Monday, December 6, 2010

Footy Tweets Of The Week


As the world around us becomes more and more involved in social networking, On The Offensive has compiled the most hilarious tweets from some of the most seminal voices in world soccer over the weekend. So let's hear what various footy writers and players had to say.
keep hearing from insiders that avram grant's a "babe magnet", "makes women weak at the knees". puzzling & unsettling in equal measures
-karlsentk
what's with  & twitter? 5 of most popular 10 tweeters worldwide hail from there. most unlikely caracas stat since gregory's girl?
-DanBrennan99
His new name is Samir 'THE ANGLE' Nasri ! That's 2 weeks on the bounce he has scored goals from ridiculous angles! 
-rioferdy5
Roberto Mancini unhappy  didn't win by more goals: 'If I was playing I would have scored two or three'
-DTguardian
We're like Barça in attack, but Blackpool at the back.
-YoungGunsBlog

Thursday, December 2, 2010

2022: A Failed U.S. Bid


Well today U.S. Soccer received a sad yet much needed dose of reality in wake of failing to secure the 2022 World Cup bid. While Sunil Gulati and many US Soccer bigwigs may be wallowing at the defeat handed to them by the small Arab nation, there are a few distinct reasons why this defeat was inevitable.

1. Sepp Blatter's Nobel Peace Prize Bid


There is nothing on the face of the Earth that Darth Sepp Blatter wants more than to be left with a legacy befitting of a Nobel Peace Prize. Not only has his work left the impression that he is campaigning for the touted award, but in the bidding process it seemed as if he actively pursued it. 

Yes, I know Sepp Blatter is a non-voting member of the committee, but to argue that football's most powerful man had no say in the select is pure fiction. While opening up new markets may be all well and good- will successful yet somewhat faulted tournaments in 2002 and 2010, it seemed that at least one of the picks would be a proven candidate. Having brought football to Asia (South Korea and Japan), Africa (South Africa), and now Eastern Europe and the Middle East, could it be any more obvious that he wishes to be included amongst Mother Teresa, Jimmy Carter, and Kofi Annan in the pantheon of Nobel Winners. 

Monday, November 22, 2010

On The Move: Potential January Transfers


With the January transfer window approaching and the weaknesses in starting XI of YOUR squad, let's find out who the likely movers and replacements available are. 

Antonio Cassano


Current Team: Sampdoria

After the Italian badboy's recent bust-up with the Sampdoria club president Riccardo Garrone and duly warming the bench for the Genoan side, a January move seems to be in the cards. The main deterrent for purchasing this allegedly reformed man, is his temperament and attitude towards authority. It is quite a shame that Italy's most creative talent is continually cutting his feet out from underneath him. The unsetteled star has put Juve and Inter on high alert, but one gets the feeling that Sampdoria will sell to the highest bidder, regardless of Cassano's wishes.

Likely Destinations: Juventus and Inter Milan


After the jump- Adebayor, Ashley Young, and Nicklas Bendtner all wantaway

Freddy Adu and Juan Agudelo



As reported by Goal.com, Freddy Adu is now training with Randers FC in Denmark. According to Randers chief scout Peter Christiansen, 
"Freddy Adu's agent, whom I work very closely with in other respects, approached to inquire about the possibility that Freddy Adu could come to Randers to keep fit by participating in daily training," Randers chief scout Peter Christiansen told the club website. "We said 'Yes, of course' to get a player like Freddy Adu in training. Hopefully he can help to lift it further and also provide some inspiration for our own players.

No disrespect to Randers FC, but Adu seems to be perpetually moving down the world football ladder since his 2007 move to Benfica. With loans to Monaco, Aris, and Beleneneses, Adu has found very little time to settle down and earn playing time, and many would argue that this has stunted his growth as a footballer. In all fairness at 21, no one should be regarding Adu as a bust, but merely a player who seems to be unable to gain a foothold at a club.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Schweini To Inter?


The fat waiter wants to buy who??
In possibly  the most farfetched news of the day, Goal.com is reporting that Inter Milan are ready to lay down the GDP of a third world nation for renowned midfield maestro Bastian Schweinsteiger. Of course we know this to be as completely false . In the past year, Inter has been liked with the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, and even jokingly Loniel Messi. So I typically ignore most ________ to Inter transfer rumors. 

Despite completely unfounded transfer speculation, Uli Hoeness has stated it would not be an easy fight for Inter.

"We will not be petty, because we know how important he is to us," Bayern president Uli Hoeness previously said. "And when our people want more money from the board, they will get it."


In other words, Schweini is about to get PAID! Nothing some like some transfer speculation to give some urgency to the contract negotiations. Bayern needs Schweinsteiger like a girl with low self-esteem needs an abusive boyfriend. Bayern would rather get down on their knees and plead Schweini to stay while dumping rooms full of cash into his house, then let him go to the Serie powerhouse.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Why I Hate The International Break



After reading the title of this rambling, you might begin to ask yourself, how could anyone hate the glory and pure emotion of a good round of international fixtures. The national anthems, the over-paid stars playing pro bono, and the nationalistic rivalries never quite do it for me. Of course I love the feelings that the World Cup can conjure- citizens from different countries joining together in the joy of the beautiful game, but why do international breaks come at the worst possible teams in the league season. 

If you read the EPL Race To The Top, you already know the title race is heating up and we are entering an early climax of fixtures that could easily decide the champions. So with that being said, who else besides Darth Sepp Blatter thought would be a great idea to have a midweek international break- for a friendly. 



Let's be honest we know exactly what is going to happen. Robin Van Persie is going to start, even though he shouldn't. He is going re-injure his ankle, and Arsene Wenger will be complaining for weeks about why the Dutch F.A. shows no common sense. We've seen the script before and the plot hasn't changed, just as we were getting in the thick of it in the EPL. So thanks FIFA.

Despite my hatred of randomly placed international breaks, bent on capitalizing financially on Spain and Lionel Messi, you should watch these matches.

Happy SuperClasico!



Happy SuperClasico Day!

Everyone will make the claim that their derby is the most intense in the world- The North London Derby, El Clasico, The Old Firm Derby, and the list goes on, but there is only one rivalry amongst them all. This season's first installment of el SuperClasico should be one of the more interesting matches, as both clubs languish mid-table and are playing way under expectations. Expect a heated derby where all three points will be hotly contested. Please watch the video and enjoy the passion and energy- this is what soccer should be like (take note MLS).