Brilliant Barca Sparkle For 'El Traductor'

Supporters of many teams in the UK have a chant that ends with "are by far the greatest team, the world have ever seen". Largely taken with a huge pinch of salt, it can only be the supporters of FC Barcelona who could belt out that particular song with a degree of accuracy. Their complete demolition of eternal rivals Real Madrid in the superbly named 'El Classico' proved precisely why.

Not normally an encounter for anyone of weak heart and mind however, with the added spice of the return of 'The Translator' bearing the Real club crest on his blazer ensured that the usual pre-match hype had a little more to it than usual. Jose Mourinho actually said post match that the prospect of him and Real turning up together at the Nou Camp was never going to go down well with an already partizan home crowd.

The match itself was as pure an exhibition of the beautiful game that you could hope for (save for a few silly and needless moments of play-acting nonsense that one expects when it comes to watching continental football). Xavi and Iniesta were their usual impressive selves: combined with the steel of Sergio Busquets, the trio controlled the midfield with seemingly effortless ease. David Villa proved precisely why he is seen as one of the world's finest marksmen in front of goal with two expertly taken goals. As for Lionel Messi? His performance so mercurial that there is no known superlative to describe the footballing talent he possesses and displayed on Monday. From back to front, la Blaugrana dovetailed seamlessly to dismantle Mourinho's generation of Galacticos.

The anticipated clash between Messi and Ronaldo never happened. The former Manchester United winger was never given the necessary time and space to weave his magic and, like many of his team-mates (particularly the exciting Mesut Oezil) his off-day was seized upon by Pep Guardiola's men to devastating effect.

After the match, the self-pronounced 'Special One' was keen to stress it wasn't a humiliation. He said that only one team turned up and that this match was never going to decide the final destination of this season's championship trophy. Like him or loathe him, the man is seen as a master of his trade for a reason - because he is right. Real know that their performance was not a true reflection of their potential, so let's judge them at the end of the campaign.

As for Barca? So long as they keep producing this mesmerising brand of football then they'll keep me and many others like me, glued to their television screens and especially the feet of that special little Argentinian, for years to come.

(Picture: AFP via www.bbc.co.uk/sport)

£100 Tickets Signal Beginning Of The End

An article published by The Guardian newspaper has highlighted another negative aspect of the ever-changing world of modern football. They reported that Arsenal are set to make history next season by offering supporters the first ever £100 non-corporate matchday ticket The club have refused to comment on the claims but simply said that ticket prices were subject o change. This rise in fee would correlate with the VAT increase to 20% in the new year and if indeed the rumours are true, this could be start of a worrying trend for football clubs. (See article here)

Ever since their move to Ashburton Grove or the Emirates Stadium as the sponsors demand, Arsenal have been laden with nearly £400 million worth of debt and have operated with a very shrewd transfer policy ever since then, much to the frustration of their supporters who have not seen a trophy delivered since 2005. In fact, Arsenal are known for passing on the deficit to their supporters: the cheapest season ticket costs a massive £893. A sum of money that would be enough to buy FOUR equivalents at Blackburn Rovers. Even Chelsea, who have a fabled association with high ticket prices only charge £560 for a similar ticket.

If they do introduce this £100 ticket then where does that leave supporters? In this country many clubs over-charge for tickets in a culture that has seen prices rise gradually over the decades. It is easy to look back and see supporters paying pennies to watch the great Liverpool sides of the 1970s and 80s but it was a different era back then. Clubs now rely on income from ticket sales just to stay afloat but the level of inflation in recent years is quite simply appalling. Unfortunately, I am guilty of playing this mug's game and have travelled to grounds like Carlisle and Brighton only to stand on uncovered terraces in howling wind and rain, watching awful football and pay over £20 for the pleasure. For some, it's a ritual and almost a way of life. For others (like me for instance) it simply boils down to clocking up life experiences: doing it to say "I was there".

On the other hand, it is hardly surprising that fans are voting with their feet and refusing to pay £20 plus to watch Third or Fourth Division football. Bradford City, relegated to the bottom tier a couple of seasons ago have gone about things the right way: the board lowered ticket prices and encouraged fans to buy season tickets to such an extent that they now boast over 12,000 season ticket holders. Most clubs in the bottom two divisions can barely pull in that sort of total attendence once a season, let alone a regular turnout of just season ticket holders.

Recently, in Germany, supporters of Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund boycotted their derby over plans by Dortmund to raise the price of an adult ticket to 20 Euros. A mere 20 Euros to watch top-flight German football. Even the average price of a season ticket at clubs like Dortmund and Bayern Munich are a little under £200. No wonder these clubs play in grounds that are full to the rafters week in, week out.

While events on and off the pitch dominate the headlines, it appears that increased ticket prices have slipped under the radar in this country. For the sake of football as a spectator sport, let's hope that clubs start to see the benefits of doing what Bradford City have done and that we see less of what Arsenal plan to do.

(Picture: http://www.skysports.com/)

Scotland Ref Strike Unveils Deeper Problems

The decision by Scotland's top referees to threaten strike action over the weekend has the potential to be a watershed for the game not only in Scotland but further afield. Referees have long been figures of ridicule for players, managers, fans and pundits alike but I can never remember such a backlash from the men in the middle, especially at such a delicate time when it comes to the future of officiating. One could even argue that their actions could send shockwaves all the way to the top of the football hierarchy.

The situation north of the border has escalated to the point where referees are facing death threats from supporters. It has been well documented over the past few weeks that Celtic Football Club have been the main driving force behind the criticism that has faced referees. Ever since Dougie MacDonald overturned his decision to award a penalty kick in their match against Dundee United, manager Neil Lennon as well as senior members of the club (Chief Executive Peter Lawell and Chairman John Reid) have aimed a barage of criticism at the officiating system in Scotland.

It's worth pointing out that while Celtic may be at the forefront of this, it is not just they who are complaining. To many this may seem like Celtic sour grapes but let's look at the situation from a wider point of view. Since the advent of the Premier League and the culture of big money that has accompanied it, refereeing decisions are under much greater scrutiny than before. Strip away the veil of referees being abused and there lies a much larger ticking time bomb. That's why this landmark action could signal a watershed for the game, providing authorities with a choice of which way to go.

Firstly, they could back referees and give them much more help when officiating. Whether that be through video technology or other such means, officials quite simply need the extra eyes and ears provided by television coverage. On the other hand, authorities could completely revamp the system. Make referees as professional as the players with constant training and education to drive up standards. Even if such changes were to be made there are still many fans and even officials at FIFA who believe that refereeing controversy is part and parcel of the game.

This argument seems to be redundant in this day and age. Sports like rugby, cricket and tennis have embraced technology to the extent where one cannot imagine a match without the aid of equipment like HawkEye. So, instead of the pointless back and forth between clubs and governing bodies regarding standards of refereeing, why not trial the use of video technology? That way, everything is completely clear-cut and no-one can argue against a decision.

While strike action may help or hinder their cause, Scotland's referees have the fundemental right to flag up the levels of criticism for all to see. No human being should be subjected to abuse over the simple matter of a game of football. Whichever way the whole saga pans out, I get the feeling that the course of football in the UK is set to change. Whether for better or for worse, we shall just have to wait and see.

(Picture: www.bbc.co.uk/sport)

Not Good Enough: England Given Lesson In 'Je Ne Sais Quoi'

Once again after all the hype of a post World Cup re-birth, Capello's England fall flat on their faces. The 2-1 scoreline suggests it was a closely fought game but Laurent Blanc's new French charges showed a renewed 'joie de vivre' as they passed England to pieces at a sodden Wembley.

France were simply the better side and no pundit (armchair or otherwise) can deny that they outplayed England from the first whistle and would have perhaps scored more had Blanc not seen enough and hauled off his two goalscorers with a little over half an hour to play in favour of a more defensive formation. They passed the ball like true masters of their craft; Yohan Gourcuff the architect in the middle of the park. There was fluid movement, creation of space, players not panicking when under pressure: quite simply magnificent to watch. Their ability to spring from defence to attack in the space of three simple passes would have impressed even the staunchest football purist.

So why the gulf in class? Both sides were suffering from the proverbial World Cup hangover, both sides introduced new, younger players into the squad, so where did it all go wrong? Unfortunately the answer lies the other side of the whitewash. France have completely re-vamped their international selection policy whereby every player must now sign up to a code of conduct which, among other things, states that they must sing the national anthem as it's played before each match. Crucially, this new structure has been combined with the introduction of a new, upcoming, dynamic coach in Laurent Blanc. A World Cup winner in 1998, he spent 3 years transforming the fortunes of Girondins de Bordeaux, culminating in an appearance in the quarter-finals of the European Cup and appears to be doing the same with the national team.

Now look at the set-up for England: no changes since South Africa. The FA seems quite happy to watch the same, stale football being produced every game. The same 'indespensible' players who have failed at numerous tournaments, the same tired formations that deny creative players any license to do what they do best, players playing out of position, I could go on.

The most striking thing about England's performance was the lack of passion and ideas. Steven Gerrard, yet again, proved that he is quite simply the best candidate for captain with another committed and combative performance in midfield. On his debut, Andy Carroll was the victim of a criminal lack of service. Jay Bothroyd came on and might even have scored but for an athletic save from Hugo Lloris. His introduction adding a sense of urgency that proved me (and many others who doubted his inclusion) wrong.

Clearly things need to change behind the scenes. With noises being made about friendlies against the likes of Argentina and Ghana, I would not be at all surprised to see them lead England a merry dance on their own patch like the French did on Wednesday. If the blazers at the FA find this sort of display acceptable then only God himself can help the future of English football.

(Picture: www.bbc.co.uk/sport)

England's Andy-Man Deserves Friendly Start

At last it seems Fabio Capello has come to his senses and given England's emerging youth a chance against France on Wednesday. Andy Carroll will make his England debut at Wembley; just reward for what has been an impressive season so far for the 21-year old. Despite problems in his private life, on the pitch he remains one of the players who has continually impressed me this campaign.

Given the iconic number 9 shirt following promotion from the Championship last season, Carroll has grown into the role of the big target-man up front. More than anything his inclusion makes sense: of the usual selection of Rooney, Bent, Crouch, Defoe and Heskey, Peter Crouch is the only player who is both fit and playing well for his club. Disappointingly, Kevin Davies missed out after being capped last time out and it appear he would have to move Heaven and Earth to get a place in Capello's team again. Also I feel Carroll's club-mates Kevin Nolan and Joey Barton deserve a chance in the England team.

Returning to Carroll, I have rarely seen a player in the Premier League who I would watch purely because of his ability to head the ball. He also has the ability to take players on and score with either either foot - the perfect fit for England and an ideal opportunity to try him out against the French. Let's hope he doesn't let me down!

(Picture: www.bbc.co.uk/sport)

Cook Yet To Prove Ashes Worth

With just over a month before the first Ashes test, England's bowling attack have been sent to Brisbane to acclimatise to the humid conditions. It seems however, as if the management are more worried about the form of their bowlers than they are with the form of the top-order batsmen.

Alastair Cook's 111-not out against South Australia in last week's warm up game appears to have papered over the cracks in the Essex opener's form. Alarmingly it now seems as if with this single good performance with the bat that many pundits believe Cook is now back to his sparkling best.

Former Australian captain Ian Chappell's only concern with this England squad was the form of Cook going into the tour: "It wouldn't surprise me one little bit if Cook fails in the Tests." he said. "He has got a lot of flaws in his technique and they are going to be exacerbated under Australian conditions."

It is hard to look past this assessment of England's opener and it is a surprise that the selectors have not called up a third opener in case Cook does falter with the bat.

It is important to remember that it is a long, arduous tour down under. If Cook can't get to grips with the Kookabura ball on the flat, hard-baked Australian pitches then who could replace him?

The only positives to take from all this? It seems the Aussies don't quite know what they're doing selection-wise either...

(Picture: www.bbc.co.uk/sport)