Tuesday 30 October 2012

One Man’s Junk is Another Man’s Treasure: The Capital One Cup



Tonight sees the return of the Capital One Cup, with the remaining teams licking their lips in anticipation at a lengthy and hopefully successful cup run.

But there remains an attitude amongst many observers that the League Cup (as it used to be known) is an unwanted distraction for many, and that the plus sides of progressing or even winning it are outweighed by the negative impacts upon the club’s league fortunes.

As we know, the winner of the Capital One Cup will qualify for a spot in next season’s Europa League, so of course there is something worthwhile to be achieved at the end of the day. But the toil of getting through seven rounds to eventually lift the trophy can have a gruelling effect on a squad of players, as injuries and fitness problems can be an unfortunate side-effect.

Who can forget Birmingham City’s soiree into Europe for example. They beat Arsenal in the League Cup final back in 2011, thanks to goals from Obafemi Martins (remember him?) and Nikola Zigic. The only unfortunate upshot of that is that they would also be relegated from the Premier League that very campaign.

Now, playing in Europe affords players, management and fans the opportunity to experience the thrill of playing some massive sides from across the continent, a luxury usually confined to the best – say – seven clubs.

So the question remains: would Birmingham fans swap their trips to Braga, Maribor and Club Brugge to be playing top flight football every week?

This is perhaps why the bigger clubs take the opportunity to field fringe players and young prospects in the competition. It gives these guys a chance to get some game-time in their legs, and an opportunity to impress their manager. Perhaps this makes them hungrier for success? 

At the time of writing, Chelsea, Man United, Tottenham, Arsenal et al all remain in the mix. What kind of team they play in their respective games remains to be seen, but for Spurs and the Gunners, perhaps this remains their most likely path for silverware.

And let’s not forget the ‘magic’ of the cup: League Two Bradford City travel to Premiership Wigan, whilst League One side Swindon host Aston Villa. Perhaps two giant-killings in the offing? Either way, nights like these are few and far between for the lower league sides.

So the jury remains out on the importance (or not) of the Capital One Cup. Still, it means more football to watch on telly in midweek – and that can’t be a bad thing, can it?

Monday 22 October 2012

Route One's Daily Football News Round-Up - 22/10/2012



We find the latest football news stories making the headlines, so you don’t have to.


Never before has a T-Shirt caused so much controversy in football. 

QPR manager Mark Hughes has said that he won’t punish his six players for not wearing the Kick it Out shirt which backs an anti-racism campaign. Manchester United chief Sir Alex Ferguson however has indicated that Rio Ferdinand “will be dealt with” for the same ‘crime’.

Anton Ferdinand was among the QPR who neglected the shirt, and Mark Hughes said that each player had a right to make the decision. 

“A lot of people have made stands,” he said. “Possibly some of our guys felt that they needed to stand shoulder to shoulder which I think you have to accept.”



David Moyes meanwhile has slammed the decision to send off Steven Pienaar in Everton’s 1-1 stalemate with QPR as ‘ludicrous’.

The South African international was booked twice – the second of which appeared to be an accidental coming together of legs with the Hoops’ Jose Bosingwa. 

The Toffees were left to play out the remaining half hour with ten men, and Moyes was livid. He told BBC Sport: "To send a player off under those circumstances is a ludicrous decision.

"We had the same referee [Jon Moss) against West Brom. He didn't perform well on that day, he didn't perform well today.”



Alan Pardew has stated that Fabricio Coloccini played like Bobby Moore in the frantic Tyne & Wear derby yesterday.

The Newcastle United boss said: "He was absolutely phenomenal. 

"If you want a defensive example of how to head it, kick it, cover people and have the calmness to play, then this was it. That was like watching Bobby Moore. It was that good." 

The Argentine helped to batten down the hatches for his side, after they were reduced to ten men just 25 minutes into the game following Cheick Tiote’s sending off.

The game finished 1-1 after Yohann Cabaye’s early strike was cancelled out by a late Demba Ba own goal.

Thursday 11 October 2012

Shit Lids: The 30 Worst Haircuts in Football History (Numbers 10-1)

When you turn on the TV these days to watch a Liverpool game, one thing really stands out. Not their incompetent defending, but Fabio Borini’s hair.

So, in homage to the Italian, we’ve put together our list of the worst haircuts in footballing history. A well trodden path of course, but one which will give you much mirth and merriment we hope...

10) Javier Pinola

Pic Courtesy of Kicker.de
Javier is firmly from the school of ‘not letting go’, where previous alumni include Sir Bobby Charlton, Wayne Rooney and Attilio Lombardo (more on that later). These students are taking a degree in ‘going bald but will do absolutely anything to make it appear as if they have loads of hair’ studies.

As you can see, Pinola is an A* student.


9) Andy Carroll






No further explanation required m‘lud.







8) Rodrigo Palacio

Pic Courtesy of the Daily Mail
Whether or not Rodrigo Palacio has a natural affinity with vermin, this ‘rats tail’ really is a spectacular no-no. 

It does, however, earn our Bravery award. Would YOU don this look in your local Wetherspoons on a Friday night?



 7) Taribo West

Pic Courtesy of Nigeria Watch
  
Sometimes in life, there are no words to explain a particular something. Exhibit A – Taribo West’s ‘Green Shoelace’ haircut. 

Whilst the Nigerian earns a few bonus points for patriotism, he instantly loses them again for resembling a member of mid-90s girl band Cleopatra.




6) Rudi Voller
Pic courtesy of Football Rascal

Affectionately known as ‘the Poodle’ during his playing days, Voller teamed his mullet with a bushy moustache to complete that look that the Germans do so well.

Apparently, Voller’s spat with Frank Rijkaard in the 1990 World Cup was sparked by the Dutchman’s accusation that Rudi’s hair was “sun damaged”.




5) Gervinho

What in Christ’s name is that, you’re probably thinking. It is the sheer width, height and depth of his forehead that sets Gervinho apart. 

His hair acts like a beaded curtain – parted to enable us to see into his cosmic vortex. 




4) Chris Waddle

Ah yes, the 1980s. Not a decade known for its sartorial elegance and hirsute artistry....
Pic Courtesy of Football Fancast

And then Chris Waddle happened. Not content with being one half of the UK’s finest pop music act (see here), Waddles also turned out for Newcastle, Spurs, Sheffield Wednesday and Marseille.

Most famously, he ballooned a penalty over the bar in England’s World Cup ’90 Semi Final defeat against Germany, something that he possibly might have blamed on having hair like a Texan trucker. 



3) Bobby Charlton

Sir Bobby Charlton is a World Cup winner and Manchester United legend. What is less than legendary, however, is the ‘haircut’ he sported during those heady days.

Bob is the innovator behind the now world famous ‘comb over’, as I’m sure you’re all aware. What is often forgotten mind is that he sported it whilst only in his early 30’s. So if you are approaching this landmark age, think fast...


2) Carlos Valderrama

Pic Courtesy of Ball 72
This is vintage stuff. Valderrama’s ‘Golden Perm’ has become something of a legend, and finally gave Colombia an export to be proud of, apart from some chap named ‘Charlie’.

With his olive tan and nose-mouse moustache, Carlos had hit on a winning combination – stealing both housewives’ hearts and the respect of geezers across the globe.



1) Roberto Baggio


Whilst his football was world class, Baggio’s haircut was anything but. The Italian was an early adopter of the ‘business at the front, party at the back’ mantra, which would also reflect neatly on his off-the-field activities.

Caution: ponytails only belong on girls and horses.