411 Football/Soccer Fact or Fiction 4.17.08: Super League, Championships, and Refs

Posted by Sean Garmer on 04.17.2008

It's been a while, but its back, Footy Fact or Fiction.

Alrighty after a little break we are back with more Footy Fact or Fiction. We talk about winning lots of championships, a possible new rule, better leagues and more…


Lotfi Sariahmed This Arsenal fan comes to us from the MMA Zone, but this guy knows a little about the beautiful game.

I couldn't find someone this week, so me, Sean Garmer is going against him. I'm usually boasting about MLS on this website but, I'm pretty global with my fascination for the game.



1. Manchester United will win the League and CL double?

Sean Garmer: FACT. Though this race is nowhere near over, but it is close. As has been proven already five points is not an insurmountable lead. They still have to play Chelsea later this month, but I just feel that because Chelsea cannot do anything but win in that game it is too much of a hurdle for them. I really feel that this weekend against Blackburn is their last chance to drop points other than to Chelsea. As West Ham just continues to fall down, and Wigan will probably have their place secure by then. As for the Champions League, well they face a tough test with Barca getting Messi back for their tie, and then the prospect of an all English final as well. I think if they get past Barca which they should unless Messi works some magic, they will win the CL as well. Ronaldo is on fire, so is Rooney, and that bench proved against Arsenal that there are gamechangers on it. Not to mention that it seems they will have Vidic back in time for that tie too, it seems like a lock for United.

Lotfi Sariahmed: FACT. But god I hope not. I'm still holding out hope Barcelona will return to form and knock Man U out of the CL but that really relies on whether or not Lionel Messi can make his return. If Man U can make it to the CL Final I have almost no confidence in Liverpool knocking them off and no confidence in Chelsea. But hey, I've been wrong before. As for the Premiership race, United have that wrapped up already.


2. Portsmouth will win the FA Cup?


Sean Garmer: FACT. Portsmouth aren't light years better than Cardiff, but they have still have a backline that has carried them through it all during this cup run. Sol Campbell and Distin have been tremendous, not to discount Glen Johnson either. David James has been in splendid form lately and there's a reason he's England's #1. Then you look in the midfield with Kranjcar, Muntari, and Bouba Diop. Portsmouth will be missing their goal machine (and I see that as the only thing that may hurt them) but Kanu isn't bad (though he hasn't performed well this season). If Cardiff can somehow get past that wall in defense they may have a chance. I see another Pompey 1-0 victory in the cards here.

Lotfi Sariahmed: FACT. It's been a nice run for the "little guy" in the FA Cup but it will come to an end in the final. It's not like Fulham made it to the Final and are ripe for the picking. Portsmouth is a very respectable team with a lot of weapons and don't forget about David James in goal. Portsmouth will take the trophy which in its own right is a nice surprise.


3. LA Galaxy will win the MLS Championship


Sean Garmer: FICTION. Though the LA Galaxy get the wonderful fortunes of having a great attacking triple threat in Landon Donavan, Carlos Ruiz, and David Beckham they are shaky about everywhere else. Their defense has an aging center back, two rookies, and a converted midfielder. This is a really young team that is filled with Rookies. I see them improving a lot over last season (in that they may win more games, and not just make a big run at the end) but there are better teams in DC, Houston, Chicago, New England, KC, Dallas, Chivas USA, that all stand in their way. Maybe if they would have spent some of that money a little more wisely instead of banking it all on Carlos Ruiz, I'd be a little bit more confident in picking them.

Lotfi Sariahmed: FICTION. Adding David Beckham does not a champion make. I'm not the most math savvy guy out there but I think you need 10 other guys in football. Landon Donovan is nice. But this team still has too many holes. New England and Houston are still the class of the league. DC is always tough and the Galaxy just don't match up to that right now.



TIME FOR A SWITCH!!!


4. La Liga's title race this season proves that they are the best league in the world?


Lotfi Sariahmed: FICTION. No, it just proves that Barcelona has been woefully inconsistent given the talent it has and Real Madrid can't run away from the league. Villareal's a nice bunch but hardly strong enough to put La Liga over the top in the best league in the world debate. The Premiership has more depth (8 teams with at least 50 pts compared to 5 for La Liga) and it at least has comparable top tier talent and given the way Barcelona has struggled I'd still take the Premiership's top teams. This title race in La Liga because teams haven't been good enough.

Sean Garmer: FACT. Maybe not this year's title race, but overall I think the league as far as the one's below the big two are better. The Big four in England are consistent and are always there, but that's what makes La Liga's league better they have more parody between the team in the 3 spot all the way down to maybe 14 to 15. Regardless of Barca and Real's issues with winning I think it shows more about how those below them have the ability to beat them on any given day. Where as in the Prem your more or less hoping that they have an off night or they are coming off a Champions League game. Look at Getafe's run in the UEFA cup, they almost beat the German giants (if it wasn't for a horrible error by their Goalkeeper). I think you have to look at a league's strength from everywhere and top to bottom I feel that La Liga is stronger.





5. Captain's should be the only players allowed to talk to refs?


Lotfi Sariahmed: FACT. If for no other reason than I am sick and tired of seeing the entire team run up to the ref seemingly about to attack the man every time any call is made. It takes away from the game. Although to be fair, I would have been ok with anyone wearing an Arsenal jersey running up to that ref yelling about what he was doing awarding a penalty in the 2nd half there.

Sean Garmer: FACT. There's no doubt that this rule should be instituted. I think it is important for all players to be able to talk to the referees, but when an entire team (This tends to happen a lot with national teams) go in mass to bash the ref that is ridiculous. We cannot forget that ref's are human and they will make mistakes. No one wants to talk about using replay for penalty decisions, so until then, or some other thing is done, like the possible two ref idea, blame needs to stop going on them for decisions that are made. The captain needs to be responsible for his team and talk to the ref about a decision.



6. It is inevitable that we will have a European Super League?


Lotfi Sariahmed: FICTION. Though only because I'm nitpicking here. Inevitable is a strong word. I'm not discounting it entirely because it could happen given the business it could bring in. But how good would it be really? Who would it involve? How many teams? I wouldn't say no to anything at this point but I certainly hope logic prevails here.

Sean Garmer: FACT. I think it will happen eventually especially with more foreign ownership that goes into the Prem. Also with the news hitting that the Bundesliga and La Liga would have supported the "39th game" idea, it is the beginning of the certain rumblings about a Super league. Personally though, I hope it doesn't happen because it would take away from the integrity and total fun that you have watching a certain domestic league. If you were to take all the big teams away from the big leagues and put them in one Super League it would just kill the domestic leagues. Take the big four out of the Prem or Serie A, what about Barca and Real from La Liga. Yeah it doesn't have the same appeal to those at home, and even less to those around the world. Not to mention what does that do to the Champions League? Will it just be an entry for the winner into the Super League? Obviously that can all be worked out, but it seems to more of a big issue than keeping it the way it is.


Well, 4 out 6 ain't bad, but I think we can do better. Until next week, see ya.