Duff and Fulham Catch a Little Luck to Smash Spurs out of the FA Cup
Holding 15th place in the league, and only 4 points from the drop zone Fulham's season is far from over, and the Europa League final last May is becoming an all too distant memory. Fulham aren't destined to be in the middle of the relegation battle at the end of this year but they are down there at the moment and looking for some consistent form to find safety come May. That form has started to come in recent weeks with 3 of their 5 league wins this season coming in their last 7 games, and only losses to Tottenham and Liverpool this new year, fans could be forgiven for having a sense of optimism going into this Sundays FA cup tie against London rivals Tottenham.
One of the players who's contributed to this solid run of form is veteran winger and Ireland international Damien Duff. Although he's yet to get on a score sheet this season, Duffs 2011 performances have forced manager Mark Hughes to issue a hands off warning last Monday to prevent any last minute transfer swoops for the 31 year old.
Sunday afternoon saw Duff continue his stretch of solid performances as Fulham comprehensively disposed of a Tottenham side that was down to 10 men and by two goals after just 15 minutes. After Clinton Dempsey and Mousa Dembele were both fouled in the box early on, Spurs fans watched Danny Murphy convert both penalties and captain Dawson receive his Marching orders.
From then on Duff and Fulham were in total control and it wasn't long before a third followed. Duff, battling down at the by-line managed to grab Fulham a corner. Swung in from the right Duffs corner was flicked on by striker Andy Johnson before being fired home from close range by centre-back Hangeland.
Duffs distribution of the ball in the first half was near perfect with barely a pass going astray and every cross fired in met with the heads (all be it poorly) of Dembele, Dempsey, or Johnson. Going forward the 31 year old showed his age, trying to make off the ball runs to catch out defenders rather then attempting to beat his markers with the mazy runs he used to make as a youngster. Still flashes of his younger years were on display as Duff showed us his quick feet and ball control still hadn't left him just yet. Defensively Duff was offered very little challenge. Thanks to the sending off and the lack of energy Spurs displayed going forward, especially in the opening half, Duff was rarely called on to urgently drop back, and was able to easily to deal with the runs and movement of Hutton and Ekotto for the full 90 minutes.
After the interval the games tempo trailed off slightly. Spurs were looking to save face and maybe grab a consolation goal while Fulham relaxed, looking to preserve the 4-0 first half lead. Duff dropped slightly deeper, making fewer attempts to get forward down the Fulham right and taking a more defensive approach. As Spurs tired and Fulham pressed and pinned their London rivals back into their own half as the fans chanted “We want 5”. Duffs corner nearly provided the 5th goal the Craven Cottage faithful demanded, as his corner was met by the head of Aaron Hughes who directed the ball onto the angle of the cross bar, and Hangeland's attempt at getting a second was cleared off the line.
Even in the 89th minute Fulham continued to press the defeated Spurs, and Duff found himself with a golden opportunity to break his duck this year and finally grab his first goal of the season. After a nice period of possession substitute Gera worked his way into the box. After losing control slightly the ball fell into Duffs path, 12 yards from goal and on his stronger left foot. But Duff connected poorly on the strike and Gomes managed to get down to the scuffed strike.
A big win and a massive confidence boost for Fulham, but Mark Hughes understands that its results in the league that have to start appearing more often if they're going to find safety and not be involved in a relegation fight at the end of the year. Duff will be looking to continue his run of solid performances when Fulham meet Newcastle on Wednesday night, and the Irish winger will be hoping to finally grab his first goal of the season, after coming close in recent weeks.
31 Jan 2011
28 Jan 2011
Presenters or Producers.
A Response to Paul Heyward's Article from The Guardian Sport 28/1/2011
This morning in the Guardian, Paul Hayward printed an article discussing the flaws in many football presenters and shows across the BBC, ITV and Sky. Hayward discussed how the football coverage on television was, in general, to diluted with many of the shows lacking depth and insight.
Now I couldn't agree more that the football viewing public have been subjected to a number of poor analysts and presenters that fail to get to the heart of many of the issues and topics discussed on the programs, offering basic analysis and interpretation of the days highlights tactics and events.
However I think Hayward missed a number of points in his article today, that I feel should be looked at when discussing this topic.
Firstly, Hayward discussed the problems with BBC's Sunday night football show Match of the Day 2.
“Most of us watch MOTD 2 to see the game deconstructed a bit more and explained, in the Lee Dixon style”.
“To be confronted with a re-run of some of Andy Cole's best career moments is merely an invitation to head off to bed”.
Hayward also suggested that MOTD 2 host Colin Murray is, in part, to blame for the lack of substance on the show as his questions “could do with a regular trim to eliminate unnecessary clauses”.
Hayward fails to notice that MOTD 2 has been the BBCs light hearted look at the weekends Premier League action for years. Weekly spots such as “2 good, 2 bad” were prominent when Adrian Chiles presented the show as the BBC set out to bring a light hearted look the weekends action. Saturday nights MOTD with Lineker, Hansen, Shearer and Lawrenson, is there to break down the bulk of Saturdays action and get expert analysis from the BBCs front men for football. MOTD 2 is the Sunday night, easy going, comic relief from the over analysis in the weekends papers, television and internet articles. Its there to attract the casual viewer that wants to tune in to catch up in the weekends football and wind down before work on monday. Its therefore just poor casting on the part of the BBC that Lee Dixon, arguably the best football analyst on television, ends up almost every week on the BBCs attempt at a good laugh football rather then being a permanent fixture on the their flagship Saturday night show.
Murray, MOTD 2s easy going host, is playing the role that has been asked of him by producers. When Murray presented Channel 5's Sunday night American Football show 'NFL Live', his role was similar to the one he has now at the BBC. Murray would provoke thoughts from expert analyst Mike Carlson while also providing some comic relief for the viewers, in the belief that an audience tuning in from 1am to 4.30am on a Monday morning, would not want to be peppered with facts and tactics through out the shoe. Seeing as Murray had done very little sport coverage before his Channel 5 days, the BBC must have known exactly what type of host they were bringing in with the hiring of Murray, and therefore exactly what kind of show they wanted MOTD 2 to continue to be. Viewers expecting an in depth, detailed analysis on their Sunday night soccer show should either make sure to record MOTD on Saturday nights or hold out till Monday night for SkySports Monday Night Football show.
Secondly in Hayward's article he lists a number of former pros as being the best in the analysis business. This list includes Alan Smith, Mark Lawrenson, Scott Minto, Gareth Southgate, Graeme Souness and Lee Dixon. A number of these are great at what they do. Dixon and Souness are two of the standouts on the list, as both are unafraid to question others, throw in their own relevant background knowledge and spark debate between their coworkers. Alan Smith too deserves a honourable praise as his work with the current voice of football Martin Tyler has provided viewers with an entertaining duo to listen to on the weekends.
Yet others such as Southgate and Lawrenson are given too much praise. Lawrenson's pairing with John Motson was, in many peoples opinion, one of the worst duos in British football commentary at the time, with both merely pointing out the obvious and trying to over hype minor incidents. Lawrensen lacks the ability to hold a viewers attention and has a presence on television that lacks depth, making whatever positive analysis he has to say slightly diluted by his less then engaging attitude.
Southgate too lacks enough personality, especially when paired with Chiles on ITV. While Chiles looks to have a laugh, point out funny moments, and continue his work from MOTD 2 on a live, headline show format, Southgate's soft spoken quiet personality means that despite providing great analysis and depth to the discussion, Chiles is all to ready and able to jump in with a remedial comment or joke. Combined with ITVs advert breaks, there is little room to get the jokes in the bag and provide detailed insight into the game in the 10-15 minute half time and post game analysis.
To find a paring that work as well together and have an on screen chemistry like Keys and Gray did is extremely rare in television, and is dependant on a number of other factors. But MOTD 2 is doing what its been created to do, create a relaxed look at the weekends football, and Hayward should really realise and/or accept this, rather then looking for it to be something its not. A good analyst is hard to find, especially to find a presenter that works well with them, and Haywards dismissals of Merson, Cole and Yorke's ability to provide this are uncalled for, as broadcasters are merely trying to find the next Gray Keys combo. Yet bores and clingers that are carried by those around them and given long term contract, such as Lawrenson, go unscrutinised in the article.
There are plenty of football shows that have expert in depth analysis from pundits throughout the weekend, and many of the pundits are spot on with much of what they say. Its the broadcasters fault for the lack of depth in some shows as they try to appeal to different audiences and differentiate their brand. Until producers find the former players and managers with the smarts to produce intellectual football debate we are going to be stuck with what we have. Only a shake up in the on screen parings could provide any significant change in the quality of analysis.
This morning in the Guardian, Paul Hayward printed an article discussing the flaws in many football presenters and shows across the BBC, ITV and Sky. Hayward discussed how the football coverage on television was, in general, to diluted with many of the shows lacking depth and insight.
Now I couldn't agree more that the football viewing public have been subjected to a number of poor analysts and presenters that fail to get to the heart of many of the issues and topics discussed on the programs, offering basic analysis and interpretation of the days highlights tactics and events.
However I think Hayward missed a number of points in his article today, that I feel should be looked at when discussing this topic.
Firstly, Hayward discussed the problems with BBC's Sunday night football show Match of the Day 2.
“Most of us watch MOTD 2 to see the game deconstructed a bit more and explained, in the Lee Dixon style”.
“To be confronted with a re-run of some of Andy Cole's best career moments is merely an invitation to head off to bed”.
Hayward also suggested that MOTD 2 host Colin Murray is, in part, to blame for the lack of substance on the show as his questions “could do with a regular trim to eliminate unnecessary clauses”.
Hayward fails to notice that MOTD 2 has been the BBCs light hearted look at the weekends Premier League action for years. Weekly spots such as “2 good, 2 bad” were prominent when Adrian Chiles presented the show as the BBC set out to bring a light hearted look the weekends action. Saturday nights MOTD with Lineker, Hansen, Shearer and Lawrenson, is there to break down the bulk of Saturdays action and get expert analysis from the BBCs front men for football. MOTD 2 is the Sunday night, easy going, comic relief from the over analysis in the weekends papers, television and internet articles. Its there to attract the casual viewer that wants to tune in to catch up in the weekends football and wind down before work on monday. Its therefore just poor casting on the part of the BBC that Lee Dixon, arguably the best football analyst on television, ends up almost every week on the BBCs attempt at a good laugh football rather then being a permanent fixture on the their flagship Saturday night show.
Murray, MOTD 2s easy going host, is playing the role that has been asked of him by producers. When Murray presented Channel 5's Sunday night American Football show 'NFL Live', his role was similar to the one he has now at the BBC. Murray would provoke thoughts from expert analyst Mike Carlson while also providing some comic relief for the viewers, in the belief that an audience tuning in from 1am to 4.30am on a Monday morning, would not want to be peppered with facts and tactics through out the shoe. Seeing as Murray had done very little sport coverage before his Channel 5 days, the BBC must have known exactly what type of host they were bringing in with the hiring of Murray, and therefore exactly what kind of show they wanted MOTD 2 to continue to be. Viewers expecting an in depth, detailed analysis on their Sunday night soccer show should either make sure to record MOTD on Saturday nights or hold out till Monday night for SkySports Monday Night Football show.
Secondly in Hayward's article he lists a number of former pros as being the best in the analysis business. This list includes Alan Smith, Mark Lawrenson, Scott Minto, Gareth Southgate, Graeme Souness and Lee Dixon. A number of these are great at what they do. Dixon and Souness are two of the standouts on the list, as both are unafraid to question others, throw in their own relevant background knowledge and spark debate between their coworkers. Alan Smith too deserves a honourable praise as his work with the current voice of football Martin Tyler has provided viewers with an entertaining duo to listen to on the weekends.
Yet others such as Southgate and Lawrenson are given too much praise. Lawrenson's pairing with John Motson was, in many peoples opinion, one of the worst duos in British football commentary at the time, with both merely pointing out the obvious and trying to over hype minor incidents. Lawrensen lacks the ability to hold a viewers attention and has a presence on television that lacks depth, making whatever positive analysis he has to say slightly diluted by his less then engaging attitude.
Southgate too lacks enough personality, especially when paired with Chiles on ITV. While Chiles looks to have a laugh, point out funny moments, and continue his work from MOTD 2 on a live, headline show format, Southgate's soft spoken quiet personality means that despite providing great analysis and depth to the discussion, Chiles is all to ready and able to jump in with a remedial comment or joke. Combined with ITVs advert breaks, there is little room to get the jokes in the bag and provide detailed insight into the game in the 10-15 minute half time and post game analysis.
To find a paring that work as well together and have an on screen chemistry like Keys and Gray did is extremely rare in television, and is dependant on a number of other factors. But MOTD 2 is doing what its been created to do, create a relaxed look at the weekends football, and Hayward should really realise and/or accept this, rather then looking for it to be something its not. A good analyst is hard to find, especially to find a presenter that works well with them, and Haywards dismissals of Merson, Cole and Yorke's ability to provide this are uncalled for, as broadcasters are merely trying to find the next Gray Keys combo. Yet bores and clingers that are carried by those around them and given long term contract, such as Lawrenson, go unscrutinised in the article.
There are plenty of football shows that have expert in depth analysis from pundits throughout the weekend, and many of the pundits are spot on with much of what they say. Its the broadcasters fault for the lack of depth in some shows as they try to appeal to different audiences and differentiate their brand. Until producers find the former players and managers with the smarts to produce intellectual football debate we are going to be stuck with what we have. Only a shake up in the on screen parings could provide any significant change in the quality of analysis.
27 Jan 2011
Keys Out
Apology Turns into Last Straw for Sky Sports Front Man
“There was much banter”. Richard Keys' description of the conversation he had with Sian Massey as he apologised to her over the telephone Sunday afternoon. But is that how you would want to describe a conversation that was meant to be a sincere apology for one of the biggest blunders in sports broadcasting.
Speaking on TalkSport radio yesterday Keys said he was on the station to get his side of the story across to the public, something he felt he hadn't been allowed or had the opportunity to do since Sunday mornings bombshell hit. But Keys, rather then coming across as genuinely sorry for his comments and actions released into the public domain this weekend, came across as a slightly paranoid ego, that is obviously desperate to hold onto his job and maintain his status as the face of Premier League football coverage.
Keys claimed he would answer any question given to him on Hawksbee and Jacobs, yet with the skill that any politician would be proud of, twisted and turned questions to make sure he got his apology across to the listeners and avoid any question or comment that could incriminate him further.
When asked if he would have apologised to Massey had the comments not been released to the media Keys skipped away from an answer saying “If the comments hadn't been released, and she got that [the offside call for Liverpool's opener] right, and there was a way to find her......you'd be looking back on that saying well done, and we said that......this shouldn't go on to affect her, leave her alone”
Keys when he did try to be sincere could stop himself from making little jibes and attacks at others around him.
“are you telling me it doesn't take place in the Manchester United dressing room? Because my information is it does” was his response to comments made by Rio Ferdinand about Keys' and Gray's comments on social network site twitter.
“Im not proud of what we did at the weekend. I'm sorry that happened but with success comes envy”. “There are dark forces at work”. “Its [the apology to Massey] just being reported today as though I've just got round to doing it, thats how the media works isn't it”. Keys didn't come across as a man looking to repair his image and apologise. He made it obvious that this whole incident is some sort of plot to remove him and Andy Gray from Sky Sports like some sort of JFK conspiracy.
When Keys did say the words “I'm sorry” they sounded forced and exasperated. Like a child who is tired of apologising to his parents because the meaning and sincerity of the words are gone, replaced by exasperation at a situation that he obviously wants to be swept away.
Even when discussing the latest YouTube video release of him talking to Jamie Redknapp and other co-hosts prior to a broadcast about a former girlfriend of Redknapps, (with Keys asking “did you smash it” before going on to make other offensive sexual comments about the lady in question) Keys spun out the same line that he had used to describe his thoughts on the Massey comments.
“Shocking, horrible, out of order, wrong, old fashioned, no place for it.
Not only that but the tone of voice he used (ironically something which has made his comments about Massey last saturday so damning) to real off this sentence of almost pure adjectives seemed to show just how exasperated and tired Keys already is, of talking about the media storm thats surrounded him.
The 53 minutes or so that he was talking on TalkSport couldn't have gone much worse for Keys. Unclear with what he was trying to get across at most stages the interview/discussion, the former Sky Sports front man seemed to flick across from apology, to excusing himself, to secret plots and dark forces and finally almost pleading to the media and coworkers to not judge him as harshly as he is. In what should have taken 15 minutes to apologise publicly, say a few words about the recent video release, say how he's helped many female journalists in his career and then finally say he's looking into his own behaviour and trying to change it for the future, turned into a whining pleading paranoid rant, trying to pass blame and excuse himself for what happened.
Keys' resignation last night from his post at Sky just goes to show how badly he came across in his radio exclusive. Speculation now has turned to who will take over from Keys as Sky's main face of football coverage, with Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling tipped as the 4-1 favourite.
To listen to the full interview head to - http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/hawksbee-and-jacobs/blog/2011-01-26/listen-richard-keys-discussing-massey-brady-and-sexism-exclusively-talksport
“There was much banter”. Richard Keys' description of the conversation he had with Sian Massey as he apologised to her over the telephone Sunday afternoon. But is that how you would want to describe a conversation that was meant to be a sincere apology for one of the biggest blunders in sports broadcasting.
Speaking on TalkSport radio yesterday Keys said he was on the station to get his side of the story across to the public, something he felt he hadn't been allowed or had the opportunity to do since Sunday mornings bombshell hit. But Keys, rather then coming across as genuinely sorry for his comments and actions released into the public domain this weekend, came across as a slightly paranoid ego, that is obviously desperate to hold onto his job and maintain his status as the face of Premier League football coverage.
Keys claimed he would answer any question given to him on Hawksbee and Jacobs, yet with the skill that any politician would be proud of, twisted and turned questions to make sure he got his apology across to the listeners and avoid any question or comment that could incriminate him further.
When asked if he would have apologised to Massey had the comments not been released to the media Keys skipped away from an answer saying “If the comments hadn't been released, and she got that [the offside call for Liverpool's opener] right, and there was a way to find her......you'd be looking back on that saying well done, and we said that......this shouldn't go on to affect her, leave her alone”
Keys when he did try to be sincere could stop himself from making little jibes and attacks at others around him.
“are you telling me it doesn't take place in the Manchester United dressing room? Because my information is it does” was his response to comments made by Rio Ferdinand about Keys' and Gray's comments on social network site twitter.
“Im not proud of what we did at the weekend. I'm sorry that happened but with success comes envy”. “There are dark forces at work”. “Its [the apology to Massey] just being reported today as though I've just got round to doing it, thats how the media works isn't it”. Keys didn't come across as a man looking to repair his image and apologise. He made it obvious that this whole incident is some sort of plot to remove him and Andy Gray from Sky Sports like some sort of JFK conspiracy.
When Keys did say the words “I'm sorry” they sounded forced and exasperated. Like a child who is tired of apologising to his parents because the meaning and sincerity of the words are gone, replaced by exasperation at a situation that he obviously wants to be swept away.
Even when discussing the latest YouTube video release of him talking to Jamie Redknapp and other co-hosts prior to a broadcast about a former girlfriend of Redknapps, (with Keys asking “did you smash it” before going on to make other offensive sexual comments about the lady in question) Keys spun out the same line that he had used to describe his thoughts on the Massey comments.
“Shocking, horrible, out of order, wrong, old fashioned, no place for it.
Not only that but the tone of voice he used (ironically something which has made his comments about Massey last saturday so damning) to real off this sentence of almost pure adjectives seemed to show just how exasperated and tired Keys already is, of talking about the media storm thats surrounded him.
The 53 minutes or so that he was talking on TalkSport couldn't have gone much worse for Keys. Unclear with what he was trying to get across at most stages the interview/discussion, the former Sky Sports front man seemed to flick across from apology, to excusing himself, to secret plots and dark forces and finally almost pleading to the media and coworkers to not judge him as harshly as he is. In what should have taken 15 minutes to apologise publicly, say a few words about the recent video release, say how he's helped many female journalists in his career and then finally say he's looking into his own behaviour and trying to change it for the future, turned into a whining pleading paranoid rant, trying to pass blame and excuse himself for what happened.
Keys' resignation last night from his post at Sky just goes to show how badly he came across in his radio exclusive. Speculation now has turned to who will take over from Keys as Sky's main face of football coverage, with Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling tipped as the 4-1 favourite.
To listen to the full interview head to - http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/hawksbee-and-jacobs/blog/2011-01-26/listen-richard-keys-discussing-massey-brady-and-sexism-exclusively-talksport
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