Monday, June 16, 2008
Premiership Transfer Window Review - Part Three
...David Walker completes his review of the January transfer window and how the moves will impact each teams success, or survival at the end of the 2005/06 season.
Portsmouth
If ever there was a manager who enjoyed a bit of business during the January transfer window it was Harry Redknapp. He is running out of time to form a team capable of keeping Pompey in the top flight after 34 players have come and gone this season.
He has brought in 4.1 million Auxerre striker Benjamin Mwaruwari to try and fill the void left by Yakubu while midfield steel and creativity should come in the form of Tottenham trio Pedro Mendes, Sean Davies and Wayne Routledge. Noe Pamarot, also of Spurs, Ognjen Koroman and goalkeeper Dean Kiely will assist defensive duties.
The most intriguing of Redknapps dealings is the loan capture of Andres DAllesandro, once tipped to be the next big thing out of south America. However, his career stalled following a move to Wolfsburg two and a half years ago.
Pompey are second from bottom in the table and lie five points from safety. The bookmakers dont fancy their chances of survival and quote 4/9 on relegation and 13/8 on staying up.
Sunderland
Sunderland are rooted firmly to the bottom of the table with just nine points from 23 matches and nine points adrift of nearest rivals Portsmouth.
The black Cats are without a home win all season and have won just twice in their last 44 Premiership matches stre...more
League Two Betting Review - 29 January 2006
...s by half time.
Rushden & Diamonds gave their survival hopes a fighting chance with a 3-0 victory over Oxford United. Three goals in the opening 22 minutes levelled 6/4 Rushden on points with Stockport.
With both Rushden and Stockport picking up points, Torquays win at Shrewsbury kept their heads just above water. Striker Paul Robinsons first goal since November ensured 10/3 outsiders Torquay remain one point clear of the drop zone.<...more
championship Betting Review - 5 February 2006
... and goals from Richard Cresswell and Paul Butler sealed all three points.
Aki Riihilahti marked his first start for Crystal Palace since September with the winning goal against Cardiff City. Palace, at 4/5 took the lead after 70 minutes and an equaliser for Cameron Jerome was disallowed for an earlier foul.
Preston were the only play-off team to slip up, being held to a goalless draw at Stoke. North End, now unbeaten in 22 matches, will have disappointed backers at 7/5 after Paul McKenna missed a penalty with three minutes remaining.
Luton let an early lead agains...more
Soccer Systems of play, Team Formation and Positional Set up, 4-4-2
...g play. They usually play from side to side rather than up and down the field.
These defenders are involved in shutting down any play and play making.
These players really read the game well. They need to, or they would be doing all the running.
Midfield
4, mid-fielders are usually arranged as outside left, inside left, inside right and outside right.
The outside players are called, wingers or flank players and are also involved in striking at the goal.
This would make this line up have a possibility of 4 strikers at any given time.
These wingers usually have the bulk of the running to do as they could carry the ball from the defending third and into the attacking third.
This also depends on the team strategy as outlined by the coaching staff.
The two inside midfielders are supposed to be the "play makers". These are the individuals who are responsible for ca...more