The Postman’s Question of the Weekend: Who is a better manager - Scolari or Benitez, and why?
24 October 2008
When Sir Alex announced his wish to retire some time ago, I thought Big Phil would be the ideal candidate to fill in those big shoes. Eevn now, I believed that Scolari can do that.In taking over Chelsea, he was stepping on an army of killer ants. Any false move, they would swamp and devour the victim. The King ant, Mr Roman Abramovich demanded entertaining and winning football and mercilessly got rid of two managers, no matters what they have achieved. So taking on the post is like putting one’s head on the ant’s nest and be ready for the demise. So far, Big Phil had kept the owner quietly happy.
Next, the players who pinned for their former manager and had held onto their big egos. Managing this bunch and making them play as a team again without wholesale changes is a magnificient feat.
On the Red side, Rafa Benitez took years to get it right simply because he tried to show his tactical acumen with his rotation policy. Only recently he corrected himself by admitting that he should not have done that. When it comes down to making quick effective tactical cahnges in the midst of the game, Rafa was found wanting in many occasions. He had splashed millions on duds while Big Phil has been spending wisely so far.
So : Big Phil wins on points, so far.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Who is a better manager - Scolari or Benitez, and why?
The Postman’s Question of the Weekend: Who is a better manager - Scolari or Benitez, and why?
24 october 2008
Mirror mirror on the wall
Who is better of them all
Scolari or Benitez
Let’s put them to the test
Whip them all to winning play
Going up all the way
Rafa takes years Felipe takes months
To keep the ego players on the mum
Changing tactics on the quick
Is Felipe’s nice little trick
Rotation is always in Rafa’s mind
Making team to step on mines
Felipe got instant respect
Rafa got to win a peck
While Felipe is in control
Rafa, at times, seemed to be in a hole
Rafa has European credentials
Have yet to achieve full potentials
Only Felipe got the World Cup dream
Gunning for the Champions dream
It is not hard to choose
Felipe is the leading goose
Rafa is not so far
Just to reach par.
24 october 2008
Mirror mirror on the wall
Who is better of them all
Scolari or Benitez
Let’s put them to the test
Whip them all to winning play
Going up all the way
Rafa takes years Felipe takes months
To keep the ego players on the mum
Changing tactics on the quick
Is Felipe’s nice little trick
Rotation is always in Rafa’s mind
Making team to step on mines
Felipe got instant respect
Rafa got to win a peck
While Felipe is in control
Rafa, at times, seemed to be in a hole
Rafa has European credentials
Have yet to achieve full potentials
Only Felipe got the World Cup dream
Gunning for the Champions dream
It is not hard to choose
Felipe is the leading goose
Rafa is not so far
Just to reach par.
Chelsea / Liverpool
The Postman’s Question of the Weekend: Which of the two clubs – Chelsea or Liverpool – will lose a game in the Premiership first, and why?
October 17 2008
In the beginning of the season, Sir Alex Ferguson described Chelsea as an experienced team. He could mean to say that this Chelsea team had reached its peak in performance and results in the EPL ie reached the plateau, no way to improve anymore. It could also meant that they will be a team who knows what to do in different circumstances given the length of time the players have been together, an old ginger-force to reckonI believed it is the latter.Liverpool depends too much on Gerrard and Torres to carry them through. From the past few games which they played, they have to squeeze their last drop of effort in the last quarter to triumph. It may be seen as preserverance, never say die effort, blah blah blah. However, it hid a worrying weakness in their defensive play.Chelsea is a more balanced side with players fitting in easily according to various tactical formations which Scolari devised. Their defence has the solid and steady look. Their midfield is more fluid.From this perspective, I would say that Liverpool will blink first. They cannot be this lucky all the time!
October 17 2008
In the beginning of the season, Sir Alex Ferguson described Chelsea as an experienced team. He could mean to say that this Chelsea team had reached its peak in performance and results in the EPL ie reached the plateau, no way to improve anymore. It could also meant that they will be a team who knows what to do in different circumstances given the length of time the players have been together, an old ginger-force to reckonI believed it is the latter.Liverpool depends too much on Gerrard and Torres to carry them through. From the past few games which they played, they have to squeeze their last drop of effort in the last quarter to triumph. It may be seen as preserverance, never say die effort, blah blah blah. However, it hid a worrying weakness in their defensive play.Chelsea is a more balanced side with players fitting in easily according to various tactical formations which Scolari devised. Their defence has the solid and steady look. Their midfield is more fluid.From this perspective, I would say that Liverpool will blink first. They cannot be this lucky all the time!
England vs Belarus
The Postman’s Question of the Weekend: Now that you’ve seen England beat Kazakhstan, play football analyst and tell us what England can do better in their next game against the more tricky Belarus, or if they can be shocked.
Oct 12 2008
In Grp 6, England and Croatia are considered the favourites with Ukraine, the dark horse. England, in beating Croatia 4-1 at Zagreb could have done the hardest part of the work in qualifying. Now, the momentum continued, though they really laboured to a 5-1 win over Kazakhstan who is ranked in the same band as Singapore!The Three Lions should be wary of Balarus as they are treading on unknown ground in Minsk. The Gerrard-Lampard midfield did impress at times but not great. They should continue to have the liberty to drive forward. However, it is the wing play which could unravel the tightest of massed defence. Shuan Wright-Philips and Theo Walcott should retain their places as they have the speed and confidence now to support the scoring Wayne Rooney.At this monet, England lacked a player-maker who can turn the game with some moments of brilliance. They just have to preservere with the Gerrard-Lampard combi.However, it should be an all-attacking suicidal formation. Gareth Barry should be retained as a holding midfield in front of the back four which should improve on the return of JT for Upson. Belarus, playing at home, may not be playing a defensive game.Let the momentum continues….for the 3 Lions
Oct 12 2008
In Grp 6, England and Croatia are considered the favourites with Ukraine, the dark horse. England, in beating Croatia 4-1 at Zagreb could have done the hardest part of the work in qualifying. Now, the momentum continued, though they really laboured to a 5-1 win over Kazakhstan who is ranked in the same band as Singapore!The Three Lions should be wary of Balarus as they are treading on unknown ground in Minsk. The Gerrard-Lampard midfield did impress at times but not great. They should continue to have the liberty to drive forward. However, it is the wing play which could unravel the tightest of massed defence. Shuan Wright-Philips and Theo Walcott should retain their places as they have the speed and confidence now to support the scoring Wayne Rooney.At this monet, England lacked a player-maker who can turn the game with some moments of brilliance. They just have to preservere with the Gerrard-Lampard combi.However, it should be an all-attacking suicidal formation. Gareth Barry should be retained as a holding midfield in front of the back four which should improve on the return of JT for Upson. Belarus, playing at home, may not be playing a defensive game.Let the momentum continues….for the 3 Lions
F1 Improvement
Do you think the various activities in the lead-up to Sunday’s race have helped to create a buzz among Singaporeans? What can we improve on for next year’s race?
Sept 26 2008
In the heartlands, there is hardly a murmur about F1. It is generally considered as a sport for the rich and powerful, just like polo. The organiser rightly targeted on the visitors and interested people, the group which followed the F1 races yearly, for their commercial and business reasons. The price of ticket, though fair, put off many Singaporeans who have yet to want to pay a premium for a premium show like F1. Many would want to go back to the days when they could squat along the tracks like Upper Thomson and watch speed demons zip. They may not want to see that F1 is a multi-million industry now and thus is a different ball game.Do we really want to create a buzz in all Singaporeans? I think we need not at this moment. We need to build up the momentum in a couple of years, starting with the schools. Why can’t the organisers allocate places for our tiertiary or upper secondary students to attend thwe practice sessions on Friday? I believe that those are not the highlights of F1. The Saturday qualifying and Sunday’s races are the highlights. So let’s start with the young ones and the fever will spread eventually.
Sept 26 2008
In the heartlands, there is hardly a murmur about F1. It is generally considered as a sport for the rich and powerful, just like polo. The organiser rightly targeted on the visitors and interested people, the group which followed the F1 races yearly, for their commercial and business reasons. The price of ticket, though fair, put off many Singaporeans who have yet to want to pay a premium for a premium show like F1. Many would want to go back to the days when they could squat along the tracks like Upper Thomson and watch speed demons zip. They may not want to see that F1 is a multi-million industry now and thus is a different ball game.Do we really want to create a buzz in all Singaporeans? I think we need not at this moment. We need to build up the momentum in a couple of years, starting with the schools. Why can’t the organisers allocate places for our tiertiary or upper secondary students to attend thwe practice sessions on Friday? I believe that those are not the highlights of F1. The Saturday qualifying and Sunday’s races are the highlights. So let’s start with the young ones and the fever will spread eventually.
Tottenham Coldspur
The Postman’s Question of the Weekend: How long do you think Spurs will take to get out of their current bad form, and will they?
Sept 19 2006
When you start on a new rojak recipe, expect unexpected outcome. This is what happened to the tottering Hotspurs.There are so many new players from different places and you expect them to play to a common system? Wait lah! Just like it takes time for the rojak sauce to seep into the ingredients. Juande Ramos is not a rookie. He was tried and tested before he landed in the EPL. This rojak mixer will get it right by mid season, the next transfer window. His special ingredient in the forward line is still missing as Spurs is now coping with the loss of Keane and Berbatov, the two ingedients that spiced up Spurs last season
Sept 19 2006
When you start on a new rojak recipe, expect unexpected outcome. This is what happened to the tottering Hotspurs.There are so many new players from different places and you expect them to play to a common system? Wait lah! Just like it takes time for the rojak sauce to seep into the ingredients. Juande Ramos is not a rookie. He was tried and tested before he landed in the EPL. This rojak mixer will get it right by mid season, the next transfer window. His special ingredient in the forward line is still missing as Spurs is now coping with the loss of Keane and Berbatov, the two ingedients that spiced up Spurs last season
Should Juande Ramos be sacked for Spurs’ poor showing
The Postman’s Question of the Week: Should Juande Ramos be sacked for Spurs’ poor showing, and why?
Oct 21 2008
When one is rock bottom, it is easy to find the target and squash it, hoping to solve the problem. It takes a brave chairman to stick to the idea on why Juande Ramos was chosen to be the coach of Spurs in the first place and not to seek desperate measures. Man Utd stuck to Sir Alex and they were fully rewarded for it thousand folds.I believed that David Levy will not have the patience to endure further humiliation manifested from his own doings and decisions. There were so many decisions which was not Ramos’s as his hands were tied. The most important one was in the purchase and sale of players. The Chairman’s decision to make Man Utd paid above the premium for Berbatov and thus dragged the episode for such a while, made it impossible for the purchase of a reliable forward, This is the weakest point in Spur’s play. No bite, no goal, no wins and then no confidence. It is an epidemic spread which could be arrested if Ramos is allowed to do his job. Stay with him, Spurs.
Oct 21 2008
When one is rock bottom, it is easy to find the target and squash it, hoping to solve the problem. It takes a brave chairman to stick to the idea on why Juande Ramos was chosen to be the coach of Spurs in the first place and not to seek desperate measures. Man Utd stuck to Sir Alex and they were fully rewarded for it thousand folds.I believed that David Levy will not have the patience to endure further humiliation manifested from his own doings and decisions. There were so many decisions which was not Ramos’s as his hands were tied. The most important one was in the purchase and sale of players. The Chairman’s decision to make Man Utd paid above the premium for Berbatov and thus dragged the episode for such a while, made it impossible for the purchase of a reliable forward, This is the weakest point in Spur’s play. No bite, no goal, no wins and then no confidence. It is an epidemic spread which could be arrested if Ramos is allowed to do his job. Stay with him, Spurs.
What is the best strike combination for England
The Postman’s Question of the Week: What is the best strike combination for England, and why?
Oct 14 2008
Wayne Rooney is an ‘untouchable’As a striker in the England stable.He is hungry, he is meanWith a lion’s trim.As he prowls around like an 3-Lion oxNever like to stay as a penalty area foxWho then to play with him?Who then to feed him?Owen, Heskey, Crouch, Defoe or WalcottWhat a puzzling thought.Owen is not fitCrouch is of a different fit.Defoe plays a similar gameWalcott is left to the wing.Heskey looks most likelyHe is strong tank mainly.He can shield, he can hold,Just like the centre forward of old.A bull and an oxA perfect combination for the job.
Oct 14 2008
Wayne Rooney is an ‘untouchable’As a striker in the England stable.He is hungry, he is meanWith a lion’s trim.As he prowls around like an 3-Lion oxNever like to stay as a penalty area foxWho then to play with him?Who then to feed him?Owen, Heskey, Crouch, Defoe or WalcottWhat a puzzling thought.Owen is not fitCrouch is of a different fit.Defoe plays a similar gameWalcott is left to the wing.Heskey looks most likelyHe is strong tank mainly.He can shield, he can hold,Just like the centre forward of old.A bull and an oxA perfect combination for the job.
Fernando Torres is currently the best striker?
The Postman’s Question of the Week: Do you think Fernando Torres is currently the best striker in the world, best on technique and form, and why?
Oct 7 2008
Of course Rafa Benitez would proclaim that he has the best apples in his orchard as it was that far that he could see. The mantle of being the Best Striker in the world is very heavy to carry and Torres, at this moment is the prince-in-waiting. Comparing him with Messi, who I think is KING at this moment, one would see the difference. Leo not only score, he creates goals for his teammates as well. Technically, he has much closer ball control than Torres. In dribbling skills and in making a fool of your defending opponents, Leo beats Torres feet down. Whenever he has the ball, one gets the sensation that Leo will do something with it, something exciting and unpredictable unlike Torres who is one dimensional.Mind you, I am only comparing Torres with one player….in line there are Ronaldo, Kaka, Ibrahimovic, etc. Thus how can Rafa claimed that Torres is the BEST, the King? At most, he is second in line to the throne!
Oct 7 2008
Of course Rafa Benitez would proclaim that he has the best apples in his orchard as it was that far that he could see. The mantle of being the Best Striker in the world is very heavy to carry and Torres, at this moment is the prince-in-waiting. Comparing him with Messi, who I think is KING at this moment, one would see the difference. Leo not only score, he creates goals for his teammates as well. Technically, he has much closer ball control than Torres. In dribbling skills and in making a fool of your defending opponents, Leo beats Torres feet down. Whenever he has the ball, one gets the sensation that Leo will do something with it, something exciting and unpredictable unlike Torres who is one dimensional.Mind you, I am only comparing Torres with one player….in line there are Ronaldo, Kaka, Ibrahimovic, etc. Thus how can Rafa claimed that Torres is the BEST, the King? At most, he is second in line to the throne!
Other than the Big Four clubs
The Postman’s Question of the Week: Other than the Big Four clubs, which club has impressed you so far this season?
Sept 30 2008
It got to be Hull City. The Premier league newbie Tigers seemed to have adapted to the pace of the Premier league after suffering a reversal of a 5-0 thrashing by Wigan in their 3rd match. With two away wins against Newcastle and the mighty mighty Arsenal at Emirates, it showed that the aggressive Tigers are not toothless. Even Arsene Wenger admitted that his Gunners were truly beaten last week. So far they have scored in every game except that against Wigan. From now onwards, it is wise for all Premier clubs not to underestimate Phil Brown’s unheralded and gung-ho team, starting with the ‘top 5′ (sic) team of Tottenham Hotspurs next week.
Sept 30 2008
It got to be Hull City. The Premier league newbie Tigers seemed to have adapted to the pace of the Premier league after suffering a reversal of a 5-0 thrashing by Wigan in their 3rd match. With two away wins against Newcastle and the mighty mighty Arsenal at Emirates, it showed that the aggressive Tigers are not toothless. Even Arsene Wenger admitted that his Gunners were truly beaten last week. So far they have scored in every game except that against Wigan. From now onwards, it is wise for all Premier clubs not to underestimate Phil Brown’s unheralded and gung-ho team, starting with the ‘top 5′ (sic) team of Tottenham Hotspurs next week.
Other than the Big Four clubs
The Postman’s Question of the Week: Other than the Big Four clubs, which club has impressed you so far this season?
Sept 30 2008
It got to be Hull City. The Premier league newbie Tigers seemed to have adapted to the pace of the Premier league after suffering a reversal of a 5-0 thrashing by Wigan in their 3rd match. With two away wins against Newcastle and the mighty mighty Arsenal at Emirates, it showed that the aggressive Tigers are not toothless. Even Arsene Wenger admitted that his Gunners were truly beaten last week. So far they have scored in every game except that against Wigan. From now onwards, it is wise for all Premier clubs not to underestimate Phil Brown’s unheralded and gung-ho team, starting with the ‘top 5′ (sic) team of Tottenham Hotspurs next week.
Sept 30 2008
It got to be Hull City. The Premier league newbie Tigers seemed to have adapted to the pace of the Premier league after suffering a reversal of a 5-0 thrashing by Wigan in their 3rd match. With two away wins against Newcastle and the mighty mighty Arsenal at Emirates, it showed that the aggressive Tigers are not toothless. Even Arsene Wenger admitted that his Gunners were truly beaten last week. So far they have scored in every game except that against Wigan. From now onwards, it is wise for all Premier clubs not to underestimate Phil Brown’s unheralded and gung-ho team, starting with the ‘top 5′ (sic) team of Tottenham Hotspurs next week.
Man United’s poor start to the season
The Postman’s Question of the Week: What do you think is the main reason behind Man United’s poor start to the season, and what do you think should be done to solve it?
Sept 16 2008
The story of last season :RISE and RISE of Man Utd in 2008Executive Director : FergusonProducer : Carlos QuirozMain actor : C RonaldoSupporting Cast : Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney, Edwin Van Dar Sar, N Vidic and Rio FerdinandBit cast : Giggs, Scholes, Anderson, EvraCalefare : Owen Hargreaves, Nani, Carrick
Slump of Man Utd 2009, so farSo far, the main actor is missing from the cast. So far, the Red Devils depended on a bit players to score ie Fletecher and TevezSo far, D Berbatov, the newly acquired co-actor had not read the full scriptSo far, the main actor is still on MCSo far, the calefare remained calefare. No one rose to the occasion to be the main actorSo far, the director is mourning the loss of the producer.
The above summed up why the Red Devils are on a slump, so far.
Sept 16 2008
The story of last season :RISE and RISE of Man Utd in 2008Executive Director : FergusonProducer : Carlos QuirozMain actor : C RonaldoSupporting Cast : Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney, Edwin Van Dar Sar, N Vidic and Rio FerdinandBit cast : Giggs, Scholes, Anderson, EvraCalefare : Owen Hargreaves, Nani, Carrick
Slump of Man Utd 2009, so farSo far, the main actor is missing from the cast. So far, the Red Devils depended on a bit players to score ie Fletecher and TevezSo far, D Berbatov, the newly acquired co-actor had not read the full scriptSo far, the main actor is still on MCSo far, the calefare remained calefare. No one rose to the occasion to be the main actorSo far, the director is mourning the loss of the producer.
The above summed up why the Red Devils are on a slump, so far.
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