Articles by Ernest Legrand on ArticleSnatch.com

When Didier Drogba Got A Pat On The Head

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:11:22 -0500

I wonder how Drogba is feeling right now knowing that none other Michel Platini has "got his back" months after the incident that saw him getting a three match ban in Europe. If I were in Drogba's boots, I'd sure feel like giving him the same treatment I gave Referee Ovrebo on that fateful night. I really laughed out loud and I am pretty sure Drogba did too. I mean, when the incident occurred, why didn't Platini leap to his defence? Why did he keep mum? Hmmm... maybe he gave the player a private phone call in order to encourage him. Michel Platini's utterances on this issue amount to an attempt at approbating and reprobating. Listen to him; "I was like Drogba in the past when I saw an injustice as a player". If my understanding serves me right, what Platini is saying here is that there was in fact, injustice done by the center referee on the night. Earlier on, he had said the TV stations focused on Drogba and not the decisions. He averred that Drogba showed comportment. **End Summary** Topics: didier drogba]]> referee]]> platini]]> mistake]]> judgement]]> champions league]]> chelsea]]> manchester united]]> evans]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ernest Legrand is the co-Founder of http://www.ifotbol.com one of the largest soccer website in the world. You can write to Ernest at Legrand@ifotbol.com or read more of these points of view at http://www.ifotbol.com

Reckless Soccer Star Rio Ferninand

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:09:14 -0500

The image of Rio Ferdinand casually watching the ball and then Carlos Tevez zipping from behind him to chase the ball, ultimately resulting in a goal remains in mind even weeks after. As if that was not bad enough, a foolishly casual pass saw a another goal gifted to the visiting Manchester City. The cause for complaint has even extended to the national team where in the match against Ukraine, he was again culpable in the sending off of team mate Robert Green. What in name of everything good is wrong with Rio Ferdinand? Well, that question is obviously for those who believe that there is something wrong because the man at the center of the case doesn't believe that anything is amiss. In a recent interview with the Sunday Mirror, he was emphatic in stating that he is not interested in proving anyone wrong; he just needs to play more games in order to get back into rhythm. I would like to agree with him but then, he has performed some reckless blunders on a rather consistent basis of late. **End Summary** Topics: Rio Ferninand]]> soccer]]> manchester united]]> fabio capello]]> sir Alex fergusson]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ernest Legrand is the co-Founder of http://www.ifotbol.com one of the largest soccer website in the world. You can read more of these points of view at http://ifotbol.com/index.php?option=com_alphacontent&category=2 or write to Ernest at Legrand@ifotbol.com

Rafa Is As Safe As A Rabbit In A Snake Hole

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:07:10 -0500

Rafael Benitez believes that his position at the helm of affairs in Liverpool FC is safe. According to him "I am relaxed in terms of my position". Good morale at this crisis stage but the point is that he needs much more than mere high morale right now. He just has to turn the tide and not just start winning but keep winning. We need to ask though, what went wrong at one of the biggest clubs in England and indeed the world. Last season, Benitez took on some of the top coaches in the Premiership notably Sir Alex Ferguson. In fact their friction was well reported and even led to Sir Alex branding Benitez "arrogant". This spat was seen as a test of wills between the two but Benitez saw it more as an attempt to stand up to someone feared by many others. It was expected that this season, Liverpool FC will give Manchester United a run for their money but they not only started on a wrong note, they have put almost every foot wrong thereafter. It is strange that Rafa has consistently sought protection in injuries to players. **End Summary** Topics: Liverpool FC]]> england]]> soccer]]> football]]> Rafa Benitez]]> Chelsea]]> manchester united]]> arsenal]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ernest Legrand is the co-Founder of http://www.ifotbol.com one of the largest soccer website in the world. You can read more of these points of view at http://ifotbol.com/index.php?option=com_alphacontent&category=2 or write to Ernest at Legrand@ifotbol.com

Sir Alex Ferguson's Soccer Arrogance

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:47:14 -0500

Sir Alex Ferguson is no doubt the undisputed Master of mind games when it comes to the beautiful game of soccer and he has been known to take on even the most feared referees or officials without any fear whatsoever. Whatever it is that gives him the guts to do so is left for you to imagine but take it or leave it, Sir Alex takes no prisoners when he is in his element. A few seasons ago when Manchester United played Real Madrid in the knockout stages of the Champions League, Sir Alex publicly "informed" his players that FIFA did not want them in the finals of the tournament. "They do not want you there, that's for sure" he said. Of course, he was playing the mind card with his players and the referee given the fact that it was a home match for Real Madrid but FIFA took umbrage at the statement and fined him. I doubt if the wily Scot could have cared less. **End Summary** Topics: sir alex ferguson]]> manchester united]]> referee]]> Alan Wiley]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ernest Legrand is the co-Founder of http://www.ifotbol.com one of the largest soccer website in the world. You can read more of these points of view at http://ifotbol.com/index.php?option=com_alphacontent&category=2 or write to Ernest at Legrand@ifotbol.com

Soccer Online Broadcast or TV Broadcast, What is the Future?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:35:28 -0500

Could the web be the future of sports broadcasting? England's game against the Ukraine was the first game of football in the UK to be shown exclusively live via the medium of the Internet. This arrangement angered many of England's loyal supporters who do not want to be stuck in front of a computer screen watching their team, at a cost might I add. Swiss based company Kentaro held the broadcasting rights for the game and, originally, sold the match to Setanta for distribution across the United Kingdom. After the demise of the pay-TV company, the match was offered to all the regular broadcasters who declined to pay the asking price for what was, fundamentally, of limited interest after England has already qualified as group leaders after 8 win from 8 games. Enter Performa, a digital sport specialist, who decided that the Internet was the best place to show the contest. Peter Silverstone, the managing director of Kentaro, is quoted as saying, "you will watch as you would any other streaming on the Internet, like YouTube or the BBC iPlayer" Seriously who wants to sit in front of a computer monitor cheering on their team? **End Summary** Topics: online broadcast]]> tv broadcast]]> soccer]]> Kentaro]]> setanta]]> tv rights]]> computer]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ernest Legrand is the co-Founder of http://www.ifotbol.com one of the largest soccer website in the world. You can read more of these points of view at http://www.ifotbol.com

The Sheikhs Are Coming To England

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:55:21 -0500

The English Football Premier League seems to be under an invasion of sorts from the wealthy Princes of Arabia and it is difficult not to have a picture in mind of a large group of horsemen regally dressed in traditional Arabian regalia riding hard with a huge dust cloud behind them. Perhaps the term beautiful bride is more appropriate but then, in certain cultures, brides come with dowries. In this case, they are coming with a debt profile. The Premiership is one major success story of the English economy. It has been positioned to attract possibly the highest followership in the world of soccer and indeed it has succeeded in doing just that. The reality on ground is that a lot of premiership sides have become a victim of that success. The competition is tough and more so for those who wish to get closer to the coveted spots at the top of the table. Leeds United tried to get there and stay there but failed to do so despite their short-term success. Their debt profile was such that they were forced to sell their best players and finally got relegated. **End Summary** Topics: soccer]]> football]]> saudi arabia]]> machester city]]> english premiership]]> liverpool]]> portsmouth]]> united]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ernest Legrand is the co-Founder of http://www.ifotbol.com one of the largest soccer website in the world. You can read more of these points of view at http://www.ifotbol.com

Ronaldinho's Imminent Return to Brazil

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:47:31 -0400

Anyone who called him a wizard wouldn't have been far from the truth but today, anyone who calls him a shadow wouldn't be wrong either. He bedazzled the soccer world with his dribbling skills and shimmies. The ability to hold onto and move the ball as though it was glued to his feet was amazing and to top it all he always had that smile of pleasure on his lips. They called him the buck-toothed one but to the world, he was just Ronaldinho and he was a simply out of this world. He is probably the most successful creative midfielder in recent soccer history. Ronaldinho's five star performances at the 2002 World Cup finals shot him into solid reckoning and had clubs notably Manchester United and Barcelona fighting for his signature. If anyone doubted his potential, then Sir Alex Ferguson's disappointment at not getting his man was enough assurance. It was a rare display of disappointment from Sir Alex but Ronaldinho's brother who doubled as his agent made sure Barcelona got the coveted player. **End Summary** Topics: ronaldinho]]> soccer]]> football]]> brazil]]> world cup]]> ac milan]]> FC Barcelona]]> eto'o]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ernest Legrand is the co-Founder of http://www.ifotbol.com one of the largest soccer website in the world. You can read more of these points of view at http://www.ifotbol.com

David Beckham, Your Country Needs You!

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:44:12 -0400

With qualification for the World Cup finals in 2010 now safely assured, the subject that is now on the lips of all England supporters is whether good ol' "Golden Balls" will be delighting us all with his God like presence. The question that needs to be discussed is whether he should go to South Africa? In 2010 he will be at the ripe age of 35 and there are certain quarters who think his time has passed, his legs are gone, and he will be unable to keep up with the rigorous demands of international football. We beg to differ! We say that to oust David Beckham because of his age would be discriminatory and unjustified given the players painstaking fitness regime. After all, it is not not as though he is an old age pensioner and can no longer get around the pitch. He is as fit as a fiddle and would walk into most international outfits. We think his inclusion is vital. **End Summary** Topics: ifotbol]]> soccer]]> football]]> england]]> world cup 2010]]> capello]]> david beckham]]> beck]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ernest Legrand is the co-Founder of http://www.ifotbol.com one of the largest soccer website in the world. You can read more of these points of view at http://www.ifotbol.com

Argentina Prevailed By The Skin Of Their Teeth

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:40:24 -0400

The last match between Argentina and Peru, exciting and enthralling though it was, has left us all wondering how on earth Maradona's men have stolen their way into one of the automatic spots, pushing their next opponents, Uruguay, down into 5th. Argentina were given the not too stern task of having to beat a Peruvian side that had similarly failed to set the competition alight, lying dismally at the foot of the South American qualification group. Perhaps in another time and another place, you could have bet your mortgage on the Albicelestes doing the hard work and taking all three points at home. But this is the here and now, and under the guidance of the legend that is Diego Maradona, have proved to be little more than ordinary. And so it was, that with a team consisting of house hold names such as Messi, Mascherano, Aimar, Heinze and Higuain, took to the field with the pressure of 45,000 supporters weighing down on them. Undoubtedly, they look every inch a team with the weight of the world on them. Disjointed, inconsistent, dishevelled and erratic are all accusations you could have thrown at the national team following the match; **End Summary** Topics: ifotbol]]> soccer]]> football]]> maradona]]> Argentina]]> Peru]]> world cup 2010]]> Messi]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ernest Legrand is the co-Founder of http://www.ifotbol.com one of the largest soccer website in the world. You can read more of these points of view at http://www.ifotbol.com

Fabio Capello: An Italian Job Well Done

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:48:12 -0400

The miserable days where England supporters were subjected to the farce that was the Wally with the Brolly Steve Maclaren, are starting to feel as though it may all have been a really bad dream after all. And who is it that England can thank for that? None other than the Italian himself, Mr Fabio Capello. The Three Lions have had a remarkable change in fortunes under Capello's guidance, so we want to know why, exactly, this is the case. Why has he managed to succeed where Maclaren so famously failed? The answer is a simple one. England's main man has no interest in courting or befriending his players; he is more concerned in presenting himself as a Headmaster figure rather than a colleague. For example, how often can you say that you have seen him laughing and joking with his players? It just doesn't happen. Then compare that to Steve Maclaren, who was seen regularly cavorting with his staff on the training field. For Capello, it is important to maintain his distance on that front. **End Summary** Topics: fabio capello]]> england]]> three lions]]> world cup]]> steve mac laren]]> Sven Goran Erikson]]> soccer]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Ernest Legrand is the co-Founder of http://www.ifotbol.com one of the largest soccer website in the world. You can read more of these points of view at http://www.ifotbol.com

The World At A Perilous Soccer War

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:58:11 -0400

So, the world cup is just around the corner and we think it is time that we put our reputation on the line and came up with some predictions. With qualification not assured for some of the pre tournament favorites, Portugal and Argentina to name two, it's not as easy as in previous years to envisage a winner. This World cup promises to be one of the most diverse in history. Not all the great teams are guaranteed a place in the South African finals and this maybe the year that someone unexpected lifts the glorious trophy. When Greece won Euro 2004 who would have put money on them? This could be another one of those times. England are undefeated in their group and when they work they are a very impressive side. Brazil have lost only 1 of their 16 qualifying games and are predictably the tournament favorites. Spain, the number one team in Europe and 2nd, to Brazil, in the World rankings, will be among the tournament choices. But what about those that have not hit the headlines in their qualifying groups? **End Summary** Topics: world cup 2010]]> ifotbol]]> soccer]]> football]]> Brazil]]> Argentina]]> england]]> germany]]> france]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Ernest Legrand is the co-Founder of http://www.ifotbol.com one of the largest soccer website in the world. You can read more of these points of view at http://www.ifotbol.com