Football and Soccer

Barcelona has been widely considered as the best team in the world for a number of years now. Winning trophies has been complemented by their unique attacking style of play, which was taught at La Masia (the fabled youth team house where Barcelona students were tutored) for decades. Over the years, Barcelona have usually employed two formations in a flexible manner, regardless of opposition: the base of a 4-3-3 or 3-4-3, with slight tactical variations, but always using the principles of Johan Cruyff’s Total Football philosophy.

As opposition teams have tried to work out ways in which to stop all the attacking talents which the Catalan giants possess, they themselves have needed to adapt, conscious that they must evolve to stay one step ahead of the many defensive tactics now employed to halt their success. The most recent evolution is to line-up without playing a recognised out-and-out striker in a traditional number-9 role, which is leading many to ask: is this the formation of the future? Read the rest of this entry »

We’ve all done it, spent hours upon hours debating with friends, family and even complete strangers, on just who have been the greatest players to have ever played for your team. But if you had to create an ultimate team to represent your club’s colours, choosing only the bare 11 players, who would make the cut?

Do you agree or disagree with my choices?

Liverpool F.C.

GK: Ray Clemence (1967 – 1981)

Clemence is one of English footballs most decorated goalkeepers from his period with the Red’s winning 5 leagues titles, 3 European Cups, 2 UEFA Cups and the FA Cup all in a 9-year period. His remarkable consistency, athleticism, positional sense and quick reactions saw him come to Liverpool’s rescue many times during a highly successful period, saving vital penalties and denying goalscoring opportunities. This also led him to break numerous records including conceding the least amount of goals in one season (16) and only 4 at Anfield. During his Liverpool career he kept an outstanding 335 clean sheets in 665 appearances. Read the rest of this entry »

Liverpool extended their unbeaten run to seven games as Andy Carroll and Charlie Adam both scored to ensure a comfortable 2-0 victory against West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League. The Reds were superior for most of the game and they took an early lead in the ninth minute from the penalty spot after Luis Suarez was judged to have been tripped, Adam converted the penalty and Carroll added a second goal for the visitors moments before half time.

The result means the Reds have now won 13 of their last 14 matches against West Bromwich, who had come into this game unbeaten in their last four games. Liverpool now climb into fifth place in the Premier League, as they keep into touch with the chasing pack, but they still trail league leaders Manchester City by ten points. Read the rest of this entry »