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Michael James thinks Rob Stone did a good job filling in on Around the Horn today.
Permalink Jun 30

Michael James echoes Kartik's sentiments concerning Andy Gray.
Permalink Jun 30

I don't really think he's anything to write home about either, and you could tell that he was rooting for some teams over others based on rivalries during his own playing career and his nationality..."back when I was young", blah blah blah..

As to Phil's comment about Gray being up there in the top echelon of color analysts..sure, behind Robbie Earle, Garry Birtles, and even Andy Townsend

Michael James will put his pick out there now..Spain-3, Germany-1
Permalink Jun 29

Michael James is in complete agreement with Phil.
Permalink Jun 21

I understand their reasoning behind this new format, but there's just one problem: It doesn't matter if you can play in the final or not if your nation gets eliminated in the quarterfinals or semi-finals because they have a whole host of players who had to sit out due to picking up two yellow cards.

My rule would be one yellow card per game going into whenever you reset the cards. Three yellow cards in the group stage would mean no quarterfinals for a player, four in the group stage + quarterfinal would mean no semi-final, etc. Referees give yellow cards for nothing these days, so expecting players to only carry one yellow card before the semi-final like they're doing in this tournament is ludicrous.

Michael James says Hudsonland just doesn't understand..
Permalink Jun 13

What I posted isn't a rule specific to USSF, it is advice to American referees on how to interpret FIFA's laws. As Kartik said, there can be no debate about this because there are provisions for what we saw that are set in stone.

To correct something you said, Euro 2008 isn't a FIFA-run competition, it is run by UEFA, which is different in terms of how it chooses to structure tiebreaking situations and things like that, but FIFA's Laws of the Game are used. You can't get around those laws.

The problem with this-

"If a defending player steps behind his own goal line in order to place an opponent in an offside position, the referee shall allow play to
continue and caution the defender for deliberately leaving the field
of play without the referee’s permission when the ball is next out of
play"

-Is that it has nothing to do with the situation we saw on the field. The defending player didn't step behind his own goal line with the purpose of putting an attacking player in an offside position. The defending player didn't purposely leave the field of play. This passage is a non-starter when debating RVN's goal.

Listen, you can believe what you want to believe, but the fact of the matter is RVN was onside. It was an unlucky break for the Italians, but that's soccer.

On an unrelated note, I completely underestimated Holland!

Michael James got that from a chat session transcript with Jim White, a USSF national instructor
Permalink Jun 11

White was asked specifically about RVN's goal and cited that rule. It can be found in a USSF publication -- "Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game" -- which serves as a way to help referees interpret the laws of the game, most of which are vaguely unclear.

I'm a referee myself but hadn't ever seen that situation before, much less had to make that call in a game. Still, because the play was live, the goal stood. Yes, it was unfortunate that Panucci went down, but it was because of his own GK and the referee really can't stop play when the other team is threatening to score when it's not a serious injury that requires immediate attention.

Michael James wonders what Phil meant by asking where I came up with the England comment?
Permalink Jun 11

It was in response to one of Kartik's banter posts earlier this afternoon.

Michael James believes that Niko Kranjcar and Luka Modric could walk into the England squad, and England would love to have a good goalscorer like Olic or Petric.
Permalink Jun 10

Personally, I don't take anything Michael Owen says regarding the England team seriously right now. Why should I listen to a guy who can barely stay fit for a month at a time and can't even get into the England squad himself at this point. How dare he say who can and can't make the England team when he himself isn't even a part of the setup.

As it is, England may have better players than Croatia and Russia, but those two are better TEAMS than England. England is a group of superstars who play for themselves and compete for the highest salaries on their clubs, whereas the Croatians and Russians aren't as well-known and are playing for the shirt and for each other. Croatia and Russia also have much better, more tactically knowledgeable coaches than England had in recent years. With Capello at the helm, England will improve, but you can't immediately discount the years of regression under McLaren, Keegan, Hoddle, and even Sven (to a lesser extent). Croatia and Russia are more resourceful, but that shouldn't detract from how good of teams they are either.

Michael James wants everyone to look at the following very closely..RVN was NOT offside!
Permalink Jun 10

11.11 DEFENDER LEGALLY OFF THE FIELD OF PLAY

A defender who leaves the field during the course of play and does
not immediately return must still be considered in determining where
the second to last defender is for the purpose of judging which
attackers are in an offside position. Such a defender is considered
to be on the touch line or goal line closest to his or her off-field
position. A defender who leaves the field with the referee’s
permission (and who thus requires the referee’s permission to return)
is not included in determining offside position.”

Michael James says Panucci DOES count, he went off the field after contact with his own goalkeeper. The referee didn't blow his whistle to stop play, so Panucci was still active.
Permalink Jun 10

In the interpretation of the offside rule, Panucci was considered to be on the goal line. That allowed RVN to be onside as there were two defenders ahead of him when the ball was played in. The debate about this situation is silly because there is a rule in place for it, and the referees made the correct decision, one that's been backed by all the supervisory bodies involved.

As to Phil's point about the fans not being told the rules, well, they shouldn't have to be told the rules. They should already know the rules in the first place.

As to Kartik's point about Russia and Croatia, we'll see how Russia plays today, but keep in mind that they're missing their best player and one of their better players. Russia's performance in their first two games, no matter what it is, won't be as good as it can be, it'll be slightly misleading either way. Croatia beat England home and away in qualifying, including on the last day when England had everything to play for at their own stadium, Croatia had already wrapped up the group, and England still couldn't get it done. Not sure how you can even make the argument that England is better than Croatia.

Michael James is confused, does Phil think RVN was offside or does he think he wasn't?...because there is no doubt that he was on, and the goal was legit..
Permalink Jun 10

I also agree with you to a certain extent about the Italians being unlucky, but that was in the second half and was a result of their own poor finishing..Italy didn't even show up in the first half and greatly underestimated Holland, which I did as well.

I'll be honest, I didn't think this game was as great as Phil made it out to be, it was very one-sided.

Michael James wants to compliment Tuncay on his wonderful dive in the box early in the game..he launched himself to the ground!
Permalink Jun 8

Michael James now thinks Charles is nuts for suggesting that Oguchi Onyewu could even start for the Austrian team..
Permalink Jun 1

First of all, they have a quality up and coming center back in Sebastian Prodl, who was absolutely dominant in the U-20 World Cup last year and is now starting for the senior team, but second of all, we should be shooting a little higher than Austria..

"Michael Bradley, Beasley, Clint Dempsey, about 6 goalkeepers, Cherundolo, Onyewu, and a number of others absolutely could make the team for Austria."

Give me a break!! That's no big accomplishment, trust me..

Oguchi Onyewu is positively, without a doubt, one of the worst center backs I've seen at the international level..as I said before, he's way too slow, positions himself very poorly, and seems to want to win a contest for who can commit the most fouls in one game..he's weak on the ball and for a guy his size, isn't nearly as commanding in the air as he should be.

Michael James can't see how Kartik would rather keep Onyewu than Jay DeMerit..Onyewu was an absolute embarrassment, letting the much smaller Rooney push him around and out-muscle him all day
Permalink May 30

Not only that, Gooch is too big, too slow, and too foul-prone.

Dempsey and Spector both deserve to be in the squad, but I'm right with you about Clark, Bocanegra, Johnson, and Wolff.

Michael James wonders if Phil is disappointed that Schwarzer signed with Fulham?
Permalink May 22

Michael James seconds Shakira's thoughts. I hope Bristol City wins though, they've thoroughly impressed me over both legs with their passion and never-say-die attitude
Permalink May 14

Michael James thinks that if you're still opposed to some sort of playoff system at the end of the season, you're crazy. After watching both legs of the Bristol City-Crystal Palace tie, I'm more convinced than ever
Permalink May 14

Michael James thinks the Galaxy played very well in the LA Derby last night..Donovan and Beckham can carry that team, but the fact that two players can win games on their own doesn't say much about the rest of MLS
Permalink Apr 27

Michael James says no, no, no, Phil's idea is great, but here's one better:
Permalink Apr 24

"John Arne Riise- I scored for Chelsea: 2007-2008"

Michael James agrees with Phil..1-0 tomorrow, 1-1 at the Bridge next week
Permalink Apr 22

Michael James Watching the passion of the NHL playoffs and now the start of the NBA playoffs has me convinced..bring a playoff system to the Premiership!!
Permalink Apr 20

Michael James believes a playoff structure would provide extra excitement to a league that has become very stale at the top.
Permalink Apr 8

Instead of seeing the same four teams fight it out for the title every year and having the other 16 teams battle for consolation prizes, a playoff would inject new life and fresh air and give hope to the majority of the league.

Think about it. The top teams would still be rewarded with higher seeds in the playoffs and a "regular season" title. They'd get, in a best-of-three, the first and third home games or in a two-leg affair, the second leg at home.

Teams 5-8 are capable of beating the "Big Four" on any given day, but don't have the depth and consistency to do it over a 38-game season, and that's largely because they don't have as much money to spend on players.

Playoffs would, as I said, just make the league more exciting and instead of creating two separate tables (one of four teams, the other of 16 teams), it becomes a battle to finish in the top 8. Once the playoffs come, anything could happen. It would be unpredictable and great for both neutral fans and fans of smaller clubs that have been starved of success and trophies.

Teams 1-3 would still go to the Champions League, with the playoff winner getting the other spot. If the playoff winner has already qualified for the CL in the regular season, the runner-up would go. If the runner-up has already qualified, the 4th place finisher in the regular season would go. 5-7 would still go to the UEFA Cup.

Michael James is watching the NCAA Tournament Championship..what do you guys think about a playoff system in the PL at the end of the season?
Permalink Apr 8

Top 8 teams, either two-leg or best-of-three with higher seed getting two home games in that case.

1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6, 4 vs 5, reseed after quarterfinals and semifinals, final at higher seed.

It'll never happen, just a thought.

Michael James is just curious..three computers in Middlesbrough, or three in all of the North East? I mean how much room for these fancy electronic gadgets is there with all the coal lying around?
Permalink Apr 2

Michael James says he'll take the Newcastle job if a personal psychiatrist is hired for him..and if he'll have $100 million to spend..and if he can get rid of everyone except Taylor, Milner, and Martins..
Permalink Mar 17

and if Mike Ashley and Dennis Wise resigned..and if the club's fans had the same belief in me as they do in Keegan..and if Cristiano Ronaldo signed on a free transfer..otherwirse, Michael isn't interested.

Michael James is wondering if anyone else thinks Fenerbahce can advance next week? Because I do..
Permalink Feb 29

Michael James thinks JOTS is going to get more visitors to his site now than this one, very clever
Permalink Feb 14

Michael James is ready to watch Villa beat Liverpool
Permalink Jan 21

Michael James thinks Phil is crazy if he wouldn't swap Downing for Bent..quality strikers are much tougher to find than wingers and Boro needs someone who can score goals consistently.
Permalink Jan 15

Michael James would take Bale over Downing also, any day of the week..too bad he's been injured for most of the year
Permalink Jan 14

Michael James believes Sam Allardyce is the next to go.
Permalink Jan 8

Michael James Wow, there have been some great games this week huh?
Permalink Dec. 29, 2007

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My football has gone flat.

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Red Cards A-Go-Go

Started by Greg Mar 25

Since the topic has been all over the chunter, I thought I'd start a thread about the officials revolution that seems to be taking place. Personally, I think that the players should be better beha... Read More »

Who's going down?
4 Replies

Started by Stephen Allen. Last reply by Tyler Duffy Mar 16.

This years battle to avoid the drop has been something. There are 9 teams that could potentially be relegated. With only 4 points separating Middlesbrough in 11th place and Bolton in 18th place it'... Read More »

Tagged: derby, fulham, bolton, sunderland, birmingham

White People love the Idea of Soccer!

Started by Rex Mar 4

The Idea of Soccer First, the above link is to a satyrical blog, and so the ideas put forth aren't mine own, nor is it a comment on the ethnic or racial make-up of footballers or fans. But, I wil... Read More »

Tagged: soccer, football, america

What games are you looking forward to this weekend? (Mar 1/2)
3 Replies

Started by Philly Mac. Last reply by Philly Mac Mar 1.

Saturday: Has to be Arsenal v Villa for entertainment value and for what it means to the table. Side-issue: Can Arsenal re-gain their concentration after last weekend? Car wreck of the day: Newcas... Read More »

England national team
1 Reply

Started by Stephen Allen. Last reply by Soccer Shout Phil Feb 29.

so recently England managed to lose to croatia after fighting back to 2-2 which would have seen them go to euro 2008, but they managed to lose 3-2 in the end meaning they didn't qualify for euro 20... Read More »

Tagged: england, international, football, capello, world

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England national team
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Euro 2008 Recap--Day 3

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Euro 2008 Semifinals Predictions

Euro 2008 Quarterfinals Predictions (Part 2)

Euro 2008 Quarterfinals Predictions (Part 1)

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Who's going down? 4 Replies

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Who's going down?
4 Replies

What games are you looking forward to this weekend? (Mar 1/2)
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England national team
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