance rather than giving the man some time.

The Shepherd era appeared to be on us once more!

With Jose Mourinho obviously uninterested in a job in the north east, Harry Redknapp was the name being batted around, but 'Arry soon put an end to that stating he'd be staying with Portsmouth, now who on earth will end up Newcastle boss.

The messiah returns...

Kig Kev returns after three years away from football and understandably it took him a little time to find his feet and form, but a solid run of seven games undefeated through March and April saw Newcastle secure Premier League safety and finish a lowly 12th equalling the lowest points tally from the previous season of 43.

Just when everything looks on track for the first time since Bobby Robson was in charge, Keegan makes comments after the defeat to Chelsea claiming Newcastle will not break into the top four during his time in charge.

This appears to irritate Mike Ashley who summons Kev to London for a meeting with himself and "others." All indicators show this meeting to have been productive and should hopefully be the end of the misquotes being batted around by the like of Peter Scudamore.

So the original question, are Newcastle perennial underachievers?

The simple answer is yes!

Although many players haven't hit their peaks while in the north east the constant revolving door of management in and outs only proves a manager needs time, not only to establish himself but to establish what his players and staff have to offer.

Lying fourth on the Premiership spenders list behind Man United, Chelsea and Liverpool, surely an established manager (Ferguson, Mourinho [at the time] and Benitez) with that money to spend given the time would have broken into the top four and would have brought silverware to the club.

Consistently in the top league and regular appearances in European competitions has cemented Newcastle into the top 20 richest clubs.

But rich clubs with trophy cabinets collecting dust for over 50 years really doesn't mean anything to a fan!

Moscow Are You Ready?: Manchester United, Chelsea Head to Russia

Martin Hill — Tue, 13 May 2008 01:20:33 -0400

After the closest premiership run-in of all time, just 10 days later the two same teams have the chance to battle it out again for European football's biggest prize.

With Manchester United's Premiership destiny in their own hands on the final day, Chelsea would have always had one eye on the Champions League final. Injuries to John Terry and Didier Drogba against Bolton may have said otherwise, but both claim they will be fit for the big game.

Manchester United will be "bouncing" into the final, according to manager Sir Alex Ferguson, stating ''Chelsea would rather be in our position mentally going into this game.''

But now Chelsea have a point to prove, and knowing only four weeks ago they beat a rather lackluster United, the likes of Terry, Lampard, and Ballack will guarantee a strong resurgence with the hopes of repeating the 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge.

Should both teams have their full squad of players available, and both field their strongest 11, it's very hard to pick a winner.

United are likely to be favorites going into the game on the back of pipping Chelsea to the Premiership title, but recent history proves Chelsea are more than capable of causing an upset after looking dead and buried.

Depending on the recoveries of John Terry and Didier Drogba, I see a Chelsea win; minus the two big men, United will have too much for the Blues.

Now time to stop sitting on the fence and predict a 2-0 win for Chelsea, with the above mentioned starting and completing most of the 90 minutes.

If Chelsea do not have this wrapped up within the 90, then the extra youth available to United and the probability of neither Drogba or Terry lasting the full match means we'll see United do the double after extra time!